1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Can it be done? Fixed headlights and keep a classic look?

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Old Feb 10, 2006 | 10:22 PM
  #26  
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I have John Matra's book and it does list specifics on the Millen AWD car.

He built it in his spare time in the off season.300HP,tube chassis car with 626 front suspension and drive running off a custom Weisman's Trans Research and Development t-case fitted to the old trans.Doesnt sound too simple to duplicate,and remember on the street youll need a center differential or youll bind up.This is an offroad,dirt/gravel only car,so a center diff isnt required.

The main reason for the car was that he was losing ground during launch,spinning the tires through 4th.The car's top speed was faster than the Audi,and even though it was 100lbs heavier,it braked and handled better then the 2WD version.Lift was 3/4" but had no effect on handling.The car bogged badly on hook up so a better final gear ratio was added and a much stronger clutch and trans gears were needed to survive the AWD's grip.
In the end Millen didnt win the Championship,he only won 2 races that year and still took 2nd overall to Buffum's Audi.The next year(84) the car was more consistant but only took 3 wins to Buffum's 5.Steve Millen took 3rd and a broken trans put Rod Millen out of the race.
In 85' Millen lightened the AWD RX-7 and Buffom traded up to a Sport Quattro and the two were neck and neck most of the season,but Millen still took 2nd.
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Old Feb 10, 2006 | 11:17 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by FirebirdSlayer666
Rotor vs. Piston what color is your 7?
primer and white right now
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 12:34 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by boohame
Is this the one you're talking about?
There is also a red one...
That's the one alright! A pretty good way to add lightness if you don't mind sacrificing a little aerodynamics.... I wonder if you could mount 4 headlights that way, now that would be cool...
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 12:58 AM
  #29  
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From: Delhi, CA
flush headlights

Originally Posted by steve84GS TII
Fixed/flush headlights are all about tastes.They can look good, or out of place depending on color,body style and light selection.
Ive never had anyone not like my lights when they saw them in person,mainly because you get more angles and a 3D view when your actually there.I can totally understand why some dont like them and why they arent consistant with our "vintage" cars.Which is,for a lesser reason,why I choose to make mine.My car isnt very vintage anymore with the modern power and muscular widebody look.My main reason however was for space and weight savings,not to mention the aero advantages.They didnt come out perfect,but I did them quick and cheap,so Im happy for now.They are legal and easy to clean however....


Very nice!
What was the weight savings from deleting the motors and linkage?
Do you have pictures and a writeup on how you built the flush lights?
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 01:40 AM
  #30  
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kiwi from downunder..
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and where did you get your not so wide body kit and how much was it
its the bestiv seen out of all
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 01:44 AM
  #31  
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Fwiw

FWIW the 300zx headlights can be molded into the front of the first gen with a minimal amount of effort, I have seen several cars done that way over here and its probably plain luck, but the 300's headlights really do line up perfectly (in regareds to angle of hood v/s angle of projectors) so when you put them in they actually light up the road like there supposed to and not the trees, or a spot 5 feet in front fo the car.

kenn
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 02:16 AM
  #32  
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I didnt weigh it, but the lights and buckets are a lot lighter than the stock motors,linkage and lights.Its not a HUGE amount,but it all helps,especially way out in front of the tires.Its a reworked Midd Tenn Miata kit thats no longer availible.The round projectors are DOT legal Hella 90MM pods.The square lights are the original ones that came with the kit and are only used for high/flood beams.

My body kit is a Mariah Mode 1,one of the most common and best made 1st gen widebodies out there.Mine has quite a few custom touches to set it apart from the standard Mode 1.The side skirts and rear bumper are custom blended from a Mazdatrix set.The hood is functional and handmade with all steel,no glass or bondo.The wing is a rare Mariah GTO piece from the 80's.
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 02:37 AM
  #33  
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Just for an out-there design, here's the set-up on a Le Mans RX-7 circa 1982:



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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 03:54 AM
  #34  
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i want those wheels
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 11:01 AM
  #35  
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oh ok disgard those lights then

quote-those are nice. i tried to email the guy but im pretty sure he isnt still making them


oh ok disgard those lights then I didnt know...
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 02:37 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by rotor vs. piston
primer and white right now
Any particular color you were planning on painting it? My 7 is going to be painted black so what I'm going to do is get the CP flush lights and use some taillight paint to tint the plexi cover so that it looks like the stock covers. I wont use too much, just enough so you can't see the lights through it in the day. If it's harder to see at night then I'll put my fog/spot lights on the car to help out. I think it'll look pretty nice
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 02:45 PM
  #37  
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Why don't you make your own flush mount headlights and save $00 over CP and if you take your time they'll look and fit better.
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 02:48 PM
  #38  
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Wouldn't know where to begine to build my own. And it'd still cost money because you need a plexi cover and the materials to do it as well as the lights themselves
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 02:54 PM
  #39  
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Lights are everywhere, I've even heard of using 12V garden lights, plexi can be bought cheap off ebay, and plastic to shape the bucket, I'm getting the parts together to do this myself, remember lighter is better.
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 03:03 PM
  #40  
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kiwi from downunder..
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document it aussiesmg when u get round to doing it make a pictorial im sure heaps off people would love it
chris
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 03:06 PM
  #41  
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I will, also thinking about adding a cold air intake vent if it will fit beside the lights.
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Old Feb 11, 2006 | 03:11 PM
  #42  
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kiwi from downunder..
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great will be looking forward to seeing what u come up
with oh well i better finish rebuilding my nikki damn 20years of grimme taking for ever to clean those tight spots
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