FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

That's the thing with these cars, things tend to break or go bad, alot. They're gonna be a money pit regardless, just because you'll fall in love with it and want to buy this for it and buy that for it and mod this and mod that, and when you think you have a project figured out and on a decent budget, it never works out and always get's bigger and more expensive. My project was supposed to be just be a streetport 12A with a stock S5 turbo pumpimg 10-12psi with a TII tranny and GSL or GSL-SE rear end. Now it's going to be a full bridge 12A with a hybrid S5 turbo pumping 18psi with hardened stat gears, 3 window bearings, TII tranny, Ford 8.8 rear end. Now I'm debating to go coilovers instead of Tokico Illuminas with my Eibach springs. I originally wanted to keep my 89 GXL stock9daily driver) but now I'm looking to do a streetport NA 3 Rotor with a TII tranny, rear end, and driveshaft. Also debating Coilovers. Trust me man, money pits, but that's not always a bad thing

sexy_rave

Ok My main goal is just to leave the motor stock but install a RB header, RB cat back exhaust, aluminum radiator, elctric fans and an RB clutch & flywheel to make the run cooler. And maybe some modifications to the nikki like a KN filter lol!

I am not expecting the fastest engine ever, I just want it to be reliable, slightly faster and runs cool. I am more of a suspension and brakes guy anyways.

I had too much bad experience with faulty suspension and brakes in my ae86. I actually bent my riken's in my ae86 before because of the terrible brakes and suspension in the rain. I now know to never put TRD race springs (6 & 8 kg) in blown tokico blues lol!

Well I am used to thing breaking lol! My old sr5 broke on me ALL THE TIME! Most reliable my ***. It was a ******* piece, I hated that car. Well not really it was just very irritating because I sold my S13 for that car because I thought I would save some gas. But oh well... And yes I am aware that the RX7 is a gas guzzler. Its not a problem.

But seriously you guys are scaring the **** out of me when you say "Welcome to the dark side" lol!

Oh yeah and how exactly hard is it to remove the engine and how long will it take from your own experience? I want to replace the current S1 12A (not sure if there is a difference) with a more babied one. Of course after I do various drift days

I did some searching on that already but I just want to see YOUR experience.

Thanks

sexy_rave

I also forgot to mention that the FB I am getting has 160,000 miles.

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

If you know what you're doing and have the tools and equipment it can be done in a matter of maybe 2 hours or less or a weekend. Babied engines are the worst. You want either a lower mielage motor or a rebuilt motor. If you're getting an FB it'll have an S2/S3 motor, not an S1 or it would be an SA. I'd suggest rebuilt it yourself, that gives you the perfect oppurtunity to learn alot about the rotary first hand as well as it's a perfect time to decide if you want to do any porting. If you do it yourself, porting is almost free, and you gotta love more power for next to nothing. I'd of course bring it up to par mechanically before modifications particularly with old springs, shocks/struts, brakes, plus what you have listed already. Looks like you're doing your homework and searching, you'll be liked here for doing that. Of course, Welcome to the darkside

sexy_rave

Thank You very much for the advice Firebirdslayer666 I really appreciate it.

I am going to pick up a FSM in mazda tommorow if they still make it or autozone. I also ordered the Atkins "how to rebuild a rotary" dvd yesterday so I can learn all my info about rebuilding there.

Ok I will source out a low mileage engine. I hope $ I can get one for $600 or less!

Yup, when I pick it up I am changing as much as I can. But until I pick it up, I will study the FSM so at least I have an idea on what to do so I wont be a little bitch about it.

Again I really appreciate your help!

Thanks

sexy_rave

Oh yeah and sorry for the typo above but I am getting an SA lol.

Its a 1980 model. I was still thinking of the FB I saw earlier hahaha!

FirebirdSlayer666

iTrader: (3)

Look in trochoid signature, he has links to online FSM's and carb manuals. You should deifnitely find one for less than $600. Hell I'd scrounge some boneyards for some short blocks that are cheap, you might get lucky and get one to run, but more than likely just rebuild it. Defnitely like everyone says, look for rust EVERYWHERE. If you see rust under the storage bins, walk away, it's not worth it. Definitely post pictures. SA's are getting harder to find and are getting more sought after. Hopefully she's in good enough shape!

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

These cars are not as bad as everyone is making them sound. Most of it comes down to the care/abuse from the previous owners. One should expect to do a good deal of repair and maintenance on any car that's 22+ years old. With good care and regular maintenance, 12As have been know to run for over 300k miles. That's damn good for any engine from that era.

When owner's start modding them for more hp and performance, they use that increased performance, of course. Run them harder, they don't last as long and require more repairs. Improperly done/installed mods cause even more problems, more work and more expense. Having some common sense about modding and how hard to push an older/worn used vehicle can make a major difference on needed repairs and owner satisfaction.

As far as the 'Darkside', it's simply a reference to joining the world of rotarys, leaving pistons far behind. The true pinnacle of the Darkside is boosting these little spinning triangle wonders. When owning a rotary and trying to explain how they work to the 'rest of the world', they are most often left in the dark as to how and why they work the way they do.

sexy_rave

Yeah hopefully the car is perfect...

I'll bump this thread up with pictures when I pick the SA up. I will pick the car up either way. I just hope its nice like some of the other guy's SA/FB's in here that they picked up for dirt cheap.

Also thank you trochoid for your sig links and your relieving advice! Its good to hear that.

Thanks