Hello, until recently, I had never been at all interested in the appearance of the rx7 but am in the need of a lightweight vehicle to put a built 2JZ into. Originally, i was planning on an 87 fiero, but the work to fit it would have me chopping the car in half to add about a foot to the length.

Anyways, I saw this car by accident and found that these things weight only 2500#... i was amazed. Also, there was a blown white convertible at my brother's shop, with a stock body... it really didnt look that bad and it seems like it has a large enough engine bay to fit the inline 6 into, plus the chassis doesnt look tthat weak... or at least a bit stronger than a fiero.

I have provided a pic below... can someone identify the car and the type of bodykit on it??? Im in love with this thing!!! Besides, at 2500#, this thing will blow the 800hp gn away - no more domestics fer me!!!



Regaurds,
Phil

 

Nice look. It is similar to the one here:
http://www.iscracing.net/body_kit.htm

However, I see that this one has the steel 79 - 80 SA bumpers vs. the 81 - 85 molded bumper covers.

 

If you wanna put a 2JZ into something, buy a Supra or Cressida.

 

first gens didnt come as convertables, so idk if 1st gen is wat u were lookin at, but yeah, there r better choices for a body, most likely with a less costly and lighter kit with similar aerodynamics

 

Supras weigh in at about 3500, not much lighter than my buick... I want something in the 2500 range. At the same time I want it to look good otherwise I would just strap it on some rails...

Are these widebody kits that heavy? From what ive read it looks like this stuff is lighter than stock. Im sure theres a ton of "frill" weight i can cut out as well, esp since this car's entire rear section will be tube to handle the jolt.

Like I said, I am very new to the import scene and want to make the transition, at least engine-wise to the japanese blocks - these domestic blocks suck!... as far as the car i put it in, well that is still undecided. This project will NOT be a drag only vehicle as i find that a little bit pointless, therefore i need something that handles well, looks decent, and most of all, is fun to drive.

What is the main difference between the gen1 and gen2 rx7's ? Again, sorry for the stupid questions... they must sound pretty primative.

Phil

 

thats a sa (78-80 )rx7 with what looks like a mariah widebody kit.

and i dont think an inline 6 is going to fit that well in a rx7, the stock motors are less than 20 inchs long and dont have much room in front of it. i know it looks like it has a long nose but trust it isnt going to fit without a lot of effort.
what about using an older carolla they weigh in at less than 1400lbs
or maybe even an old 280z the came with an inline six already.

 

The car you were looking at was probably a 2nd gen but they are a bit fatter than the 1st and 3rd gens. 2jz's are great engines and from what I hear built like a tank. 800hp though you are going to kill yourself. What kind of domestic did you own before? And what were the numbers that you were putting down?

I have seen race prepped 7's with really low weight numbers. Ones used for street use and minor weight reduction mods are usually around 2000lbs or less depending on model/parts. Supra engines are heavy though right? How much do they weigh?

I think that your fit will be tight into a 1st gen. One thing is for sure though you will need some major fabricating

Only a few recomenddations from me. If you have 800hp you will either need to tub the rear end or get a wide body like shown in your picture. A car like this will easily walk all over 1000hp supras. Why so much????? You are going to kill yourself!

 

Well, like i said, i kinda want it to look decent so a corollas out... also, I'm going to attempt to shove 1000HP into this thing and from what I observed, with just a lil bit of support, this thing shouldn't twist too bad. Stuff too light is going to take a lot of additional support to maintain structure on launch. I dont wanna end up orthogonal to the pavement when I pop the brake!

As far as an inline 6 in there, I think it will fit if i chop out some of the radiator sppt area and relocate the radiator/IC...etc...

That car I posted is a first gen then right?

Also, whose drag racing these things? It seems a lot of people are more into the drifting & track thing.

Again, I apologize for all the questions! I just am getting excited bout a project like this.

Phil

 

Currently I have a Buick Grand National with a pretty nasty engine. Currently im finishing up the new block. This setup will run a GT42 turbo, Gen7 DFI, etc... so she should make close to 900HP if not more. The old engine was around 550hp or so peaked out with the TE61.

Why so much power in this thing? If you've got the tire and keep the bumper off the ground, your going to friggin fly and that is fun as hell. But like I said, a car like this will probably end up being more of a daily driver than anything. THe buick doesn't handle too well, forget about rain, corners, or even highway use. When I used to drive the stock fiero GT, i remembered how much fun a small car was to drive and how well it stuck to the ground.

