halo

[FONT=Arial] I would just like to know if anyone has, or knows anyone with experience in fixing up a '91 convertible. I saw the 89 project car and it has become my inspiration for fixing up my '91. I was just wondering where I can get a manual tranny that will fit my 91 convertible that also supports a twin turbo engine. On that note, I was wondering why finding parts for a convertible is so hard. I'm new at the car modding game, so I may just be naive, but it seems like 91 convertibles just aren't meant to be fixed up.



Right now, my car is in very good condition, 71,000 original miles and the paint is damn near perfect. The list of modifications I would like to do are as follows:



1) A/T ----> Manual Transmission w/TT support.



2) Ragtop Rebuilding due to water spots on original convertible top.



3) Install twin turbos and intercoolers(Can I apply to my engine as is, or do I need a new engine? It's close to rebuilding time, anyhow. Advice is priceless!!)



4) Re-upholstery THROUGHOUT entire car(trunk, cab, just behind seats, etc)



5) Replacing the dash, and other faux leather components such as door panels. Wishing to install a custom dash.



6) Suspension, exhaust, manifold, fuel-injection and other miscellaneous upgrades.



The car, as is right now, is basically a factory 1991 RX-7 Convertible, Candy Apple Red, A/T transmission, non turbo.



What do I need to do?!

89 Rag

Welcome to Nopistons!



As far as your questions about switching to a manual trans to support a TT engine, I have not seen it done, most of the conversions that ppl have done are doing a turbo II swap which utilizes a single turbo, (in some cases a very large single) other mods include changing the engine, upgrading the intercooler, changing/upgrading engine management, and changing various components of the running gear as a start.



The swap from auto to manual is not difficult, although I do remember hearing that there is a concern about the ecu acting up as there would no longer be an input point for the auto trans, but don't quote me on this, I could be wrong.



A new top is not a problem, a company named Robbins top makes a variety of tops for the series 5 RX-7's, from vinyl to cloth, and headliner, it all depends on what you want to spend.



Upholstery is handeled too, carpet kits are available at several different sources, plastic moulded pieces can be died/painted to make them look new, several scrap yards around the country have parts for series 5 (1989-1992) convertibles and in some cases series 4 (1986-1988) convertible parts will work too. Custom parts can be fabbed at your discretion.



Companies like Mazdatrix, Racing Beat, Rotary Extreme,and our own parts store rx7parts.com can get you almost anything from clutches to suspension parts, exhausts, etc.



again, welcome, and post some pictures at your earliest convenience!

halo

Man, your car is awesome!! What did you do with the spare-tire-well so that you could put those subs behind the seats? Your car is an incredible inspiration to me, and I have all your pictures saved to hard drive. I will be taking pictures of my ragtop very soon, perhaps sometime today, and going to attach them to my sig. Is yours candy-apple red, as well? It's a nice color, but I'm contemplating changing the color. Perhaps a custom blue, or something.



I still don't fully comprehend the compatibilities between certain engines and trannies.



It is my understanding, though, that if the engine is turbo modded, then you would need a transmission capable of handling the torque. I haven't found any posts acknowledging this topic, as even other people who say they are newbies are still not as new as I am to automotive working, and to rotaries at that. Thanks for responding to my post!! Maybe we can talk more closely sometime.



Love your car!!!

89 Rag

lol, thanks for the compliments!



The color of my car is called Guards red, a popular color for Porsche, and I relocated the spare to the trunk, and removed the bracket and modded the plastics to place the sub enclosure behind the seats.



In your stock n/a application, you would need to acquire a completely different engine, one out of a turbo II chassis and the corresponding transmission from the same type of chassis. The n/a engine you have can be converted to turbo, but in my opinion its a lot of work for little results. Browse through the 2nd gen faq section, link there are several threads that address this issue, as well as links to other information regarding the topic. There are a few members here that are currently working on the conversion you speak of as well as the members that have already done it, keep your eyes open for updated threads, and browse through the single turbo discussion link forum too, plenty of great information.

halo

So, what all have you had done with your 89? We both have the same "model", right? Was yours an automatic when you started out? I can't really tell what everything is under the hood yet, but I'm trying to learn. Now that I've got someone that's actually helpful, I figured I would ask. =) Is that a cloth top? It didn't look like vinyl in the pictures. I've decided, though, that most of the changes that I want to make to mine will merely be superficial for the moment. Like, body kits, and changing it to a manual transmission. I just need to get ahold of a manual transmission, and save up for a body kit. I'm Military, so when I say "save up," it usually means "wait a few years."

89 Rag

It is a ground up restoration-mod, everything is new or refurbished, and it was manual to begin with. I also switched fom vinyl to cloth (cloth looks more regal)



Check the for sale section of the forum, someone is bound to have an S5 manual trans for sale.