make an 88 into an 87?
 

i have an 88 rx7 so it needs an etest every year now that its 20 years old, which is bothersome to say the least. but cars that are 87 and older are exempt from etesting. so i want to know if i bought an 87 parts car, could i replace the vin #'s on my 88 to make it an 87? to my knowledge there is little to no differences between the 88 and 87 models. i dont want to do anything legal so thats why im asking.

Could you? Yes. Is it illegal? Yes.

The VIN # is stamped into the firewall. All it would take is one person comparing that number to the numbers on the placards, and you're in deep shit.

Well, in theory the firewall tag can be cut out and the new one welded in...

Followed by grinding the welds down flush and repainting the engine bay to hide it. Still not worth the risk.

For the OP its worth it.