89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

alright so i'm making a build thread so i can see my progress.
i picked up this rx7 for $200 not running and paid another $165 for the 31 mile tow.
she was bought in 1995 by the guy i got her from. he picked her up from a chevy dealer for $15,000 :S, 3 years later (sept 98) the apex seals went. she was parked in his parents back yard in escondido and sat till i went and saved her.
of course the motor is trash, i'm not even gonna open it up and look at it. just gonna throw it on craigslist for free. i'm gonna be selling the tranny and all the ---- on the motor, but the block will be given away.
here is my plan for the vehicle, i'm posting it here so i don't change my mind later down the road.
this car was bought to replace my 90 crx with a turbo zc. i've decided that the rx-7 will not be as fast as the crx and still be reliable. so i'm going to make the rx-7 my daily driver and i'm gonna turn the crx into a track only drag race car. the turbo zc will be pulled and put in my wifes 91 civic sedan, the crx is gonna get a ls turbo.
now for the rx-7
i'm swapping in a turbo II motor and tranny. i will be getting some good coilovers and good exhaust or home made exhaust.
i will be removing all emissions crap i don't need
i might keep the rims that are on the car but repaint them silver, the car will be getting a fresh coat of black paint. after it's in good running condition i'm going to not mod it anymore. it's gonna be my canyon run car and my daily transportation. i'm not expecting on being super quick with it, but i might upgrade some turbo and fuel stuff so i can run a low 14 or high 13 in the 1/4, but nothing too crazy.
the crx i'm hoping for a low 10, build thread for the crx in the next month or 2

this build thread will be mostly pics and some dumb stories about what i did that day. this project will not be a quick project. i have a baby and can't spend all my money on my car.
this is what she looked like last weekend before and after washing her
Attachment 17038
Attachment 17039
yes that is mold inside the car
Attachment 17040
Attachment 17041
Attachment 17042
after wash
Attachment 17043
Attachment 17044

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

ok so today we (wife and i) decided to pull the dead motor, we started around 4:00pm and got done at 8:30pm, took a half hour break and just farted around the rest of the time. probably would have taken around 2 hours if we just worked on it.
say goodbye
Attachment 17023
Attachment 17024
Attachment 17025
new rotors anyone
Attachment 17026
got the cherry picker hooked up so i can un bolt the motor and tranny mounts. still have stuff to unhook, but i like to have the engine floating when i'm removing the last few things
Attachment 17027
now you can't see it in the first pic but i'm sawing the high side a/c line. i didn't feel like unbolting it so ---- it. i'm not gonna have ac anyway
Attachment 17028
you can see the saw in this pic
Attachment 17029
DINK DONK did you hear the drive shaft fall out
Attachment 17030
Attachment 17031
oh ---- i forgot there was fluid in the tranny
Attachment 17032
here is my wife trusting the cherry picker a ---- load more then i do
Attachment 17033
i'm a dumbass
Attachment 17034
Attachment 17035
gotta put the wheels back on so i can get it out of my driveway. crx parks in the garage, i live in a bad area
Attachment 17036
lifted rx-7
Attachment 17037
ok so that is my story so far.
i'll be pulling the drive shaft and gas tank out this week or next weekend.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

Good stuff

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

so what are the plans?

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

Attachment 17022
http://www.threestooges.com/images/b...urlyHoward.jpg
knuck knuck knuck! :P I would kill for a 7. Ran or not running. Cool project dude.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

im in for the build, at least yours looks to be cheaper than mine is running on the 7. i have to spend about 400-600 dollars to get mine going again. then again, im making my 13b carburetored, inside of an 83 gsl. but mine is gonna be more than just a street driven bandit. i gotta figure out what to do with the carbon buildup anyways.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

ok so the plan with the car is to make it a fun to drive, good handling, daily driver. i'm looking to run a low 14 or a high 13. nothing too crazy with it, just want to make sure it runs good.

78nova, i'm going to be doing the turbo II swap with turbo tranny. i'm looking at spending about $1500 for the swap, unless i can find someone parting out their car. i'm planning on spending another $1500 or so on suspension and another 1k on rims/tires. probably another 500-1000 on paint depending on if i do it my self or have a shop do it.

my dad had an 85 rx-7 and i remember doing canyon runs in it when i was a little kid, since then i've wanted one.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

this 7 is a good start.. the good thing bout these rotary motors is the little least bit done to them go like hell.. ive seen them run 7s at the track wit the 13b motor.. goodluck wit the rest of the build.. nd post more pics as u get things done..

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

where are you located? You shouldn't have a problem finding a decent set-up for that much. Rotary owners are some of the cheapest bastards around.

Henry, if your ever going to do the project, go with a second gen rather than a first gen. Finding parts for my first gen is a nightmare.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

+1 member to the rotary club.
good luck and may your wallet be deep.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

i'm in san diego so i have lots of engine importers in so cal to find motors at, i'm not looking for a rebuilt motor. i'll just rebuild the one i buy after it goes out.

oh and my pockets are not deep, but i have all the time in the world. i'd like to get it done before seven stock 2008 in september

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

does anyone know what the stock wg setting is on the s5 tII motor?

