Hey guys, Southern Cali born and raised =).

Got an RX-7 dropped on me by a friend. Don't know the first thing about rotary engines, however they are quite the intriguing monster. I'm not sure whether I should take the time to build it or just get rid of a thing. It's a bit older, a 1981 I believe, but he swapped a new 13b into it, I thinks it's a third gen but I honestly have no clue. The car is far from street legal but it's quite quick. I've already got a bike project I'm working on and did a bit of honda building with my 04 SI. But anyway, glad to be here!

 

Wouldn't a 1981 car be exempt from a strict sniffer inspection even in California? The engine is more than likely 2ndgen or 3rdgen but the '81 body is going to be 1stgen. It's absolutely possible to swap in a turbo'd 13B into a 1stgen and still get it to pass emissions...I had a 1stgen RX-7 with a big streetport 12A engine, custom "header" but with the stock Nikki carburetor and the air pump still functional.

Back in the day when it had to be inspected with the sniffer, it passed.

Get some pics up of the engine bay! This stuff is always interesting to look at to see how the person doing the swap addressed certain issues getting the engine in.

Welcome aboard to RX-7 Club! That's a heck of a way to get a car!

Mario III

 

kinda funny you got a bike and a honda and now you'll soon see the love and amazing power of the rotary. hondas are like begginer cars. i'm not knocking them because im a avid honda lover and previous owner.
i had a integra type r fixed up like no other and crx's turbo'd. but it takes half the effort and money to fix a rotary and they respond well to modifications. you'll see the love and the rotary sickness will wear on you like a disease...lol well good luck and welcome.

 

The engine is N/A, and I'm pretty sure the cat is gone, which is why it won't pass smog. I just don't know where to start, I'm pretty sure it needs a new fuel pump and probably a retune.

Here are a few pics, they kinda suck I took them with my phone haha.

 

ACV block off plate, no air pump, no cat = no chance of passing emissions. I take it then, that California doesn't have a 25-yr old car, safety only inspection law, then?

 

Ya I have no clue what an ACV block off plate is haha. I was contemplating just pulling the engine, scrapping the body and selling it. Just got a work promotion, so building another car might be a bit too time consuming. Is the car work much?

 

Don't worry, the aftermarket intake manifold relpaced it completely...after your next reply, you just got 5 legitimate posts to go to create an ad. I'll tell you right now, everyone is going to want those rims.

 

CA did away with the rolling 30 year smog exemption. 1975 is the last model year to be exempt : http://dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2536.

Passing a car with a swapped engine can cause some issues if it clearly does not look stock. A state referee can do an inspection and give you a sticker approving the swap as long as the new engine has at least the same emissions equipment as the original. Or you can just make sure the engine has the needed equipment, and see if a smog tech will pass you anyway.

 

Oh ya? Maybe I'll just list it, any advice on how to figure out pricing? Or maybe just sell the rims separately and the engine?

 

definitely wont pass visual inspection with a header and a dellorto carb but since you have a honda, you know the game. if you need help in tuning, PM me.

 

Straight from the FAQ rules pages...OTH, you could also just put in "12A engine" into the Classifieds search engine and see what the market is on this website. Put in "Weds" for the rims in 1stgen parts and also in Wheels and Tires to see what you find there...."Enkei" or "mesh" should also draw some threads up for research.