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1980 RX7 Refresh
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...529e506e68.jpg
Hi Everyone, I just want to share that I am in the process of doing a complete refresh on my 1980 FB. Stripped the FB completely and now doing metal work where the battery/batteries leaked to the chassis since...well since the car was new I guess. Planning to re do everything, even as best as I can. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ea36316923.jpg We only have to do the left side where the battery was located. The right side is fine. We scraped away the old anti rust goop everywhere and had a good look. I'll keep posting pics and short descriptions as we move along. |
1979 and 80 models are "SA's" as denoted by the first 2 digits in the VIN. 1981 is when the NHTSA enacted new VIN requirements that changed the first 2 digits of North American RX-7's to FB. Looks like you have a major surgery here. If this is a re fresh, I'm curious what an overhaul would entail!
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Originally Posted by Banzai
(Post 12100242)
1979 and 80 models are "SA's" as denoted by the first 2 digits in the VIN. 1981 is when the NHTSA enacted new VIN requirements that changed the first 2 digits of North American RX-7's to FB. Looks like you have a major surgery here. If this is a re fresh, I'm curious what an overhaul would entail!
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Banzai and bpcZod.
Thanks for the replies. As for an overhaul...I will take apart the 12A and see what needs to be done. Before reassembly of the entire car, I'll check every last nut and bolt. What's the proper term for what I'm doing? Electricals and wiring will be "refreshed". Thanks also for pointing out the "SA". What's the correct term? Change the referrence of the FB to SA? https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e769c2a431.jpg I'm taking this apart and replace all the seals. It was running when I got it but I think it's time have a good long look inside. |
Scraping and cleaning. I'll take the diff apart and see if the Miata Torsen will fit.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2d6c1e227e.jpg |
I think I would call this more of a restoration than a refresh. Do you have any before pics of the car? How well was th eengien running before it was pulled? If the compression is good and it was running ok then I would just rebuild the carb, clean the engine externally and replace every gasket and vacuum hose. No need to open a can of worms if its not needed IMO.
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mazdaverx713b. When I got the car the engine was running but made no power on the way home.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...9b152787c.jpeg |
I called it a "refresh" because my restorations are much more involved than this. You should see some of the other "resurrections" I had to do...for customers, not for myself. But I think you are right. Lets call it a resto from now on.
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A 1980 built FB makes it one of the first FB production runs for the US market. It's an 81 model year FB but manufactured in 1980. You should confirm this by chassis number and build month.
From this thread: https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-gene...umbers-952272/
Originally Posted by DivinDriver
(Post 10611968)
A scanned copy I have of the 81-83 FB parts fiche, Published in April of 1992, shows FB production began in July of 1980, with VIN chassis number 500001
August started with 500076 (only 75 FB's produced in July of 80... but how many non-US 1981-model "SA's?") September saw a start of 503736 My 1980 parts fiche shows a publication date of "May '83 - FINAL." It shows SA production ended in Sept of '80, as there was no SA chassis start number for October of 80. Final start number s for SA's in 1980 per this document: June 619393 July 624204 (June SA production 4811) August 629533 (July SA production 5329) September 629954 (August SA production of only 421 cars) Seems clear from this that July through September of 1980, both SA's and FB's were in production |
Making Carbon fiber doors and hood. All in house.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...35d8ee75d0.jpg |
Originally Posted by madmen
(Post 12101962)
Making Carbon fiber doors and hood. All in house.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...35d8ee75d0.jpg |
mega nice sir!!!
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I don't know why my post got posted twice?
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The door will have composite crashguards. Made form 3 CF and honeycomb sandwiches.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a826c6032c.jpg |
Here's the skin with the reinforcement. Can't make it bend anymore.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...eaa5174bd3.jpg |
I can't wait to get the skins on the frames and see the weight reduction.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...d59af05b1c.jpg |
Temporarily attached the steel window frame. Found out that it weighs more than the door.:egrin:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a04b3bcf02.jpg |
Just a quick update. More rust. Had to make a new beam...or whatever it's called.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...cc99f5ebcc.jpg |
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Just letting you all know where I'm at. Caught the flu and stayed home for a week.
Attachment 585311 Carbon doors getting fitted. |
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Body almost ready for paint.
Attachment 585312 Attachment 585313 Attachment 585314 Attachment 585315 |
Looks great, will be watching to see how the build goes. Have to say the car looked great in the above picture.
