Intro (RX7)

[Justin51982]

Hey guys, I just wanted to come on and introduce myself. It's been a long time since I've hit the boards and probably don't know most of you.

But I just bought my second 2nd gen RX7 and thought it would be a good time to get back on here.

Basically, I had an 88 model several years ago, but sold it when a girl I was dating at the time convinced me to. Well, I'm sure most of us can relate to having a car we wish we never had gotten rid of, well mine was my RX7.

So, I recently purchashed a 1990 RX7 GXL and am going to bring it back to life with a vengence. Even though it isn't all that bad to begin with, and I am picking it up tomorrow.

As I said, it's been a long time ago since I've had a rotary, so I might hit some of y'all up for advice and suggestions.

My name is Justin, and I'm up in the Kennesaw/Acworth area, and I will talk to yall soon!

[tdurr]

nice man and welcome back! get some pics lol.

[Shadow102]

good luck hope to see another rx7 in the local area

[Justin51982]

So I picked the RX7 up this weekend. I don't know how bad or good it is. I know the body and interior are in pretty good shape, but the whole car will need a good bit of work to get back on the street.

One thing I did notice was the previous owners switched the 89-91 tail lights out with the 86-88

I'm down with anyone who wants to help with it, just hit me up.

here are some pics of it right before I loaded it on the trailer.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/Justin51982/RX71.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/Justin51982/rx72.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/Justin51982/rx73.jpg

[eraser4g63]

Hey i know where that car is, Welcome, And if you need anything just give a holler.

[Justin51982]

Well it's been moved since then. Now it's about 2 miles down the road. Do you live up that way?

[The Ninja]

Hey man, I know you don't know me, but if you need a hand and you're in the Acworth/Kennesaw area, I'd be willing to give you a hand. No interested in pay, just something to work on honestly, I don't have a garage nor do I have a project to work on so I find myself at home bored.


So if you need a wrencher, lmk. :goodjob:


BTW: the 7 looks nice, can't wait to see what you do with it. What you got in mind so far?

[Justin51982]

Hey Ninja,

I really might be interested email me at [email protected], and I'll get you my number ang get yours.

[Boosted FC]

Welcome to the Forum. Look like you have a nice project on your hands.

[Jiggity96]

hell yeah man it looks to be in great shape

[Justin51982]

hell yeah man it looks to be in great shape

Thanks man, it's really not too bad, cosmetically anyway. Mechanically, I have yet to determine what kinda shape it's it.

BTW, it was really nice meeting you the other day, and thanks!

[Justin51982]

I've got the car stored at my mom's house up in Gainesville for the time being. I'll try to get more pics of it up as soon as I can. Maybe in a week or two.

[eraser4g63]

If that was the one up at that closed race shop in Gainsville I work up there, I work as a paramedic for Forsyth county.

[Justin51982]

If that was the one up at that closed race shop in Gainsville I work up there, I work as a paramedic for Forsyth county.

Yep, that's the one, he closed that shop and is renting it out, he's moved to another shop to focus more on doing cars just for himself.

I also bought a 5th gen. factory Prelude race car, needs a drivetrain, but body is complete. I also got the car hauler he had sitting out next to the RX.

[thegovanator]

Hey man the car doesn't look too bad at all.... except those swapped tails haha never heard of anyone putting s4's on an s5. Anyways it's nice to see another 7 around. If you ever need any help shoot me a pm or something and I'm more than willing to help out.

also visit www.rx7club.com for help they've hooked me up a lot and you can find a local group of 7 guys to help you and to hang out with like I did

[eraser4g63]

Yep, that's the one, he closed that shop and is renting it out, he's moved to another shop to focus more on doing cars just for himself.

I also bought a 5th gen. factory Prelude race car, needs a drivetrain, but body is complete. I also got the car hauler he had sitting out next to the RX.
I hate you, I have been eyeballing that car for some time now i drive by it about 3-4 times a week.

[Justin51982]

I hate you, I have been eyeballing that car for some time now i drive by it about 3-4 times a week.

