Where do I begin?

[Rx-7fetish]

Someone may have told him that the n/a drivetrain would not hold up to a turbo motor. Which in most cases they would be right. Then maybe he misunderstood that for the chassis wont handle it. But if he is getting a turbo motor then it shouldnt be to hard to source a drivetrain too. Being as he wants to modify it, that would be a good idea to do anyways.

[djmtsu]

Back when the FC verts came out buyers were like 'Where's the boost?'

Mazda did not want to import the turbo verts here, so salesman claimed the chassis was too flimsy.

Comprende?

[Phoenix7]

does being old at heart count?

I'm sure you're talking about the NA tranny/rear end not holdig up to the increased power. The Europeans and Japanese got Turbo Verts but they had the beefier turbo drivetrain as well.

Your best bet is to find a crashed turbo (same year range as yours for plug-and-play) and do a complete swap. You can rock a 250hp stock-ish setup and have a blast without breaking the bank.

Or you can just take it easy for a while and do reliability/handling mods to the non-turbo: radiator, intake, exhaust, suspension, wheels....just leave the power for last. Whatever route you take, you'll be happy with the 7...Just remember to maintain it like a 3rd child/2nd wife.

[parrotfever]

Originally Posted by djmtsu

Back when the FC verts came out buyers were like 'Where's the boost?'

Mazda did not want to import the turbo verts here, so salesman claimed the chassis was too flimsy.

Comprende?

Dead On accurate! I was given the choice of sun or power. At the time, 'turbo-lag' and top-RPM limiters were the other non-turbo (NA) sellers for me. I chose the sun & wrapping the tach around to zero before shifting.

At this point, I'm up to removal of the interior to access the engine cable in the 'engine removal' guide. Put power to the top & lowered it today in order to Spray Nine the whole damn interior. Mold & dead mice headed out before I get under the dash again. Felt good to see the dash light up like a Christmas tree! I think the harnesses may have survived. All of a sudden, my 16 year old sees a reason to join in. I think he's looking ahead (are those really speakers in the seat headrests?!?).

parrotfever Bob

[Phoenix7]

ah, i forgot you bought the car ages ago...and yes they are speakers.

[parrotfever]

Originally Posted by Phoenix7

...and yes they are speakers.

That was the kid. I guess he didn't know we did have music before his gen. Though to be honest, at the time of purchase I had no idea what a CD was!

parrotfever Bob

[My5ABaby]

Originally Posted by parrotfever

Though to be honest, at the time of purchase I had no idea what a CD was!

parrotfever Bob

Ironically, at this point you have no need for them. Ipod hookup > CDs.

[Phoenix7]

crazy, I've never seen anything older than a cassette...BTW, if that's a lift in your garage then you are the man...it'll make working on the car so much easier.

[Justen]

...but i hear you can only put so many miles on the car per year. and no racing under that insurance policy because of the higher possibilty of damaging the vehicle. plus cops in jersey are strict when it comes to antiques/classic plates. they'll pull you over to make sure youre either going to a car show, a meet, or a shop etc.

[Justen]

and i agree, i would kill for a lift like that

[parrotfever]

Originally Posted by Justen

...but i hear you can only put so many miles on the car per year. and no racing under that insurance policy because of the higher possibilty of damaging the vehicle. plus cops in jersey are strict when it comes to antiques/classic plates. they'll pull you over to make sure youre either going to a car show, a meet, or a shop etc.

"General inspections are not required for historic or collector vehicles. To be classified as a "historic vehicle" it must be:
At least 25 years old
Specially registered and display QQ plates (1945 and earlier models are required to display one plate on the rear of the vehicle. 1946 and newer models will be issued two plates and both plates must be displayed, one on the front and one on the back of the vehicle).

You can purchase historic plates for $44. To be considered a historic vehicle, the vehicle has to be at least 25 years old and only used for exhibition and educational purposes by the owner." NJ DMV website


You may be thinking of 'Collector' plates which have a 3,000 mile annual limit. And what could be more educational than driving around on a nice sunny day! I know a lot of 'QQ' plates that go to work every day.

Originally Posted by Phoenix 7 - crazy, I've never seen anything older than a cassette...

