Ok, so I am about to purchase an FD, and the owner says that the car might have a seized rotor... Is there any way to tell if this is true? He says the car was rebuilt and 2,000 miles later, KAboom... He is running 17 psi... Isnt that a little much for stock turbos. anyway, should i just pull the motor and put a new one in or should i take it to a shop... my budget is only 1200 to get it fixed as of now. Any help is appreciated... And sorry for the newbie questions...

 

Walk away.....

 

And your repair budget needs to be about 5-10k with this car IMHO.

 

Most definitely, if you don't have more than $1200 in reserve for this car, this car isn't the one for you.


~S~

 

+65461

 

but i have seen jdm motor go for that much (1200)... wouldnt it be simple enough to drop the new engine in.

 

and plus this is one of the cleanest FDs i have seen. for the price, even with no motor in the car its still a good deal

 

excuse my ignorance but 5-10k just for the engine... i can find a short or long block on the forum for way cheaper right??? I dont mind doing the work, thats the fun in having a project car.

 

the 5-10 is not JUST for the engine its fr all the clips and harnesses that are brittle and trashed when yo pull the motor get broken.

other parts

motor mounts
fuel pulsation dampener
coolant hoses ALL OF THEM
cleaning injectors

to name a few PLUS unless you do it yourself R2 of the engine plus parts...

that 1200 'low mile JDM' engine yo think is plug and play is +500 shipping +2000 rebuild cause its 90% guaranteed blown + replacing all the other broke old parts + install

so lets see 5-10k is about right

and i doubt you can find a short block cheaper unles yur looking for quite some time and just get lucky. it has happened I got a 1250 rebuild block + trans and misc parts when i was looking from a guy dumping his project. BUT most will want a premium for a KNOWN good block.

so do you do your own work? is this a second vehicle? or are you trying to DD this? sounds like your in over your head on this before its started. cause unles youve done a project like this you are in denial how much it will cost.

z

 

yike's!!! no way you should get that..i'd pass and keep looking

 

I don't know weather to laugh or feel bad for you...

Usually people with budgets don't make it long in this forum. Start working on your for FOR SALE thread.

 

LOL... ok i give BOTH!!!i know i did.

z

 

haha... thats funny, but somewhat true But for the price im picking this car up for would make you guys cry i could buy this car and relist the car for an easy 2k profit... regarding my Q about the boost... isnt 17psi a little high... could this have been the reason for the mystery seized rotor

 

yess sir. 17psi is high for stock twins.
You ask!...Is that the reason the engine blew???
I say...who knows!!!

 

no offense meant here, so dont take this wrong.

i think you may be in over your head but it is your money/time/car.

 

none taken... thanks for the opinion

 

I know why you guys want me to walk away... its cuz you saw the car and want it for yourselfs.... bastards

jk...

 

I would advise you to buy it,the more people with rotary's the better but you need to forget about the budget part.

 

So you have received the best advice from RX7 owners on this site that have been there and done that. A $1,200 budget is not realistic for an engine despite what other info you have in your pocket. I welcome anyone new to this site and new to the RX7, but don't be foolish in thinking you have a plan for getting this thing on the road cheaper than what we have all been through. This is not what you want to hear because the car is beautiful, but take to heart, these cars are very expensive to own. You will receive great support from us for the effort of getting another FD out of mothballs and on the road but you posted this question for a reason. We just want you to be smart and have the info you need before you buy the car. Mahjik is one of the most knowledgeable people on this site and the reason he is telling you to walk away is because of your budget. Anyways, good luck with the car should you decide to buy it, and we will be here to help, but don't be surprised when the repair bill comes.

Steve

 

I don't think a 1200 budget will suffice since with every repair there's always "surprises" that come along. If it's not a broken this, it's a broken that, or damn did I just break that...

 

If the car is a deal then buy it, but by the time you get a new motor in and operational you will likely have spent far more than 1200.

You have been given lots of advice and the message is the same.

If you are still set on the car, then purchase it. It will take you more than 1200 but you might be able to spread the remaining amount over a period of time.

 

Buy it if you think - but believe them here you WILL buy a lot of parts!!!
First the parts which are broken, then the reliability-parts and so on...

I just got an offer for the parts to rebuild the engine - 1500,- dollar is the minimum price ( and thats not all ). Then you have to buy some special tools and do that work for yourself.

Ah and ask your mazdadealer about prices for FD parts, then you will cry ^^

 

thanks for all the advice guys... Im still set on buying... And ill post some pics of my new toy

 

it will be the best/worst decision youve ever made

 

owning a rotary on a budget? your in for a biiig suprize buddy