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

Mega RX-7 "Roadster" build (pics)

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Old Jan 5, 2007 | 09:40 PM
  #151  
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Awesome work.

Finally,we have a thread to refer people to whenever they ask,"How hard is it to put IRS in my 1st gen."
Now they will be able to see how much work it really is!
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Old Jan 5, 2007 | 11:51 PM
  #152  
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I just wanted to say how much I really appriciate all your comments guys! It means a lot to me that you would accept a car that usually shunned around these parts. Thanks for all the support!
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Old Jan 6, 2007 | 12:22 AM
  #153  
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I can't wait to start my 302 Project. Stock rear end, but a 302 mated to a T5. I am BUYING ANOTHER RX-7!!!! With a rotary!!! My 302RX will be my straight line toy, the weekend car. My other FB will be the DD. Love the rotary, but I have a soft spot for the pushrod, too. The car I bought already had a 302 swap started on it, so I am continuing it. Sorry for the slight hijack but I love that thing!! Great job!!!!!!
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Old Jan 6, 2007 | 07:53 PM
  #154  
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Old Jan 6, 2007 | 08:21 PM
  #155  
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A true pioneer!!!! when will you roast those tires for good?
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Old Jan 6, 2007 | 08:47 PM
  #156  
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Thats sweet how the tailights are like the S5 taillights.
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Old Jan 6, 2007 | 10:00 PM
  #157  
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Originally Posted by brandon davis
A true pioneer!!!! when will you roast those tires for good?
Depends when my axles show up. Hopefully Monday or Tuesday. Probably never...
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Old Jan 7, 2007 | 01:48 AM
  #158  
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Are those Jeep Wranler rims?

Just curious.....

I do love all the work you've done. I still remember the video of you pulling away from the chase car when your car was still brown.
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Old Jan 7, 2007 | 02:28 AM
  #159  
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wow. very very nice build.
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Old Jan 7, 2007 | 12:51 PM
  #160  
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glad to see it completed. Have to ask why you went with the miata parts suspension instead of the FD? I Imagine the scale would be closer. but with 400hp. you could use those big brakes axels 8" rear.
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Old Jan 7, 2007 | 05:52 PM
  #161  
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It's weird seeing negative camber on the rear of a 1st gen.

Very cool man! Glad to see that you decided to stick with it, rather than sell it off.
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Old Jan 9, 2007 | 12:28 AM
  #162  
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Got the axles today and took the car for it's first drive in over 2 years. Didn't get a lot of time because I had to run around to get the taxes and tags for it, but tuning has started. It needs an alignment BAD! Gonna try to do that tomorrow. When the car is able to make some WOT runs, expect some videos.

BTW, it's freaking loud! I'm sure I pissed off 1/2 my apartment complex tonight. Gotta find a less public area to tune tomorrow.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 10:46 PM
  #163  
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Well thing have been moving along nicely! Got the car aligned today.

-3.3 degree front Camber, -3.0 degree rear camber
3.3 degrees caster (might increase this later)
1/8th toe out front (anti-ackerman so front will toe in durring corners)
1/8th toe in rear (crazy oversteer)

Thrust angle was .02 degrees!! That's better than Mazda ever got. Not to shabby for a kid with a tape messure in a garage.

Car now sports all the windows and a passenger seat. Put the head lights in the car so I could tune at night. I finally had to put the mufflers back on the car. It was just too obvious without them. I'll use the Boom Tube for races though. The Megasquirt is working well so far. It really works well with the Innovate LC-1 and I've been able to put a pretty decent tune on the car in a few hours with no previous experience.

We have an autoX next Sunday in Mooresville so we'll see how the car does. I have a few weeks before our first track day at CMP so my time will be spent on a cage and brakes. I'll try to get some new pictures and maybe a video up in a few days.
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Old Jan 13, 2007 | 09:02 AM
  #164  
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I'd kill for that kind of adjustability in the rear end.

I'm eagerly anticipating the vid.
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 09:41 AM
  #165  
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Well the car isn't even finished yet and I'm already breaking stuff. I took it for a 3 hour drive two nights ago and the fuel pump started making some odd noises. I figured it was getting a slight air leak from one of the AN lines so I pulled the fitting off the pump to find it was completly distroyed. The pump too was damaged. I JB Welded the fitting back on so I hope it holds. Otherwise I might need to get a new pump.

Aside from that, the car is running better and better each day. The top of my fuel map will just have to hang out where it is until I can get to CMP in Feb and tune it on the track. For now, I need to start on the brakes.

