Toyrotary

I recently purchased a 1980 Rx7 for cheap(It needs a paint job but it has a nice street port 12a in it from a '85 model,Also it came with a full race clutch&plate,RB header,Holley blue with adj reg,I just put a RB intake on it)I would like to make it look like a rally car(So I can drive it snow also)what kind of modifications would I need to as far as tires for 13s,springs& shocks& lights also whatever else I need to get that "Rally Car" look?

alien_rx7

On a rally look, are you also looking to change the interior too or just want the look on the outside? The front end on most FB rally cars tends to stay looking stock except that a light bar with either old school Hellas is added for night driving there on the valence between the headlights or HID lights are added there. You can either use mandrel bent tubing to make the bar the lights would be mounted to or make a fiberglass enclosure with the lights that would mount via "hood pins" to that spot which gives it a sleeker look.

As far as suspension goes, someone else can make that suggestion and/or you can visit http://www.bensrallypage.com and http://specialstage.com and look through the FB cars that are listed there sometimes and possibly even contact the owners. Most are pretty easy going and will talk about their cars all day

With tires, in the spring/summer/fall use Michelin, they use to be (still may be) the tire of choice in the US ProRally series, of course you're going to pay for it even in 13" a rally tire can cost. When the snow falls, go with a Finnish tire, the Nokia Hakkapeliitta, made by people who enjoy to drive fast in the snow. Look it up on google when you have time, lots of talk about them and they are so much better than Bridgestone Blizzacs.

Here is a quote from one of the pages on rally tires, [guote]Do not confuse gravel rally tires with snow tires. Two completely different animals.[/quote] and it is too true. My housemate and I went out in his ProRally Plymouth Firearrow car up where the Lake Superior ProRally is run on his gravel tires which have a deep tread depth and look like they would handle snow with no problem, we hit a snow covered street and suddenly it was like being on slicks on ice, we could barely move and the least amount of gas would send us sliding.

Good luck, send pics when you finish up!

peejay

It's a perfect snow car in stock form.

Rally car... hell, just get some chunky snow tires (stock size), big mudflaps, and you're done. If all you care about is the external looks. The suspension work needed to *work* like a rally car is expensive. Minimum $1000 for dampers (more like $3500 for good stuff), something around 150-250lb/in springs on custom perches, 12 or more point roll cage, primarily in your case so that the car can structurally handle the stiff springs and stiffer dampers, a nice super heavy skid plate, etc.

peejay

Forgot to attach a file... argh

Note how stock the car looks.

O 16581 72452 5

Definately looks VERY stock

peejay

I mean ride height and body wise, silly goose Ignore the paintjob...

I maintain that a stock RX-7 is an excellent snow vehicle. I would venture to say that snow tires would make it even better, but I have never once had snow tires on one so I cannot say. You don't really need the "rally" suspension unless you plan on driving it like a rally car, which you ain't gonna do on the street.

Here's another one.

O 16581 72452 5

Don't hold me to this, but i believe a Subaru Impreza '93-'01 will fit almost perfect. They fit MX-6s after extending them 3 inches on each side and widening them by an inch, My airdam off of my car didn't fit an MX-6 and was off by about the same measurements.

alien_rx7

Here are a couple more recent pictures of rally prepped 7's that came to the 2003 100 Acre Woods ClubRally. If the white one is the same as the one from 2002, the owner and car are from up near Muskegon, MI. Plenty of lake effect snow to test out on. I got to talk with him at the 2002 rally and he was very hospitable and willingly talked about his car and the sport.

alien_rx7

And the other one:

Montrealer

Rally car look?

BIG fog lights, BIG mudd flaps, a roll cage, stripped interior. And stickers

Anways look at this:

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=174070

Toyrotary

I really like the white car with the '79-'80 wheels,What kind of springs will interchange with my car (1980) to make it sit up a little higher(As of now the car is slammed)I have springs from a '83 GSL,but I think Im gonna need some extra clearence(We get a LOT of snow in my area)Also what size tires should I run with the 13 wheels(from the '83 GSL)& what kind of lights for the front(Im on a budget)

frode

Original RX-7 Group B rallycar..

Toyrotary

That Car is Cool I Would like to get my hands on something like that,That body kit is nice,so is the roof scoop.I cant wait to finish my car so I can show it off

Scruch

very cool thise rex, never see it before!

peejay

My favorite current rally car (frequently gets overall fastest stage times despite being 2wd and non turbo!)

[img]

More pics available at http://www.havspeed.com !

Car in action:



And video at http://www.onalimbracing.com/video/havas-01.wmv. More pics and videos of other cool rally cars at http://www.onalimbracing.com !

alien_rx7

I like the hood and the lights look like they are the flip lights from an Opel GT.

For the havspeed car, which rallies has the car taken faster overall stage time this season?

peejay

Hell if I can remember offhand. (I was TRYING to edit the post to say "has been known to get" but dammit the forum kept puking)

The pic I was trying to post at the same time is locked in a "dead thread" in Area 51. It's messed up. Anyway, I can't post the pic. :grr:

Zeta-Gouki

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Hakkapeliittas are meant to be used with studs, whereis the Blizzaks are studless... so how can you compare the two?

frode

Here in Norway you can get Hakkapellitta's with and without studs.

alien_rx7

I'm pretty sure you can get them (Hakka's) here in the states without studs too. Just have to find a tire dealer that can order Hakka's to begin with!

FD Racer

it looks like that bad *** 1st gen's got independent rear suspension...damm that thing is nice

frode

Couple of video's of the Group B car..

http://www.rally.no/olea/oleaSTOA02.wmv
http://www.rally.no/olea/olealillehammer02.wmv

Narcisse91

It depends which model you have. Some are meant to be used with, some without.

I raced on Hakkas last year (studless) and they are definitely the best tire for hard driving in snow and ice. The Blizzak will grip better (studless vs. studless), but they wear out so damn fast, that the cost of keeping a good set around is too high to make it worth it.

As far as rally tires (in response to someone's comment about Michelins), I've raced on Yokohamas, Michelins, and recently, Pirellis. The Pirellis were the best, Michelins second, Yokohama the third, but any one of them would be good for someone who isn't racing pro. The best thing to do is buy them used. I buy them used in 15" for like $20-$40 a tire, with a lot of life left. If you want new, you'll have the easiest time getting Kumhos, since you can get them at tirerack. I think FB sized are like $70 each.

Sorry, no answers to the suspension questions for rough terrain, but I'll be figuring it out soon.

Toyrotary

I called around & I can get Kuhmo Ecsta Rally tires,Can I use these on street & snow?

Toyrotary

What can I use to rust proof under the car & wheel wells so It wont rust out?Also what kind of mud flaps
should I get?