Hi, im looking at buying an '91 Rx7 off craigslist and i want some advice on it. Car is currently not running. The seller says he installed a turbo 2 engine in it a month ago and it needs a new engine wiring harness to reach the new engine (also says old harness could be extended to reach new engine), and it needs a new exhaust to fit the turbo engine (recommendations?) and also needs a new dashboard. From what i understand that is all thats wrong with the car and that everything else is fine, but without the engine being wired up theres no way for me to know if its good or not (or is there?). Anyways he is asking $1000 for it. I am wondering if this is a reasonable price or does it seem way too low? Also id like some estimates on how much it would be to get all the necessary parts and get them installed. Im going to look at the car tomorrow ill post some pictures, if theres anything specifically i should get pictures of that could aid in fixing the car please tell me. Thanks

This is the pic from the craigslist ad

 

Seems a bit odd...The car in the picture looks like a significant amount of work has been done, yet he is selling for $1000?

Why would he sell for such a low amount when he could just do that easy work and get 4x as much.

 

It sounds like it was an NA that has been converted to turbo, but $1000 is suspiciously low. I would not be surprised if the engine is blown, and the guy is trying to cut his losses. You can compression test the engine without it being wired up. The starter can be connected directly to a battery to get it to spin for a test. A standard piston engine compression tester can be used if the bleeder button is held down, or the schraeder valve removed. This is an overview of what to expect: http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/blown.htm. 90-100+ psi is the ideal range. Prop the throttle plates open and squirt a very small amount of oil in through a spark plug hole before starting the test.

If the engine is blown, I'd still say $1000 is pretty cheap. A TII swap alone will run $2-3000. Converting an existing NA wiring harness for use with a TII engine (of the same series: S4 or S5) is actually very easy. Threads like the one in my sig. and in the FAQ cover in detail how wire it.

 

I don't think $1000 is low at all.

Car looks ugly as sin in the picture and sounds like the interior is seriously jacked as well.

Doesn't say to what extent the car is swapped - just that it has a turbo engine that doesn't run.

Need more info but there are complete and running (or closer to running) turbo swap cars for that price that pop up on craigslist from time to time.

 

thanks for the fast responses. What brand/model would you guys recommended for an exhaust and where can i find a new dash panel?

 

Maybe look in your local craigslist?

I have a blue dash I'm getting ready to just about shitcan but the shipping would kill ya.

Exhaust options depend on how much you want to spend really.

 

a lesson learned was to never buy anyone's project. There is a reason for such a low price and leaving it incomplete. be very weary and ask more questions

 

quit while you are ahead!! dont buy one!!! they are a life sucking, money hungry hobby...jk, i love my rx7 hobby

 

God help you if you have to track down a short or other electrical issue. I'm having to re-loom and repair my T2 engine harness right now and it's a painus in the anus.

But then again, for $1000 if you can't get it running there's always parting it out...

 

The tires/rims, body kit, custom paint, and car alone is worth over $1,000. Find out as much as you possibly can about that car before you buy it. Check for frame rot or any rotting. If it came to down the engine actually being blown you could get it rebuilt and you'd still be saving money by buying it for that price as mentioned above the price for an N/A to T2 swap is in the thousands.

 

Bring someone that Knows what to look for.
Obviously you are attracted to the car by it's Price.
If you do end up Buying it,beware of the Pitfalls.It isn't just a car you add oil and gas and Drive.
It is more like a Snotty nosed 2 year old that whines,24 hours a day!