I have a Racing Beat front sway bar coming (from an FC) and a rebuild kit for my calipers. I need to order pads, fluid, and do something for the brake lines before I tke it to CMP. That track is wicked hard on brakes.
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 10:38 AM
  #166  
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Way to Go!

I'm truly impressed with the amount of work that has gone into your car. Anyone that thinks it is easy is obviously mistaken. If would be amazing if you could get some video footage of the track outing. I/O port racing has some really neat camera mounts that mount to the cage. Good Luck!
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 12:13 PM
  #167  
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looks sharp.

fyi jb weld slowly dissolves in fuel.

Devcon Aluminum putty does not. I've used that Devcon to fix a seat for an idle fuel adjusting needle; still holds up 7 years later!
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 02:07 PM
  #168  
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Originally Posted by DriveFast7
looks sharp.

fyi jb weld slowly dissolves in fuel.

Devcon Aluminum putty does not. I've used that Devcon to fix a seat for an idle fuel adjusting needle; still holds up 7 years later!
Thanks for the tip. I don't know why I didn't think about that sooner! I have some similar stuff that I've used in the past on radiators. I'll add it to the pump so if the JB Weld does go, it'll still hold.

As for cameras, I have a collection of mounts and a lipstick camera that I've used in the past. The problem is that I've distroyed the remote to the Canon so I can't use the lipstick anymore. But don't you worry, we have an autoX/school event this weekend and I'll get some good video for you guys. An expect some footage from CMP in Febuary.
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 02:19 PM
  #169  
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Yo Rob! it's me Alex, please don't ask why my name is WallyRX7. I opened this thread and was like
"that picture looks very familiar"

anyway, what happened to the right hand drive roadster idea
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 04:05 PM
  #170  
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wow, amazing job.

I like the way it came out though, instead of the RHD roadster.
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 06:11 PM
  #171  
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Originally Posted by wallyrx7
Yo Rob! it's me Alex, please don't ask why my name is WallyRX7. I opened this thread and was like
"that picture looks very familiar"

anyway, what happened to the right hand drive roadster idea
Rob got a free LHD rack to replace the JDM one, then Rob decided he didn't feel like making all new brake lines, so Rob took the easy way out. Now Rob is going to stop talking about himself in the 3rd person.

BTW, we still on for a mountain run after this weekend? I think after the autoX I'll be ready to stretch out the Seven's legs a bit.
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Old Jan 16, 2007 | 09:31 PM
  #172  
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well I would but it seems hydraulic fluid doesn't like to sit for 2 years so I don't have a working clutch

hmmm no clutch and 175s that could be a fun mountain run

I don't know what this emoticon means
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Old Jan 21, 2007 | 10:21 PM
  #173  
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Your defeating the whole purpose of an RX7, anyone who puts a V8 in an RX7 should be pistol whipped, the purpose of havin the RX7 is for handling and winding power, toss the V8 in and see how it handles after that, you lose your weight distribution. Now your just like anyone with a camaro
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Old Jan 21, 2007 | 10:35 PM
  #174  
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Originally Posted by adidas_720
Your defeating the whole purpose of an RX7, anyone who puts a V8 in an RX7 should be pistol whipped, the purpose of havin the RX7 is for handling and winding power, toss the V8 in and see how it handles after that, you lose your weight distribution. Now your just like anyone with a camaro
LOL. I am willing to put $20 on the fact that you haven't read the 25 post on this subject already. I'm glad to see that you're spending your 8th post on becoming an e-thug, keep up the good work.

And because I'm in a good mood, I'll give you the quick version.

V8 RX7 has better weight distribution than a GSL-SE, and handles amazingly well. BTW, WTF is "winding power"? lol Are you mad that the V8 revs 500rpms less that the stock motor?
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Old Jan 22, 2007 | 11:56 AM
  #175  
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Here are a couple of pictures from this weekend. Nothing from Saturday because we were all busy instructing. I did get a few videos from Saturday but I haven't watched them yet. I would have liked to get more but I was giving rides and we only had about 45 minutes that the instructors were allowed to run. I had about 30 people lined up and I think I only ran about 15 times. There wasn't much time to get out and change camera angles and such, so I suspect there will be one semi-decent video coming out in a few days.





Now I have three weeks to get the car ready for Super Touring. Cage goes in this weekend hopefully. You know there will be pictures of the progress.
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