So, I've been perusing Craigslist lately with the intent of eventually picking up another project car and I happened to come across this:

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4267832526.html

^^^1st Gen RX-7 with a Chevy 383 V8 and Tremec T-5 transmission allegedly stuffed under the hood. It looks like it might be a fun machine to pitch around! Does anyone know who owns it?

I think we've all seen/heard of plenty of FD's with LSx swaps underhood, but it's nice to see an FB with a little bit of extra oomph to it, courtesy of a big NA V8.

What thinks you CMZC?

-Brandon

I want it!

I`m Batman wrote:I want it!

+1

If it's still available come tax return time, I might set about picking it up... Honestly though, assuming everything is legit, at only $3800, I doubt it will sit there for long.

Although I do wonder how difficult it would be to get it to pass emissions...

In a few years it will qualify as a collector car. Get it to pass once, and you'd be good for 5 years.

Justin wrote:In a few years it will qualify as a collector car. Get it to pass once, and you'd be good for 5 years.

No, it won't. It never will. Colorado froze the collector car model year a long time ago.

Brigdh wrote:No, it won't. It never will. Colorado froze the collector car model year a long time ago.

I don't know about that. Section C here says that they are eligible if the model year is 32 years old, unless "if the vehicle is being registered in the program area, as defined in section 42-4-304" which has to do with emissions testing. That would mean 1982 and earlier vehicles starting this year, wouldn't it?

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Revenue-MV/RMV/1185870965443#collectorv

Brigdh wrote:No, it won't. It never will. Colorado froze the collector car model year a long time ago.

The law changed earlier this year. Pre-1975 vehicles are still always emissions exempt, but, as per the link posted above, there is a rolling allowance for 32+ years old.

erod550 wrote:I don't know about that. Section C here says that they are eligible if the model year is 32 years old, unless "if the vehicle is being registered in the program area, as defined in section 42-4-304" which has to do with emissions testing. That would mean 1982 and earlier vehicles starting this year, wouldn't it?

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Revenue-MV/RMV/1185870965443#collectorv

Huh, they tweaked it slightly since I last looked at the details, but its still the same end result. As you point out, collectors plates are not issued for vehicles registered in an emissions area (unless model year 75 or older, or previously grandfathered in), which means you can't use the collectors plates to get around emissions testing. So the only point to a collectors plate would be the design, and not having to worry about registration for 5 years because you paid for 5 years upfront.

Yea, and you can't drive it more than 4500 miles a year.

I'd think a standard v8 engine would more easily pass emissions. Why wouldn't it?

Shadowden wrote:I'd think a standard v8 engine would more easily pass emissions. Why wouldn't it?

I haven't looked at it, but I'm willing to bet it isn't running the OEM engine management control for the V8, nor has all of the associated emissions control systems. I'm not sure if the engine is newer or older than 1984 (emissions requires swaps to be with an engine equal or newer than the chassis), V8s are not really my thing.

Plus, it also assumes that the emissions testing folks actually know their stuff. In my experience, they don't and would likely fail it out of hand even if it would pass.

I ford 5.0 is a much better fit in a first gen RX-7.
http://www.grannysspeedshop.com/

At least the car is an '84. That means is has the slightly stronger rear end (thicker axles). The car looks to be an S model or a low level GS. That means rear drum and open dif. If it is an S, it has a very sparse interior. No power mirrors, no map light, basic seats, etc.

Let me know if you want to talk about this over the phone. I can give you pointers on what to look at. Areas for rust, parts to check, etc.