92' RX-7 Rebuild
Discussion
Having spent the last month or so looking for a fairly standard FD RX-7 which hasn't been abused, left standing, driven through the parts bin at Halfords or Barry'd up with dodgy body kits I've met with little success.
Frustratingly, I nearly bought a perfect car from a member on here, though unfortunately, this was crashed a few days before I was due to come up and buy it.
I was about to start looking into an import though Jason at Super 7 in Worthing when he had an idea.
A friend of his had got halfway through a build before running out of money and having to move to the other end of the country.
The car was left at the garage and had a few bit's cannibalised from it. How about we take that as a starting point and build the car up from this solid rust free base?
The poor girl is in a sorry state of affairs, missing her engine, fitted with some ugly shoes and rather dubious early 90's shade of blue/green with her guts in pieces around the garage.
Feeling both a bit sorry for her and that this was a great idea I've commisioned a full restoration.
She's going to be blasted back to metal and repainted black, reconditioned alcantara seats, uprated radiator, loud blow off valve, period correct 92 spec spoiler, full nut and bolt engine rebuild, mild street port, standard bonnet fitted, remapped, original CD/Tape deck installed, new ECU with a standalone controller and a more appropriate exhaust.
Keeping her fairly standard with the sequential duel turbos but with uprated parts for both reliability and to allow her to take any future power upgrades without too much trouble.
Should all be ready in time for my birthday halfway through February.
I've asked Jason if he can send me pics of the build process and will be dropping in to check up on progress over the next few weeks. Hope to update the thread as we go.
More than a bit excited
Frustratingly, I nearly bought a perfect car from a member on here, though unfortunately, this was crashed a few days before I was due to come up and buy it.
I was about to start looking into an import though Jason at Super 7 in Worthing when he had an idea.
A friend of his had got halfway through a build before running out of money and having to move to the other end of the country.
The car was left at the garage and had a few bit's cannibalised from it. How about we take that as a starting point and build the car up from this solid rust free base?
The poor girl is in a sorry state of affairs, missing her engine, fitted with some ugly shoes and rather dubious early 90's shade of blue/green with her guts in pieces around the garage.
Feeling both a bit sorry for her and that this was a great idea I've commisioned a full restoration.
She's going to be blasted back to metal and repainted black, reconditioned alcantara seats, uprated radiator, loud blow off valve, period correct 92 spec spoiler, full nut and bolt engine rebuild, mild street port, standard bonnet fitted, remapped, original CD/Tape deck installed, new ECU with a standalone controller and a more appropriate exhaust.
Keeping her fairly standard with the sequential duel turbos but with uprated parts for both reliability and to allow her to take any future power upgrades without too much trouble.
Should all be ready in time for my birthday halfway through February.
I've asked Jason if he can send me pics of the build process and will be dropping in to check up on progress over the next few weeks. Hope to update the thread as we go.
More than a bit excited
Edited by CountZero23 on Friday 12th January 20:04
Edited by CountZero23 on Friday 12th January 20:05
Yeah, there were never that many FDs around, and they're really hard to find in decent working order now.
I like your plans for this one, and great to see it getting rescued.
I have Phil White's old one, now running a bit over 300hp on the sequential twins, I really like the broad powerband, the way the car picks up at any speed/rpm like an inflatable when the speedboat's just taken up the slack in the rope.
For the sequentials, I had a load of trouble until I got Jason to replace all the solenoids - they age and stop working, and worse they will work when cold but stop working when they get hot - just the recipe to spoil a trackday. Also the vacuum hoses and joints, obviously. So new solenoids are a win, certainly if you have any issues.
If you want to do trackdays I'd recommend an upgraded intercooler too, the stock one isn't really up to that level of sustained full throttle and 80 degree air intake temps make me worry about det. It's worth doing things once if possible, I ended up paying for the engine bay to be re-done several times over. If it's a road car then no need though.
Your car looks to have aftermarket wider front and rear wings - planning to keep them? What wheels?
Hope it comes together nicely, I guess it may take a bit longer than currently estimated but should be ready for Spring, anyway
I like your plans for this one, and great to see it getting rescued.
