Cookie Monster

There are a few rx-7's with ruined engines around here and i was wondering if it was worth it to go after them, ranging from 5k to 6k

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

That depends what "blown" means. If the engine just needs to be replaced from a coolant or apex seal failure, that's not a problem. If it's from an engine fire, well, that's a whole different ball game.

Keep in mind that even if the engine is blown from a coolant or apex seal failure, that doesn't mean there won't be other things to fix as well (and most likely there will be quite a bit more as you'll need to fix whatever caused the engine to go in the first place).

potatochobit

iTrader: (1)

i bought an rx7 with a bad motor. turns out turbos were bad too. just installing a new motor with all gaskets, flywheel, basic items, it came out to almost six thousand dollars. you can do a quick install for around 4k, but why deal with leaks. then there was the turbo problem, 3 rebuilds 2 were under the first warranty, finally had to get a new set. Major pain made me think Rx7s were pieces of trash for awhile since everything was broken. now that i have invested 10k in cash it runs great, but now im regretting not purchasing that new imprezza that i could have upgraded with 10k. best bet is get a rx7 with new engine and single upgrade already done recently. pay the few hundred and get an rx7 expert to diagnose it. that is the way to go.

tmiked

At least you know what your getting. Just do the math and decide for yourself.

Figure out what it would cost to fix it. Double it to allow for surprises and add that to the price you are paying for the car.

turbojeff

iTrader: (30)

Someone told me to "double it" when I was fixing my first car back in 1984. I thought he was crazy. Almost 20yrs later he was so right.

Lots of fools think you can just throw a reman in for $2000 and your done. That is a recipie for another blown motor. Buy parts from Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda, do a search on the forum, you'll spend $4-6K if you do it RIGHT.

Jeff

kyle@insight

It's posted in the 3rd gen section so I'd imagine so.

I'd only buy a car with a blown motor if I were going to build a true project car. Something from the ground up, shaped by my hands. I'll do that down the road, and probably start with just a chassis. However, for now it's not the way to go for me.

alwan16

after doing 2 engines and about to do a third it will definitely be a minimum of 3k-4k if you do all the labor yourself. you never know what to order besides the normal stuff until you pull everything off such as motor mounts, clutch, throwout bearing, etc. stuff adds up. you're looking at 5-7k if you want it done by a professional. if it doesn't run either then you can't check out the condition of the tranny and other aspects of the car.

93BlackFD

the only way i'd buy an rx7 is if it had a blown motor, coolant seal would be the best

$5k would be my max, i'd spend $15k for single turbo, pineapple motor, and go fast goodies

don't buy one that is already singled, nobody wants someone else's *****

pomanferrari

iTrader: (1)

Hey Alex, you definitely have to add more content to your engine pull section. That was very helpful from your website.

Is it possible to lift the Malloy Reman in its packaging from a van by one person?

alwan16

engine and packaging weigh 210 lbs. so unless you complete in the world's strongest man competition i don't suggest lifting by yourself. get a friend to help you or use a forklift or handtruck. a cheap $20 dolly from OSH helps to roll it around your garage etc. but is not totally essential because you can drag the engine around with the box.

i might add another section on doing an engine swap and take better pictures with some better notes this time around. it is definitely 2x as easy the next time. i'm hoping the next one will go even smoother. we will see. here's the next one

tmiked

Its a savings to start that long awaited 3-rotor project !!!

RollnDrty

If you plan on getting real dirty and doing things right, then yes, get an FD with a blown motor, and rip it all out. I'd go with a Pineapple streetport w/ oil mods (wait a minute, I did do that....), shipped to you that is about $3600. Do vacuum lines, ahve injectors done at RC Engineering, polish everything you want shiny, motor mounts, and all the other little things if you want to do it right. Then mod the **** out of it.

Icemastr

iTrader: (2)

If you can do all the work yourself and its a clean body, good deal.

mmonaco

It cost a **** load to do a new engine. Trust me i did it that way! i bought the car back in March and i got it done in june after i sent the motor out and got it back. But i had some problem liekt he housing was cracked and i need a reman the rad was blown then the turbos.... The list keeps going cause its not like the car broke down in the drive way and most people would say **** it and just drive it home which causes more problem! Than you get bored with the stock twins and got single before you should have know you have 25k in a car you drove 2k in 2 years! You need alot of time and anger managment class!!! I would just buy one with a good new reman or rebuilt motor, but if you got some ***** do it my way! Hope that helped!

pomanferrari

iTrader: (1)

210 lbs ain't bad. I carried a 220 lbs guy for 50 yards in my arms (idiot crashed his motorcycle and broke his leg).

I thought I was addicted to this RX7 crack but I guess you're hard core. You're probably not married (well may be to the cars) right?

And living in San Fran? Do I hear dot com stock options realization?

alwan16

yes newly single so i can take on as many cars as i like couldn't do this a couple of months ago that's for sure. as for stock options...i don't work for a dot-com but still hoping for the market to get better so we can go public...then i can buy my own shop to store everything...

pomanferrari

iTrader: (1)

Doing all labor myself. Without installing the motor back, I have spent $2700.00 despite having a spare parts car.

These are stuff I'm getting with the engine out:
- oil cooler hoses $300
- P/S hose $150
- FPDamper $90
- Fuel Line recall Kit $75
- check valves $100
- new steering rack ?
- wiring harness (spare but cost $600)
- lightweight flywheel $300
- Pineapple 6 puck clutch disc $185

The list goes on so $4-$6K is realistic.

Conv.WS6

I went through all the phases that your talking about in my website.
Story of my 3rd gen. started with a 2K blown car, and went from there. All I can say is that I love the car, but the small things will nickle and dime you to death. It's not just a 2K motor. Also if your going to build it. Build it right like the other guys said. Get the right clutch, radiator, downpipe, etc. pays off in the end.
All and all I would go my route again, but not if I wanted a car right now. It took me a while to get it the way I wanted it.
http://grimmy.fbody.com
Good luck

Conv.WS6

I went through all the phases that your talking about in my website.
Story of my 3rd gen. started with a 2K blown car, and went from there. All I can say is that I love the car, but the small things will nickle and dime you to death. It's not just a 2K motor. Also if your going to build it. Build it right like the other guys said. Get the right clutch, radiator, downpipe, etc. pays off in the end.
All and all I would go my route again, but not if I wanted a car right now. It took me a while to get it the way I wanted it.
http://grimmy.fbody.com
Good luck