Remain true to original or upgrade?

parrotfever · 09-16-2009, 02:42 AM

Replace rear rotor parts?
Upgrade NA engine & rebuild?
Upgrade to Turbo?

As in all losses, first comes denial, then rage, then acceptance, followed by resolution. The rear rotor and housing on my '89 NA vert are history. I can't decide whether I should just replace parts or upgrade to turbo as I see so many have done.

The pros are obvious. The cons:

Emissions regs in New Jersey - would I pass inspection?

Finances - any ballparks out there?

NA upgrades for a middle ground - any suggestions?

I think I know the answer I'm going to get in advance, but figured a poll was the only way to go. I'm guessing I'm at a differant stage - 3 college age kids has a way of killing the finances, but please help me decide which way to go...better yet, can someone teach me how to set up a poll? (

Phoenix7 · 09-16-2009, 03:26 AM

If you really want to stay within a tight budget stay NA. You can get ~170hp in an NA and that's not too slow. If you join Mazdaspeed you can get a discount on rebuild kits. cheapest way is to join NASA autosports ($45) and then send your info to Mazda to set up your account.

I don't know how much it costs for the kit though....

What's your ultimate goal? handling? power? balanced? Been driving a vert for a couple of days and I am loving it...I will one day have a TII vert.

RETed · 09-16-2009, 05:22 AM

If you're questioning this already, I would dump the car.
A true enthusiasts would have already answered this question from day one without asking others what they think.

I would not recommend a turbo conversion.
Parts are hard to come by, and projects like this tend to suck up a lot of money that was never budgeted in the first place.
Basically, if money is tight, you're asking for trouble.

-Ted

Phoenix7 · 09-16-2009, 03:51 PM

fix and port it then enjoy.

djmtsu · 09-16-2009, 05:21 PM

Small port
Full RB exhaust system
Intake
new shifter bushings and short throw shifter
RB suspension package
Rtek ECU upgrade

Do it!

Turbo II · 09-16-2009, 05:32 PM

dj has the plan, which is what I would do if and when my motor finally lets go. But it sure would be nice to have a turbovert!

Whizbang · 09-16-2009, 05:42 PM

i agree with ReTED since all the options require a degree of interdependence to complete. If it were me though, i would go turbo. Having owned a turbo II and a vert (at the same time...) I would say that combining the two would be great.

Turbo II · 09-16-2009, 07:00 PM

See that's my problem, I have both. The concept of a turbovert just makes me grin. I don't need to grin.

Phoenix7 · 09-16-2009, 07:17 PM

consolidate!

need RX7 · 09-16-2009, 08:03 PM

Stay n/a... but with an extra rotor

NoDOHC · 09-16-2009, 10:26 PM

Seriously, a budget rebuild is going to cost you somewhere around $400.00 if you do all the work yourself and get a decent rotor and a decent rotor housing off eBay. You can put inserts in the 6 PI sleeves, smooth the ports up, clean the lower and upper intake manifold up (as high as you can reach) and get 170-180 WHp out of that engine (I don't know if the stock ECU can make that, but I have heard of a 176 WHP S4 NA with nothing but exhaust and a FPR).

I would rebuild what you have. Turbo engines and drivetrain cost a lot (I think I have almost $2000 in mine if I include the clutch, transmission, engine, differential, axles shafts, driveshaft and turbo).

nvno1 · 09-17-2009, 07:14 AM

If your on a tight budget, i would rebuild what you have. If you can get the TII motor(running),tranny, wiring harness, tranny, ecu cheap ($500-$1000) then go for it, if not rebuild with a streetport would be nice.

I had a 84gslse whos heart died and went the TII route, $1700.00 budget now $2400 and climbing. if you can do it yourself it would help a lot and having your space to work would be even better

.

Rotary#10 · 09-17-2009, 10:46 AM

Just get the motor rebuild, if you can do it yourself thats even better. i'd stick with stock until my funds become more solid. But make plans futher down the road. Also be sure to set money aside as a rainy day fund for the 7.

bigtony08 · 09-17-2009, 12:33 PM

go lsx!

NoDOHC · 09-17-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

go lsx

Makes for an awesome car, but not cheap. I would have done this too except I had half the parts I needed for a turbo swap already, it was far cheaper and I am only 75 Hp down from a stock ls1 and I haven't even strapped the GT37 on yet.

An ls1 swap is going to cost him at least $4,000 (if he gets a t56, connects the speedometer and make appropriate drivetrain upgrades).