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

Hey i might have a motor for you! My buddy is pretty much tryin to give away his rx7 project, has a 13b already pulled out sitting separately if you need a car or motor holla haha!

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

my buddys turbo II in japan was at .7 bar. So thats like ~8psi. The stock gauge could be off, but I would venture to say somewhere in the area of 7-8psi

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

yea the turbo II has 7 psi stock

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

Quite honesty even when you get a new motor I would rebuild it just be sure, especially if you want to DD the 7. If it was my choice I'd DD the CRX, or get another EF since the CRX is gutted to ----.
When I think commuter I don't think Rx-7.

REW irons aren't that expensive so even if the irons are shot the rebuild should be smooth.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

i think more then just the irons in that motor are shot.

i was thinking about rebuilding the turbo motor after i buy it, but i'm not sure yet. i might wait for it to break then fix it.

i've been sitting here looking at the car wanting to drive it really bad so i think i might try to find another na motor to throw in till i can get everything for the turbo II swap. if i do that then i'll rebuild the turbo motor for sure.

oh and as far as daily drivers go i've been DDing my crx for the last 3 years completely gutted so my idea of a daily driver is different then other peoples.
oh and i have a 98 civic that will be getting a single cam for when i really need a daily driver.
---- i have too many projects :S

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

Man I found a good 12A and tranny for 250. Guy pulled it to do a V8 swap so it has everything from carb, header, yada yada. Then I found get this..... BMW 320i for 500. You do the math. Yeah I'd have to convert the 320 to a carb'd setup as being 320"i" its fuel injected. Now to just scrounge up 750 clams. Mickey Mouse ----------ers :6

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

Nice find!! Good luck with the build :)

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

my friend had a TII that ran 12.7 with full boltons, intake, exhaust, boost controller, and i think IC. Of course it only lasted maybe 5k before it started smoking... Just throw a SBC in it. 300hp/tq and reliable as hell.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

get your rotors cut, problem solved. also lightens them :)

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

added almost 6psi with no tune? -you didnt mention it...

Sounds like your friend is just as retarded. :l

Ive seen rotaries at 250k miles, that are beat on and running great. Been awhile since I have seen a 350 with 250k miles being beat on, and loving it.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

I dont think I'd let my wife sit underneath even a empty cherry picker from harbor freight. I had one "magically" drop on one of my motors.... cdm tools, lol .... but then again my cheap ass just went out and bought a better cylinder

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

i forget how much more boost he was running, not much more though, maybe 10psi or 11. but when i said 12.7 I meant 1/4 mile

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

i'm thinking about just scraping this rotary thing and dropping in a sbc. an older one with a carb on top. before i bought my first honda i was a muscle car guy, maybe i need to go back to my roots and drop a good ole chevy motor in it.
what do you guys think?

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

400 + hx50?

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

whats plans for this dd, or weekend cruiser. dont forget about gas prices and witch one would you be more likely to turbo down the road or right away.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

i was gonna go that route then i picked up another rotary engine. now its gone even further to where im gonna get rid of the car. im doing this because if i ever want to swap my honda and boost it i have to have one project only because thats all money will allow. its unfortunate. i love the car to death. but its the only way i will ever get my hatch done. i have a good 13b core for your car. shipping would be a bitch but you want it?

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread (56k eat my ass and join us in 2008)
 

S4 TII is 5.5 PSI.
S5 TII is about the same as I recall. The higher power of the S5 is due to a better hotside on the turbo, among other small changes.

If REW irons are used, mounting the engine is going to be a problem. The REW mounts on the rear iron, while the 2nd gen 13B mounts on the center iron. Also, the 2nd gen lower intake won't fit. And there are some other minor issues as well.

If he goes with an S5 TII engine, then it has the same thick dowel area castings as the REW.

And that's why it broke as well. You can't just up the boost and expect the car to last unless you also increase fuel. Throwing an intake, exhaust and boost controller on there without supporting mods is a sure way to blow it up.

Unless the car was stripped to a shell, there's no way he ran 12.7 on the stock turbo at 10-12 PSI of boost. The stock turbo is good for about 250HP, no more.

That's horrible. If you are going to put a V8 in it, at least use one that was designed in the last 50 years. Get a current series LSx engine, EFI and a nice T56 transmission. Why someone would put a cast iron carbureted lump into ANY car is beyond my thinking...