I'll tell you what, any time you really miss it, you are more than welcome to come help out with it. I'm always up for getting to know other FC guys.

[eraser4g63]

Ill Take you up on that offer. What are your plans for it?

[Justin51982]

I want to get it running, and then repainted and the interior done. Depending on engine condition I would like to do a T2 swap or turbo the NA. It's taillights need to be replaced.

[eraser4g63]

Hit up MazMART and ask for Sheldon, If they don't have it he will find it. I would swap to the T2 swap ( make sure it is an s5 T2 engine)

[Justin51982]

Do I just need the ECU and engine or would I need to swap tranny too?

[eraser4g63]

You will need the whole deal. The transmissions on the NAs are notoriously weak. You could always go for the 20b swap but you will need a haltec or Mega squirt

[thegovanator]

^the problem with that is it's more $$$$

[Justin51982]

Very true

[Shadow102]

Do I just need the ECU and engine or would I need to swap tranny too?

engine, trans, flywheel, clutch, ecu, clutch slave, and either a conversion drive shaft or the TII shaft with rearend and cv axles

[Justin51982]

I might just keep in NA for now

[eraser4g63]

just build a high reving nitrous breathing na.

[Justin51982]

Now that is a great plan

[eraser4g63]

I am pondering running some Nitrous on mine once I get my BNR stage 3 just to give it a little extra umph while at the strip.

[Justin51982]

How do you think an NA rotary will hold up with say a 100 shot?

[eraser4g63]

fairly well from what i have gathered, but you better have the goodies to back it up. there is a pretty good write up on it lurking around let me see if I can find it.

Found it
link (http://www.turborx7.com/nitrous.htm)

[Boosted FC]

just build a high reving nitrous breathing na.

Hmmm.....I wonder who had one of those??? :crazy:

[eraser4g63]

IDK i wonder who is about to build one of these....... hey Sheldon do you need a set of wheels for your new toy?

[Justin51982]

It's a good article, I think it will help a lot. I need to go through and see how good the engine in it is before I make any determinations of what I'm doing though.

[Justin51982]

IDK i wonder who is about to build one of these....... hey Sheldon do you need a set of wheels for your new toy?

what kind of wheel are you looking to get rid of?

[eraser4g63]

http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224635

They are OBO tires are in good shape with a good amount of tread left.

[Justin51982]

http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224635

They are OBO tires are in good shape with a good amount of tread left.


I'm looking for more gunmetal on my car, but the tires are in great shape and the wheels are nice.

BUMP for a good deal!

:goodjob:

[eraser4g63]

I'm looking for more gunmetal on my car, but the tires are in great shape and the wheels are nice.

BUMP for a good deal!

:goodjob:

Just repaint em and they can be gun metal.

[Justin51982]

Just repaint em and they can be gun metal.

I need to get the car running before I get wheels I guess. But if you still have them once I get to that point, that might be an idea.

[Boosted FC]

IDK i wonder who is about to build one of these....... hey Sheldon do you need a set of wheels for your new toy?

Thanks Tyler, but I may be going with a set of stock T2 wheels. Gotta see.

[Justin51982]

I saw a real nice, Red 2nd gen on Chastain Rd. yesterday. Anyone know whose that is?

[eraser4g63]

What color was it, There are a couple down that way.

[Shadow102]

I saw a real nice, Red 2nd gen on Chastain Rd. yesterday. Anyone know whose that is?

There is a beautiful red gxl I see running down 575 around that area on certain mornings might be the same one

[eraser4g63]

I have seen him a couple times, there is also a black s5 over that way with incredibly low miles bone stock and in perfect condition and I mean perfect.

[Justin51982]

There is a beautiful red gxl I see running down 575 around that area on certain mornings might be the same one

Probably was a GXL, I wasn't right on top of it, but it looked a lot like mine but in better condition (for now), so it probably is the same one. I always have had an eye out for RX7's and I had never seen it before.

I guess whoever it is, he's not on here.

[Shadow102]

There is also a white 10th ae I see on 285/75 occasionally

[thegovanator]

Does the black s5 have black wheels? If so I know him.