I have Phil White's old one, now running a bit over 300hp on the sequential twins, I really like the broad powerband, the way the car picks up at any speed/rpm like an inflatable when the speedboat's just taken up the slack in the rope.
For the sequentials, I had a load of trouble until I got Jason to replace all the solenoids - they age and stop working, and worse they will work when cold but stop working when they get hot - just the recipe to spoil a trackday. Also the vacuum hoses and joints, obviously. So new solenoids are a win, certainly if you have any issues.
If you want to do trackdays I'd recommend an upgraded intercooler too, the stock one isn't really up to that level of sustained full throttle and 80 degree air intake temps make me worry about det. It's worth doing things once if possible, I ended up paying for the engine bay to be re-done several times over. If it's a road car then no need though.
Your car looks to have aftermarket wider front and rear wings - planning to keep them? What wheels?
Hope it comes together nicely, I guess it may take a bit longer than currently estimated but should be ready for Spring, anyway
samoht said:
I have Phil White's old one, now running a bit over 300hp on the sequential twins,
I think you've had it long enough to not need to refer to it as my old car anymore :-) OP - Great project you have there, looking forward to future updates. You're in good hands with Jason, he was my go to guy when I had mine.
samoht said:
Yeah, there were never that many FDs around, and they're really hard to find in decent working order now.
Very true, usual story of a car getting cheap enough for people to buy but not run, that and the drift scene have a lot to answer for 
http://www.howrareismycar.co.uk shows 629 taxed and another 1,182 SORN'd. That's all RX-7's not just the FD's, so getting very rare. Wanted to get one before prices go mental!
samoht said:
I like your plans for this one, and great to see it getting rescued.
Cheers! Felt a bit like going to the animal shelter to buy a kitten and ending up with the one-eyed cat who nobody wanted 
She'll certainly be going to a loving home.
samoht said:
I have Phil White's old one, now running a bit over 300hp on the sequential twins, I really like the broad powerband, the way the car picks up at any speed/rpm like an inflatable when the speedboat's just taken up the slack in the rope.
Nice setup. I've got plans to up the power a bit in a year or so though only to 300/350. I was leaning towards a single turbo, more for simplicity and reliability than daft power, though Jason wisely talked me out of it.
The sequential setup is an essential part of the car's character, going single would detract from it and turn it into a different car.
As he said, I can always go down that path later once I've experienced the car the way it was intended.
I'm hoping to avoid any issues with the rat's nest or solenoids as its getting on for a full restoration of the mechanicals. That said, I'll be pleasantly surprised if there aren't any teething problems!
samoht said:
If you want to do trackdays I'd recommend an upgraded intercooler too, the stock one isn't really up to that level of sustained full throttle and 80 degree air intake temps make me worry about det. It's worth doing things once if possible, I ended up paying for the engine bay to be re-done several times over. If it's a road car then no need though.
No immediate plans track her, bit too special to risk it!
samoht said:
Your car looks to have aftermarket wider front and rear wings - planning to keep them? What wheels?
Leaning towards keeping them at the moment. Hoping they give the car a slightly more aggressive/modern look while retaining the lines of the car. Finding it difficult to picture the difference between these mods and a stock with the car in the state it's in.
If anyone can point me in the direction of some cars with similar body mods I'd be massively grateful!?
One thought that did occur was the body bits might up the insurance as I assume I'd have to declare them?
Regarding wheels, I've found some alloys which would make the car.
These matte bronze WORK Wheels Emotion CR Kiwami were mentioned in a thread on here.
Or go black on black. These Rays Engineering Volk Racing TE37SL with coloured lugs
Unfortunately I can't fit the alloys into the build budget, already running 2k over before a spanner has been turned (am I doing this rx-7 thing right?)
Thinking of plasti dipping them flat black to tide me over until I can throw more money at her. Dirt cheap and looks ok.
The good news is that she comes with brand new Michelin Pilot Super Sports with the labels still on the tread.
samoht said:
Hope it comes together nicely, I guess it may take a bit longer than currently estimated but should be ready for Spring, anyway
These things rarely go to budget or deadline do they PulsatingStar said:
CountZero23 said:
rather dubious early 90's shade of blue/green
Does look terrible in your photos, but I had a Montego Blue one and in sunlight it was an amazing looking colour
Onto new bits, I'm going to be getting done
Replace orange stock side indicators with some blacked out ones. Should keep it cleaner and meaner
Getting rid of the rear quarter reflector to continue with the stealth theme.
