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Tough Times

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Old 07-31-10, 02:59 AM
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CA Tough Times

So, this is my 3rd RX7.

so far, no luck. in terms of being able to drive it, and have fun with it.

1st RX7 - 1986 S4, automatic, and smoked a ton.
Worked at a tow shop in Oakland, and it was in the yard for quite a while. They said if i could get it to run, i could have it. Filled up the auto trans fluid, and it ran decent.
Got it onto the freeway, and drove fine. Then hit traffic, then poooooof! white smoke everyyyyyyyyywhere.. after about a week, figured it was too much to fix, and gave it back..

2nd RX7 - 1988 S4, 5spd, passes smog, but had over 200k, paint was rattlecan quality. Drove it for less than a week, and got the 3rd RX7 for the new project, Sold this one for $1300 over a year ago

3rd RX7 - Current - 1989 S5 GXL - non turbo. needed bodywork & paint at the time, but ran great! Our family had a body shop in Long Beach, after widebody rear flares molded on, bodywork & paint done, found a leak in the radiator, replaced the radiator, and thought it would be good to replace the water pump too.

while replacing the water pump, thought it would be smart to change the front main seal since im already in there. after pulling the crank pulley off, noticed the woodruff key came out with it, thought nothing of it. after everything was back together, the car ran like a V8. the vibration, shakes, and did not run right at all. after taking it to mazdatrix in Signal Hill, CA, and telling them what i've done. they said it's likely that the counter balance pulley inside came misaligned when we pulled the crank pulley out.

after a year of sitting at that point, after we closed down the body shop, and rough times.. im here with the car again, and family wants me to do something with the car.

i spend a good 2 days taking care of the counter balance pulley job, readjusted the TPS, replaced the belts, and spark plugs. now, it's running, and finally at the first time ever, i've had a decent looking, good running RX7.

but now i have 3 other cars, a scooter, and this RX7. And this RX7's registration fees & fines are between $400 - $600


now im torn between selling it, and the trouble of keeping it..




what do i do?!
Old 08-02-10, 07:27 PM
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personally i could never sell a seven. but in ur situation and depending how much u like ur other cars u might consider sellin it.
Old 08-03-10, 08:20 AM
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Sell the scooter!!! And maybe one or two of the other cars. That's probably what I would do, depending on what the other cars they were, and how much I liked each them.
Old 08-03-10, 08:58 AM
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Since the front bearings have been damaged, you may need a completely new engine. The entire rotating assembly has probably been destroyed. If enough metal shavings went through, then new irons would be required as well.

If you don't have the time and money to fix it, the responsible thing to do is sell it instead of putting yourself into debt.
Old 08-09-10, 03:36 AM
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i've already repaired it, the needle bearings were not damaged, nothing had to be replaced. the car didnt drive 10 miles since it went down.

here's some pics of the 7, and some pics of the other cars/projects.





(before the chop top)

Old 08-09-10, 03:50 AM
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found a more current pic of the Volvo

Old 08-09-10, 12:02 PM
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BMW , Volvo , Acura . That's what I would do. Isn't the Integra one of the most stolen cars? Besides, a modded RX-7 could blow a modded Integra out of the water (Couldn't it?.).

Last edited by jpieps; 08-09-10 at 12:04 PM.
Old 08-09-10, 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by jpieps
Sell the scooter!!! And maybe one or two of the other cars. That's probably what I would do, depending on what the other cars they were, and how much I liked each them.
sell that honda/acura immidiatelly.
Old 08-09-10, 05:37 PM
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hahaha the integra has been very very good to me, it was my first car. after all i've gone through with it, i cant get rid of it.

and yes, it is in the higher range of cars to be stolen. that's why it has to sit in a garage 95% of the time, and only comes out for track days & shows.
Old 08-10-10, 02:51 PM
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You're quite lucky. Normally needle bearing issues end in this:
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/damage.htm
Old 08-11-10, 01:53 PM
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Now even I'm torn . Since you refuse to sell the abomination, I mean Acura, I can't decide. I think sevens are sweet, but throw some flames on that Volvo and with the chop top it looks like something that I dreamed of owning back when I played with Hot Wheels. Hmmm, what to do, what to do ...
Old 03-07-11, 07:32 PM
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family wants me to do something about the RX7 and i've stalled long enough.


money i just got from tax return, i can spend the $500 or so on fees, whatever cost for a new seatbelt rail, smog, insurance and have it to drive..


or i can sell it for $1000, everything disclosed, and say goodbye to having a good running 7


if i do spend the money now on it though, have my fun with it, i could possibly sell it in the future for more than $2k?


what to do what to do..


and since this thread, i bought a new motorcycle
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