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

ok so this is gonna be my daily driver, but like i've said before it needs to be fun to drive.
gas prices don't bother me at all, so that has nothing to do with it.

i'm not planning on putting a turbo on the chevy motor, but the rotary i get would be the turbo 13b.
the chevy motor would probably get some nitrous, just for the track.

aaron, i like the old sbc's cause they are cheap as hell. i've thought about getting an lt1 or ls1, but really don't want to spend that much money on a motor, but i just found an lt1 with 60k on it for $400 on craigslist. so i'm gonna check that out.
also i would like to have a carb cause i know how to work them, i'm not good at tuning fuel injected ----. however if i go with the lt1 or ls1 i could probably get it smog legal in cali. that would be bad ass.
also i was thinking about going with an auto tranny not the t56, however again the ls1+t56 is tried and true. lots of people have it.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

just think, 75mph and 2000rpm's

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

or 75 and just under 5k rpms :o with the auto tranny.
the money i save buying the tranny will be spent on gas, but you can find those trannys on craigslist for $100-$200 all the time. the t56 manual tranny is not that cheap. but i'd save on gas

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

well i decided on some old american muscle, well maybe not muscle but it's a workhorse for sure


i got my motor today.
total trip 4 hours
30 min drive up
2 hours to pull the motor, shooting the ---- with the seller
1 hour to clean up mess while shooting the ---- with the seller
30 min drive home.

i found an ad on craigslist
"CHEVY CHEYENNE---> 1974 PARTING 0UT! (ESC0NDID0)"
inside that ad he said he had a 350 motor
the next ad below was
"350 M0T0R F0R SALE!! - $250 (ESC0NDID0)"
inside that ad he said the motor had about 75k og miles on it and it runs great. still in truck, come listen to it.

so i said to my self $250 for a running motor sure beats the 100-200 i've been seeing for non running motors. so i did what any normal man would do. i had my wife call him up and see WTF was up.
this was on monday. my wife said everything was cool and i should call him. so on my lunch break i called him and told him i wouldn't be able to get it till friday. after talking to him for a few mins he said he would hold the motor till friday.
i thought forsure he was gonna sell this motor before friday.
then i found out that I HAD TO PULL THE MOTOR. well what ever, if i do it then i know it was done right.
so today we got the motor and he even gave me a th400 tranny that needs a rebuild.
really cool kid, he was about 18 and his wife is pregnant with twins so he has to sell all of his non running cars and make one running car.
so anyway the motor sounded real strong, but i'm gonna do a leak down test this weekend to see how strong it really is.
if it checks out bad then i'm gonna do a full rebuild on it
383 stroker and all kinds of go fast goodies.
if it checks out good then i'm gonna throw a 100 shot of nos on it till it blows. then rebuild it.
so here are a few pics of it's dirty self. i gotta clean it up real good

Attachment 16326

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yummy, just not gonna be enough power for me in stock form. the super jdm nos will fix that.
nos > vtak


oh and pay no attention to the mickey mouse wallpaper, when i was a kid the garage was my playroom. that wallpaper is over 20 years old

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

You don't know how much I envy you.

You live where I used to live, and where I want to live again.

You have an FC like I used to have, and want to have again.

You can turbo that bitch.

---- you.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

well you should visit http://www.grannysspeedshop.com/ for an install kit that you will need. it will save you a ---- ton of time. i think it was 600+ shipping for an install and go kit. you just gotta do the hard work which is wiring. gl though. i think my rx7 is done for. ill just buy another before i fix this one.....

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

not a bad deal man. im not a fan of the v8 into a RX7 but more and more ...if you want a HP beast, in a solid chassis with good brakes, etc this is the way to go.
$1000 and that thing will be a monster. :6

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

sbcs in 7s are fun as ----... my buddy is just gettin his n/a rear end out so we can findout what this thing will really do
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2...DSC04063-1.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2...x/DSC04075.jpg
Made 560 on the engine dyno before the motor was shipped to him. built for a 200 shot this year then a blower next year...(thats why he put that big nasty gay scoop on there

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

i envy myself, i've talked to grant over at grannys a couple times. i will be getting his mount kit, but i'm not sure if i want to get his drive shaft and all that other stuff or if i'm just gonna get the engine cradle.

wiring is gonna be easier for me cause i'm ditching the stock gauge cluster and all that stuff.
i'm gonna get a summit wire harness (painless knockoff).
my wife had a 70 chevy pickup that we rewired from headlight to the tail lights, that sucked balls, but now i've done it so i'll be able to do it again.

the cool thing with going this route is i don't need to have the tach re calibrated or the speedo fixed. i don't need any adapters for the oil pressure sensor.
and i'm gonna have a cool custom gauge setup. just gotta figure out what gauges i want to use (style, color)

oh the motor looks dirtier in the pics then it does in person

today i gotta pull the tranny off and throw it on craigslist. the shitty thing is i don't know if it needs a rebuild or if it is good. oh well i'll sell it super cheap to make a little of my money back.
i gotta throw my rx7 tranny and other parts i'm not using on craigslist too.

i'm gonna paint the complete engine black, i'm not sure if i'm gonna put on chrome valvecovers and air cleaner or if i'm gonna paint them black too.
the cars name is "the black widow" cause the rotary guys call us soul killers and there are a few spiders living in my car. i'm gonna paint the sunroof red and have everything else black on the car.
here is a pic of the lic plate i'm gonna get
Attachment 16302
if any of you nigs steal my plate idea i'm gonna hunt you down.

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

Thats alot of power for a SE model with the crappy single pot breaks...

Re: 89 rx-7 gxl build thread UPDATE: 13b or sbc???
 

Because I bet he hasn't addressed that at all.

If he's going to be drag racing he's going to have to stop, especially if he wants to at a track.