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1988 10th Anniversary Restore/Build!
Hey everyone! Long time no see!
I use to be on here a lot (even if I didn't post much), back when I owned an FC convertible (2013 I think?). It was immaculate, but had title issues and I could never get the thing in my own name. Even got impounded once! Here it was: https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...296f7dc7e3.jpg Always loved RX7's, and absolutely love rotaries. My dad even purchased a brand new SA back in the day..so it runs in the family! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a345c1e4a0.jpg Ever since my BRZ got totaled by hail, I've been on the search for a new project that wasn't a "new" car. I tried the new car thing, loved it but there was a few aspects I didn't enjoy; car payments, no real "OG's" to give you inspiration for the build, voiding warranties, and scouring the internet for hours on end day in day out finding rare parts. Here was my BRZ for those who are interested: https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...0dea526ad4.jpg So after searching for months for the right RX7 project, I found this on craigslist. Clean title, but missing the 10AE keys, front bumper, powertrain and a few other randoms (shift knob, boot, floor mats etc) but everything else was there and accounted for. It had been sitting outside for awhile it seems with the windows down, so the interior smelled like complete shit and was very dirty. The car use to be in NY, so it has quite a bit of underbody rust that will be fixed. I brought it home and started the process! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...974a429f07.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...780f9db99c.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c45b002e67.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...895ac63810.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...30bc0d0687.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ac869a6736.jpg I'm limited on pictures, so I'll update on the next post. |
Pressure washed the car, then brought it inside to tear down. First things first was to clean that terrible interior, rip apart the suspension, replace the rear subframe (way too much rust), replace all bushings, upgrade brakes and suspension etc.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...1a650c0035.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8adaca34c9.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...012194645a.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...664bab65e5.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fbeb5b3644.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c5379b12cd.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3e69e0f69b.jpg Front subframe was salvageable, but the calipers and rotors will be rebuilt, new bushings on the control arms and everything powdercoated. That's all the progress I have right now, the progress might be kind of slow but I'll update as I go! |
Finally got the rear subframe off, fought me every step of the way. Lots of broken bolts, busted knuckles came with this.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ee805b393b.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...abbd5524ff.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8a6c61f83c.jpg After fighting with everything and finding all the rust, I found myself a donor rear subframe with little to no rust. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...92d047b6c3.jpg My Prothane bushings came in, and I have PBM solid bushings all around for the subframe, along with their adjustable lateral rods and camber link. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b688eaaa1c.jpg The guy I got my subframe from hooked me up with some door handles as well, and I got the door moldings I've been looking for from an FC at the junk yard. Interior is basically complete, just needs some seats! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...19676b5e1a.jpg And that's where we sit. Goodrich lines and S5 tails come in today, and the PBM stuff later this week. Time to start stripping and painting the sub frame and cross member. Garage will be needing a good cleanup after this one https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...361de59f90.jpg |
man that subframe was terrible! glad california typically doesnt have to deal with that type of rust. was a fan of your past builds, looking forward to this one.
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Looks like a good start!! if those tail lights don't clean up and you look for some mint replacements hit me up. I got some 10AE tails I was going to use on an old project.
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Pretty good start for sure! I remember when I had my 86 Sport all ripped apart like that. Such tedious work, but will be worth it once it's all back together and on the road!
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Looking great so fa!! Are you going to restore the car to a stock collectible condition?
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Originally Posted by BOOGS!
(Post 12108186)
man that subframe was terrible! glad california typically doesnt have to deal with that type of rust. was a fan of your past builds, looking forward to this one.
Originally Posted by 87JDMturbo
(Post 12108464)
Looks like a good start!! if those tail lights don't clean up and you look for some mint replacements hit me up. I got some 10AE tails I was going to use on an old project.
Originally Posted by 2jzfc
(Post 12108571)
Pretty good start for sure! I remember when I had my 86 Sport all ripped apart like that. Such tedious work, but will be worth it once it's all back together and on the road!
Originally Posted by mazdaverx713b
(Post 12108633)
Looking great so fa!! Are you going to restore the car to a stock collectible condition?
Small update, got some new badges for the rear (couldn't find 10AE badges) and some S5 tails https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fdd7f909af.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b47fb646de.jpg |
You can always just paint the badges Crystal White or a white close to its shade. That's what I had to do when I restored my 10AE.
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Originally Posted by mazdaverx713b
(Post 12109006)
You can always just paint the badges Crystal White or a white close to its shade. That's what I had to do when I restored my 10AE.
