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Just tore into the 84 today for the first time since I got it about a month ago. Everything that doesn't make the wheels turn is coming out. Making her light as possible.
1984 GSL, untouched, 121k miles. And Im done for today.
Still undecided really. What I do know is I want a bare bones, naturally aspirated, car to have fun with in the warmer months. Probably get a set of 15 inch panasports. Color is still up in the air but I know for sure the interior is gonna be black. Basic radio. No heat, ect. I'm pulling everything that doesn't make the wheels turn. A loud, fun, car for cruising. Nothing too extreme. Any ideas would be helpful. Haven't messed with one of these in 18 years.
It does but it has a vacuum leak somewhere so she was running rough. So many hoses to check I figured I'd mess with the motor later on since I have to pull it anyway to have the engine bay painted. Might as well rebuild while it's out!
Before yanking anything off the engine, get it to run correctly first. This way if there is an issue, you can point to it. If you start taking stuff off like the rats nest, you couldn't be for sure.
I would but I figured it getting rebuilt anyway and I planned on replacing all those pesky hoses anyway with fresh rubber. That and a carb and intake upgrade. Header and exhaust of course so all the gaskets are gonna need replacing anyway.
Thanks too btw. I've been reading that rats nest is a pain to remove and not really worth it. I'm gonna replace this email hoses one at a time so I don't mess anything up.
The stock radio was missing when I got it. Came with a mediocre Pioneer unit. If I had it I'd give it to you. That was the first thing to go in my last one. I still have the stock Clarion crossovers, I believe that's what they are, or amps, that came with the car. I don't plan on reusing those.
I mean...the FB is pretty bare bones to begin with. Not sure why you would want to strip it to nothing just to have a fun car to drive. The FB is an exciting and fun car, even with an interior, lol. You may find the road noise will ruin the diving experience. If its going to be a dedicated race car then I can understand gutting the car. But removing EVERYTHING, to include the dash which has a nice instrument cluster is perplexing to me. It might turn out awesome and be a car you really enjoy. I'll follow the thread and see where it goes!
Oh no! The dash and panels are going back in. Just needed to remove all that to get the old carpet and padding out. And to repaint. That rubber coated padding has some unnecessary weight to it. Rear boxes and metal framework is staying out too. Carpet will go back in with very minimal and light padding. Any excess wiring will be tossed too. Clock gone. Excess venting and controls gone. Wiring harness simplified. Ignition switch gone. Going with a simple push button setup. I have a toggle/ push button out of a racecar I used to work on that's going in. Wipers on a simple on off switch. And so on and so on. I live in Michigan and I remember very well how these cars are on wet pavement with less than a half a tank of gas. Lol! This will be a summer time cruise/fun car. I won't dare attempt it in the winter. Lol
Not sure what the track scene is like out in Mi, but a FB can be a fun track/autocross car. I raced an '84 12a with SCCA for a number of years but sold the car a couple of years ago (really wish I didn't now). Working to build up an '85 that I picked up a year ago to be a new track car now. I forgot how much work it can be to take a street car and track-prep it.
The Panasport wheels look amazing on our cars, but they are quite pricey in my opinion. Might want to look at the Konig Rewinds. Very similar styling and will leave quite a bit of money in your wallet to put back into the car.
Awesome! Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely look those up. I love the style. Don't really care who makes them but the cost??? Yeah I care about cost so cheaper is definitely better.
Ok, well I see what you're doing now. Good plan. Any unneeded excess weight will only serve to lighten the car for performance and fuel economy...though I don't think anyone buys an RX-7 for fuel economy, lol. Will be eager to see the build!
So I finally got around to scraping the remnants of the original padding off the floor boards. Talk about a pain. Also got the heater core, blower motor, and all vents out. So far, with everything I've pulled out, she about 150lbs lighter. Still have a ways to go but it'll get done eventually.
03-13-17, 04:09 PM
I figured I'd mess with the motor later on since I have to pull it anyway to have the engine bay painted. Might as well rebuild while it's out!
