I can remember it said it was a 12a engine, manual, red cloth seats interior, had the 4 bolt "x" style wheels. Other than that, I cant identify the car too exactly.

I was just wondering about a few things because I know nothing really about these cars.

Cheap to mod? I am wanting to build a track/daily car for not a lot of cash. I currently own a 96' 328i BMW which is an excellent car, but I don't have the money to make it fast.

I assume these cars are highly competitive cars for racing. FR layout with low weight. The power is very low, but I wonder how easy it is to make lots more power? I would want to make around 300hp to compete with everyone, to out run someones LS1 Camaro, or to out corner someons M3 on the track. Those are my goals, but I want to do that for not a lot of money.

I am currently in the market for a Honda Civic EG/EK to engine swap and turbo. That is probably the best option right now, but I am just wondering how close the Rx7 is to ease of build, cost, and overall performance.

 

what year is it?

Since it has the X wheels and 12A engine, it's not a GSL-SE (which has the 13B fuel injected engine) and it's not likely a 1979-1980, as those don't commonly have the X wheels. But that still leaves 1981-1985.

Wait - did you just say you're going to try to put a Honda Civic engine in it to make more power? A Civic engine will turn the wrong way. You'll have 5 speeds in reverse and only one forward. And these cars are rotaries. Some swap out the rotary for a V-8, which gives them a significant increase in torque, but to take out the rotary to put in a low torque 4 cylinder seems to be a huge waste of money for the "gains".

 

I believe he was saying that he was looking at buying a civic EG/EK to buy...and swap the engine & turbo the civic.

 

The 1st gen rx-7 is a great platform to start with. Swap a stock S5 TII engine into the car, good for about 250hp without too many mods, put coil overs on the front, custom panhard bar and tri link in the rear, some 15 or 16x7's all around with nice rubber, and your good as gold. All that probably won't cost much more than 10 grand if the base car you start with in in good shape.