estes_flyer

Ok, I am thinking of buying a used rx-7 (88 SE, 2nd gen, automatic) and converting it to a manual 5-speed.



I've never really delt much with cars, but am very willing to learn.

I was told it would be a LOT of work to "convert" the car like that, but the car is in need of a new transmission anyway...



I'm also thinking of buying a new rx-7, or atleast rebuilt...



Something like that. Anyways, im 16, and this will be MY first real car. I've been driving an automatic 94 camry for about... 3 months or so, but i've decided I want a sports car, but nothing related to honda like what EVERYONE else has. =)



The I was told the rx-7's were fast cars, which quickly got my attention. I will be doing a lot of work on this car, and prolly be spending quite a bit of money as well. My reason for not just saving up and buying an rx-7 in really good shape is this will be somewhat my project, and something for me to learn by... I want to know about my car, and know what is good or bad for it.



Anyways, here is a small list of what I KNOW i wanna do with it...



get dual exaust system

get nice looking spoiler

get a nice paint job

get an intake - a good one

get better wheels/tires/rims

get windows tinted

get stereo/cd player/good sound system

get interior redone - get new seats, carpet, steering wheel, etc...

get a neon light to stick underneath the car (for night cruising)

get some sharp looking side mirrors



anyways, that is all I KNOW i want to get done, but more than likely, I will get more things done as well. =)



the engine is a 13B, but does that have anything to do w/ automatic transmission? I mean, will I have to replace the engine if I replace the automatic transmission and put in a manual transmission...



And, also, what about turbos? I want this car to have atleast 200 HP by the time I'm done with it, I wanna be able to race against my friends driving their hondas.



If I get turbos, or whatever, (considering I don't have em already) would I have to get better cooling? I understand that rotary's don't take kindly to heat, and the engine is my top concern...



And what about oil/gas? Do I have to use premium? Or can I just use regular unleaded? What kind of oil is best for driving around the southeast? (eastern TN more specifically...)



Why are spoilers so expensive? Why are side mirrors so expensive?



Anyone else done what im planning to do? I just want a car that not EVERYONE has, but one that will still be able to scream... =)



tips!! please!!! comments!! anything!!!



Thanks In Advance!



- Rusty

ILUVMY88CABRIO

You may want to keep looking and try and find a 5 speed. You'll save yourself lots of time and $$$. And that $ saved can go to performance mods. A 5 speed tranny should bolt up to your engine, but you'll need a 5 speed drive shaft, and the center console for sure. I'm not sure what other items you would need though. Your engine is a NA engine, so it has a higher compression ratio. If you wanted to put a turbo in I would recommend getting a j spec engine. And if that were the case you would also need a turbo tranny, driveline, rear end, ecu, fuel pump, and hood. I might be forgetting something there. As for gas, if you keep the car NA using 87 oct. gas will work fine. If you have a turbo you'll want the highest octane gas you can get.

Twin89Stangs

Yeah it will be easier to find a 5 spd car than convert... I know this from looking into converting my 2.3 Mustang. Major hassle.... Besides a 5spd is just that much more fun! Most of the time it requires less power than an Auto.

bigtime

if u get that neon light ill have to smack u

phinsup

HA, I saw some retard with neon under the seat on his bike... what a waste of weight.

Twin89Stangs

You know I see those neon lights....

I still dont get the attraction to them...

I was at walmart and even saw a set of cheapo walmart subs with neon blue or purple looking rings around the sub that light up each time the sub moves.... stupid I think... oh well to each his own I suppose...

RotaryBoy88

Agreed :smilewinkgrin:

KinetikRX

Ahh to be 16 again... Did you guys notice that most of his wish list is all superficial/non-performance mods? I remember those days...



And to answer your question about the prices on things like spoilers and such. We live in a capitalist society which means prices are dictated by demand- You've got every kid on the block who wants a spoiler on his ricer and voila- prices skyrocket. The parts themselves usually are made really cheaply- what can fiberglass cost? And while they might look really cool- they do jack-**** for real performance- Unless you find yourself regularly doing 100+ MPH they will do little for your car. But as has already been said- "to each his own"



If you are really serious about switching to a 5-speed I just pulled the engine and tranny (last night) from my 88 GXL and might be persuaded to part with it for the right price. Everything included- intake and all accessories- EVEN CRUISE CONTROL!!!! (yes I'm being a cheese ball)



Actually it would probably have to be pretty cheap because it never ran while I owned it- As far as I know from the previous owner though, the tranny was pretty good. And if you act now I'll even throw in the driveshaft at no additional charge! I'm swapping in a 302 so I won't be able to use the factory RX7 shaft.

Twin89Stangs

Well when i got my first mustang the first thing I did was a cd player because 89 Ford stereo's sucked. Second was the SS pipe (stainless steel) and a dynomax muffler because my stock exhaust was shot from 10 years worth of driving. Then came a full tuneup wider tires and wheels but I did this for cornering and braking due to the fact 195/75/14 tires SUCK! And then put in new seats due to sliding out of them when cornering.

So not all of it is superficial unless he only wants it for looks.

But even at that nothing wrong with making your Ride look good. Just as long as you give it some go too!





302 huh? chevy or Ford¿

yes chevy made one back in the late sixties...



I am assuming Ford!

Let me know how that goes and if you dont mind can you get me some pictures of that? Would love to see...

Also details? EFI? carbed? All stock? Aftermarket? or just bolt ons. Well let me know.

KinetikRX

btw I didn't mean superficial in a derogatory way- I just meant exterior aesthetics- Believe me I want a car to look tight as well as run like hell- but my priorities lie in performance first, looks 2nd-



Its a 302 block from a lincoln(needs machine work and a rebuild with forged pistons)- to keep things simple I bought a 650 cfm holley double pumper- on the list for ordering from Summit is a performer RPM intake, MSD coil, hopefully flowmasters if they fit in the stock muffler wells, equal lenght shorty headers, I have a pair of 351W heads from a pre '77 351 that will be ported and get a conversion to roller rockers. And yes, for aesthetics I'm going to re-upholster the seats with an automotive grade hide that I won on ebay(guess I'll need to learn how to sew if I don't want to pay somebody to do it) after it runs for a while and I'm confident in its strength NITROUS!!!!



I'm looking to have a mid 12- low 13 second car