1980 RX-7 LeatherSport Barn Find :)
01-20-2011, 08:28 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: La Honda, California
Posts: 6
Hey all.
I'm the new owner of a RX-7 that's seen some interesting times. It only has 100k miles on it, and was stored in a barn (literally) for 23 years. I traded my horrible beater Honda for it, since the guy needed a running car. (The RX-7 is not running.) It seems like it only needs a water pump, and the usual maintenance that any vehicle needs after it's been sitting for a while.
I'm a very experienced mechanic and engine builder, though I've never had the chance to work on a rotary engined car. I cut my teeth on Datsun Zs, and have an extensive collection of Datsuns (my family calls it 'The Datsun Armada').
I've been reading up on the popular mods for these cars, and I'm excited to not have to deal with any more friggin' Bosch L-jetronic nonsense.
How frowned upon is it to modify a LeatherSport? I've been reading up, and some people seem to make a big deal out of it, and others don't. I know with the Z cars, the 'special one' is the 1980 10th Anniversary 280ZX, and it's just... a joke. Nobody collects or cares about them, and for the most part they're just comedy value, as seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWF-hH1nloo
In any case, pics of my RX-7 are in my garage, and I have a few more if people are interested. There's a fair bit of oxidation, but thankfully, no rust rot.
--Corey
I'm the new owner of a RX-7 that's seen some interesting times. It only has 100k miles on it, and was stored in a barn (literally) for 23 years. I traded my horrible beater Honda for it, since the guy needed a running car. (The RX-7 is not running.) It seems like it only needs a water pump, and the usual maintenance that any vehicle needs after it's been sitting for a while.
I'm a very experienced mechanic and engine builder, though I've never had the chance to work on a rotary engined car. I cut my teeth on Datsun Zs, and have an extensive collection of Datsuns (my family calls it 'The Datsun Armada').
I've been reading up on the popular mods for these cars, and I'm excited to not have to deal with any more friggin' Bosch L-jetronic nonsense.
How frowned upon is it to modify a LeatherSport? I've been reading up, and some people seem to make a big deal out of it, and others don't. I know with the Z cars, the 'special one' is the 1980 10th Anniversary 280ZX, and it's just... a joke. Nobody collects or cares about them, and for the most part they're just comedy value, as seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWF-hH1nloo
In any case, pics of my RX-7 are in my garage, and I have a few more if people are interested. There's a fair bit of oxidation, but thankfully, no rust rot.
--Corey
01-21-2011, 06:16 AM
#4
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: VA
Posts: 2,532
Yeah, I would say that "classic" Mazdas get very little love. I wouldn't be afraid to modify it. Sometimes I wish the leather interior wasn't in such nice shape in my T2 or I'd rip it out to save a few pounds.
01-21-2011, 01:58 PM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: La Honda, California
Posts: 6
Thanks guys, that's what I was hoping for. 
I'm not planning on gutting it or anything, since I really like the stock interior. Stock powertrain with 100hp and squishy suspension... not so much.
I've gathered that the consensus on the Camden supercharger is that it's not worth the money? I'm not sure I'd buy one anyways, but the idea of a supercharged rotary engine makes me very happy. In the short term, I'm going to be selling one of my 280ZX Turbos soon, and have a little bit of money to play with. Likely I'm going to repaint the car and touch up the engine a bit, maybe a racing beat exhaust and that lovely Holley carb RB sells.
It would be interesting to build one of these motors up. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, and different terms like 'streetporting' and 'bridgeporting'. I've been lurking on these forums for a while. It seems likely that I'm going to keep a 12A in this car, either way, and just do a little 'something' about the CA emissions equipment.
I'll start a build thread at some point, but it's going to be competing for attention with my 1967 Datsun Roadster -- currently receiving a full restoration and a hybridized "R20" engine. (using the OHC 2000cc rotating assembly in the pushrod 1600cc block).
I'm not planning on gutting it or anything, since I really like the stock interior. Stock powertrain with 100hp and squishy suspension... not so much.
I've gathered that the consensus on the Camden supercharger is that it's not worth the money? I'm not sure I'd buy one anyways, but the idea of a supercharged rotary engine makes me very happy. In the short term, I'm going to be selling one of my 280ZX Turbos soon, and have a little bit of money to play with. Likely I'm going to repaint the car and touch up the engine a bit, maybe a racing beat exhaust and that lovely Holley carb RB sells.
It would be interesting to build one of these motors up. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, and different terms like 'streetporting' and 'bridgeporting'. I've been lurking on these forums for a while. It seems likely that I'm going to keep a 12A in this car, either way, and just do a little 'something' about the CA emissions equipment.
I'll start a build thread at some point, but it's going to be competing for attention with my 1967 Datsun Roadster -- currently receiving a full restoration and a hybridized "R20" engine. (using the OHC 2000cc rotating assembly in the pushrod 1600cc block).
01-22-2011, 02:42 AM
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: La Honda, California
Posts: 6
Think it might be worth my while to try and a 13B at a local junkyard (there are SO MANY), and do a rebuild and a streetport? That would give me a good opportunity to learn the engine, and then I know what I'm getting and what I'm putting into the car. At that point though, I'm gonna be getting worse mileage than my ZX Turbo, which seems impossible, but I bet it'll happen.
I kinda like the 12A, though, you know? It's a cute lil' thing! And it would be a lot of fun with a Camden 7", I bet...