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Looking for RX-3 Info

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Old Feb 25, 2002 | 12:47 PM
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Looking for RX-3 Info

Well it looks like I have found an RX-3 to make yet another addition to my family. I have wanted an RX-3 for a while to build into a street sleeper but I hadn't planned on getting one so soon. My father and my girl-friend don't seem to share in my excitement, infact my girl-friend seems to think that it is the ugliest car she has ever seen. I agree that it isn't pretty, but that is the point of my project.
Anyway after all that, I am looking for info on my new found friend. I don't know what year this one is. I seem to have forgotten to ask that. All I know is that it's a blue, two-door SP with a sunroof.
I am just wondering where I can find more information about the RX-3 and what options where availible and stuff like that.
This one needs a new engine, but the price is right: $100
I'll post some pics if anyone is interested. I wasn't planning on getting one untill I had finnished some of my other projects, but I thought this deal was too good to pass up. (I think it is a curse or something)
I guess I am rambling here but I am just excited about my new addition.
Any info anyone can give me would be great.
Thanks in advance
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Old Feb 25, 2002 | 04:48 PM
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If it's an SP it has to be a 77 or 78. Does it have the sqared tail lights? I've never seen one with a sunroof though, that might have been an aftermarket addition.

Definitely post photos.
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Old Feb 25, 2002 | 05:37 PM
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I don't remember on the tail lights. I should be able to pick the car up tonight. It has a blown apex seal so I guess I'll be learning how to do a rebuild pretty quick here. I'll be sure to take bunch of pics ASAP.
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 02:02 AM
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An RX-3 for only $100!!! (crying)
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 02:32 AM
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Your luky bastard i pay 1300us dollar for mine and the car is whery rusty and not in good shape.
But its starting to look ok now.
The sp model was never sold in skandinavia the only model we ever see is the serie one from 72-74
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 11:46 AM
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Well I towed it home last night. Tonight I'll try and learn what I can about the engine. The guy I bought it from said that he thought it had a blown apex seal and that the engine wouldn't turn, but I am wondering if it just has carbon lock. It is wishful thinking I know.
Smeagol: Yes it does have square tail lights. Does that have a lot of significance?
Like I said I hadn't planed on getting a new project so soon, but this deal was just too good to pass up.
I am going to try and get some pics soon.
On another note: I want to build a pretty wild engine for this baby. What is the best way to get power out of it? Should I street port it or go to a bridge port? Also is it worth building up a 12A or should I just wait and try to find a 13B?
I have a lot of questions I know. If anyone knows of some good books to recomend on the subject or sites I should check out, let me know.
Thanks for your time,
Josh Gesler
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 12:15 PM
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So are you still looking to sell? My guess is not anymore from your latest post.
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 12:21 PM
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Um...no I am not selling it. I just bought it. I reread my first post and I guess I was rambling and didn't make a whole lot of sense. Sorry
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 09:38 PM
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Normally I'd say something like "I'll give ya $200 - you'd make a 100% profit!" but then it would be like $2000 to haul the car back over here
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Old Feb 27, 2002 | 08:40 AM
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Well square tail lights just verified that it's a 77 or 78 SP. Does this thing have any stickers or louvers? Check under the hood, it should say RX-3 SP just like this:



There are other minor differences between SPs and non-SPs, like shorter roof drains (or something along those lines), little slits in the front fender wells, etc. I can't remember them all right now.

Get some photos so we can check it out. $100 is a deal for any RX-3, SP or not.

Mike
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Old Feb 27, 2002 | 08:46 AM
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Well square tail lights just verified that it's a 77 or 78 SP. Does this thing have any stickers or louvers? Check under the hood, it should say RX-3 SP just like this:



There are other minor differences between SPs and non-SPs, like shorter roof drains (or something along those lines), little slits in the front fender wells, etc. I can't remember them all right now.

Get some photos so we can check it out. $100 is a deal for any RX-3, SP or not.

