OK, so I'm trying to decide what to do (as I said in the title)......

She's burning coolant (my own fault due to overheating) so the engine needs a rebuild.

Found a good engine that was just rebuilt for about 1k. I could put it in or have the shop do it. Current engine is putting down 439 at the wheels which the new engine should be about the same.

If I do that, I'll sell her.

Now........if I keep her, I'll go a different route. New semi-bridge port, all new fuel system with dual pumps and braided lines from the tank up, new dual plate Excedy clutch, new Blitz boost controller and new meth injection. Cost would be about 12k (give or take) and I'd be looking at my target of 600 rwhp.

I just know if I sell her, I'll regret it like last time I sold my other 7 but 12k is a lot of money. And yes, I can't settle and do it half way and just do the motor and be happy

what to do, what to do...............

Thoughts?

 

Why not just keep it and don't be so optimistic. 600hp? Do you really need that? Things get expensive when you have that much power. Gas, other mechancial parts that can break trying to hold this power, tires I presume.

You won't have to spend anywhere near 12k if you set your hp goal a bit lower.

I say keep it and aim for 450 instead. PLENTY of power for our cars.

 

so either spend 1K for the engine and sell her...or 12K to get 600+ hp?

I'm with 1Qwik7...how much HP do you really need. 12K to get to 600hp is a lot of dime to drop just to go fast and have bragging rights.

spend the 1k and be happy with what ya got. If you sell her...it'll just cost you more to get back to where you are now.

 

What is the point of 600hp in a 2800lb car? Keep it, spend the grand and be happy.

 

I've been tooling around with 440 rwhp for a couple of years now and its gotten a bit old. Like anything, once you're used to it, it just doesn't excite anymore. There is never enough power after all.

Satisfied? Never

Although, if the right nearly stock low mileage 7 comes along, I may just buy it, fix my current one and sell it. My wife would kill me if I showed up with another lol. I am looking at one thats for sale with low mileage. If I can work it with the current owner, I'll drive down on Friday, pay cash and pick it up.

Here are a few pictures of my current 7.

 

I think its funny that someone comes on here asking if they should sell their car. Of course people here are going to tell you to keep it. Obviously you want to keep it, so why ask?

If you want to sell it, go to the "stay-at-home-moms" website, and ask them if you should sell!!!! Here's a link:

www.pleasetellmetosellmycar.com

Glad I could be helpful

 

trust me 450HP is plenty in a street powered FD. after riding in Bobbys 20B FD aka (3rotor) from ohio, with more than 600WHP at that power with the FD's weight things just become crazy, now im all for big numbers but i would spend the 1K and be happy with the car.

 

Adam, I do not "Obviously want to keep it" thats why I asked the question. More to solicit feedback than anything else.

I did not just "come on the board". I've been on the Rx-7 forum since the "big list" 15+ years ago. So I'm not a newbie. This is my 2nd 3rd gen (10 years between them).

Contructive feed back would be helpful. Many people think 450 hp is sufficient. I don't. BUT I do miss the non-worries about driving a properly set up (nearly) stock 7 such as power steering, a/c, not worrying about driveway entrances, etc.

I keep going back and forth and have NOT made up my mind. THATS why the post.

Have a nice day

Terry

 

Hey Gordon,

I'm very much leaning toward the sell / buy option. I was just at Dave's on Friday running through options with him. I could go semi-bridge and save the fuel system upgrade for later but if I'm going to go full out, I'm doing it all at once. 12 grand is a lot but if I decided to keep the car forever, its worth it.

List I mentioned in my original post, I found a newly rebuilt street ported motor that I should be able to get for about 1k. But add another grand for the install so figure 2k. Cheap. I just don't have the time to install another motor myself.

My only problem with selling is that mine is unique. All parts are Japanese sourced (i.e. RE Amemiya) except the hood. Much is custom fab'ed (dual wastegate exhaust manifold), and much isn't available anymore (ie. HKS 4" titanium exhaust). So if it goes, it goes forever.

Finally, I am (just slightly) considering going over to the dark side and getting a Supra but I still have a difficuld time with the HUGE rear. If not for that, I'd have bought a Supra years ago

 

If you're used to 450rwhp, I think you might be better off going to the darkside. A supra can make endless power.

700-800rwhp easily attainable. And I highly doubt you want 1000rwhp on that car.

While absolutely no problem to make, spinning tires at 100mph even with 305s isn't really exciting, its scary.

But the problem with the supra community, its a numbers game. You either have to have massive hp, or you're not anything really special.

Judging your posts in this thread, id say go with the supra. That seems like a logical choice. I've loved that car for so long. But I love small tight cars and that's why I stay with the fd. Plus im one of those people who think if its not worth it if you "only" have 500rwhp supra.

