Need help picking project Rx7
 

Hello,

I am ready to revisit Rx7s as I finally can spend the relative money and do what I want. What I want is kind of loose as of now and I wanted to get some suggestions. I have done a lot of research in the forum and have some good background now. I also used to own a second gen N/A that I loved but it was just not a realistic daily driver after I modded it. The new one is going to be a long term project and not a daily driver. I want to start right this time. Here is the basic scope:

I want a weekend fun car to take out and drive. If something happens I will tow it home and start over. No worries. I don't want to race it on or off the street but of course I want some good weight to HP ratio.

Initial investment 1-4K - August - I hope to either get a running vehicle in decent shape or at least a good chassis and motor/rebuild kit for that much. I want to spend the winter either rebuilding a motor and or paint prepping a car.

Body 1-3K - Spring - I am not going to necessarily restore it but I don't want to gut it out for a few extra pounds either. Just clean it up inside and paint it.

I then want to add items over time as I see fit. The budget is not set but i am not out to make a bottle rocket experience where I end up spending 6k for a really quick and short ride. I plant to keep the car for the long haul.

Given that information here are my two paths I have come up with by researching the forums.

A first gen that may or may not run with an extra motor and a rebuild kit 2.5K total. Spend the time to rebuild and port the motor over time and paint the car. May end up with the camden supercharger kit and get 160whp or so. Seems like it would be a fun car. My thoughts are that since the car so simple it would be very easy to work on. I don't even think they have power steering...

A turbo II that runs for 3-4K. I would have to stop there and work on the body for a while depending on what kind of deal I get. My concern here is complexity. From what I have researched everyone seems to agree its just better to start with 160-18HP though and that carbs are pain to mess with. I am just concerned that a car this old may take a lot more work than I think. I did some JDM motors on ebay for 1200 which I assume means they are fairly easy to just buy ready to bolt in, in running condition.

What I don't want to do is custom fabricate or do some kind of non standard motor swap. I don't really want to purchase a "completed" car either.

Well that is it. I am looking for subjective input based on that information. I look forward to beginning the project soon. Please excuse the length of the post and any typos as it is Saturday morning after a Friday beer night :) I have spent hours reading post so I don't expect you to have regurgitate the work that is out there. I just want your opinions on my specific scenario.

One more question. Anything against buying cars on ebay? Shipping is not as bad as I thought but wanted any thoughts on that as well. Thanks!

Buy the TII. A far better platform to start with, 250HP with basic bolt ons, and parts are far more easily available than with the 1st gen.

Oh yeah, and the Camden superchargers suck.

Thanks for the advice!

Getting my post count up to 5 so I can go look for a car in the forum...

Almost there.

For those bolt-ons... Check out -> Racing Beat: 2nd Generation RX-7 Performance Parts

Their REV TII exhaust system is amazing. :icon_tup:

Yeah I really like Racing Beat products. I had their catback on my Rx8 and really liked the sound. I am excited to see the increases you can get with bolt on stuff with the turbo second gens because that was not the case with the Rx8 at all. My mind is pretty much made up. I saw a lot of TIIs on this forum for sale so I should be able to find me one.

i like the s5 rx7 i have a 1989 fc

ill sell you my fc haha its street ported but needs an ecu

Looking forward to the purchase now. A lot of homework to do on the ECU and turbos. I have never owned a FI car.

Getting my post count up, but I may have the perfect thing for you.

It's up enough now where they let me post in the regional listings. My 88 10th Anniversary FC TII is up in the Midwest and South regional listings. It's also up on Ebay and in the Craigslist Oklahoma City listings.

Awesome I will take a look. I unfortunately can't purchase until the end of August but I will have the cash to make a deal then. I could go secure a loan but I don't want to pay finance charges. If you don't get any good hits remember me. I am going to post a wanted ad closer to the end of the month as well. Thanks!

I sent you a message w/ details about how we may be able to work something out. Give me a call or text asap. 405-924-1494. (I hope they don't get mad for me posting my number)