ultima 1

For what this part of the job cost me, it deserves a second batch of pictures.
These are pictures of the completed set up.

ultima 1

MY sad donor car was nearing the end of it's life expectancy, but it still had a few goodies left for us:

Racing Beat header and exhaust system.
Walbro fuel pump

We didn't use the gauges from the donor car, and in hind sight, we installed too many. This had to be redone, but here is the initial gauge installation as well.

ultima 1

My gsl-se donor car actually gave up a lot more that I took for granted:

3" stainless steel racing beat exhaust - complete - although we would cut out the catalytic converter later. Car doesn't sound too loud. Good.

The baffled gsl-se fuel tank - needed for fuel injected motor - upgrade. We would spend a ridiculous amount of time/cost installing stainless steel fuel lines with fittings later.

Driveshaft - custom fella. This was updated later to different splines? and rebalanced
once our turbo set up was determined to be over 350 hp. safety was an issue here.

Gsl-se Rearend - lower gear ratio -correct? better initial acceleration - a rotary weakness that this would help correct.

I found better shock and spring pictures. The suspension upgrades were a nice plus that i didn't expect. Except for coilovers, everything was pretty much there now: springs, shocks, sway bars, steering, , brakes. Brake lines were terrible! But we were waiting... I had issues with the 4 bolt wheel choices. I also wanted a big brake kit. Later.

Here is another photo of the rack and pinion showing what I think constitutes increased re-inforcement.

OneRotor

iTrader: (3)

RB Springs + Tokico Blues: same suspension tuning philosophy as the R1-packaged FD's: soft springs with stiff struts/shocks. You'll want to upgrade the suspension when you try and push it hard and start rubbing tires.

ultima 1

I am a suspension dummy. When I did german cars, stock was enough. Bilstein left very few options. Even in the 80's they didn't risk trying to change it. We never even considered spring rates, etc. The car came stock, race proven and anything beyond corner balancing and tires, was already dialed in. Options were limited.

I would love to hear an improvement idea. I also am starting on a second first gen car that is getting a gsl-se suspension upgrade and the rx7 mechanic has requested racing springs to compliment it. Are you two in cahoots together?

I would like to support the fat tires needed for this wide body appropriately.

OneRotor

iTrader: (3)

Nope, not in cahoots. I have that setup in the rear of my FB, and on my 205/50R15 Potenza RE-11's (replacement for the Pole Position S02/S03 line) I rub bad in hard corners. Just speaking from personal experience. The RB springs are only ~10%-~15% stiffer than stock. I think Kentetsu runs 250/150(175) on his car and doesn't rub with 225/50R13 race rubber. ReSpeed Coilovers w/ Illuminas in the front and some short ?Bilstein? shocks in the rear.

ultima 1

Nice.

The tire set up on this car is tough. The wide body throws a curve into the works.
If I run 11"wide on the back, and 9"wide on the front it will be a lot of rubber.

My other fb car i want to try polished 14" gsl-se wheels for a bit, for the stock look.

ultima 1

My Mariah mode 1 "fake intake scoop" hood is history - old metal/fiberglass separating. Non fixable.

a) Do I update hood to more 2nd gen looking TII fiberglass functional intake style hood? The plan is to possibly finish with carbon fiber look.

b) Or go back to original style newer improved all fiberglass Mariah mode 1 hood - to be more original? Opinion on original Mariah style? Too old looking? Cheesy?

Both hoods to compare: a) Silver wide body - new style
b) Red wide body - old style

ultima 1

Hi,
Anyone got 4 x 114.5 (4 x 4.5) you know, GSL-SE bolt pattern
ideas in a larger wheel size diameter (16 ,17 or 18)
in 10" ish and 8" ish width to fit this wide body?

This bolt pattern is killing me!!

I really wanted to go with a larger wheel and this is the last attempt with the 4 lug wheels.
I am willing to even customize the fenders to look right with the larger wheels
I am not a quitter !!!!
I may have to go back to looking for a 5 lug change over.
My rotary mechanic keeps insisting we can find non ugly 4 lug wheels to fit.

Help !!!

RX-7 Chris

iTrader: (19)

The car is really coming along. I would style B for the hood.

ultima 1

Thanks Chris

I see the old school Msriah hood....going away.....

Chris

RXvedub

iTrader: (1)

any updates? cant wait to see the project finished .. what color are you going to paint it?

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

Don't know why I've never really looked at this thread. Awesome car! Curious as to if there are any updates too?

RXvedub

iTrader: (1)

buler? buler?


happy new year cliff!!!

nice parking lot

ultima 1

hi,
I 've been getting a lot of work done on the ultima.
I would say it is not recognizable.
It started out red, with a white interior, on 14inch rims.
Our plan was to update everything.
We thought the rims would make the car, so i worked a long time on them.
Here is the first 2012 glimpse, as soon as I get the picture from my iphone to rotate.
If it is not one picture thing, then it is another.

ultima 1

ok, here it is:

black dyed interior
17" bbs wheels, 9inch/8inch wide - with custom 4 to 5 lug conversion adapters
new Mariah front end
Black primer paint
Haltec sprint with custom set up.
It is running well on it's turbo II motor, starting at 5lbs boost.
Engine rev's to 8k smoothly - and quickly.

Not original but certainly still unique.
Many more things to work on.

Hope you like the set up