OK, so my first computer was an Apple with a serial number of 773. And, yeah, the lift is cool but not a place to park a long-term project. The RX-7 will remain on jack stands for the forseeable future. I'm at the point of recognizing that, in order to remove the carpeting without cutting, the dashboard has to come out (suggestions anyone?). Dog bless digital cameras.

parrotfever Bob

[jimmy_trader]

1) I wish Hawaii had Classic/Antique tags.
2) Is that a '69 Camaro in picture 2?
3) If a TII swap is so "Plug and Play", does anybody feel like coming over to "Plug" an S5 TII Engine, Transmission, Starter, Drive Shaft, Rear End w/half-shafts, an FMIC (so I can keep my hood) a Turbo ECU, and Complete Wire Harness in my Vert so I can "Play" too?

Congratulations on bringing her back to life. Since you've already begun, I'll wish you all the best. If you have the Owners Manual, it lists everything for a 60,000 mile tune up. Mostly fluids, but well worth the effort.
I think deciding what to do will probably be harder for you than actually doing it.

Restore to original condition.
Turbo swap.
Porting.
Stand-alone EMS (Engine Management System)
Something in-between.

Supercharger is another option, but most of what I've read leads me to believe that you just don't get the HP/$ results that a TII gives.

All have pros and cons.
If you're looking for N/A power, the easiest quick fixes are intake and exahust. Open her up so she can breath. Both in and out. I don't know about NJ exahust rules, but if you can replace the stock system, do it. Keep in mind the S5 used back pressure for the 5th & 6th port actuators.
If you stick with the N/A you can get a rebuild kit and do it yourself. Maybe a great project for the 16yr old. There are wonderful write-ups with pictures on rebuilds and what to look for. I Think there's a video too. Or, like was mentioned earlier, take the block to somone and have them do it for you.
Turbo engines are available on eBay and elsewhere. Forum Classifieds are a great source.
If you go that route, I recommend all that stuff I mentioned in #3. The Turbo Transmission is more robust, and the rear diff is an LSD. You can go TII trans to N/A diff and Mazdatrix sells a driveshaft for that application. Personally, I'd want the LSD and in fact, if I can get a TII trans, starter, shaft, and diff, I may put that in there with my N/A.
Nah, forget that; I want the Turbo motor, drive train, S5 lip and side skirts, so I guess I need a donor TII.
If you decide to buy an engine, get the compression numbers for all three faces of both rotors. You don't want to buy an engine only to find out that that one needs a rebuild too. Well, not at full price anyway.
Best of luck, keep us posted, and welcome (back) to the toppless club.
Aloha,
~j

[parrotfever]

Originally Posted by jimmy_trader

1) I wish Hawaii had Classic/Antique tags.

I'll trade NJ's classic tags for your weather any day!

Originally Posted by jimmy_trader

2) Is that a '69 Camaro in picture 2?.

A friend's '72 'vette.

Originally Posted by jimmy_trader

3) If a TII swap is so "Plug and Play", does anybody feel like coming over to "Plug" an S5 TII Engine, Transmission, Starter, Drive Shaft, Rear End w/half-shafts, an FMIC (so I can keep my hood) a Turbo ECU, and Complete Wire Harness in my Vert so I can "Play" too?.

Amen to that! But it sounds like your well on your way. I don't see getting past the emissions czars in NJ if I turbo, which is a reason to stay NA until she's 25. We may have classic tags, but we've also got State inspectors to keep us toeing the line!

parrotfever Bob

[jimmy_trader]

1) We get 120" of rain here per year. But yeah, I'm not moving back to Bucks County, PA anytime soon. (I do miss cheesesteaks enough to visit pretty often though.)
2) Ahhh. Vert?
3) No (official) emissions check on Hawaii Island.

[Phoenix7]

Originally Posted by jimmy_trader

3) If a TII swap is so "Plug and Play", does anybody feel like coming over to "Plug" an S5 TII Engine, Transmission, Starter, Drive Shaft, Rear End w/half-shafts, an FMIC (so I can keep my hood) a Turbo ECU, and Complete Wire Harness in my Vert so I can "Play" too?.

lol, it IS plug and play, once you put everything in place you plug it all in and it WILL turn over, no wiring at all. It's a bitch but if I can do it with crappy tools then anyone can do it. I literally did everything you mentioned and I'm working on the new ECU.

Originally Posted by parrotfever Bob

Amen to that! But it sounds like your well on your way. I don't see getting past the emissions czars in NJ if I turbo, which is a reason to stay NA until she's 25. We may have classic tags, but we've also got State inspectors to keep us toeing the line!

stock TII motor with stock exhaust will pass smog all day. Just drive home, swap out exhaust and enjoy a fun TII vert. Just do it, you know you want to.