And so begins our journey, PK_12A's 1983 RX-7 rejuvination
 

Figured I should start my build thread for my 83' since I've began working on getting it back on the road. I'll start with what back story I know and a few pictures of the car the day I bought it. I had been in the market for either a crotch rocket or older sports car for a while after my 87' Celica got totaled, after my a attempt at purchasing an 86' FJ1200 fell through I started hunting for another bike when I noticed my neighbor had a first gen RX-7 in his drive way and that it was for sale. After thinking about it for a few days I decided to ask him about it, this is how it sat then and the day I took it home,

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...096/headon.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...le8096/RX7.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...e8096/RX72.jpg

He was unsure the entire history but said when he got ahold of it some of the car was in pieces (engine and drive line were still in the car though) and the owners were trying to part it out, took it home and reassembled it and drove it until the clutch began going out (3 months ago) parked it at a friends home and started it once a week until bringing it to his residence. The asking price, $500 and he would sign over the title. Car has 151k on the clock but,
the car is mechanically in great shape. After cleaning and a bit of tweaking the carb a bit (and trowing in some fuel) the car runs great and starts every time i want it to. I'm unsure the trim level that the car is and so is the previous owner (any one able to tell me).All in all the body is in ok shape it's been a desert car all it's life so it has no rust aside from a bit of surface rust the interior however is another story, this is before I cleaned it,
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14.../RX7inside.jpg

It was pretty dirty and needs some work (dash, seats, rear hatch carpet some and, trim pieces) but for the most part is workable.

After a bit of inspection I found this under the hood,
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...96/sticker.jpg
Again not real sure of what this means really (not able to find any shop info).

More to come real soon with more progress.

nice car... looks like a GS, no rear wiper, but it has a sunroof and power mirrors

Nice find man! Good luck with it. Can't wait to see some progress being made on the interior.

very nice!! keep us posted with pics of your progress. looks like it has a grey 84-85 GSL driver's seat in the car.

Thanks for all the compliments guys I appreciate it, I made some progress today before we got some really mean electrical storms so no pics yet but I will get them first thing tomorrow, the interior and windows are completely clean as of today with the help of purple power windex and A LOT of elbow grease. Apparently the interior began life as black and gray, the passenger seat seems to be the original and the drivers side swapped in at some point but, it has manual windows, which for me is excellent because I HATE electric windows (my 94 GMC 4x4 has them and I wish it didn't), electric mirrors (I like this though very handy), it also has cruise so, I'm leaning toward what j9fd3s said, that it is a GS, what would have came with that trim level if I may inquire? The dash is a totally lost cause as it is 100% baked and cracked as is the a pillar trim and center vents (literally fell apart when I tried to clean them) the trim right under the rear windshield/hatch is the same as the dash, baked so interior wise it needs a lot of work but, is doable over time and at this point for that I'm gunna hunt my local bone yard and see what I can come across. I also need to replace the broken headlight/turn signal switch, black dragon wants $499 for one for an 83 /w cruise but only $269 for one for and 84' whats the difference IF any? The plan For the interior is to go custom black with white accents and high back buckets in a sort of 80's style, with a modern sound system. Pics coming tomorrow of the current state of the interior.
I'm thinking of going with a Zoom Performance Products MU Series Clutch kit (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ZZZ-MU476041/) anyone have any experience with this company? I also discovered that the right rear wheel has a wheel lock on it and, no key does anyone know how to get these off ? Mechanically the car is 100% stock (even the coils) other than new plugs and wires and a new exhaust system, no cat or resonator so it is pretty damn loud. Other than the clutch ALL fluids will be changed out ASAP and a new rad cap will be installed just as a precaution. MORE PICS COMING VERY SOON ! ! :nod:

As promised

driver door
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00278.jpg

passenger door
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00288.jpg

dash
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00280.jpg

seats
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00279.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00287.jpg

rear cargo area
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00281.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00289.jpg

front
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00282.jpg

gauges
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00283.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00285.jpg

my still dirty engine bay which is the next item on the list for a good cleaning
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00286.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00290.jpg

and a few more,

body tags maybe someone can help give me info from them
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00293.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00292.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00291.jpg

and the lock with no key, does anyone have a way to get these off with out the key?
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00294.jpg

any way that's all for now MORE AS I DO MORE ! ! !

