trickster

So I started off with an intro in the Canadian forum but I want am going to have future posts in here for my build thread. Previous link is below:

New project 1987 RX7 GXL - RX7Club.com

As a quick sum up I purchased this car in October in order to learn how to do an engine swap to the turbo 13b. After a few months of research I decided to stick with the 13b but was very tempted to do the 13b-rew swap. After pricing it out and since I'm trying to get an engine in and running ASAP I stuck with the 13b to avoid excess complications.

The car has 82,000 kms and is an 87 GXL. Body is in good shape, appears to have been repainted. Seems to be in sound running condition though that is sortof irrelevant as I'm pulling the engine anyways. One strut is leaking which ill replace soon with coils and there seems to be some bondo repair on the frame rails. There is a small rust hole in the frame that I gotta take a look at again when I get it back. I stored the car for the winter in November to keep in as good condition as possible while I worked on tracking down some parts. Muffler seems to be new and car is currently very quiet. Interior is clean.

As far as experience leading up to this project goes, the furthest I've done is suspension work and body painting. I have a decent wiring background and a strong mechanical interest. I've studied automotive engineering and taken apart an engine and tranny in school to check for component wear but that was as a class. Always loved the fc and am excited to this car home and get to work! Just need the weather to participate with me.

So far my guides have been this forum, rotaryresurrection and fc3spro.

trickster

I have to update a couple of items to cover the last few months so the dates will be a bit off.

The shifter was wobbly as hell when I got the car so I changed that quick before storing. Inside there were no bushings left as expected.



For Christmas got a Haynes manual, new mats, and new wipers. Battery is new as of 2013 so don't need that but the battery box is missing and battery is basically floating around in the engine bay. I'll work on that later. Also did a coolant flush before storing because who knew how long its been.

I was excited that the car has an LSD but that ended up not being advantageous as I originally thought as I need to pull the whole drivetrain including diff halfshafts and driveshaft for the swap anyway.

For storage pulled the battery and bought a car cover though its stored in a garage. Cleaned inside and out beforehand. When I got the car the stereo was hanging out of the dash (one of the powered motor flip face ones) but a simple fuse was the solution. Wiper light idiot light is on though all the other lights dont seem to be responding. I pulled the cluster and tested it all the lights work must be the CPU or solder connections. That can be dealt with later. Also, in terms of the wiper light I was surprised when the car had three wiper fluid reservoirs haha not something I'm used to with my prelude. I filled the one in the trunk, the one for the front windshield and then the headlight washer reservoir. But then I noticed it was puddling under the car and I looked like an idiot because the headlight one has a leak so no wonder the light is on.

trickster

Started my new Job in January upon graduation and started to save money for parts. After a couple months researching I Finally got my engine last week had to pick up an engine hoist that day in order to unload the engine upon delivery. It an s5 rebuilt block with s4 external parts. 332 usdm ecu. Also got turbo tranny, driveshaft , and diff but I'm having a lot of trouble finding turbo halfshafts. Anyone let me know if you know where I can find some. Will post engine pics soon. Looks to be in good condition very excited hoping the weather will clear up so I can get my car back to my house from its storage. Need to save up a bit more money before I can purchase coilovers.

trickster

The problem with getting the car out of storage is that its in a garage behind a house and I'd have to drive the car along the lawn about thirty feet to get it out but the lawn is covered in about two feet of frozen snow. So although the roads here are for the most part clear I think I'd struggle even getting the garage door to swing out and up.










Engine photos
















Still need to get the half shafts, turbo hood, new thermostat, turbo fuel pump, exhaust or custom exhaust piping kit/muffler. And then the basics, spark plugs, wires, fluids, probably should replace the brake and clutch master cylinders.. Engine mount bushings.. coilovers..

trickster

I need to fix my photos so that they display properly because I'm posting this on my phone but if you open them in a new tab you can view them in full. I'll fix it on my comp soon sorry

Cuzzynz

where in Ontario? and car looks clean, cant wait to see this project continue

trickster

Thanks man and im located in the Vaughan area.

I'm trying really hard to stay away from any visual work on the car and focus only on getting the engine in and running for now (regardless of how badly I'd like some s5 tail lights). Engine upgrades can come later I barely have enough money to get the engine in as it is haha. In and running with new suspension is the short term goal.

88fc3sT2

iTrader: (1)

That turbo motor and trans look spotless!

trickster

Thanks man hah but to be honest the tranny, LIM, UIM, front cover, have all been painted. Regardless it still does look pretty clean compared to my NA engine.

trickster

Dammit lol wrote 1997 instead of 1987 and cant change it. Guess I gotta live with the hilarity of that throughout my entire build thread

trickster

Emissions removed and block off plates already applied to the engine. I'm going to need to transfer a couple of parts from my current engine that are missing but most components already included.

Things like thermostat, speed sensor, reverse light/ neutral sensor, potentially alternator depending on the condition of mine cant remember all need to be swapped

Need to buy new mounts, spark wires, drop in k&n filter, master brake and clutch cylinder can't remember if I mentioned them before. Still need halfshafts that's still an issue and good. Don't think I have the funds to switch to fmic for now.

Not sure if I'm Gona go full custom exhaust and like an apexi n1 muffler or pick up an eBay exhaust just to get the car running. I know itd have to be replaced pretty quickly and it'd probably sound like crap but I won't even be able to start the engine until I have some sort of down pipe on there. Just thoughts for now.

trickster

Hopefully going to be bringing the car home from storage on Wednesday so I can get to work. Can't wait!

trickster

Charging up the battery today in anticipation for getting the car on Wednesday. Using a battery charger from 1970s! Hasn't been used since my dad had his motorcycle. Keeping watch for fires..

trickster

Went yesterday to go bring the rx7 out of storage. The car started right away which was a nice surprise. Isn't too much of a benefit though since I'm pulling that whole drivetrain anyway. There was quite a bit more snow left than expected! It was about 1.5-2 feet of frozen snow the whole way.







Decided to go around the back of the house and into the driveway since the path was already there it just had to be widened.



That ended up being extremely hectic. Got into a situation where the I had about a 4 inch gap, the back left wheel was on a chunk of ice and the front was stuck in mud. Suddenly the car fell off the ice block and slid into the deck.





LUCKILY there was no damage. Eventually finally got it pushed around the tight turn.

Finally got the car free after some pushing from my dad and a neighbor as well as shoving some plywood and carpets under the tires.



Brought it home to my house, I forgot how wobbly the suspension is! Definitely need a new suspension setup ASAP. Anyways it's good to finally have it available to work on, hopefully I can find some time to get started.

(someone please help me change my thread to say 1987!)