Exhaust. I've got the option of going for the loud and absolutely obnoxious one currently fitted or a more sensible twin setup they have in. Having seen too many videos of chunky fire-breathing exhausts on YouTube my inner 8 year old is winning this one. The only issue will be checking if a diffuser would still fit in around it as one of those is on my growing list of bits I want to add.
If I keep the current exhaust I'll be replacing the tip with a stainless still unit.
Thanks for all the positive comments guys. Been been bowled over by how friendly the RX-7 scene is
Edited by CountZero23 on Sunday 14th January 21:50
If you google 'rx-7 burnout kit' there are a load of pics that look like your arches, see what you think.
You'll have to declare a load of mods on insurance anyway... I don't know if body mods make any particular difference, anyone else?
Since most RHD FDs are JDM imports, and Japanese mostly buy cars in black, white or grey, there are a lot of black FDs around. Having one in an actual colour is rare, so in some ways you may as well hang onto that. Additionally the door shuts and underbonnet etc probably won't be included in a normal respray, so keeping the same colour keeps that all matching. Plus if you avoid needing a full respray (can't see the paint condition in pics), that might free up a bit of budget I guess. BUT it's all personal and subjective - I have a black one so I envy those that are actual colours, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't prefer yours in black.
I know that car pretty well. Guy who owned it before was a weapons-grade fabricator and all-round decent fella. Good blank canvas for a decent Rex build
My advice, for what it's worth? Don't go too far with it.
My other best bit of advice? A loud exhaust on an RX-7 not like a loud exhaust on any other car. It's just torture if you plan on using the car for more than popping to the shops in. You can still get all the flames and drama without having a stupid pipe on there
My advice, for what it's worth? Don't go too far with it.
My other best bit of advice? A loud exhaust on an RX-7 not like a loud exhaust on any other car. It's just torture if you plan on using the car for more than popping to the shops in. You can still get all the flames and drama without having a stupid pipe on there
samoht said:
If you google 'rx-7 burnout kit' there are a load of pics that look like your arches, see what you think.
You'll have to declare a load of mods on insurance anyway... I don't know if body mods make any particular difference, anyone else?
Since most RHD FDs are JDM imports, and Japanese mostly buy cars in black, white or grey, there are a lot of black FDs around. Having one in an actual colour is rare, so in some ways you may as well hang onto that. Additionally the door shuts and underbonnet etc probably won't be included in a normal respray, so keeping the same colour keeps that all matching. Plus if you avoid needing a full respray (can't see the paint condition in pics), that might free up a bit of budget I guess. BUT it's all personal and subjective - I have a black one so I envy those that are actual colours, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't prefer yours in black.
It's a really tough call. Both colours really suit the car, there's the rarity of the Montego Blue but it's a black one I've had my heart set on. Painting the engine bay and door shuts is all in the price and there's something special knowing the entire car has been painted and all the bodywork defects sorted. Should look as good as it did coming out of the factory, if not better You'll have to declare a load of mods on insurance anyway... I don't know if body mods make any particular difference, anyone else?
Since most RHD FDs are JDM imports, and Japanese mostly buy cars in black, white or grey, there are a lot of black FDs around. Having one in an actual colour is rare, so in some ways you may as well hang onto that. Additionally the door shuts and underbonnet etc probably won't be included in a normal respray, so keeping the same colour keeps that all matching. Plus if you avoid needing a full respray (can't see the paint condition in pics), that might free up a bit of budget I guess. BUT it's all personal and subjective - I have a black one so I envy those that are actual colours, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't prefer yours in black.
Cheers for tip on the body kit. This kind of thing?
Pretty sure Rougue86's (the car I was about to buy) has a similar kit. Really like it and makes the car stand out without going full-on Rocket Bunny.
Still need lots of bits to get her how I want. 99 Spec spoiler (£500+), Nice alloys (£500+) and a Diffuser (£200+).
