Page 1 of 4

1985 Series 3 RX-7 - Red TWR

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:58 pm
by fernando_khan
Well all i can say is i'm knackered....

500 mile round trip.. and just got home.. but not alone..

Some of you might recognise the car, it is indeed the red TWR from the 'spotted' thread from waay up north with the dealer. First impressions of the car after inspecting the chassis.. well quite good actually! There didnt seem to be much rust at all.. except for some small amounts on the door bottoms and around the windows where the waterways were blocked. The car had just gone through an MOT a few weeks ago.. requiring some work but mostly mechanical stuff.. Fired her up, required the choke for about 30 seconds and she sounded quite nice even though idling a little jumpy. Took her for a little drive.. and she drove superb.. even the chime worked at high revs.

Noting the good stuff....

No major rust on the sills, arches, suspension turrets, fuel tank
TWR Front and Rear Bumpers
TWR Sides and spoiler
TWR Steering
It has surprisingly had a new steering box fitted (the guy showed me the old one and how he done it)
New links and other little stuff
A fresh ticket 12 months MOT....
Seemingly 80'000 genuine miles
Janspeed exhaust
Most electrics and features works..
Even has the sunroof bag..

The not so good stuff....

Fuel gauge not working..
Radio powers but nothing... (It was a long silent drive home)
Interior is good but a few broken clips here and there.. and some wind noise when on the motorway..
Rear hatch struts gone..
Windows are slow to come down and go up..
A few marks on the bumpers.. again very good for the age of the car but not perfect..
Janspeed is quite loud on the motorway..

And the most irritating one as i noticed it half way home.. i think there's a few rattles in the gearbox... and the synchros were starting to make noise.. i fear this gearbox doesnt have much life in it.. although it was engaging perfectly.. and the clutch was very nice and light.

But all in all she drove quite nice.. for 250 miles even though shes not been used for years except going for the last mot.. temperature stayed under half and oil pressure was around 90 (if i remember correctly)..

Right im off to bed now.. These quick pics were taken just after collecting her.. filling up for the journey..

Image

Image

Image

Image

Thanks for reading.

Fizz

Re: 1985 Series 3 RX-7 - Red TWR

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 12:12 am
by ian65
Good score Fizz....
when I first spotted that car, it looked good and then when it showed up at the dealers with 12 months mot for a bag of sand, it was a bargain..... it'd come up lovely if you had it mopped.
The niggles are usual 1st gen things and we have fixes for most of them. The Janspeed exhausts are loud... add plenty more power but make a right noise.... you might be better off swapping that for a 'double S' stainless system... still sporty but more bearable.
Gearboxes are pretty easy to find and change but only a series 3 box will give you the right speedo reading...
Start a thread on the car in 'RX7 rides and projects' and the guys will help you solve any problems that crop up.

Glad it worked out for you... a long way to go but a great way to come back home again!

Re: 1985 Series 3 RX-7 - Red TWR

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:13 am
by spoddy
glad it went to someone on here.
she looks great mate in those pics and you done well for the money.
even if you have to spend a few quid to sort out the niggles its still worth it.

the fuel gauge might be a case of only needing the electrical connectors cleaned near the tank.
the guys should be able to help with the other bits and pieces. its a nice example and the TWR
bodykit makes her look a million dollars.

have fun :)

Re: 1985 Series 3 RX-7 - Red TWR

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:11 am
by syebba
nice one.
Windows,silicon spray the runners,they'll whizz up & down.

Hatch struts £20 to re gas.

Fuel gauge,posts on here,others will help.

Looks G8 for the price,a good wax it'll look superb.

Re: 1985 Series 3 RX-7 - Red TWR

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 6:18 am
by A7RXY
Welldone and wellcome to becommig an owner ............... come on Spodds your turn next ........... :D

Dibs

Re: 1985 Series 3 RX-7 - Red TWR

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 6:22 pm
by fernando_khan
Thanks guys looking forward to giving her a proper clean this weekend.. the issues ive noticed are very common.. which means the fixes should be simple enough..

Fizz

Re: 1985 Series 3 RX-7 - Red TWR

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 6:52 pm
by syebba
fernando_khan wrote:Thanks guys looking forward to giving her a proper clean this weekend.. the issues ive noticed are very common.. which means the fixes should be simple enough..

Fizz
The niggles are very minor for a 25 year old car.
Gearbox sounds the most work,but replacements are cheap £50>£75 should get you one.
Could be clutch release bearing making the noise?

If i needed an fb,i'd of had a look at your one,seems a good car.

Make that paint sparkle,sunrise red is the best colour!
ta..

Re: 1985 Series 3 RX-7 - Red TWR

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:03 pm
by ian65
syebba wrote: Make that paint sparkle,sunrise red is the best colour!
ta..
I've just added it to the forum banner.... I gave it a quick wax and polish first though..... looks good now doesn't it?!

Re: 1985 Series 3 RX-7 - Red TWR

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:30 pm
by syebba
I've just added it to the forum banner.... I gave it a quick wax and polish first though..... looks good now doesn't it?![/quote]

Yeah i did notice it glistening on the forum banner,haha!
Your black fb looks suspiciously clean,you hate polishing,you fiddled that too?

The banners getting busy.
ta..

Re: 1985 Series 3 RX-7 - Red TWR

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:42 pm
by fernando_khan
Awesome work!! Car looks amazing in the pics with all that gleeeeeeeeeeam.. Now im looking at all the cars again in the banner.. :mrgreen:

Although i think these cars look too good in photo's... Mine really do hide all the little marks and blemishes.. suppose thats a good thing.