InvolvedRotary Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 I owned my first rx7 (88na) for 5 years, putting 3 engines into it, a 5 lug swap, 4piston caliper swap, some exhaust work, and then stripping the interior, I traded it off middle of 2010 for an abused 240sx (s13). Didnt like the 240 much as it felt completely wrong to me, so once I got my Conquest up and running again the hunt was on for a new rotary powered toy. After searching through my usual avenues for a Turbo II (turbo model FC) and not getting much luck in finding anything close or in good shape, I had a better idea: Id buy a nonturbo in good condition (running or non I didnt care so long as the body was sound) and build it up. So after some craigslisting I found what I was looking for way out in the sticks, a 88 RX7 GXL (luxury model retty much) for about 1000. Went to go look at it, engine wouldnt fire over and rubber looked toast, offered up 850ish for it and it came home with me just before New Years. She is a bit rough around the edges, namely the suspension appears toast (all four of the auto-adjusting struts/shocks appear to show signs of leakage) the wheels are junk, and the interior is a kitbash of black 89~91 rx7 bits and the stock 88 grey bits, she got a quick bath and parked at home. Here she is the day she was dropped off: http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301344.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301340_3.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301339.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301339_1.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301339_3.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301340.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301340_1.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301341.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301337.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301335_1.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301335.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20RX7%20project/Photo12301336_1.jpg Exterior wise she's not too bad. Could stand a 'new' front bumper and passenger fender and a few dings fixed, but overall in far better condition than my first FC (had a good sized oops the PO put in it via a guardrail to the left rear corner >.<). The sunroof works, power windows work (switches not so much), wipers rigged to work (switch is shot), rear wiper works, no radio (boo), and engines blown... Interior wise...i'll be removing everything but the front carpet and dash and start over. The S5 (89~91 FC) interior does not match up with the S4 interior bits (namely the rear carpet is cut differant, as are the storage bin fiberglass panels). Perfect says I, I need a long term challenge that I can achieve, no offence guys, but the FC fits small people better than the StarQuest does (not to mention will also fit larger people as the seats go wayyyy back). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 (edited) Very clean find for the money. Looks like a fun project. Planing on a 20B? Kinda like those rims actually. And I'm finding myself wondering why ragdoll_unlimited is lurking on this thread and no rebuilding all those turbos. Edited April 14, 2011 by 87Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvolvedRotary Posted April 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 So now that I had the base for the new project, it was time to set out some goals from the beginning so that I wouldnt get sidetracked and lose focus on the overall picture (this happened with the first one and I regretted it as much as I regret selling her). The plan is to strip everything nonturbo off the car, replace with factory turbo components, replace the 23yr old suspension, freshen up the interior, work the exterior over so that its got somewhat functional aero without destroying the body lines, then shoot for 400rwhp in a car that I will drive occasionally in the summer during the week, often on weekends, and would be proud to take to a car show and autocross the piss out of. All respectable goals in my book. So, with all this in mind, I began my preparations and the hunt for parts began. Mid January saw the arrival of some very key parts: JDM turbo AFM (airflow meter) and JDM downpipe (stock)http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo02100935.jpg 87-91 Turbo Rear differential (87-88's had a clutch type LSD, 89-91 had a viscous type LSD, im unsure which year this differential is without dismantling it as the cases are the same year to year)http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo02100953_1.jpg S4 Turbo 5-speed transmission (gobs stronger than the nonturbo tranny)http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo02100953.jpg S4 turbo starter, aluminum hood latch assembly, turbo axle halfshafts, turbo flywheel/clutch/pressure plate (Rumored to fit 87-89 SQ flywheels...oh and the splines are the same)http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo02100952.jpg Not pictured is the S4 turbo engine wiring harness, manual steering rack, turbo clutch slave, 87 sport spoiler (duckbill), and a ford taurus electric fan. With these parts in hand it meant I could, in theory, swap all of my