1988 Mazda Rx 7 GXL HELP!!!!
 

Hi, I have just bought a 1988 rx7 gxl for 400 but not running i was wondering like can someone help me find out how could i swap an engine to a rotary to a different type like to a 6 cylinder??? Im only 17 and this is my first project car!!!

Why do you want to swap it to a different motor? it would be a lot of work, especily for your first project. not to mention prolly a lot of money..

If your dead set on swapping in a piston motor.. then you should prolly go here https://www.rx7club.com/other-engine-conversions-non-v-8-118/ Thats the rx7club forum for Other Engine Conversions And would prolly be more help to you.


If you just wanna get it up and running, then swapping in a rotary would be much faster, or getting your engine rebuilt.

yea i would just want it to get it up and running!!!! So i should just get a new 13b engine right! i think i could find one of those at the junk yard or something!!!

It'd be cheaper and easier in the long run to swap in another 13B. If you want to be fancy, swap in a 13BT, but that's more work than staying 13B.

First, you should read the FAQ. It'll answer most questions you'll come up with within the next two months.

Then, you should determine whether your motor is actually blown or if there's some other problem. Using the FAQ and the search function, this shouldn't be too impossible.

Then, you should determine your budget. After that you can search to find out what your options are within your budget.

If you are experienced with cars and not afraid to get into a fun project I would go ahead and get the engine you have working. It really all depends on your definition of not working. Have you taken it to a mechanic to determine what is wrong with it?

wait, you want to put a cylinder engine in your RX-7...you're kidding me, right?...nah, but seriously if you want to put a six cylinder in there you might as well just go ahead and stick with the rotary, it's not going to make you that much faster to put a six cylinder, but if you can get your hands on an ls1 or something of the sort, go for it..as much as i hate to say it...R.I.P. Rotary...

Stick with the 13b-- YOU"LL LIKE IT!

When I bought my 87GXL, it wouldn't run. My plan was to transplant in an Accord 4 Cyl. (for mileage). But I got the rotary running, and drove it for 2 wks. And then it blew.

And there was no doubt in my mind what I was going to do..... the 13B got rebuilt, and the Accord got sold. Three years later, and no remorse. What a rush to feel that rotary just keep pulling!

Don't pass up the rotary!

if you gonna go with a piston engine, you have to put a v8 (ls1 or ls2? maybe?), your 13b has more potential than a v6, but i will tell you this.....Rotary engines are great......until they fuck up. And you said u were 17? do u have the know-how and funds to do a piston engine swap?

I'm going to go by the way he posted, maybe it is just the initial dumb struck "woohoo i got a car" thing, but to me, i t sounds like the kid has no clue what he's looking at when he opens the hood of his car. So, here's my advice:

1) go to a local book store, and ask them to special order a Haynes 96-91 RX7 shop manual.

2) READ, read, read, and read anything and everything you can find on rotaries and rx-7's.

3) Try all the methods of getting it to run withought a rebuild first, maybe.. just maybe it's not blown?

Good luck.

thanks for the tips!! it was alot of help!!

I would first check to see why it isn't running. There are some cheapo cars you can get and the only problem they have is flooding.

So, before you mess with anything, try and unflood it.

Hope it works out.

I would ask them for an 86-91, since that will probably be of more use to you. ;)

lol

Yeah, those manuals are a godsend. Esp. when u dont have anybody around to help you. The best thing to do, is to find somebody in your area that knows alot about rotaries. Then, get them to come over, and trouble shoot with you. That is your best bet. GL with ur rotary virginity.

Compression test it first, wether you listen to see if it has 3 even psssh sounds coming out of the spark plug holes when cranking, or if you take it to a dealer etc.

Then check for air fuel and spark, thats where you should always start, and always read the faq and archive, there are a lot of good tips in there.

1st, learn about the car 1st, 2nd read the FAQ, 3rd if you still lost ask us. Also why the hell you want a v6 in a rotary vehicle.

if you must use a 6 cyl engine I would stick with a 4.3L GM or a VG30DETT both are easy swaps but the second would be a expensive one (parts are getting hard to find)

Do you have emission testing where you live???

ever thought about a more common V-8 like a 350 chevy in a similar year camaro, firebird, corvette...

just a thought