Luk clutch is ordered, Summit was going to take to long to get the one I wanted, plus Luk is well known as a good oem replacment in the muscle car scene, found out it needs a new combination switch as the head light switch part is 100% shot and it looks like I may need to source a new radiator if a new cap don't fix the issue which I am hoping it does. Should have the 7 on the road in a few weeks time and parts willing.

This lovely piece of hardware came just before I left for work,
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00299.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00300.jpg
Gonna start hopefully Saturday after getting my truck running (if the parts for IT get here).

The VIN plate says the original paint code was K8 - Tornado Silver, which is a dark metallic silver-grey (same color as my SA)

I know it's been repainted at least once in it's life and it's nice to know I was in the ball park with the color(s) I wanted to paint the car. Thanks DD much appreciated.

Is the light switch broken? or just not working? If it is still in one piece, but failing to work correctly, then check the archives for a thread titled "the end to your headlight headaches".

Nice car, good luck with the restoration. :)







.

I've heard of using those gator grip sockets for removing wheel lugs that you dont have the key for

It's still there but only rotates around e.g. won't operate the lights, and is unfortunately stuck with the parking lights on but I will take a look for that thread and thank you for the help and compliments.

I had read that some where as well may end up doing that if I don't go down to the tire shop and see if they will do it. . .

my interior was identical to yours when i got it and trashed. no door panels and cracked dash. i got the dash cover and painted it, the upolstery(spelling) shop by my house redid the door panels and i did alot of cleaning. painted all the rest of the faded interior pieces back black with interior paint and it looks like new. i just have seat covers for now but about to add some new buckets that will look somewhat like those covers. my car also was that dark silver color before someone painted it black....

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...r/interior.jpg

After seeing what alot of folks here started with, I am relived as it COULD be way worse. I like what you've done ricerockettuner I'm looking to do something similar but in black and white (console center and seat middle sections) but that's not for a while. Priority one is get it on the road again and get the lighting working properly, then interior/stereo, powertrain and suspension mods/upgrades, and paint. I want to tap this stock 12a for as much as I can with out going forced induction, I love n/a sports cars and seeing how much I can do all motor.

My wife took our supercharged Toyota minivan to the tire shop a couple of days ago to have new tires installed. Turned out that we had wheel locks on, but weren't aware of it and didn't get the key from the previous owner. I don't know how the shop did it, but they got them off without too much trouble and with no extra charge. Probably an option to consider....

Other than a new combination switch, registration, and insurance, tires are next on my immediate needs list, they will be ok for the time being till I get the cash to grab a new set but are DEFINITELY needing replacement, so that's good to know and thank you for the info Kentetsu. Thus far every one here has either been a great help or provided enthusiasm boosting encouragement so, thank you.

Took an hour yesterday before the foul weather hit and got a new combination switch from the salvage (wild bill's, great bunch) and got it installed so now my head lights work correctly, unfortunately, just as I got started no the tear down for the clutch a massive rainstorm hit ruining my plan for the weekend (and possibly the rest of the week). Damn my not having a garage (or at least a car port). . . .

Ok so mama nature gave me a break, no rain today so I got most of the way through the tear down for the clutch (took about an hour and a half after work) before my significant other decided working after dark was not feasible so finish tomorrow and get that sucker installed and get this vehicle ready to get back on the road. Progress picks soon to come.

will look forward to the pics!!

here is a way to remove the locks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJUUyjJqk5A

As promised my progress from the last 2 evenings of work and thanks cody for the vid

My parts pile
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00304.jpg

under the car
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00305.jpg

Personally I have NEVER seen a clutch this jacked up, the entire center is cracked almost completely busted out, it's no wonder it wouldn't engage at all
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00307.jpg

Please note the damage luckily the fly wheel was in good shape
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00308.jpg

bad enough a spring came out
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...6/IMG00309.jpg

Tomorrow I get going on reassembly, so far the hardest part was getting the slave cylinder out more to come soon. . .

dang i wish i had pics of my clutch. idk how it didnt hurt the flywheel but i slung all of the material off of the clutch and it completely locked up. and i drove it home starting in 1st gear and shifting without the clutch lol... flywheel was still fine and is in the car now with my custom stage 2 clutch from golden triangle clutch by my house...

Mine was in great shape too (the fly wheel) surprisingly, hopefully I can get it all put back together tonight and road ready. I have yet to drive this car more than 100yds and I am absolutely dieing too take it for a spin even just down the block.