The supra block is a bit heavy, but about the same as a SBC that i see a lot of. Im just thinking of how much money im going to save to do a similar thing in the domestic world. I can invest about 15 - 20 K into the entire build and have a NASTY vehicle that will run an 8 or so and still handle well enough to put out some stompage out on the street.

z-beater: what years are the best for making drag cars out of? (of gen1 & 2).

Phil

 

Second gen is proly gona be the best bet for your swap.

 

you might wanna talk to Stretch on torquecentral.com

he has the fastest rx-7 on that site, running 8.60 quarters with a small block ford, on juice!

he recently finished building a tube chassis and he can now pull the wheels 4" off the ground untill 2nd from a ROLL at 15-20mph, without NOS!

I'm pretty sure his motor is under 600hp

 

That engine will probably fit (with extensive modifications) but it's not ideal at all. You'll be annoying RX-7 owners as well as Toyota drivers.

Grab a 240z.

 

Yeah, I'll second that. The 240Zs came with a straight six already, and have enough room under the hood to store six dead hookers. I've owned a couple before, and as long as they aren't rusted out, they seem a bit more solid than the 7s. Overall I think you'll have a lot less trouble with any of the old Datsuns (240, 260, 280).

 

If you are going to tube and tub the back end, I would go with a 1st gen. They have a solid rear axle to begin with and can be upgraded to most any domestic rear end that can handle the hp and torque you you are looking for. The second gen is irs and may not handle your #'s, without going to a solid axle. Front brakes and suspension will need some serious mods for brake upgrades. With your goals, you probably need to have that custom built, but it sounds like you have some experience there.

If you are not dead set on the j2z, you might want to concider a 3 rotor conversion. You will get loads more support from the rotary diehards, and they can be pushed into the 900+ hp range, but it's a bit tricky to do. Experienced tuning there is critical.

The 7's are know for thier handling and braking, with the performance you are shooting for, it will become pretty much a stright line go fast.

You will probably be looking at least a 12 point cage and with the engine, tranny and rear end work, you will be at 2400 lbs at best.

Check out the Ausrotary.com web site. There is an old R100 that pulls the front end off through the 1st 3 gears, some really crazy ****, and they are getting into the 8's and 9's on rotary power.

Good luck with your project. sounds interesting, keep us posted.

 

So what is the best gen for the sacrifice? Im looking at getting one that runs for now, till I get the buick on the road again.

I've been looking at the Datsuns too... idk, they seem pretty viable too, but overall, they are probably very similar, workload wise. Seems as if there are more cosmetic options for the RX7 though that I like. Like i said, that widebody kit really interests me.

 

Do a Base model 4 lug 86-88 RX-7.The basic 2nd gen RX-7 isnt much heavier than the 1st gen.The rearends are pretty strong and you have lots of easy upgrade parts you can take from the turbo models,if need be.
If you wanna start out with the superior 5 lug 2nd gen brakes,suspension and rearend,use a GXL,Sport or GTU as a starting point then strip off any heavy luxury junk to par it down to Base model weight.
Stay away from the turbo and convert models,they are much heavier.
86-88 Base 2625lbs
87 Turbo 2845lbs
88 Vert 3003lbs

There are guys that have done inline six swaps into 2nd gens,so youll have some knowledge to work off of,instead of shooting in the dark.Check out TeamFC3S.org,theres at least one there that posts pretty often.

 

Well ive been hunting down some junkers than run on the east coast... looks like i am going to go with a gen 2 though. I am I still allowed to post here?!

Why are people so worried about doing engine swaps... I assure you all, the car I get will be a POS to begin, probably destined to the scrap yard, so you might as well thank me for saving one! I used to hear a lot of this mumbo jumbo onthe buick forums...doesnt bother me one bit... i like to see unique vehicles just as much as an original.

Thanks, Phil

 

The Datsun comes with rack & pinion steering and Chapman strut IRS.

 

Like i said, ive been looking at datsuns too, but I really think i can work with the mazda a little better than the datsun for what i want to do with it. Besides, i like how these cars look better.

Phil

 

How about this car?

 

man, and i though the buick had no curves!

I like the car under it!

 

Not to be an *** or anything, but that has got to be the ugliest body kit I have ever seen.

 

well, I guess thats why we call us humans...

 

All talk and no answers! Man go to www.ezzypower.com , The Shop is called (SelectMaz) and it's kit EURO "B" Oh! and There where 1 st Gen Converts but they where sold only over sea's.

 

annoying rx-7 owners, and toyota owners...
such as myself!! GRRRRRR!! give me your engine. i do naughty things for boost

seriously though, if it fits, it WILL be fun. good luck