View Poll Results: Keep it legal and original or go for broke?
Replace blown rotor & housing	0	0%
Option #1 plus upgrade NA for more HP	13	52.00%
Buy rebuilt NA short block	1	4.00%
Go Turbo	11	44.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

09-16-2009, 05:21 PM	#5
djmtsu My minds tellin' me no... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (10) Posts: 4,043 Rep Power: 21	Small port Full RB exhaust system Intake new shifter bushings and short throw shifter RB suspension package Rtek ECU upgrade Do it! __________________ 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 2003 Toyota Tundra TRD 2015 Toyota 4Runner SR5

09-16-2009, 05:32 PM	#6
Turbo II Zoom Freaking Zoom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NC iTrader: (0) Posts: 324 Rep Power: 17	dj has the plan, which is what I would do if and when my motor finally lets go. But it sure would be nice to have a turbovert! __________________ 1988 RX-7 Convertible 1991 RX-7 Turbo 2004 RX-8 GT 1985 RX-7 GSL - Sold

09-16-2009, 05:42 PM	#7
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp iTrader: (5) Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 20	i agree with ReTED since all the options require a degree of interdependence to complete. If it were me though, i would go turbo. Having owned a turbo II and a vert (at the same time...) I would say that combining the two would be great. __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

09-16-2009, 07:00 PM	#8
Turbo II Zoom Freaking Zoom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NC iTrader: (0) Posts: 324 Rep Power: 17	See that's my problem, I have both. The concept of a turbovert just makes me grin. I don't need to grin. __________________ 1988 RX-7 Convertible 1991 RX-7 Turbo 2004 RX-8 GT 1985 RX-7 GSL - Sold

09-16-2009, 02:42 AM	#1
parrotfever Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (0) Posts: 37 Rep Power: 0	Remain true to original or upgrade? Replace rear rotor parts? Upgrade NA engine & rebuild? Upgrade to Turbo? As in all losses, first comes denial, then rage, then acceptance, followed by resolution. The rear rotor and housing on my '89 NA vert are history. I can't decide whether I should just replace parts or upgrade to turbo as I see so many have done. The pros are obvious. The cons: Emissions regs in New Jersey - would I pass inspection? Finances - any ballparks out there? NA upgrades for a middle ground - any suggestions? I think I know the answer I'm going to get in advance, but figured a poll was the only way to go. I'm guessing I'm at a differant stage - 3 college age kids has a way of killing the finances, but please help me decide which way to go...better yet, can someone teach me how to set up a poll? ( __________________ 1989 RX-7 convertible 2000 F-350 4x4 crew cab 2002 Altima 3.5 wife's buggy - 2004 Titan 4x4 crew cab

09-16-2009, 08:03 PM	#10
need RX7 Clean S4 Nutswinger Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sterling Heights, MI iTrader: (0) Posts: 485 Rep Power: 17	Stay n/a... but with an extra rotor __________________ -Ted -1986 Mazda RX7 Sport [DD/beater]: engine finally let go at 205k. parts car status. -1986 Mazda RX7 base [resto-mod project]: S5 n/a swap in progress.

09-16-2009, 10:26 PM	#11
NoDOHC The quest for more torque Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin iTrader: (1) Posts: 855 Rep Power: 17	Seriously, a budget rebuild is going to cost you somewhere around $400.00 if you do all the work yourself and get a decent rotor and a decent rotor housing off eBay. You can put inserts in the 6 PI sleeves, smooth the ports up, clean the lower and upper intake manifold up (as high as you can reach) and get 170-180 WHp out of that engine (I don't know if the stock ECU can make that, but I have heard of a 176 WHP S4 NA with nothing but exhaust and a FPR). I would rebuild what you have. Turbo engines and drivetrain cost a lot (I think I have almost $2000 in mine if I include the clutch, transmission, engine, differential, axles shafts, driveshaft and turbo). __________________ 1986 GXL ('87 4-port NA - Haltech E8, LS2 Coils. Defined Autoworks Headers, Dual 2.5" Exhaust (Dual Superflow, dBX mufflers) 1991 Coupe (KYB AGX Shocks, Eibach lowering springs, RB exhaust, Stock and Automatic)

09-17-2009, 07:14 AM	#12
nvno1 FB 4life Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: nc iTrader: (0) Posts: 32 Rep Power: 0	If your on a tight budget, i would rebuild what you have. If you can get the TII motor(running),tranny, wiring harness, tranny, ecu cheap ($500-$1000) then go for it, if not rebuild with a streetport would be nice. I had a 84gslse whos heart died and went the TII route, $1700.00 budget now $2400 and climbing. if you can do it yourself it would help a lot and having your space to work would be even better. __________________ Dont be sorry, be careful.

09-17-2009, 10:46 AM	#13
Rotary#10 Rotorhead Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: "the town " Oakland iTrader: (1) Posts: 219 Rep Power: 17	Just get the motor rebuild, if you can do it yourself thats even better. i'd stick with stock until my funds become more solid. But make plans futher down the road. Also be sure to set money aside as a rainy day fund for the 7. __________________ Currently running: 90 GTUs converted to S5 TurboII. Track car. 90 N/A GTUs.. Running project car 89 N/A GTUs in Black #2 10/6/18 Blown coolant seal undergoing rebuild and restomod.

09-17-2009, 12:33 PM	#14
bigtony08 obsessed rotard Join Date: Jan 2009 iTrader: (0) Posts: 249 Rep Power: 16	go lsx!

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