(Re)Build S4 N/A
 

Whats up RX7Club.com!?
I just got my 87 S4 N/A Back from the dead (Improper Storage)!
Its got malfunctioning brakes, desperately needs new oil and coolant, the transmission syncros were going bad when I last drove it, and the engine was improperly stored.
My first step is to get it working.
http://www.thebigrevealbook.com/roarke/RX701312012.jpg
When I first got it, the coolant system was pretty shoddy and the last owner stuck a cone filter in the engine bay, cut the shocks and ran lower profile tires on stock rims. I tried to keep the oil clean, but I still drove it like a sports car. There was no major engine issues when I ran it though.
Now, after almost two years its time to get it working again!

I want to do an engine rebuild, but its going to have to be on a budget. I'm also going to replace the syncros in the transmission. If I can get my hands on a miata transmission I'd like to put the miata gears in my transmission for a bit more zip, as long as I can find it cheap enough. I've read a lot of positive stuff about this.

I'm going to do some compression testing and poking around before tearing it up, and replace things that are bad.

As you can see from the pictures, there's also a lot of cosmetically terrible things wrong, which I will also attempt to rectify. If anyone has any blue door panels (manual windows) in the Portland metro area, I'd be willing to take them off your hands :D

Plans for today:
Check plugs
Drain oil
Remove battery, clean corrosion, trickle charge

A week later I've finally:
1) Cleaned the battery terminals of corrosion, installed new terminal connectors
2) Changed the oil
3) Took the leading plugs out, and listened to the engine turn over. Heard pretty even "psst....psst....psst" of the combustion chambers, which is very good!
4) Looking at the oil pan I noticed the fuel filter has been bypassed with a metal hose... another thing on the todo list. There was also something unplugged.. not sure what it was, but I have to clean it out before plugging it back in.
5) I GOT IT RUNNING! I was mostly expecting it to futs out, and not run but it actually works. Guess I shouldn't be so surprised, but it did work. Went around the block and pulled it into the garage front end in.

I found a set of s5 tails to buy for a good price nearby. Getting them on Wednesday. Psyched for that.

Todo this week:
Fix the brake hydraulics (busted brake cable - I think)
Inspect the rest of the brakes and suspension
organize the garage
hunt for parts
plan & prepare for rebuild

later:
I thought I posted this forever ago :( I guess I left it sitting open accidentally.
Well, I started some more work on it and decided that fixing the brakes, fuel filter and everything else would be easier with the engine out of it so I'm going to start on that.

Nice! It looks like your on a mission. Haha.. Good luck with the build.. I too have an 87 se just like yours but in silver.. I'll be keeping an eye on your build...

when you say you want to get some miata gears for tour transmission what kind of benefits are you goin to get from that? just curius on what would make my na faster

www.mazdatrix.com/g1.htm
That pretty much explains it but the simple gist is the ratios are quicker. Gas mileage is an Immediate downside
As for the build
I got the engine out rebuilt it very cheaply and then found a near pristine 86 gxl for 800.
All I have to do to it is replace the transmission from an almost broken automatic to a 5 speed. That takes away parts from finishing this car though and its not in good condition at all. Probably going to part it out and get rid of it.

I think I would rebuild the one with the nicer body.

I think I'm going to drop my rebuilt keg into the gxl, it's what I bought it for anyway.
Saves me from dealing with flywheel nuts again too