Mega RX-7 "Roadster" build (pics)
10-26-04, 04:39 PM
#27
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: ms
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds really cool... but it sounds like you could have everything you want (roadster, light weight, 302, IRS) if you just built a monster miata. Seems like it could also be a lot less work and if you got a good deal on a body, potentially more money since you wouldnt be doing as much R&D as this project would require.
Either way, I think its cool as hell and look forward to seeing more progress on it!
Either way, I think its cool as hell and look forward to seeing more progress on it!
10-26-04, 07:53 PM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by booerns
at least he's not putting a 4 banger in it.... which engine is going in?
See websitehttp://www.eville140.com
Later
Randy
10-26-04, 08:30 PM
#31
If you are going with the roadster concept for weight loss, you may need to rethink that. If it's for a visual statement, fine.
With the torque of a V8, and the loss of the roof structure, you will have a lot of twisting and flexing. By the time you get the body finished off with some sort of rool bar or cage, the frame strengthened and a rear deck fashioned, chances are the car will be heavier than leaving the roof intact.
With the torque of a V8, and the loss of the roof structure, you will have a lot of twisting and flexing. By the time you get the body finished off with some sort of rool bar or cage, the frame strengthened and a rear deck fashioned, chances are the car will be heavier than leaving the roof intact.
10-26-04, 10:09 PM
#32
****ty Tune= Low #'s
well to anwser that make it a hard top that is removeable and have the cage in there for strength...........man im all up for whatever u do when my motor goes to heaven im droping my friends trans am engine in or his spare camaro engine by what i have heard and seen of u this will turn out bad *** lookin
10-27-04, 06:33 AM
#33
DILLIGAF?
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: michigan
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I understand and respect you desire for more HP and originality. I have a 93' ranger that I converted over to v-8. (hence my username). I don't know how much you know about the 302's, but I have been eating, drinking and sleeping them for the last 6 years, so I can give you lots of good info on them. Just pm me!
Ken
Ken
10-27-04, 07:01 AM
#34
HEAVY METAL THUNDER
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Elsenborn, Belgian Eifel
Posts: 3,864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by trochoid
If you are going with the roadster concept for weight loss, you may need to rethink that. If it's for a visual statement, fine.
With the torque of a V8, and the loss of the roof structure, you will have a lot of twisting and flexing. By the time you get the body finished off with some sort of rool bar or cage, the frame strengthened and a rear deck fashioned, chances are the car will be heavier than leaving the roof intact.
With the torque of a V8, and the loss of the roof structure, you will have a lot of twisting and flexing. By the time you get the body finished off with some sort of rool bar or cage, the frame strengthened and a rear deck fashioned, chances are the car will be heavier than leaving the roof intact.
but a roadster will be highly original indeed... just a pitty this one will be no Seven anymore: Miata/MX5 supension, V8 engine, tranny/diff non-RX,...
10-27-04, 06:55 PM
#35
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree fully that I could build a better car than the RX-7. I do have some problems with the V8 miata's, mostly involving engine placment. The FB is a much better platform for the V8, plus I already have the car with the V8 installed, and it's been great for over a year now. Really, this project is to see how far I can go, both to challenge myself, and to build a serious machiene in the process. I may not take a national title, but I'll be there, that's for sure.
As for the roof, I think you guys are missing out on the logic behind some stuff. The car isn't purely an E-mod vehicle. It's also going to be used for track days, drift comps, and general street driving. I don't know about you, but I have ZERO intentions of driving a 2000lbs, 400hp car without a cage installed. So, the cage is going in, regardless of the roof. Now, with that said, the roof, windshild, door and back glass are all coming out. This makes for a nice weight reduction, and should counter the weight added from the cage, if not more. The only real sacrafice I'm making here is to install a full cage vs. the 6 pnt. I could technically get away with. As I said earlier, for what I intend the car to do, I'm opting to go for the larger cage for saftey. I figure it'll cost me about 100lbs, but I'm willing to make that sacrafice. You must understand a convertable requires much more metal for support because of the less than ideal location of the braces. The cage will essentially act as the roof, and because of it's location, can be more effectivly used with less of a weight penalty. Also, there are no previsions for windo glass, nor is there a roof assembly, or windshield. These alone account for aprox. 180lbs worth of material that would normally be on a convertable. The swap I'm doing is hardly compairable IMO to some of the amazingly complex things that go into a convertable FB.
If it makes anyone feel better, I'm going to test cut the roof off one of my parts cars and weigh it to get the hard numbers before I proceed. I should have numbers from that sometime next week or so.