nonturbo driveline parts out for the turbo parts, and if my NA engine was good, swap the flywheel over and run the car while I wait to pounce upon a j-spec engine for the rest of the swap. However, since my engine is blown (confirmed rear rotor is both short some apex seals, it also appeared to have a blown coolant seal , it at least affords me the parts to begin the swap proper. I also was not keenly fond of the PO's choice in wheels, nor his insight in running 17x7 wheels at 4 corners and running 205's up front and 225's out back, the very first thing I did was this: http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo03150820.jpg Thats right, at one point all rx7 owners inevitably put their beloved money pits up on stands for weeks or months on end (FD owners know this plight even more). Honestly its the RX7's natural resting position... Though all kidding aside this afforded me the ability to further survey my undercarriage for rust (none as of yet...but it appears my underbody is stained TN clay brown/red) and to better get at the suspension components. After that...well I to buy myself some things for my birthday in march...First purchase was a set of Godspeed Coilovers. I purchased these mainly for the reason they were cheap, and I only plan to run them long enough to learn suspension setups (and avoid breaking big $$$ coilovers in the process). Unfortunately, thanks to the earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan, these have yet to arrive. At the same time I ordered the coilovers I also placed an order with MazdaTrix for some more serious suspension parts, which unfortunately just arrived due to delays in them getting parts from Mazda USA and from the suppler who they get the sway bar end links from...Racing Beat front and rear sway bars (front bar is huge compared to stock...definitely not losing any weight by adding this beast), MazdaTrix adjustable sway bar end links, poly bushings for both front and rear control arms, and new front control arm bracketshttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo04140743.jpg Since I plan on new bushings, im going to have my front control arms and spindles powdercoated. I had a set already coated but they were sold with my last rx7 (stupid idea again...) But they did look like this:http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/powdercoatedfcsuspensionparts023.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/powdercoatedfcsuspensionparts019.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvolvedRotary Posted April 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 Since I've been working nonstop since january (7 days a week...no days off...), I was able to make two more happy day purchases as I vowed to NEVER put those wheels back on the car. Some days I <3 ebay: XXR 006- 17x8 +25 and 17x9 +20 (with a 7mm spacer up front and a 20 out back I think they'd look beastly on the SQ too)http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo03311606_1.jpg Test fitting to the 7 using a set of red anodized DropEngineering tuner lugnuts http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo04011000_2-1.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo04011004_1.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo04011004_2.jpg Heres what that lowly 17x7 looks like in the back...kinda dinky reallyhttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo04011004.jpg With those ordered and properly tested to clear suspension (clear on all accounts), I realized I 'might' need to roll the fender lips at all corners, and possibly pull the rears (fine by me). But since I dislike the stretched look on cars, and the roads around here kinda suck, AND ive curbed a nice set of wheels before (on my first TII no less >.<) I decided on some real rubber. Stock tire sizes for the na's running 15" wheels are 205/60's...I opted for a set of Nitto NT555 235/45 R17s up front and 255/40 R17's out back to aid in my quest for grip. Oddly enough, these were ordered last, and showed up the night before my sway bars lol.http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo04121517.jpg They go to be mounted this friday, then they get mounted to the car and set on the ground for more clearance checks to see what I 'need' to do to try and not run 'hella flush' or cambered wayyyy out. /sigh at one point my driveway consisted of these rotary's:First NA (flat black) sitting beside a blown waste of money (both traded for lol240)http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/media1-2.jpg My very first TII...http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20TII/667820-R1-00-1A.jpg Sold it shortly after a semi took out the left rear quarter...http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20TII/DSC00278.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/88%20TII/DSC00280.jpg And some before and after shots of the original beast:http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/6.jpghttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/3.jpgBefore ^After lots of work and some rattle can 4 years later(never did fix that left rear corner) vhttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/DSCF2177.jpgAnd her last voyage up the Tail of the Dragon (love being an hour away)http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/DSC00584.