Not a whole lot of progress here, just waiting for parts mainly. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...11e32a8863.jpg Finally tore down my rusty subframe to get my old spindles off. One of the best investments is a good 1/2" electric impact. I finally bought one and man it made everything super easy. Got every bolt out that was rusted to all hell, unfortunately even on low torque setting it broke 3 bolts on my rear caliper brackets. This won't be fun to drill out.. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2a1e2fc455.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e81347719b.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3df2beb782.jpg Some parts have arrived though. Including Goodrich lines, caliper rebuild kits, Prothane bushing kit along with new steering rack bushings, and a care package from PBM including camber arm, lateral rods, and misc solid bushings for the rear end. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e86708a240.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...58308566af.jpg Pretty much it for now. Waiting on a couple more parts and all the misc stuff to get back from powdercoating then I can finally reassemble. Still deciding on coilovers, but my brakes are ordered. Hopefully it'll be on the ground soon! |
looks like a good start ,im sure it will be very nice when its all finish good luck with it keep us posted
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Originally Posted by ROTARY_ADDICT-1
(Post 12117323)
looks like a good start ,im sure it will be very nice when its all finish good luck with it keep us posted
Not many updates because I've just been doing rust repair and restoration which isn't exactly fun lol. But I've found myself a donor rear subframe, blasted it, painted it and installed my new bushings. Waiting on some 5 lug hubs from a member here to replace my crappy ones, then I can finish the bushings and install everything on the car. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...12c3e56ba3.jpg |
Differential is done, all ready to go in the car today.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5a55d01fa6.jpg I don't have a picture, but my fender wells have been cleaned, rust removed and sprayed with undercoating. |
Daymmmnn!!
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Subbed. Got through the holidays, and about to upgrade my 10AE that's been sitting for too long. Taking notes!
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Nice build, looking forward to more updates.
It's going to be hard to keep my 10ae stock when it arrives. |
Originally Posted by Cuzzynz
(Post 12142124)
Daymmmnn!!
Originally Posted by GA_Boy_Drew
(Post 12142130)
Subbed. Got through the holidays, and about to upgrade my 10AE that's been sitting for too long. Taking notes!
Originally Posted by gride
(Post 12143669)
Nice build, looking forward to more updates.
It's going to be hard to keep my 10ae stock when it arrives. Sorry for the terrible pics, but my garage is pretty dark and lighting is scarce. Got my fender wells prepped and sprayed with undercoating, installed the rear subframe along with the front cross member and LCA's. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...79b3971657.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...346247ec0d.jpg Still waiting on some hubs and spindles from a member here and then they'll be on along with the coilovers. |
This is a heartwarming story.
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Originally Posted by ColinShark
(Post 12144151)
This is a heartwarming story.
Couple small updates. Slowly converting to S5, half my moldings are missing anyways. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...89e1656710.jpg Finally disassembled my rear knuckles, cleaned and painted them. Installed my PBM DTSS solid bushings, received my new wheel bearings and seals, now just waiting on my wheel studs to assemble everything. Also received my new rotors! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...625fe45892.jpg And had to treat myself to one aero piece. Only buying suspension bits here and there gets boring after awhile. Found some RE Amemiya oval mirrors and had to snag them. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...58886db4dc.jpg Ordered my coilovers, hopefully by the time they get in the rest of the suspension work will be done and the car can finally sit on the ground! Getting pretty stoked. |
So far so good keep up the good work! I'll be stalking the page for updates lol
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Originally Posted by BlueWarrior
(Post 12146316)
So far so good keep up the good work! I'll be stalking the page for updates lol
Started body work today. Since I'm waiting on coils, figured it's a perfect time to start. The original paint was already painted over, terribly. Quite a bit of bondo in random places that needed re-shaping, etc. This will be a slow process but excited to get this going. One step closer to paint! https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...35c2c94d77.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fca4c627b1.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...890f2be17d.jpg |
I wish I could Edit the photo of your Dad..
He would have a cowboy hat and Moustache..a Trans-Am..and Sally Field!! |
Give it a shot! hahah
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Well a little bit more progress these past few days. Got my coilovers in, rebuilt my front and rear hubs with new bearings and races, seals etc. Threw it all on, just need to rebuild the front calipers and it can finally sit on the ground for the time being while I finish the body work. Waiting on axles as well, mine are toast.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4ac7282774.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6e69aaadce.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7ad57296a4.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3b6eaebb5e.jpg |
Slowly making progress on the body. Shaved antenna hole and OE emblem holes. Kept the spoiler holes because I'll be running OEM for now.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...d6d492d359.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7bbb8a4964.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...93e748e56e.jpg |
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