Wondering if I should buy a 81 RX-7 for $1800?

[ad_jerriko]

I just saw the car the other day and they told me that they have had it for almost a year. The Mazda has the 12a Rotary motor and the 5-speed manual in it. I don't know anything about rotary motors but from what I have heard, they can fly. The body is in great shape with no visible rust. The only problems with the car are the switch for the passenger side door doesn't work, it needs an alignment and the door panels are not in the best of shape. Any help is appreciated! Info or websites with info.
Thanks,
Jim

[CAptynCrunch]

I would say no. the 12a wasn't the best rotary. The 13b was the good one. Plus all rotarys are horrible for mileage at that age. Unless it has like only 70,000 miles or less one it it will need an engine rebuild.

I'd suggest you look around for an 88-91 FC Rx-7. It's usually called the Turbo II. Has the 13b, the best handling car to come out of japan(except maybe for the FD Rx-7), it'll be in much better condition, it has more potential for power, plus it probably won't cast any more than about $2-4000 for a mint condition one.

So yeah, Rx-7's are awesome cars, but if your going to get one I'd suggest the Turbo II.

[dbartoschek]

yea...i'd advise against it too..
the car that you described isn't worth the money...unless it has a kicking system in it....or has had mod's done to it....stock.....hell no

[Cbass]

I will be the one to sing the praises of this car. Great handling, fun, unlimited tuning potential for suspension and brakes....

The downside is the 12A. There is not much you can do for this motor(other than turbo$$$). However, if you turn the engine crossmember around, an EFI for 5.0 or 5.8 will fit in one, and just barely clear the hood. If you can get a 5.0 HO, the headers will even fit. You can use the AOD or T5, either will fit. You need a new tranny cross member, you can make your own, or get one from Granny's Speed shop.

The interesting thing is, a 12A weighs about the same as a 5.0 HO with aluminum heads. Tuning parts for the 5.0 are cheap and plentiful, you can get junkyard or used parts for next to nothing.

http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/rx7.html

[RiceRocket]

RX7's are what i would call enthusiasts cars, you gotta have a know-how and patience on these cars.

They can be fast, but they can also brake down easily and finding support for them is still difficult... not until mazda finally releases their new rotary which will hopefully bring more people on the rotary board and get more support for the old cars.

I say if you want to do it and feel confident and patient and be able to put $$$ on the car, do it!

If you're looking for a daily driver that is less maintenance and not really a full on race car, i say no.

[Cbass]

All the reliability/parts issues are with the Rotary though. If you use a Ford 5.0, they run reliably, and even get 30mpg... Also, you have a 13-14 second car. I just pulled a 400ci Cleveland based smallblock out of a 77 Ford LTD II. This motor has a 2bbl carb, weak cam... I ripped off the air conditioning, smog pump, power steering pump, all the non power related items. The motor should make about 250hp now, and with my first stage of mods, around 400hp.

This is going into an 81 RX7, which weighs in at 2200lbs. I will be adding approximately 150lbs to the front. I'll relocated the battery to the trunk, which should even out the weight a bit. The interior and seats are coming out, so I won't really be adding much weight. The thing is going to be a rocket, and all my motor parts come off of the Ford shelf.

2nd stage mods will net me around 600hp at the whells. I'm just miffed that I couldn't get the C6 tranny too, that is an awesome transmission for racing...