UnregisteredSA22C

Lookin to show off what I've done!

Backstory: my uncle gave me this car when I was 13 or 14 (around 2004 I'd guess), and I've always wanted to drive it. One day in high school driving around my block with a buddy, it just died and nothing my pre-teen self did could get it going. I wound up letting it sit for a while... until now. DUN DUN DUUUUNNN

In April 2016, I kinda just decided to fix it. I had limited mechanics experience (a few oil changes, swapped an alternator and shocks on my DD) and zero rotary experience but I'm decently mechanically inclined and have access to a lot of tools, since my dad is a journeyman mechanic. Long story short, yesterday (Oct 21 2016) I drove it across Edmonton for an out-of-province inspection. It failed, but whatever it drove beautifully and idles like a dream... and what fun would life be if everything came easily!

Here's the list:
- Engine rebuild
- Full suspension overhaul - bushings, shocks, springs, sway bars
- new exhaust
- new carburetor/intake
- new fuel pump and regulator
- dash w/ badass mad tablet install
- new front lower control arms (adjustable camber ftw) and tie rod ends

Pictures:


The Rx7 prior to its surgery being used as storage. This is how it sat for over a decade, sad and alone. Moment of silence.





My dad helped with engine removal to avoid smashing things






This was pretty much the point of no return.






I can't remember what this piece is called, but I think it's important. Side note - thanks to my buddy Brad at Drayton Valley Machine and Welding (surprisingly, located in Drayton Valley) for pressing in my new rotor and stationary gear bearings. I felt that job was beyond my home mechanic abilities.






Reassembling the 12a! I made a little workbench out of spare plywood and sturdys. Ironically, the sturdys were stored on the roof the the car for years (they're in the first picture), and now theyre supporting my rebuild. Oh how the tables have turned. Since I don't have a stand, I cut a hole in the plywood for the eccentric shaft so the engine could sit flat. Me and a friend lifted it straight up pretty easily once it was built.





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I gave my car colors to increase the boost. I'm expecting low 9s with this mod.






New header and more bright colors. Note the red strut tower nuts. At this point, I was expecting to break the landspeed record.





This exhaust sounds like angels mowing their heavenly lawns on god's fleet of riding mowers.






New dash with tablet install... at night.






This is the engine bay currently.






Photoshoot with my buddy and his JDM Subaru. It's quick, but I'd still take my NA lawnmower.

UnregisteredSA22C

Since I only had room for 12 pictures which clearly isn't enough:



Rear suspension!




Counterweight, thrust bearings, oil pump, etc all clean and ready to go.




Yep... that's the (freshly rebuilt) engine.




Me!





Fuel pressure regulator mounted on the exhaust & intake side





Mighty car mods, but I'm in Canada. So it's french. Get it?




A good sticker makes cars better.




I love this picture, but the day before I'd removed a cracked signal light to glue it and forgot to replace it!

7aull

iTrader: (2)

Well Holy Crap. You just skipped thru what I have been doing (engine) for 3 yrs! Man, and you say you have limited mech experience? Kudos for diving into the deep end of the Unknown then. Nice resurrection, Mr Edmonton! (me: Calgary originally). I think a few here would like to see this flat-screen install in better light too!?

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

UnregisteredSA22C

Thanks! Yeah well I've worked as an engineer in oil and gas building downhole tools (basically pressure vessels) so I'd installed o-rings and cleaned sealing surfaces before. I also ordered the instructional video from mazdatrix on rebuilding a 13b, which I watched a couple times and took notes on, and watched a lot of youtube. Although don't congratulate me too fast... there's no guarantee it won't blow up after 500km!! I definitely went flat out on the rebuild, but I wanted to drive it before the snow fell!! Hahahaha

Here's the dash. It's wired into an extra accessory plug, so it charges and turns on automatically when I turn the key. I also discovered that the round plastic cover on the window crank handle fits in the 12v plug hole perfectly, so I painted one black and stuck it in (not in the picture, but you can see the hole). It looks pretty stealthy. I've just been using bluetooth speakers until I can afford to get new ones and install them, although my little bose actually sounds really good!

Roland

eprx799

iTrader: (8)

Nice build. I like what your doing with the car!

UnregisteredSA22C

Thanks! I'm still trying to register it before it snows, but teeecchhnically i can drive it if I'm going to/from my out of province inspection!