New RX7 Owner need suggestions (semi-long post)
08-23-03, 05:57 AM
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New RX7 Owner need suggestions (semi-long post)
Ok, so about a month ago I bought an 83 RX7. I love it. It's an amazing car and I want to get it sup'ed up for the team I'm going to be "racing" with. I also want it done up for body and audio shows.
I know a got a great deal when I got this car. The engine is a year and a half old (rebuilt engine I think its an 11A though I'm thinking about doing a 13B swap). Its got a great Exhaust setup, a Holley Carb (no choke), racing clutch and transmission setup (but its not on a short shifter).
Now here's the things I want to do to it, and am definitely looking for advice here (both where to get the parts and how to do it).
I want to redo my inside completely, new color carpet, new inside panels (like on the doors and such) new seats (gell 3 or 4 point restraint seats prefered), new dash console, change current gauge panel and add more gauges (for when I get my turbo and all), add a killer sound system including an MP3/CD player and an amp, even though I'd like to set it up to run power to my laptop and run all my music through there (though I need the specs on the speakers, I've gotten many conflicting things when searching), along with the sound system, I'd like to take the two storage compartments behind the seats and turn them into bass boxes (if anyone has done this I'd love help learning how). The one problem is...the car had no sound system and the wiring for audio was stripped out. So I need to do everything (including hiding the wires) when I set it up. Basically I want to get a black interior maybe paint some extras on the dash, but everything else probably straight black or maybe add another color.
Exterior I need to find a decent looking aero kit and wing (think getting a stock wing is the way to go but am open to suggestions). Giving it a killer paint job (I'm an 80s geek so it's getting painted to look like the Transformer's Autobot BlueStreak), need to get a new hood and doors (current ones have rust damage). Want to get some good rims, though I have perfectly good stock rims and was told they were extremely light. Maybe some more things here and there as I decide. Oh definitely want to add an underglow kit (will have matching colored bass sensitive lights in the interior).
To the engine, I'd like to keep my engine but I'm having probably finding turbos for it. I want to turbo it up (maybe do dual turbos if possible) so I'll also want to put an intercooler in it, relocate the battery probably, maybe even put in an AC unit (doesn't currently have AC, and I'm in FL), good reliable spark plugs (that can handle firing for racing), same goes for distributor cap and cables (though I'd like to find away to make the majority of the cables the same color. Also, probably add an extra fan (if that's possible) to keep the engine cooler.
I also want to do something to the suspention. The car doesn't need to be lowered, but I'd like better handling. Also add brakes and tires to that list (although the brakes are in great condition).
So there it is. Any other ideas let me know, I'm definitely open to suggestions. I've raced previously in a 94 Mitsubishi Eclipse and wanted to go for something different. So any sites you guys can recommend for parts, any places for the serious engine stuff that I can't do without a shop, or anything else, let me know.
Thanks in advance, and I'll end this post with some pics of the car (you'll understand why I want to give it a paintjob).
I'll post some pics of the interior when I can get my cam back from a friend. One last thing. I was thinking about taking out the spare, cutting the Mazda symbol and below it RX7 out of the carpet/back cover, throwing down a piece of plexiglass or something and putting some of the bass sensitive neons in there. Any suggestions or comments on that? Thanks again for all your help in advance.
I know a got a great deal when I got this car. The engine is a year and a half old (rebuilt engine I think its an 11A though I'm thinking about doing a 13B swap). Its got a great Exhaust setup, a Holley Carb (no choke), racing clutch and transmission setup (but its not on a short shifter).
Now here's the things I want to do to it, and am definitely looking for advice here (both where to get the parts and how to do it).
I want to redo my inside completely, new color carpet, new inside panels (like on the doors and such) new seats (gell 3 or 4 point restraint seats prefered), new dash console, change current gauge panel and add more gauges (for when I get my turbo and all), add a killer sound system including an MP3/CD player and an amp, even though I'd like to set it up to run power to my laptop and run all my music through there (though I need the specs on the speakers, I've gotten many conflicting things when searching), along with the sound system, I'd like to take the two storage compartments behind the seats and turn them into bass boxes (if anyone has done this I'd love help learning how). The one problem is...the car had no sound system and the wiring for audio was stripped out. So I need to do everything (including hiding the wires) when I set it up. Basically I want to get a black interior maybe paint some extras on the dash, but everything else probably straight black or maybe add another color.
Exterior I need to find a decent looking aero kit and wing (think getting a stock wing is the way to go but am open to suggestions). Giving it a killer paint job (I'm an 80s geek so it's getting painted to look like the Transformer's Autobot BlueStreak), need to get a new hood and doors (current ones have rust damage). Want to get some good rims, though I have perfectly good stock rims and was told they were extremely light. Maybe some more things here and there as I decide. Oh definitely want to add an underglow kit (will have matching colored bass sensitive lights in the interior).