Mike
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Old Feb 27, 2002 | 08:49 AM
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Sorry 'bout that, not sure what happened there. It wouldn't let me delete one of those either for some reason.
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Old Feb 27, 2002 | 11:52 AM
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It does have the square tail lights and it does have that sticker under the hood. I have the title and it is a '78
I am glad I bought it. I will try and get a web site up to cover the project.
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Old Feb 28, 2002 | 01:17 PM
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i guess im not the only one who got lucky!!!!!! 2 mos ago, I picked up a 75 RX-3 from Frisco. It came with small bumpers, SP tailights/tail/5spd tranny/rear end , stock 83 motor and 2 sets of rims (enkeis and stretchies) with headers for $750 plus a smog cert w/c I usually get for $250 bucks. Just changed the oil, coolant, belts and plugs/wires and drove it down to Los Angeles for 5 hrs with no problems. The interior is in good shape and complete. The suspension is in good shape too since it was a former SCCA (laguna seca) car



Last edited by Siraniko; Feb 28, 2002 at 01:25 PM.
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Old Feb 28, 2002 | 02:33 PM
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Good to hear.
Since you said you have a couple sets of wheels, do you know what the bolt pattern is? I am hoping it isn't the same as the 1st gen since it is pretty hard to find wheels. If so, I might end up swapping some parts to get a little more standard size.
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Old Feb 28, 2002 | 03:53 PM
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Originally posted by AlienSoul
Good to hear.
Since you said you have a couple sets of wheels, do you know what the bolt pattern is? I am hoping it isn't the same as the 1st gen since it is pretty hard to find wheels. If so, I might end up swapping some parts to get a little more standard size.
The bolt pattern is 4x110mm I believe... same as a first gen. No need to worry, that size isnt that hard to find. In fact there is a nice set on ebay right now that I am eyeing. But anyway, you should find a 13b and then street or bridge port that. 13b bolts right up to transmission pretty much. You only have to change the oil pan. It is definitely the way to go!
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Old Feb 28, 2002 | 04:00 PM
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sorry but its same as the 1st gen's except for the gsl-se.
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Old Feb 28, 2002 | 05:08 PM
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I tried getting wheels for my 1st gen once from sears and they were listed with something like 4x114.
I looked on tirerack and they only list two wheels that will fit the 1st gen unless it is a GSL-SE.
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Old Feb 28, 2002 | 08:43 PM
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Ya i own a 77 SP. And ya all the SP's came with the square tail lights. I paid 1000 for mine and it ran pretty good since supossidly it had a low milage 12a in it. Rusted out realy bad though. The trunk in side is almost gone and i am just going to weld in a flat sheet of 18 ga. plate in there. Any ways ya i would like to see pics and i will try and get some of mine too. Also mine has the big "quicker" 1 and 1/8 inch front sway bar, front billstein coilovers with camber plates, rear 3 inch lowering blocks and rear billstein schocks. and a "quicker" rear sway bar. So my suspension is pretty set up its just that the rear leafs kinda suck but who cares these cars are ausome and LIGHT!

CJG
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Old Feb 28, 2002 | 08:49 PM
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The 4x110 wheels are not easy to find but they are not impossible. Usually there is a set or two on E-bay or ThePartsTrader. Xtremeperformance.org has 17” and 18” billets. Tirerack has two styles. ROH has 1 or 2 styles or they carry Simmons wheels. Panasports are available. Then you can go the custom route. HRE, Fiske, etc. would be happy to custom make you a wheel. And I will be glad to sell you all the 1st gen rims you can stand. CHEAP
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Old Feb 28, 2002 | 09:03 PM
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I recently sold my '77 SP to a guy in NJ for $2900. It had no rust though and was in pretty good condition.

What style 4x110mm wheels do you have? I have a set of 6 mesh style 13x6s I am trying to sell.
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Old Feb 28, 2002 | 09:04 PM
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im transferring the tires to the stretchies this weekend. anyone wants a gold enkei 92 13x7?
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Old Mar 1, 2002 | 01:31 AM
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A set or single wheel?
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Old Mar 1, 2002 | 08:11 AM
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Originally posted by Smeagol
I recently sold my '77 SP to a guy in NJ for $2900. It had no rust though and was in pretty good condition.

What style 4x110mm wheels do you have? I have a set of 6 mesh style 13x6s I am trying to sell.
you wouldnt happen to be a doctor that had it sitting in a parkinglot of the hospitol you work at would you? i have a friend who bought one for $2900 from sacramento about a month ago, went a picked it up w/ a truck, and turned around and sold it for $7500 to a colector in Del. it was all original. story sounds similar.
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Old Mar 1, 2002 | 12:03 PM
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smeagol
all 4 coz i have no need for it. rather use the stretchies to keep the old school look.

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