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvolvedRotary Posted April 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 Very clean find for the money. Looks like a fun project. Planing on a 20B? Kinda like those rims actually. And I'm finding myself wondering why ragdoll_unlimited is lurking on this thread and no rebuilding all those turbos. Yeah, I was hoping to not have to drive out to timbucktoo to find one either (ive gone as far as MD for an rx7, and picked the Quest up from VA).No plans for a 20B. 20B's take more money to swap right than I have to spend in a year or two's time... I plan on a stock 13BT (S4 turbo engine), then once it either blows or I gather the money its getting rebuilt with an aggressive streetport. Then it will eventually (hopefully) see a GT35R (guy whom I buy most of my 'used' parts from builds engines and parts cars, his personal FC made 469rwhp@21psi with a gt35r, an old HKS fmic kit, and an apexi powerFC.) and drive it like it was meant to be. Heh, im junking the wheels. Theyve got some serious curb rash going on and the tires are shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanta Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 Ive been looking at Turbo II's they're a pita to find in good condition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 (edited) Yeah, I was hoping to not have to drive out to timbucktoo to find one either (ive gone as far as MD for an rx7, and picked the Quest up from VA).No plans for a 20B. 20B's take more money to swap right than I have to spend in a year or two's time... I plan on a stock 13BT (S4 turbo engine), then once it either blows or I gather the money its getting rebuilt with an aggressive streetport. Then it will eventually (hopefully) see a GT35R (guy whom I buy most of my 'used' parts from builds engines and parts cars, his personal FC made 469rwhp@21psi with a gt35r, an old HKS fmic kit, and an apexi powerFC.) and drive it like it was meant to be. Heh, im junking the wheels. Theyve got some serious curb rash going on and the tires are shot.Don't junk those! Man, around here those rims would fetch 200-300 bucks.Besides, I might have someone who would buy them from you, they'd look pretty sweet on my buddy's black Z31. Edited April 14, 2011 by 87Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvolvedRotary Posted April 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 Fanta: How much are you willing to spend and how far are you willing to go? I know there will be A LOT of RX7's attending DGRR (deals gap rotary rally) here up at the dragon come end of april (all weekend long). Usually several cars for sale. Though have ou checked www.rx7club.com 's for sale forums? Usually several for sale in varying conditions. My buddy just sold his 'restored' 90 TII for 6k I think with a fresh motor, new paint (minus rock chips from driving), immaculate interior (jdm rear seats even) and some other things, was a very nice car (stock condition turbo's so it wasnt making 469hp lol). I would have gotten a TII if their was one close enough to me for the price i was wanting to pay, but its 'just' as easy to source the parts like I have as ALL the S4/S5 chassis's are the same, only the engine harness and a few sensors change between na and turbo, though S5's changed to a different dash harness so the engine harness changed as well, but the hard parts all bolt the same. 87Blue: oh? mmm incentive to sell rising. Id have to junk the tires (they are corded heavily in back and one tire has a chunk missing from the sidewall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted April 15, 2011 Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 87Blue: oh? mmm incentive to sell rising. Id have to junk the tires (they are corded heavily in back and one tire has a chunk missing from the sidewall.Well he wouldn't care about the tires, reshodding would happen anyways. So How much would you be asking if you sold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Quest Posted April 15, 2011 Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 I love rx7's and im prolly gonna get one soon i want to drift but dont wana put my quest through it so im gonna buy and FB or FC i really like FB's i just dont know how much suspension and things are out for them. And the carbed thing is a lil sketchy i think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvolvedRotary Posted April 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 honestly a fb makes a poor drift car, the suspension choices are few, the steering is worse than the sq's, and they lack power (even the later model gsl-se that was fuel injected was anemic.)if yuo want to drift, id recommend snagging either a 87-88 gxl fc like i did, as they have a factory clutch-type lsd and are good to learn the suspensions knack for gripping when it should be sliding (thanks in part to the rear hubs being able to adjust camber in a corner). once you get the car setup and feel confident a turbo swap is just as easy as im making it out to be, a driveline and engine harness being the biggest items to swap, as just turboing the na motor is asking for apex seal