86 GXL to Turbo Swap Build
 

Well Hello. It has been awhile since I last posted anything so quick story time then right to it! Scroll down for TL;DR. About three years ago I bought an 86 GXL in good condition with the intent of v8 swapping it down the road. After driving it for two years as it was I simply fell in love with the rotary. So I started to learn about turbo setups as much as I could. Then after only about 55k miles on the motor it blew a coolant seal. I did not rebuild it nor did the guy I bought the car from so error was nowhere to be thrown. I did not care much though. It was Turbo II time. I began scouring the internet for motors and Transmissions. After a deal fell through for a transmission I hit pay dirt all at once. I found a Turbo II motor with a rebuild, zero miles, mild street port, emissions block off plates, ported exhausted manifold, LIM, UIM and turbo included for $1200. So I am pretty stoked at this point. Then out of nowhere I find a guy selling an 87 GXL that had already been Turbo II swapped that had blown it’s engine. No big deal I just need the Transmission back so I agree to pay $900 for this car minus engine with aftermarket wheels, full interior and Turbo II hood 10th anniversary edition; albeit painted black :( . A few days before I pick it up this kind fellow drops my price to $800 because I am driving so far. I get there and he throws in an aftermarket intercooler and the entire engine minus the rear rotor which had been destroyed. So a happy man I am with two RX7s. One to build and the other to use…. and then maybe build lol.

TL;DR I got a great deal on an engine and parts car with Transmission back to turbo swap my 86 GXL.

So right now I am getting everything in order and figuring out what I have and what I yet need. I just picked up a Power FC and commander for a great price. I have my eye on a kit that has the adaptor and some goodies to finish that off. Next thing really is tear down of my 86 and prep for swap. Followed by pulling the drivetrain out of the 87 and getting that ready to go.

As you look at the pictures my reason for choosing my 86 as the swap car is because the 87 has some minor rust spots and body dings. Mine is in great shape.

Here is my 86

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This is the 87 parts car I acquired

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I will throw in a picture of the engine here in a few days when I have time.

Your car is super clean. I love the two tone. I did a TII swap on my 86 GXL as well. My build thread's name is near identical to yours haha. The swap shouldn't be too difficult. Do you have a turbo 2 rear end to swap in as well?

Thanks Sudowoodo. I enjoyed reading through your build thread. Your car is looking pretty awesome.

So I got a little busy but have had some time to work on the project. Transmission and driveshaft are out of the parts car. I also got one rear hub off. Would have the whole rear end out but previous owner shoved a piece of wood under the diff. I'm guessing the mount is broken and this was his quick fix. It sort of pushed everything off and made getting things out difficult. Also the rear hub i got off was a bear. Everything has a bit of rust here and there and this was no exception. I had to resort to the Clarkson chest of tools to free it up. Even then the knuckle refused to give up the brake disc. I will work on that later as right now I don't need that part or care. Now some pictures. Sorry they are fuzzy but it was late and I was tired so I did not check to see if they were good quality after I took them.

Clarkson's bin of tools
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My Grandpa's electric impact gun. This thing is probably 50 years old and it was really cool to get to break it out for this project.
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Knuckle off and half shaft ready to come out.
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Here are pictures of my engine as promised and the transmission and drive shaft that are out.
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These are my shelves of parts that came out of the parts car. I have more stuff I will steal directly off the car but this was all loose inside of it when I bought it. Bottom shelves that you cannot see have a whole disassembled engine minus one rotor.
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That is where I am at as of now. Hopefully in a week or two I will make some more progress. Eager to get the parts car back outside and the project car in.