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 ***** 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 ***. 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.