FC Vert getting a VQ!
Thread Starter
Oh, HIM.
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
FC Vert getting a VQ!
Good evening RX-7 enthusiasts!
I recently purchased a 1988 RX-7 convertible and I plan to put a VQ35DE into it. I know many of you implore that the rotary stay in these things so I will give a bit of back story as to how it came to this.
A Brief History
I have been heavily into the Nissan world for nearly a decade now. I have owned two S13 hatchbacks, and a 720 pick-up. First 240sx received a SR20DET transplant and Silvia front end. I blew two turbos enjoying that setup. During that time I came across another 240sx that was in considerably better shape than mine (as far as body condition) for $1000. It was too hard to pass up. Unsure of what to do with this secondary car I looked through Nissan forums for an idea. I stumbled across a few VQ builds and liked the idea, but getting a 350z motor and transmission was not cheap in Saskatchewan. Then I found a 2004 Altima SE-R at a salvage yard being auctioned off. $700 later and I had my VQ (minus oil pan and intake which are different between FWD and RWD VQs), I also found a 6-speed transmission for $500 with less than 50,000Km on it. I had everything I needed but a place to put it all together. Time went by and the project was put on hold.
I moved cities a couple years ago, sold the 240sx with the SR and the other one was in storage with the motor. I still had nowhere to work on this project until 3 months ago when I moved out of the condo I was renting a space in and bought my own place. Two car garage. Plenty of space to get the VQ into the S13. While randomly searching Kijiji (our version of Craigslist) I came across a 1988 convertible FC for $1100. In Saskatchewan, these things sell for easily $5,000+. The caveat on it was that the motor was seized. This is how the project came to light and I cannot bring myself to go any other way. I sold my Nissan and bought the Mazda.
So here we are, a VQ being transplanted into an FC.
Warning
This build is going to be slow. I have a lot going on in my life right now (who doesn't), my health being a large obstacle in much of the work I can do. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease 8 years ago and have not successfully been in remission in that time. So it's difficult for me to work at the pace I would prefer. I will however post all I can about this build. I've always wanted to do a build thread - I've read so many awesome ones.
The pictures
This is what people care about most (even me). It's always nice to have written context, but pictures are just..... better
As you can see, there is still work to be done. The previous owner started letting it go. The top needs to be completely replaced, same with the black trim. I plan to go with a PTM trim.
Two dents that need repair on one side and a large (and poorly fixed) dent on the other. Both doors have dents in them as well.
The engine bay looks really clean. The previous owner said he had replaced a lot of the parts before the motor stopped working. Now it won't even turn over.
The interior is rough, most pieces will need to be replaced. Even the seats. On the plus side, cleaning behind and under the seats net me $12 in change! And fries!.....
I recently purchased a 1988 RX-7 convertible and I plan to put a VQ35DE into it. I know many of you implore that the rotary stay in these things so I will give a bit of back story as to how it came to this.
A Brief History
I have been heavily into the Nissan world for nearly a decade now. I have owned two S13 hatchbacks, and a 720 pick-up. First 240sx received a SR20DET transplant and Silvia front end. I blew two turbos enjoying that setup. During that time I came across another 240sx that was in considerably better shape than mine (as far as body condition) for $1000. It was too hard to pass up. Unsure of what to do with this secondary car I looked through Nissan forums for an idea. I stumbled across a few VQ builds and liked the idea, but getting a 350z motor and transmission was not cheap in Saskatchewan. Then I found a 2004 Altima SE-R at a salvage yard being auctioned off. $700 later and I had my VQ (minus oil pan and intake which are different between FWD and RWD VQs), I also found a 6-speed transmission for $500 with less than 50,000Km on it. I had everything I needed but a place to put it all together. Time went by and the project was put on hold.
I moved cities a couple years ago, sold the 240sx with the SR and the other one was in storage with the motor. I still had nowhere to work on this project until 3 months ago when I moved out of the condo I was renting a space in and bought my own place. Two car garage. Plenty of space to get the VQ into the S13. While randomly searching Kijiji (our version of Craigslist) I came across a 1988 convertible FC for $1100. In Saskatchewan, these things sell for easily $5,000+. The caveat on it was that the motor was seized. This is how the project came to light and I cannot bring myself to go any other way. I sold my Nissan and bought the Mazda.
So here we are, a VQ being transplanted into an FC.
Warning
This build is going to be slow. I have a lot going on in my life right now (who doesn't), my health being a large obstacle in much of the work I can do. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease 8 years ago and have not successfully been in remission in that time. So it's difficult for me to work at the pace I would prefer. I will however post all I can about this build. I've always wanted to do a build thread - I've read so many awesome ones.
The pictures
This is what people care about most (even me). It's always nice to have written context, but pictures are just..... better
As you can see, there is still work to be done. The previous owner started letting it go. The top needs to be completely replaced, same with the black trim. I plan to go with a PTM trim.
Two dents that need repair on one side and a large (and poorly fixed) dent on the other. Both doors have dents in them as well.
The engine bay looks really clean. The previous owner said he had replaced a lot of the parts before the motor stopped working. Now it won't even turn over.
The interior is rough, most pieces will need to be replaced. Even the seats. On the plus side, cleaning behind and under the seats net me $12 in change! And fries!.....
