Alright, I had a beat up run down 83 GSL I got from a junk yard. I built it with my Dad into, what I considered to be, a very nice car.

8/2/03 - It got stollen, molested, and stripped. Since then, I got the shell back, and had planned on continuing with my 13BT conversion plan for it, just a little earlier than I expected. Nothing ever happened.

Present day - Drive an 84 Toyota 4x4 lifted 7" with 35" tires. Not very good commuter, not very good for the highway, not very fun to drive anymore. I want a different car, and the thought of buying another RX-7 keeps coming to mind.

The dilema - Do I possibly try and continue to build up my car for sentimental reasons, or start over and just buy another car?

My car as it sits needs: Two seats, a misc interior panel or two (not high priority), hard brake line for front left wheel, lock set (doors, ignition, glove box, hatch), two doors (from locks being pried out), two fenders eventually (from rolling it in between two trees in the thieves backyard), basically everything under the hood, and tires eventually.

The thinking I had was that I could buy a long block T2 engine and tranny. Throw a new flywheel/clutch setup in it and drop it in the engine bay after I painted it. Get driveline made. Buy a radiator sized to work with the T2 and drop that in. Get a set of cheap race seats off ebay, and a couple harnesses and sliders, throw those in. Get some tires and toss those on. Downpipe from RB, custom exhaust from downpipe back. Walbro fuel pump, and new send/return lines from tank. Buy the brake line I need. You all know whats involved. Basically just get it running with a "stock" T2 engine under the hood, maybe toss an FMIC in there, and I already have a FMOC or two laying around with SS lines and -AN fittings I could throw in. Once its running, I could slowly repair the remainder over time (body work, interior, etc)

The other option is to just buy a decent car for around $2K and just drive it as it.

What do you think? Any shops want a moving billboard in Seattle? Im more than willing to "sponser" anyone that wants to help out, lol. Anyone have any leads on a cheap decent condition T2 engine/tranny combo?

~T.J.

EDIT: Other option is to save up for another bike. I had a CBR600, but got hit on the highway by a blazer, and sold it wrecked. I miss riding a bike almost as much as driving a 7. So, Ive been giving though to saving up and buying a bike this winter when the prices drop some.

 

Here are the most current pics of under the hood. I removed everything that was left, and sanded it down to prep for paint. I had planned on painting under the hood white again, then the rest of the body later when I finished that work. As you can see, its in a prime position to just drop a T2 engine in after a little paint.





Another thought, anyone need a GSL parts car? It would be good for the rear end I guess, lol. I have pressure from my step Mom to get rid of it since its at my Dads house, and I have nowhere else to store it. I figured I could either start work on it, or get rid of it and buy something else. I also have an 85 GSL parts (junk) car that I need to get rid of if anyone is interested.

~T.J.

 

I'd buy a cheap running car and slwly fix it up and not talk about it on the internet because the theives hang out here as well. Wether they actually do or not is besides the point. The point is the less people that know you are putting performance stuff in your car the better.
Thats the reason I'd never put my car in a stereo shop for professional install because all the tweakers know you got some stuff and will jack it as soon as you park it at night outside.

 

Buy RoadRaceJosh's -SE and get it cleaned up =).

I think if it were me, I'd ditch the GSL shell. I know it has sentimental value, but a fresh start with a running <$1,000 7 sounds like a better move.

 

yea, buy a new one and start over.

 

If you want to really build a T2 FB, start with an GSL SE, it has a lot of the parts your going to need anyways, fuel tank, return line, front cover, oil pan, front motor mount bar, heavy duty rear end and brakes, 3mm rotors for later on, etc etc etc My swap would of been a lot quicker and easier, But then again, my car had fresh paint, straight body and some other things going for it.. I think you would be well ahead to start with a clean SE with a bad engine. Just my two cents

 

Also I am interested in the rear end from your 85 gsl. are planing on parting it. Have a s-4 T2 ecu and pressure sensor to trade, Let me know

 

Yeah, sadly how it is... might just be your best bet to run out and get a gsl-se seeing how much the car you have now needs... but if ya really like it that much then go for it and try to fix it up, just might not financially be the best idea since you will have to end up buying basically a new car in parts, whereas you can by a whole car for less than the sum of its parts... if that makes any sence... either way will be nice to see you get back into a 7

 

I'd been working o my 76 RX4 befor most of you guys where born, it's been sitting for the past year with oil leaking from a rear houseing crack, I'll get to it, like I have done always in the past, work on it like crazzy then let it sit and then back on it, most of you have seen pics of it, but what it realy comes down to "is it in your blud" , I think with 6195 post it got to be in yours,

 

Buy Josh's SE then you have all the time in the world to put a TII in the other 7.

 

You guys are pretty much saying the same thing I was thinking. I just need to get rid of these two. Id rather not part them out, just dump them whole, so if you know of anyone who might need something, let me know.

~T.J.