Tools

So you're ready to fix your 2nd gen RX-7. Great! You're gonna need some tools. Surprisingly, you don't need a ton of tools to work on the car, nor do you need a lot of "special" tools. Try and stick to quality tools, like Craftsman, Snap-on, Kobalt, etc. Stay away from the cheapie parts store tools - they'll let you down when you need 'em most. I have mostly Craftsman tools, since it's so easy to take a broken tool into Sears and get a free replacement.

As far as sizes of tools, you don't need any non-metric tools. Every fastener on the car is metric. And, you don't need all the metric sizes - there is only a few sizes that are on the car. These are: 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm. These are about 85% of the fasteners on the car. There are some bigger sizes on the car - 21mm (turbo water line, lug nuts), 23mm (oil cooler banjo bolt), and 26mm (oil cooler line). The large nut that holds the flywheel on is 54mm, but a 2 1/8th inch socket fits and works perfectly.

With the tools below, you can do a LOT to the car. There will be some extras you will pick up along the way, but probably 95% of standard maintenance can be done with just simple tools.

Don't forget to have the most important tool - manuals! The shop manual is invaluable, but many basic things are glossed over - it assumes you're an experienced mechanic. Get the Haynes manual as well. It's cheap, easy to get, and covers many jobs with great pictures. If you get into doing some major work, like an engine rebuild, you'll NEED the shop manual.

Onto the list -

Hand Tools

3/8" socket wrench

Sockets, both regular and deep well

Extensions - one short (4") and one long (12")

Universal joint

Combination wrenches

Assortment of screwdrivers - mainly Phillips head, and some larger flat head

Pliers - regular, needle nose, and channel lock

Floor tools

Floor jack (juat a regular-sized one, not the monster 5-ton jack)

At least 2 jack stands

Ramps (optional, but make some jobs really easy)

Drain pan (for oil changes)

Electrical

Multimeter (digital)

Test light (looks like a screwdriver with a lightbulb in the handle and a wire coming from the back)

Electrical tape

Wire strippers/crimpers