To the engine, I'd like to keep my engine but I'm having probably finding turbos for it. I want to turbo it up (maybe do dual turbos if possible) so I'll also want to put an intercooler in it, relocate the battery probably, maybe even put in an AC unit (doesn't currently have AC, and I'm in FL), good reliable spark plugs (that can handle firing for racing), same goes for distributor cap and cables (though I'd like to find away to make the majority of the cables the same color. Also, probably add an extra fan (if that's possible) to keep the engine cooler.
I also want to do something to the suspention. The car doesn't need to be lowered, but I'd like better handling. Also add brakes and tires to that list (although the brakes are in great condition).
So there it is. Any other ideas let me know, I'm definitely open to suggestions. I've raced previously in a 94 Mitsubishi Eclipse and wanted to go for something different. So any sites you guys can recommend for parts, any places for the serious engine stuff that I can't do without a shop, or anything else, let me know.
Thanks in advance, and I'll end this post with some pics of the car (you'll understand why I want to give it a paintjob).
I'll post some pics of the interior when I can get my cam back from a friend. One last thing. I was thinking about taking out the spare, cutting the Mazda symbol and below it RX7 out of the carpet/back cover, throwing down a piece of plexiglass or something and putting some of the bass sensitive neons in there. Any suggestions or comments on that? Thanks again for all your help in advance.
08-23-03, 07:27 AM
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Wow, I hope you have plenty of dollars. You are gonna be a busy boy! 11a? What's that? Maybe you mean 12a.
I have added 2x12" subs (Custom Box) Rear, + 2x6inch inch splits in the front doors (tricky) and 2x100 watt 4" 's up front. 4 channel 800 watt BOSS amp (bridgeable 400 a side for the subs). works great, sounds cool.
Maybe for your kits you need to start on the www sites. . . plenty are mentioned through these threads!
here are some cool "7" sites that may help get ya started -
http://www.rotorhead.ca/ (Everything)
http://www.selectmaz.com.au/ (Body Kits etc)
http://www.mazdatrix.com/
http://www.rx-7.org/
http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/wiring.html
http://www.wankel.net/
http://www.automania.com.au/category11_1.htm
http://maz_tutorials.totalimmage.com/
Just to get ya started - you will find by reading the posts here - TONS of info. . .
Good luck, post some pics as the come in for ya!
I have added 2x12" subs (Custom Box) Rear, + 2x6inch inch splits in the front doors (tricky) and 2x100 watt 4" 's up front. 4 channel 800 watt BOSS amp (bridgeable 400 a side for the subs). works great, sounds cool.
Maybe for your kits you need to start on the www sites. . . plenty are mentioned through these threads!
here are some cool "7" sites that may help get ya started -
http://www.rotorhead.ca/ (Everything)
http://www.selectmaz.com.au/ (Body Kits etc)
http://www.mazdatrix.com/
http://www.rx-7.org/
http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/wiring.html
http://www.wankel.net/
http://www.automania.com.au/category11_1.htm
http://maz_tutorials.totalimmage.com/
Just to get ya started - you will find by reading the posts here - TONS of info. . .
Good luck, post some pics as the come in for ya!
08-23-03, 12:06 PM
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As others hinted about, the 1.1 Liter Rotary is the 12a engine. Sounds like you have nice plans for your new toy.
Take things one step at a time and your knowledge will increase. You can sometimes find good/great condition carpets for sale in the for sale section, otherwise, keep your eyes on the boneyards in hopes of finding the color you want.
The cabin on the 1st gens is small enough that a meager stereo is really all you need. I have an Mp3 CD player 25Wx4, with two 200W 6 1/2" in the back, two 4" 90W in the front... and I decided to not bother with an amp. Get rich sound and instead of being deaf at 40, you'll get to enjoy sound a lot longer
Take things one step at a time and your knowledge will increase. You can sometimes find good/great condition carpets for sale in the for sale section, otherwise, keep your eyes on the boneyards in hopes of finding the color you want.
The cabin on the 1st gens is small enough that a meager stereo is really all you need. I have an Mp3 CD player 25Wx4, with two 200W 6 1/2" in the back, two 4" 90W in the front... and I decided to not bother with an amp. Get rich sound and instead of being deaf at 40, you'll get to enjoy sound a lot longer
08-23-03, 08:46 PM
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Nothing beats BASS (see the name - Bayce) though, and I still aint deaf (Pardon me?) Even chucking in a 10" would be nice, but any bass speaker/s at all, really does add to your ear pleasure. . .
And hey, you can still only wind it up to 3 if you like, I actually prefer quality sound, to LOUD sound.
And hey, you can still only wind it up to 3 if you like, I actually prefer quality sound, to LOUD sound.
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