wannabe-rotary

Hey there, im new to the board and am looking for some advice. I currently do not have an RX-7 but have been reading on them for a while and obessesing I would like to purchase a 3rd gen and build it up for some pretty heavy duty work. Bearing in mind the problems that seem to have plauged the FD3S series, im looking for some advice from more knowledgeable tuners Basically, what have people's experiences been like? I plan on tearing out the motor and building it from top to bottom so would I be better off to purchase a high milage or blown motor RX7 for cheaper (provided teh body is in good shape, i dont wanna rebuild the body too lol) or should I get a lower milage one that is in good condition and go that route. Bear in midn I am gonna do this as a project car (i have a 02 WRX and a 98 eclipse GSX) so i dont need to drive it right away, so the motor will come out one way or another. So by going cheaper on a high milage or dead RX7 i could save some money that way to spend on the motor build up, right? What are your opinions? Thank!

-brian

vosko

the best way in my opinion would be to get a stock car that has a blown coolant seal.... just gotta look around though

Joe Flo

I wouldn't buy a dead Rx-7. If its dead then that means the previous owner was lazy and didn't care about the car. Most likely you would have to work on alot of other things too. Thats just my opinion though

vosko

a car with a blown coolant seal is not a dead car. you can still drive the car and check everything out. my car had a blown coolant seal

Joe Flo

Thats not what I mean...he wanted to know if he should buy a dead car........to me that sounds like a bad idea.

wannabe-rotary

well, yes and no. Im asking which would be more effective. Lets say that by dead I mean the body is in good shape but the engine has blown apex seals. And the current owner doesnt wanna rebuild or whatever he is just gonna sell it. Its dead, but certainly salvagable. As i am planning to rebuild the motor one way or another (port the housing, stronger apex seals, whatever else is applicable, im still learning lol) it would seem that the lower cost of the car would be offset by the cost of motor build up, but the way Im looking at it is that I will spend less overall to buy the car, build the motor and get it running, than by buying a car in better shape for more, and then end up yanking a good motor for rebuild. It might only make a small difference, but it could also mean a large one, right? Like if I spent 8000.00 say for a RX7 with a bad motor, and spent 3000.00 (estimated) on the rebuild and maybe another 2000 on the build up (these are just estimated and magical numbers here lol) then that would be 13,000.00 dollars, versus buying the same car with a good running motor, for maybe 10,000-13,000.00 as ive seen on ebay and papers and dealerships, then yank the motor and spend the same amount on the rest then that is anywhere from 15,000 to 18,000 total. But on the other hand, do you recommend maybe getting the running car, and playing with it and getting experienced with it, before tearing it apart to build up, or even wait till I BLOW the motor up myself? Joe flo, what else might be wrong with the car beyond the motor? Are you refering to suspension components? Body? Interior? Just trying to get a feel for what else i'll be tackling. The suspension will probably be overhauled too but not until the motor is just getting towards being finished. thanks again guys