MANIACman

This is going to sound dumb so check it off to me being in the OMG I gotta have one mode when I was shown a used RX8 for sale at what seemed like a really low price.

The gent who owned it had a guy do an engine swap but details on it are sketchy. Regardless its right about up there with Sex as far as great to drive it and while I've had to do a lot more fiddling around (Foggy taillights, changing coils, etc etc) I've been pretty crazy in love with this car.

So its been one odd thing after the other that scream (Why didn't I pay more attention when I was buying this) Things like the right splash guard was holding on with one or two of those plastic scew jobbies. The front of the car was held on with 2 of (8?) bolts. And last night while trying to figure out why my last drive (Late Fall) in the rain resulted in some random blown fuses learning that I don't even HAVE a drivers side front splash guard or the main splash guard for under the engine compartment. SIGH.... Which also explains why it was so dirty and rusty in some spots under the hood. *Which I hate btw. I really like a clean engine and the "crusty" alternator for example makes me a little crazy (CAR Perfectionist OCD)

So... I found a relatively inexpensive driver side splash guard and a not inexpensive engine compartment splash guard. Before I shell out the dough my question is this. I have not used junk yards parts since I did an engine swap of a (don't laugh) 1975 Plymouth Duster decades ago. What sorts of experiences are people getting when buying parts from the junkman now a days? Is the price difference meaningless? Are the parts "garbage" and can anyone suggest a place or places that have access to RX8 body parts? I'm missing lots of weird pieces like the liners for the trunk (It leaked when preowner had it and he drove around with a trunk full of rain for a while. *I cleaned that up but the liners were rotten smelling and he apparently pulled them out to pitch them.

Don't get me wrong. This is still a nice car and worth putting money into it (To me anyway) but I'm working less and the budget is tight. That said, I don't want to waste money buying craptastic parts. Or spend premium money on something that I can get from Joe's Dandy Junk yard for next nothing.

Last and most scary question. Assuming I've been driving a car thats basically been driven "underwater" what components do you think should should be closely investigated?

Thanks for any comments / tips etc. This forum has been a great resource and sanity saver.

zendrums

iTrader: (2)

Can't you ask for some pics or something? Maybe go see them in person? People here are always parting out cars; go browse those threads and see if someone has one, or post a WTB.

hoosier1104

iTrader: (2)

I would look at the electrical box under the hood for sure if water has gotten that high. Corrosion is a bad deal and can lead to other issues down the road.

StarSpinner

Maybe check major electrical connections such as battery posts and ground points first and work your way out from there. Remove connector, clean, degrease, (anhydrous alcohol), dry, and re-fasten. Apply oxide inhibitor maybe. If asymptomatic, leave it and cross fingers.

MANIACman

Thanks. I certainly have to do some searching for cars that are being parted out. I can go pretty ape with things I would like but for me money is really scarce and unless its a really good deal I'm going to have to postpone it.

Hummm... Looks like at least some of the ground wires need something done. Like wire brush time and star washers maybe? I'm Kinda surprised how small the gauge of the ground wires are.

I'll have to look up anhydrous. Is that the same as 99%?

I remember thinking (when I was buying it) that there seemed to be more crusty looking stuff under the hood them I'm use to but most people never do anything to try to keep it clean so I guess I talked myself into thinking it was better then it was. WHY didn't I buy the blue one... If that guy haddn't been quite so mental about making everything in the car blue (Blue leds inside under, in the trunk, etc etc plus a 1000watt stereo which added to the price. Heck I could be deaf and driving!!!

Oh well... I'm learning way more about my car then I've known about my other rides and thats actually kinda cool.

Adding "rebuilt / or rebuild" alternator to my list of projects. Looking at it closely I'm just disgusted. Also - CRAP! the connector to the fan (Radiator) is held together with crust. The connector appears to be gone and the terminals just sort of smooshed in. Also reminding myself that I need more then 2 bolts holding the front of the car on. Jeeze... I think what happened is this guy got his engine pulled and when it came time to put everything back he either ran out of time or money. Well I can't really complain too much. He ended up paying the bank to be able to sell it to me.

I've finially won the battle against the Can (case?) of CokeaCola that apparently exploded inside the car. I think the Mighty Car Mods refer to this as "Human Slime" but... OMG... I took apart every panel in the car and ended up using my SO's little steamer and and rolls of paper towels to clean up this permi-sticky **** that was pooled and hardened everywhere. Disgusting to the max...

The amp(?) for the sound in the trunk looks like its been damp/wet and has a thin layer of crust. If I ever give this car a name it will be something submarine like. It feels like my task is 20,000 leagues under the Sea (of cola softdrinks) I really should have taken some before after pictures. It looks so much better now.

MANIACman

Thanks for the tip. For sure I'll give that a seriously close look. BTW are you into shooting (target range) and if so what do you shoot? I just bought a Walther P-38 that my wife likes but its like the "jam o matic" Hopefully it just needs to be cleaned. My 45 could shoot from now until hell froze over before it jammed.