Thread Starter
Oh, HIM.
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
More pictures
A wiring mess to clean up... not the first time I've had to deal with that.
Junk in the trunk
Better. Some rust on the left, shouldn't be a concern.
Anyone know what this is?
Dat ***. Dat broken exhaust haha.
That's all I have for now, first step is to pull the motor.
A wiring mess to clean up... not the first time I've had to deal with that.
Junk in the trunk
Better. Some rust on the left, shouldn't be a concern.
Anyone know what this is?
Dat ***. Dat broken exhaust haha.
That's all I have for now, first step is to pull the motor.
Bonus tasty looking fries behind the seat.
Seriously though, would be really nice to drive when it's done. Driven my share of 350z convertibles and with the huge drop in weight in the FC vert you'll have a fun ride.
Seriously though, would be really nice to drive when it's done. Driven my share of 350z convertibles and with the huge drop in weight in the FC vert you'll have a fun ride.
Thread Starter
Oh, HIM.
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
It's been over a month and I feel long overdue for an update.
I may have gotten a little overzealous with this project because I felt that the VQ should be rebuilt.
It was running when I pulled it from the donor car (was an '04 Altima SE-R) but it has accumulated 260,000 Km (over 160,000 miles) so I felt it could use some care.
It was an issue free process until one of the bolt heads snapped off...
I currently do not have the right tools to remove this snapped head.
To add insult to injury my Crohn's has been flaring up on me thus making working on the car much more difficult. So the rotary motor still sits in the RX for now.
As for all of the VQ parts, well they are resting in my basement haha.
At this time I am debating on sending the motor in to be done professionally but I am still on the fence about it.
New piston heads and rods would be nice, as well has having the cylinder walls honed and I feel a trained eye would be really beneficial here.
As for the top end, new valves and perhaps some better camshafts. I have much more research to do in this regard.
I am looking to get ~350hp from the car all said and done, so I shouldn't have to do much with the motor if anything.
Bigger injectors, better intake, custom exhaust and a proper ECU tune should get me there.
Other improvements are going to be new coilovers and whatever bits are necessary to keep the car fairly stiff in the corners.
This is not going to be a track car, but I do like to drive aggressively and want to eliminate any body roll.
To be honest, I have never driven any FC so I have no idea what they feel like stock - perhaps coilovers will be all I need?
For those watching this thread, what are your suggestions for a good coilover set?
Finally, I thought it would be a good idea to share with you how I plan to make the car look.
I like the white on the FC so I don't want to stray too far away from it. Pearlescent white is what I have in mind.
Something similar to this:
For wheels, it will be gunmetal or hyper black - I am a fan of these Enkei Raijin's
Interior will be black and red - I haven't looked at anything in this respect but the only red bits will be the stitching in the seats, wheel and shift boot/****.
Happy to hear all of your 2 cents on this.
P.S. A friend of mine has a really clean '88 FC coupe he wants to sell. The rotary runs but has some idling issues apparently - I am trying to get a good deal on it so I may have two FCs soon haha.
I may have gotten a little overzealous with this project because I felt that the VQ should be rebuilt.
It was running when I pulled it from the donor car (was an '04 Altima SE-R) but it has accumulated 260,000 Km (over 160,000 miles) so I felt it could use some care.
It was an issue free process until one of the bolt heads snapped off...
I currently do not have the right tools to remove this snapped head.
To add insult to injury my Crohn's has been flaring up on me thus making working on the car much more difficult. So the rotary motor still sits in the RX for now.
As for all of the VQ parts, well they are resting in my basement haha.
At this time I am debating on sending the motor in to be done professionally but I am still on the fence about it.
New piston heads and rods would be nice, as well has having the cylinder walls honed and I feel a trained eye would be really beneficial here.
As for the top end, new valves and perhaps some better camshafts. I have much more research to do in this regard.
I am looking to get ~350hp from the car all said and done, so I shouldn't have to do much with the motor if anything.
Bigger injectors, better intake, custom exhaust and a proper ECU tune should get me there.
Other improvements are going to be new coilovers and whatever bits are necessary to keep the car fairly stiff in the corners.
This is not going to be a track car, but I do like to drive aggressively and want to eliminate any body roll.
To be honest, I have never driven any FC so I have no idea what they feel like stock - perhaps coilovers will be all I need?
For those watching this thread, what are your suggestions for a good coilover set?
Finally, I thought it would be a good idea to share with you how I plan to make the car look.
I like the white on the FC so I don't want to stray too far away from it. Pearlescent white is what I have in mind.
Something similar to this:
For wheels, it will be gunmetal or hyper black - I am a fan of these Enkei Raijin's
Interior will be black and red - I haven't looked at anything in this respect but the only red bits will be the stitching in the seats, wheel and shift boot/****.
Happy to hear all of your 2 cents on this.
P.S. A friend of mine has a really clean '88 FC coupe he wants to sell. The rotary runs but has some idling issues apparently - I am trying to get a good deal on it so I may have two FCs soon haha.
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Thread Starter
Oh, HIM.
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
This is correct. 6 speed manual from a 350z, I forget what year as I bought it a couple of years ago but I know it will fit. I also had to get the upper oil pan from a 350z and will have to get upper and lower intake manifolds from one as well.
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