 

Yeah, the cheaper these cars become, the more like the "Honda" crowd it gets in here

I considered the "roller" route but I'd be too tempted to go all out and build another over the top 7. If I get a close to stock 7 w/ low miles in great shape, I'd be happy to use it as a all around fun car. I guess I'm getting too old for a car that is great for an hour but a pain to drive for much longer. If I wanted that highly modded one, I'd keep mine and shoot for the 600 rwhp mark - which I'm still considering. I do love my car and everytime I look at her, I reconsider selling her.

Tough call.

 

Since money doesn't seem to be the problem, and you don't really want to sell your car, the solution seems simple: Keep your car, and buy a stock FD.

 

If it was only that simple

I sold my Evo and GTI because I "can't" have more than 1 fun car at a time or I'm tempted to mod them all.....then funds does become an issue. Plus the wife has NO problem with one money pit, two is a different story

 

sell all of your 13b stuff. throw a 20b in there.

 

^Amen^ lol

 

Why? Everything is custom and one off - exhaust manifold, piping, front mount, etc. 600 rwhp is possible w/ a 13b so I don't see the point in spending 20k to do a 20b. Plus the extra weight, new subframe, etc.

I wouldn't be able to use my front mount because of the set up and where the piping runs the rad can't be stood up as would be required.

Just not worth it to me.

I've been over at the Supra forums all day and there are a ton available. Still not feeling the styling as much as the 7 though.

I still very much leaning toward dropping in a rebuilt street ported motor good for 450ish hp and selling her. Then buying a clean, low mileage, mostly stock 7 to replace her with.

Hell I'm all over the place

 

sounds like you should get another hobby in addition to this one. then you'll just keep it and not ponder so much. free time leads to this kind of stress, at least for me. then buyers remorse and you are in heap loads of trouble.

how about the guitar? i dunno thinking of something less expensive so you can do both.

how the heck do you get "used" to a 400+HP FD on city streets?

 

i just thought id throw in another option. but a 20b you could have a much more reliable 600hp if you have the cash flow. And does a little more weight really matter with that much hp. Might even help with traction. food for thought.

 

Give me your seats lol.

thewird

 

And a 20b is not custom? Lol

It "seems" like you have a good amount of funds to dispose so why not just spend 8k more than your original 12 and put the 20b. Why wouldn't you?

I can't think of any person who would rather have a 13b instead of a 20b discounting the money issue. A 600rwhp is more attainable with a 20b. But you knew that.

Also how are you uses to 450rwhp? Are you just racing bikes on the freeway? Cause that much power anywhere else on city streets is not only dumb but pointless.

Seems like you want a highway monster, then supra is the car for you. And iirc they took the styling of the mkiv from ferrari. Although I don't know which model lol. I think its stylish, in a japanese muscle car way. I just believe its too big for my taste as I like small go kart type cars.

 

hhahahha im on the same boat as you sir, 05 legacy GT i bought a BNR 16G for my FD i want a bigger single on it and i just picked up a 06 WRX thats modded but i want more mods so i bought an exeddy clutch to hold up to the 2step launch's

 

You miss the point. A 20b is nice don't get me wrong but all the custom work has already been done. I can't see stipping it all out and starting over. I'd rather just buy another and do it again if I was going to go the 20b route. IF I went 20b, then I'd probably never sell it lol.

And you can and DO get used to 400+ hp. Had the car for a couple of years so it now feels "normal". You're correct that you can't use it in the city but I don't live in a big city, its mostly rural roads here in PA and thats were the fun lies. Plus with a single turbo, there isn't really much below 4000 rpm anyway.

Thing is, I've always like the Rx-7 much better than the supra since I'd rather have a go-kart than a drag car. But it would be nice to have 800+ hp on tap which can easily be obtained with a Supra. Its not all about brute power, but its still nice to have.

Oh and to the other poster, I do have other hobbies - I play guitar (have a Fender) but nothing quite beats a great drive in a great car.

I could just keep it and buy another semi-stock 7 but then I wouldn't know which to drive

 

If you were to get a clean, stock FD what would you plan to do with it (keep twins, etc)? If you are thinking you'd be happy to keep it mild, I think you need to reconsider where you'd be after a year with a stock FD. Sounds like you'd inevitably start modding again and quickly realize you lost a ton of money / time getting rid of your current build.

I say stick with it and do what must be done to your FD. If you truly believe 600 whp would suit you better than 450, I really think (a) keeping your car / (b) trading for Supra / Viper / etc are your only options.

 

4 rotor twin turbo?

thewird

 

600 rwhp (13b) is a waste of time for anything but a drag car, the only way you'll ever hook up is in 4th gear and 80+ mph - the power delivery is too peaky. That power level is far more manageable in 20b and then you have to build the car from the ground up to support it