fc1990

alright im not to sure if im the right thread but i recently got a real 1978 rx7 RHD from a buddy the car needs a lot of work. the wiring harness is a total mess, the motor and tranny are still in the car not to sure what condition. but i want to build it into a autocross and road race car. but i want to get it to start first. so i got some questions i hope someone can help me anwser.

is my car a 1st gen?

where could i send the harnes out to to get redone to stock?

are there any dyi things i can start doing to the car to make it better (anything at this point)

is there anyplace to buy jdm oem parts ?and if so is there a parts list?

who makes suspension for this year or can i use other years as well.

ill try to get some pics up later this week.

blackdeath647

iTrader: (2)

yes it's a first gen, as long as it's between 78-85 and it's an Rx-7 then its a 1st gen lol. first thing you can do is get it to start, then i'd start worrying about how to make it go faster and what not. all this stuff has been covered in great detail, from exhaust to suspension to engine swaps. run a few searches and be prepared to do lots of reading.

fc1990

im prepared to do lots of reading no problem. im not to worried about power as much as suspension. also im not to sure has anyone used a US harness and a JAP harness to make a good harness. cause from what the guy i got the car from told me he was trying to convert to direct firing system but i have no idea what the hell he did . its way confusing.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

Try the Australian or UK mazda forums for RHD parts. Some minor diffs betw these and JDM cars but mostly trim. Certainly your best bet for a harness. (read: cheapest).
Frankly seems like a lot of work for a track car when there are hundreds (thousands?) of beater RX7s around that would fill the bill. Could see it if you wanted to make a restoration/street car... guess if you have the time and talent...??
best of luck

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

WAS:12A

iTrader: (4)

www.ausrotary.com is Australia's largest rotary site.

Most of the differences between RHD and LHD is in the trim, so mechanically you should be able to find most suspension parts etc local to you.

If ya need any help getting bits, just throw me a PM and i'll see if I can help ya out...

Cam...

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

would definatly like to see the pics!!!

OneRotor

iTrader: (3)

Put up pics of it and the VIN. There are people on these boards that look for ultra-low VIN cars because of historical significance. If it's a rare/early car, you may be able to trade them for a LHD, running FB straight up.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

You might run into rules issues in some classes, trying to track a RHD; some of our racing folk can advise you there.

Whitey's right; you might get better bang from a track/rally car by working a trade with someone for a later-year LHD that's in running shape.

A 78 RHD is probably a better collector/restore car. Points ignition, for one thing.

Congrats on the find, though, and welcome to the ranks of the SA owners.

fc1990

i used to own a clean FC but i sold that 6months back and came across this one for a great deal lol. its not the best shape but i always wanted a RHD i realy dont car about LHD for something this old.i will try to post pics up as soon as i can . but trust me its not the cleanest car.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

They never are, when you first get them that old... but hey, ultimately, it's yours... do as you desire!

fc1990

i cant seem to load any pics . ill try to make a link so everyone can check it out . this is just my project car so i really dont care how long it takes. im justing hoping its worth it.
also vin is sa22c126145

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

Links direct from your own computer aren't gonna work; you need to put them on a server somewhere, Calvin.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

i dont think most sanctioning bodies care about RHD... maybe in stock class where they say US model. i dunno we see people race RHD hondas here and there

that being said there are actually a bunch of old pro7 cars sitting around.

fc1990

alright so with the fact that people are saying the isnt to many differences between US and Jap model. so could i use a US model to get my to run . cause i found some cheap 1st gens around my area for $500 and though about transfering all the parts over to my shell.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

yeah its kind of nice that mechanically the RHD and LHD cars are basically the same. things like the dash, steering box, and bumper supports are big differences.

fc1990

nice thats not to bad for me then . now this my sound like a stupid question but this is my first carb. car. since they have a wiring harness do they have a ECU as well. and if they dont have a ecu what dose the wiring harness do. also since im looking for a new harness what year harness do i need in specific and what years can i use.

WAS:12A

iTrader: (4)

The wiring harness is there to provide spark to the engine via the coils, power to the headlights and indicators, wiper motor, temp senders etc etc.

If it's a Carby fed car, then it doesn't have a ECU, just fuse boxes etc.

A guy in my local club is parting out his RHD (obviously) S1, i've asked him for the complete engine bay wiring harness, i'll see what he comes up with......stay tuned.

Cam...

fc1990

why is he parting his out???
would i be better of swaping out the stock motor for a 13b?

sorry if im asking stupid questions if know to search i would just do a search but im in the dark right now so im just trying to ask as many questions as i can.

WAS:12A

iTrader: (4)

I have no idea why he's parting it out, probably too hard to get the car back on the road maybe if it's become unlicenced??

If the stock 12A engine isn't running yet, why would you want to go to the extra expense of fitting a 13B engine?

Probably best to get the 12A running first, see how stuffed it is, and then decide if you need to swap in a 13B yet.

Do you have any photo's of the car, engine bay, etc etc.....just how fucked is the wiring?

Cam...

WAS:12A

iTrader: (4)

He want's US$35 for the wiring harness...then it's gotta be posted to you.

Let me know if your interested.

Cam...

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

it doesnt have an ECU as such, but it does have a little box that controls the emissions equipment, and a couple other small things.

this 'emissions control box' looks like an ecu, its wired like an ecu, and in the same place as an ecu, it just doesnt run the engine.

fc1990

so if i remove all emissions stuff can i remove the box. also im in the middle of disconting the wiring harness from the engine bay and cleaning everything up. this car is still to dirty to even work on lol .its been sitting a good 2years probly collecting dust.

fc1990

im not to sure on what im missing on this motor right now which kinda of sucks cause im in the dark on everything . so what im trying to do is find a spare rx7 that is running with a bad body and use that to mold mine back up. i think that could be the easiest way for me to get my rx7 running .im trying to start up a photobuket set up so everyone can see some pics.

fc1990

alright i got some pics . if anyone wants to see what im up with go to
http://s648.photobucket.com/albums/uu207/1978RHD/

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

thats a project car for sure! will be nice when its finished