Looking to pick up a non running rx7, I have mechanical experience. I built my jetta. But what i want to know is the difficulty in replacing the motor and getting the car running again. What are main things to look for.

Reason im doing this is to build myself a nice car as well as something to do. I have seen some nice clean cars for under 1000 just need new motors. Im sure thats not all but its the main part. Any help and insight would be amazing.

As well if you can post any threads you knwo of that have details on engine swaps and such that would be extra help.

 

Well for starters a 7 is a big long walk away from your Jetta. They are extremely simple once you get past all the useless emissions crap. To put it in perspective I had very limited mechanical experience when I first got my 7. The cardomain link in my sig will show you how far I've come. That's how easy these cars are. 1st gens are cheap and there are some around. Some you can get already running for a good price, some have owners asking way too much. Second gens the same deal, but more plentiful. 3rd gens get pricey no matter what. What you want to do about the motor is call Mazdees. A good rotary shop and Daves a good guy if not just a little set in his ways. I'm sure he'll help you get the ball rolling. Hes in Pickering as well. He may be able to tell you where to start looking.

Replacing a motor is fairly straightforward. If you can build a Jetta you can certainly stick a motor in. The trick is since your starting from the ground up, to start with a fresh rebuild. Either learn to do it yourself or have a shop do it for you at a price. There are some rebuild DVDs around. Try www.atkinsrotary.com I believe they have one. When looking at motors find one with good compression (search the term to find our method to check compression) as that will lead you to the better cores to start with. One that will turn freely and has good compression is more likely to be in good shape on the inside. Unfortunatly theres only one way to really know for sure, and thats crack the sucker open.

Just search "engine swap" and you'll get more than you could read in a day with the results.

Basically just look for a good solid chassis, anything you would check for on a normal car. Evidence of accidents or body work, rust inside and out. Do the basics, check out the suspension components, brakes and so on. You know, all that safety crap, then work on power and looks. Never any point in trying to look pretty wrapped around a pole.

That's all my insight, good luck to you.

 

Hey man, I have an RX that could be bought. The body is in rough shape, engine needs a rebuild but the interior is mint lol!

If you are interested you could drive it home on a 10 day...food for thought

 

how are finding parts. Are they easy to come by or difficult. WHat about cost compared to MK2 VW's i mean you can go to the junkyard and pull stuff off but if you were to buy what would the price comparison be.

i also have mazdees right near me, has anyone had any experice with them, how is the work they do, how is the cost?

 

PM dj55b. He JUST had his second engine rebuild done by them I've dealt with them once but that was to buy Racing Beat parts. Stock parts shouldn't be too hard to find. I've bought a few OEM parts that I've needed through Carquest and Parts Source. Most of the bigger companies can get what you need. It's the little **** that you need to go to Mazda for.