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HI Oilonly,
You mean the first photos? Yes it looked good on the outside. A few rust issues plus uneven paint. As we went deeper we found more rust and I wanted to make sure I got it all. |
Did you guys know how heavy the front and rear bumpers are on the FB? I'm making molds for them after the painter finishes removing all the bumps and dips. I'll post photos as I go. I figure on a weight loss of about 20 kilos.
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that looks great from the pics. should really move this thread to the build section...this is quite a "refresh"
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Thanks craaaazy. I actually tried to ask a moderator on how to move this thread to the build section. I didn't know there was one when I started and wanted to correct my mistake. No reply from any moderator.
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Body next...after I get all the carbon parts made up.
But here's what we've done so far: Attachment 585838 Attachment 585839 Attachment 585840 Attachment 585841 |
I've been partial to SA's but this picture of the car in red with the panasports (or konig rewinds maybe?), contrasted with the black trim really makes this car look awesome! If I ever get a kitchen pass from the wife to get a second 1st gen, I may just have to be on the lookout for one like this! |
Damn,you are doing a great job,I agree with craaazzzy, you should move this to the build section. I can't wait to see how this looks with all of the carbon fiber parts. Let me know if you are interested in making an extra set:nod:
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Thanks woodmv and erick for yout interest. I'll post pics of the carbon parts versus the stock parts on scales, just so we know exactly how much weight we removed. At the very end when the car gets running, I'll put the car on my scales and find out the total weight. I'm also quite excited to see how much weight we've saved/removed.
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I'm just stoked to see first gens in the pacific islands. Not to mention VERY nice first gens.
Only rotaries I see in Bali are RX2's and I saw one FE. |
You are right Qingdao. Here in Manila they were never sold thru dealerships. Mazda tried in the 70's to enter the Philippine market and did fairly well with light trucks and a sedan model called the Familia. Only in the late 90's did Mazda return to sell us the NA Miata. Sadly, still no rotaries. It then passed on to a Malaysian group that opened Mazda dealerships successfully only 3 years ago. These gave us the NC and now the ND. They'll give us the RF but don't know if they'll give us the new rotary they unveiled at recent auro shows. I may (I hope I'm wrong) have the only 1st gen rx 7 in Manila that'll be running. I know of a couple of dead ones I tried to buy as parts cars but the owners thought they were made of gold instead of the rust they actually are turning into.
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Carbon Hood getting prepped for hardware.
Attachment 586023 |
Nice.
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Test fitting the CF hood. Some minor fitment issues that can be fixed.
Attachment 586110 Attachment 586111 |
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Next for molding...the front bumper.
Attachment 586112 And removing the 5 mph components. Attachment 586113 No need to carry that anymore. |
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Stock hood weight! Zoom into the scale. It says 39.5lbs/18 kilos!!
Attachment 586125 I'm willing to bet I can get it under 8 kilos with paint! |
Originally Posted by madmen
(Post 12113111)
Next for molding...the front bumper.
Attachment 586112 And removing the 5 mph components. Attachment 586113 No need to carry that anymore. |
Ahh This is cool as aye. So much want for carbon parts! hahaha
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You do damn fine work, sir.
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Hi Everyone,
Sorry for being busy with preparing customer race cars (all Miatas) for the coming final leg of our local Miata Cup. But I did get the front bumper bagged and just waiting for it to fully cure before popping it out of the mold. Attachment 587638 On a side note. Mazda Philippines, our biggest Miata club supporter, invited top Mazda execs from Japan to come and join the races. Nobuhiro Yamamoto is coming!!! |
I can't look next thing you know I'm going to be removing my whole suspension, fuel tank, etc and sort it all out, i'm happy with the way my car is now,i'm happy with the way my car is now.
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How do you get that bumper out of the mold?
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Hi Qingdao,
The mold is actually in 3 pieces. The main bumper plus 2 small "appendages" for the bottom parts. |
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Won't be long now til the fun begins. Just a few more clear coats.
Attachment 587916 Attachment 587917 |
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Test fit of the front carbon bumper. We will be removing those 5 mph dampeners and plan on fabbing aluminum mounts.
Attachment 587947 |
Are you going to paint the CF parts or leave them bare?
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Hi Qingdao. I will be painting over them. The car looks overly aggressive with the carbon showing. I have done hoods for customers that wanted the carbon finish. It's no problem to gloss over CF with clear coats. Also adds UV protection.
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