[eraser4g63]

No the car is bone stock down to original tires and air filter i think it has like 10k on it.

[Nick Jeezy]

i drive past what used to be raceworks everyday going to school. and i was curious where that car went. its been there forever.

glad it went to someone that will use it.

[Boosted FC]

Jeff (2rotor) has one clean S4 NA. That thing is just beautiful.

[Justin51982]

i drive past what used to be raceworks everyday going to school. and i was curious where that car went. its been there forever.

glad it went to someone that will use it.

Sam Lockwood (Raceworks owner) decided to lease out that space to another mechanic, he is going to focus on building racecars for himself now.

My mom lives close to there, so everytime I go to see her, I check that car out, I've wanted it for a long time.

[DVSRX-7]

hey you need some help with anything man, pm me bro, ask around im the second gen nerd lol

[Justin51982]

hey you need some help with anything man, pm me bro, ask around im the second gen nerd lol

Thank's man, I will for sure take you up on that. I will PM with with my number!

[eraser4g63]

Popped my engine today at the track. Don't know the extent of the Damage, but since I am already gonna be in there poking around I am going to be doing a ton more stuff. Soon to come are 3 mm 1 piece Apex seals, Atikins rotary race bearings and a bigger port along with a Turbo upgrade. And let me say this when it let go it was Fucking EPIC! They actually had to shut down our run session to clean off the track, and another highlight was my water neck literally exploded. pretty sure I busted a coolant seal and maybe a coolant jacket.

[thegovanator]

^ Awesome (I wish I could express sarcasm better on the internet)

[Justin51982]

Sorry I haven't responded lately, just got back from Miami last night, I've been tired.

[Justin51982]

UPDATE:

I had Sam, the owner of Atlanta RX7 come and look at mine so I could get a better grasp.

I picked him up Saturday, brought him to the house and he went through the car.

Here is what I know as of right now.

The car had no lubrication for the APEX seals. The front rotor APEX seals looked great, and the rear ones were sticking a little because of the lack of lubrication.

We lubricated the seals and turned the engine a few times, and they started to shine up and unstick. He wants them to sit for a week or two and see what we get. Afterwards he wants to do a compression check and see if the engine itself is worth it and if NOT then the next step is replacing the engine.

Something else weird is that someone put an 87-88 manifold on it, and switched it to an earlier computer. So I feel if the engine is OK, I will want to replace the manifold and computer.

The car is in need of 3 wiring harnesses, as mice or rats chewed through them as the car sat for so long.

The car also has the wrong fan clutch on it and the fan rubs across the shroud.

Mechanically, that is what I know so far.

Just thought I would update.

[thegovanator]

Whoever had this before you did some weird shit to it

[Justin51982]

Yeah, that is exactly what I was thinking.

I have a feeling this is gonna be an interesting project.

[thegovanator]

It already is interesting lol

[Justin51982]

I was thinking as much as I love the RX7, I'm thinking I might should sell it. I don't know. I am about to pick up a 1970 Lotus Europa that needs restoration as well. I'm thinking that might be something to put ahead of the RX, what are everyones thoughts?

[thegovanator]

RX7>Europa

[Justin51982]

RX7>Europa

Yeah, but the Europa is a Vintage Lotus, extremely rare car

[thegovanator]

Exactly, have fun finding parts for it. Also IMHO they aren't fun to drive. I've had the chance to drive one and it was bleh.

[Justin51982]

OK so here is the order of how I am doing things.

the one I'm working on now is a '69 Datsun Roadster, then when that is done (I'm anticipating late spring/ early summer), I will pull the RX7 in and start doing it. Then the Europa

[kain]

yah..


the rx7 is more fun.

[Justin51982]

yah..


the rx7 is more fun.

Oh I am well aware, this is my second one. I loved the first, this new one is a lot nicer.

[eraser4g63]

I am actually selling mine .

[kain]

I am actually selling mine .


uh... ok.

op, ditch the stock wiring harness in the engine, ditch the ecu, and run a stand alone ems. something like a mega squirt will do nicely if your on a budget.