Heyo! I am looking into a non-running 1988 FC Turbo hard-top as a side/project car, but despite my interest in RX-7s I have no live experience with an RX-7 chassis. I own and daily drive my 2011 RX-8, and I've had my engine replaced and modified so I'm not a complete newbie to rotaries, just the RX-7. I have the book knowledge, compression tester, the spec sheets, owners manual, all the nerd stuff. Just no hands-on experience or specific details to look for when investigating this vehicle. I'll go ahead and just spew what I already know to look for with this test:
-Rats nest (vacuum controlled emissions systems and SSV/Air pump controls), what it looks like and what is commonly removed
-Fuel pulsation damper failures being common on the S4, and a concern for cracking as to prevent fuel fires.
-Common rust spots, such as the floor boards, sills, and wheel wells.
-How the engine should feel and respond to throttle and idle.
-Nominal cranking speeds and compression numbers
-How the interior should look (and that this one was mostly refurbished on the interior, but not the engine bay)

While this is all I know for common RX-7 FC stuff, any additional information for any future references would be nice to help out later on.

 

You really hit the nail on the head with what to look for. The non sunroof body us a plus because those commonly fail and are prone to leaks. The rear differential mount will fail and you will have a clunking sound in the rear when engine torque is applied and when it is removed. The exhaust system from the y-pipe back is not one to hold up well either. The rest of the system is pretty good. Shame they removed the rats nest. That can cause quite a few running issues. Keep us posted on whether you get the car or not.

 

No no, I don't know if they've removed the rats nest or not and I know some parts help maintain performance such as the SSV. What I'm asking is "What segments are commonly removed and what do they look like in an image?" I have vacuum diagrams. *Edit: IDK why I misunderstood my own post. I have the diagrams and images from other parts of the forums.
The sunroof on this particular FC has been rusted and does indeed leak. I would just seal it up with no intention of maintain a functional sunroof, and cut the rust off and weld a solid sheet.
*TBH my odds of actually purchasing this exact RX-7 for myself are low, but someone from Cali was interested but I was nearby and offered to take pictures and share the details of the vehicle.

 

Thank you! I will remember to pay attention to this for future reference whenever I look into getting an FC.

While I'm not likely to buy this exact FC I'm going to inspect this week, I've been considering if an FC Vert NA would be a good "Hoon car". I don't want to damage the paint on my precious RX-8, but damaging an unloved NA FC Vert doesn't seem like to much of a crime.

 

The FC vert is a great cruising car. I've seen some modified and while they look ok, they're just not my taste. It's a car you could hoon around in though. They seem to be commonly cheaper than the coupes currently.