death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvolvedRotary Posted April 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 and 87Blue, id probably take 100 plus cost to ship, a boneyard charges about 25 a wheel for aluminum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Quest Posted April 15, 2011 Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 honestly a fb makes a poor drift car, the suspension choices are few, the steering is worse than the sq's, and they lack power (even the later model gsl-se that was fuel injected was anemic.)if yuo want to drift, id recommend snagging either a 87-88 gxl fc like i did, as they have a factory clutch-type lsd and are good to learn the suspensions knack for gripping when it should be sliding (thanks in part to the rear hubs being able to adjust camber in a corner). once you get the car setup and feel confident a turbo swap is just as easy as im making it out to be, a driveline and engine harness being the biggest items to swap, as just turboing the na motor is asking for apex seal death. See I figured that. I just like the way they look. Fc's have allways been a car I like but its hard to find a decent one around here without paying atleast 2 grand but I will pay that if I can find a decently clean one. For some readon there's a bunch of FB's around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted April 15, 2011 Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 That sounds fair. Hold on to them for a few more days until I can get you in touch with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvolvedRotary Posted April 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 Crazy- 2k for a decent FC is quite reasonable, as a turbo model in good shape (or at least with a fresh motor) will run between 3k and 7k. Plus, if you should tire of the rotary, a LS1 will easily fit between the fenders and firewall, and plenty of kits to V8 swap it otherwise. 87Blue- Can do, not like they are going anywhere lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Quest Posted April 15, 2011 Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 Crazy- 2k for a decent FC is quite reasonable, as a turbo model in good shape (or at least with a fresh motor) will run between 3k and 7k. Plus, if you should tire of the rotary, a LS1 will easily fit between the fenders and firewall, and plenty of kits to V8 swap it otherwise. 87Blue- Can do, not like they are going anywhere lol. Well I shoulda specified more, one with really bad interior and 145,000 miles that needs a clutcha and everything for around 2k. I'm probably gonna get a older celica gts I used to have one and man I loved that car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvolvedRotary Posted April 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2011 Should broaden the search area to include more southern states, though interiors are getting shabbier as years progress i've seen... Got tires mounted yesterdayhttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo04151727_1.jpg Let them in the van til today, where they got mountedhttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo04161137.jpg and here were back on the groundhttp://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b287/RX-7-88/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo04161147_2.jpg Its definitely going to need all the fender lips rolled, and the rear need a good pull, but so far so good with the stock suspension and not really having the body settle like it needs to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey_crandall Posted April 19, 2011 Report Share Posted April 19, 2011 i had an 86 non turbo that was 5 lug. it only ran good when some atf was put in the motor. but it had konis on it and a magnaflow mufflers and some hackjob of a exhaust system. i got it for 200 and traded it for a mighty max. yours looks good though, my second favorite 80s jap car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvolvedRotary Posted April 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2011 Sounds like yours suffered from 'sticking' seals. The atf trick is used to loosen up carbon, though using MMO or a good seafoaming would have helped it either regain compression or fully unstick the seals. Heh, only other toy I'd like to try out is a mkIII supra, but so far I prefer my 7s cockpit to almost everything else ive sat in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey_crandall Posted April 19, 2011 Report Share Posted April 19, 2011 ive driven a 88 non turbo supra, not fast but still donut champ. i never though about doing seafoam though. but its okay the pickup lasted a longtime, and my brothe got a $500 rc car for the rx7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvolvedRotary Posted April 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2011 hah yeah, i gave 500 for my first rx7, 2 used motors (that i installed) later she lasted 5 years and was worth it. Id like to find a supra just to daily. Dont have to mod it, just something clean that I can take to work and such while the 7 gets wrenched on, especially considering my luck with my Conquest as of late.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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