Hey all,



Just wanted to ask about a few things.



First i don't own a mazda RX-7.. (yet) (b0000 me)



But somehow i just fell in love with it.. it looks great!!!! the engines is something

special.. These days were all cars look the same, ford/audi/VW/skoda/toyota

its hard to even tell the new cars apart here in europe!!!

I also love the "feel" of driving the RX-7, it feels like your driving!!!



Anyway my question is.



Since im on a very low budget, how much work is it to buy a RX-7 TurboII

without engine and transmission. and then rebuild the car step by step.

(long term project)

And how hard is it? im no mechanic, but i do consider myself pretty handy with

things like engines and electrical stuff. Reading here helps allot!



also will a project like that end up costing more than buying a rx-7 in reasonable good shape, or will it make me grow grey hair early and make me want to die?



Any reply will be good



Regards



K. Petersen

If your looking for a long term project, in the long run, it will be the car that you want since you will be doing everything over. For around the $3500 range, you can find a very nice T2. It takes more time than effort, but they are out there. I found my 87 in NY with 70K miles, always garage kept, stored in the winter. Perfect shape. It was $3500. I am really glad that I went that route.



You can find T2 shells for around $500, if you felt like it, you could do a turbo swap in to a SE or GXL. You can find those for cheaper. Then maybe a jspec motor for around $1250. Then redoing everything needed to get it rolling. It will be a pain, but it may be cheaper depending on the shell you find.

Well... According to your post, it sounds like you live in Europe. It's gonna be a bitch, unless you live in France or something where no one gives a **** about anything (traffic at least). I'd imagine finding an RX-7 will be your biggest problem. In the States you can get a straight chassis for around +- $2000. I'd save atleast $3000 for a rebuild. If this is going to be "long term" I wouldn't skimp on the rebuild. If you have patience and brass balls the rest of the stuff isn't really that expensive just some work. But it wouldn't hurt to change struts and such since these cars are all a good 10-15 years old.



It cost me around $4,500 for a s5 TII chassis and a rebuild although I think I paid a little much for the chassis I was happy to finally get another RX-7. My dad's friend used to be a rotary engine builder back in the day so he had someparts that he hooked up, that helped a little too.

Umm...I bought my '88 Turbo II for $2,000. The car has a full S5 conversion on the inside and outside, except for the bumpers. Paint is 2 years old. Came with a blown S4 J-Spec motor with tons of mods, including upgraded turbo, injectors, fuel-pump, turbo timer, F.P.R., ECU, and full Racing Beat Exhaust....



I bought an S5 J-Spec short-block for $1,000. Has 35k original miles. Right now my brother and I are swapping all the parts from the S4 motor to the S5, and it's a PAIN IN THE ASS. I got ripped off on the short-block, but it'll all work in the end.



Basically, find yourself a NICE shell. You don't want to be worrying about body work when you've got enough engine work ahead of you anyways. You SHOULD be able to get yourself an S5 J-Spec motor with everything you need including tranny for $1,500. Without tranny, would probably be about $1,200.



Hope that helps.



I've spent $3,300 in total. $2,000 for car, $300 for shipping from Texas to Georgia, $1,000 for the motor, and maybe $100 in shtuff....

J-spec isn't the best way to go on a "long term" project. Might as well rebuild the whole engine if you're gonna take the time anyways. Plus I think he's in Europe so it may be a little tough to get one.