As for the roof, I think you guys are missing out on the logic behind some stuff. The car isn't purely an E-mod vehicle. It's also going to be used for track days, drift comps, and general street driving. I don't know about you, but I have ZERO intentions of driving a 2000lbs, 400hp car without a cage installed. So, the cage is going in, regardless of the roof. Now, with that said, the roof, windshild, door and back glass are all coming out. This makes for a nice weight reduction, and should counter the weight added from the cage, if not more. The only real sacrafice I'm making here is to install a full cage vs. the 6 pnt. I could technically get away with. As I said earlier, for what I intend the car to do, I'm opting to go for the larger cage for saftey. I figure it'll cost me about 100lbs, but I'm willing to make that sacrafice. You must understand a convertable requires much more metal for support because of the less than ideal location of the braces. The cage will essentially act as the roof, and because of it's location, can be more effectivly used with less of a weight penalty. Also, there are no previsions for windo glass, nor is there a roof assembly, or windshield. These alone account for aprox. 180lbs worth of material that would normally be on a convertable. The swap I'm doing is hardly compairable IMO to some of the amazingly complex things that go into a convertable FB.
If it makes anyone feel better, I'm going to test cut the roof off one of my parts cars and weigh it to get the hard numbers before I proceed. I should have numbers from that sometime next week or so.
Last edited by '85 GSL 302; 10-27-04 at 06:59 PM.
10-29-04, 04:06 PM
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Time for some new pictures.
You can see where the frame rails are going to be in the way. I removed the upper metal to expose the rail underneath. Soon I'll be extending the frame outward so I can install the IRS.
You can see where the frame rails are going to be in the way. I removed the upper metal to expose the rail underneath. Soon I'll be extending the frame outward so I can install the IRS.
10-29-04, 05:08 PM
#41
Squeak, Suicide Girls
Originally Posted by booerns
ok... here is the way i see it..... hp/CI isnt worth anything if you believe that it is, go buy a honda S2000..... HP/MPG and HP/weight is much better...... i honestly think that the rotary engine is awsome, if mazda engineers sat down and worked hard on it, they could make an engine which could rock the world..... but, 1.3 letres with a 20mpg fuel efficiancy is not that good.... i can spend the same amount on gas, and have 100 extra hp on tap if i switch to a V8..... and if i turbocharge my 12a, my mpg goes down so to be honest... whats the point!
plus.... parts for a V8 are a dime a dozen, a rebuid kit is like $500..... but a rebuld kit for a rotary is upwards of $1500...... I like to spend less and go faster than the honda boys... this seems like a good way
plus.... parts for a V8 are a dime a dozen, a rebuid kit is like $500..... but a rebuld kit for a rotary is upwards of $1500...... I like to spend less and go faster than the honda boys... this seems like a good way
Be like me, I drive what car depending on the meet. My LE for the rotary meets, my Nova for the muscle car meets, and my DSM for the import meets. Sometimes I switch it up, show the import guys what happens when you have a 350 reving up and smoking them off the line in an automatic. they get pissed.
10-30-04, 01:26 AM
#42
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by tjgosurf
Be like me, I drive what car depending on the meet. My LE for the rotary meets, my Nova for the muscle car meets, and my DSM for the import meets. Sometimes I switch it up, show the import guys what happens when you have a 350 reving up and smoking them off the line in an automatic. they get pissed.
What if you just had one car for all three meets? ::evil laugh::
Im praying for you too. Good luck.
11-01-04, 09:14 AM
#46
love the braaaap
I've watched the vid that he had posted on here about 5 months ago. Anyone who is against piston engine swaps should watch it. The way the car is so easily manipulated is amazing. Just with a slight change of pedal pressure, you can control the car to any extent. I love the rotary, but if your one to do crazy burnouts and doughnuts all the time, use a V8.
11-03-04, 03:43 PM
#47
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did some test drawings today. One is in "street mode" with the passenger seat and windshield installed, the other is in "race trim".
What do you think? I'm liking it.
What do you think? I'm liking it.
Last edited by '85 GSL 302; 11-03-04 at 03:56 PM.
11-03-04, 10:19 PM
#49
yea I saw that vid too, very impressive. And those drawings look pretty cool too. One thing I'm sure you're aware of but I feel the need to say anyway, is be VERY careful not to tweak the frame (or lack of in this case) when reinstalling things. Having cut that much out that car must be about as flimsy as a piece of cheese right now. You better brace everything up before you go welding that sub frame in. Anyway, I'm done 
11-03-04, 10:43 PM
#50
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
You may want to think about putting in a large amount of the cage (or vast quanitites of bracing, anyway) before you cut the roof off.
Lookin' good so far, tho.
Lookin' good so far, tho.