I see many pot noodles in my future
Any good meets for RX-7's down south?
My first FD was Montego Blue. I think it's a great colour, especially in the sun. If you don't mind it actually being more green than blue, lol. Rare too and thus cool. Never thought black was the best colour for an FD, it hides the lines. Especially the iconic rear light sweep
noses with ruby by Nick Liassides, on Flickr
Might try to organise one this year again, I've still got an RX-7 of sorts
CountZero23 said:
Any good meets for RX-7's down south?
There used to be, back in the glory days when the forum was more than For Sale ads.noses with ruby by Nick Liassides, on Flickr
Might try to organise one this year again, I've still got an RX-7 of sorts
Nik da Greek said:
I know that car pretty well. Guy who owned it before was a weapons-grade fabricator and all-round decent fella. Good blank canvas for a decent Rex build
My advice, for what it's worth? Don't go too far with it.
My other best bit of advice? A loud exhaust on an RX-7 not like a loud exhaust on any other car. It's just torture if you plan on using the car for more than popping to the shops in. You can still get all the flames and drama without having a stupid pipe on there
Good to know the cars had a solid history My advice, for what it's worth? Don't go too far with it.
My other best bit of advice? A loud exhaust on an RX-7 not like a loud exhaust on any other car. It's just torture if you plan on using the car for more than popping to the shops in. You can still get all the flames and drama without having a stupid pipe on there
Cheers for the advice Nick, I found your epic RX-7 thread on here incredibly useful, as well as being hilarious and heartbreaking at times.
Somehow you didn't manage to put me off
Regards the exhaust, I want to keep the car driveable, as it will be my only car. I'll drop Jason another email and change the plan back to the original quieter duel system.
Never been into modding cars and didn't have any plans to when I started looking for one. For some reason the car has brought out an inner ricer in me who I never realised existed...
Once the I've got the alloys, diffuser and 99 spec spoiler I'll leave the car alone.
Some moderate power upgrades along with a better ECU (one of my takeaways from your thread) might be interesting down the road, but as you've said previously, the closer to stock you keep it the more reliable they are going to be.
Let me know if you get that meet sorted
lol, I'm probably the last person to take advice about RX-7s from I have to say, the hit of a 400+bhp single on an FD is very addictive and visceral. But then, so is the hit from a ~300bhp one, and it's a hell of a lot easier to keep it from being a grenade with the pin out! Like I said on the previous thread, knowing what I do now, I'd modify the cooling and get as fast an ECU as possible and then think about power afterwards when it's safe.
Bodykits are obviously a personal choice... my own preference is towards ones like the Burnout that take the original lines and tweak them a bit, rather than ones that change it completely.
Jason makes his own diffusers and several bits of bodywork in-house (such as FEED-style widearches). They're at least as good and a lot better than many "reputable" aftermarket ones. I had one of his "Street" diffusers on my last FD and it fitted at least eleventy times better than the Shine Auto piece of crap that was on there before
I have to say, the hit of a 400+bhp single on an FD is very addictive and visceral. But then, so is the hit from a ~300bhp one, and it's a hell of a lot easier to keep it from being a grenade with the pin out! Like I said on the previous thread, knowing what I do now, I'd modify the cooling and get as fast an ECU as possible and then think about power afterwards when it's safe.Bodykits are obviously a personal choice... my own preference is towards ones like the Burnout that take the original lines and tweak them a bit, rather than ones that change it completely.
Jason makes his own diffusers and several bits of bodywork in-house (such as FEED-style widearches). They're at least as good and a lot better than many "reputable" aftermarket ones. I had one of his "Street" diffusers on my last FD and it fitted at least eleventy times better than the Shine Auto piece of crap that was on there before
Nik da Greek said:
Thats actually my old one next to yours. Dont remember when that would have been though.
Progress being made. Panels are being painted and the car is prepped. Should be back together next week and the engine rebuild can get underway.
Current estimate for completion is the first week in Feb, Jasons really flying through the work. Will get down again next week and see how she looks in one piece (well, at least from a bodywork perspective).
Current estimate for completion is the first week in Feb, Jasons really flying through the work. Will get down again next week and see how she looks in one piece (well, at least from a bodywork perspective).
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