I was asked recently what I have in the works. I'm in final shell selection phase, so thought I'd bore you guys by thinking out loud on my semi-finalized laundry list.

Starting with an FB shell, I plan to:

a) Add Miata suspension and steering. The miata is renouned for it's handling, and is similar in dimensions, track, and curb weight to the FB. Since the Miata suspension is a compact design without trailing arms (compared to, oh, let's just say the FC) it is an easier swap than other IRS units.

According to Grassroots Motorsports, "...in theory the front and rear subframes of the Miata could be installed into the early RX7, yielding fully independant, A-arm suspension at both ends of the car. The rear suspension should be a bolt-in affair, while some minor drilling would be needed to make the front subframe work. A little work with the tape measure shows that this swap holds promise"

b) Install brakes from a 1994 and up Miata. The bigger brakes should provide plenty of Whoa! to keep me out of woe.

c) Adequate cooling. A 3 core rad (hey, the Miata automatics had 3 cores, didn't they?) to keep the car, well, cool.

d) holyfuckdidjahearthat power plant. As many of you know, I've been negotiating on a few long-block crated Renisis engines. That said, it's been months and the crates are not exactly sitting in my garage yet. My backup is a TII, though a 3rd gen twin turbo with downpipe could be a lot of fun as well.

e) Custom interior. Wetsuit fabric swathing pretty much every rubberized plastic surface. I'm not sure about the seats, as I mught just bolt in some Corbeaus or something. That cosmetic stuff comes long after the go-fast parts anyhow.

So there it is. While derisions can be left silent, I welcome your opinions...

 

Buy a Miata and build a custom body for it then swap in a rotary. It sounds easier

~T.J.

 

Cool idea! Would you be the first to install Miata suspension parts in an FB? And if they get there in time, will you also be the first to install a Renesis in one?

 

I'm sure somewhrere there's a tuning shop that's already bought an RX-8 and gutted the engine for another car, so I doubt I'll be the first non-4-door Reni.

As to the Miata suspension, as far as I (and Grassroots) know I'll be the first, but I've yet to do it.

 

Well, I do wish you luck in your project. Be sure to document it well when it gets off the ground, Id love to follow along . I think that you should still shoot for the Renisis engine in the FB though. You could very well be the first . I would think that most people wouldnt think of an FB to swap a Renisis engine into off the top of their heads...

~T.J.

 

250hp of reliable, N/A fury in a car weighing around 2400 lbs

 

Sounds like a 3rd gen to me... With the exception of the reliability part

~T.J.

 

Wow sounds like an awsom project!!

Good luck

Hey your not gonna use Pam for the FB shell are you?!

 

nope. I'm negotiating on a couple of shells right now. Pam is worth so much specifically because she's not been sliced and diced, but maintained in stock form.

 

Nice that is waht I thought, but wanted to ask just to make sure.

 

yes, but with stock exhaust in storage, should I want to restore her to showroom stock

 

I am so going to drive that car when it's finished!

 

Ah nice. That is the way i am going to do it as well.

You must have cought that last part befor I deleted it or you are clairvoyent or somthing. creepy.

You truely are the maste of space and time

Ha

 

Is the goal to make it a track car?
Daily Driver?

Auto-X?
SCCA?
NASA?
Street Racing?
Drag Racing?

Once you determine your end goal, you might re-visit some of your ideas.

I don't think that being so modded will allow you to be any almost any Auto-X class.

Drag Racing there are many other animals out there (Steve Brown for one)

Street Racing, the same thing. Plenty of 900HP supras and AWD cars out there.

If you have ever driven a newer Miata, you would definately just get the Miata. Hell, Get a hard top on it if your're picky about the roof overhead.

And as RMD said, get it and put a 13BT in it. You won't be sorry. I have had the privilege of riding in an 11 second rotary-powered Miata, and loved every second of the "oh ****" factor.

A relatively easy swap, too.

Now, if you're just another sick bastard like me, that loves a 1st gen only, then that is another thing.

 

I'd say that's the case here.

 

Our SSCC club has a 'modded' class that I think I'd squeeze into. If not, I've a Rotorhead project car to brag about

A Miata? They're great handling cars, but I like the 1st gen body styling, visibility, impact protection, cargo security, etc.

 

Before you get your heart set on a RENISIS you should have a quick read of this...

It doesn't look like it will be an easy conversion to do, mainly due to the mounts. Of course, it doesn't mean it's impossible. And that thread is based on a quick look at the motor.

I can say, it looks pretty nice though, and is very shiny!

 

If I had money, this poject is pretty much exactly what I'd do to any good fb shell. I just LOVE the 1st gen look. Can't beat it.

 

Keep in mind I won't be using a stock 1st gen crossmember and mounts, as the crossmember will be ditched in favour of a custom one incorporating the Miata rack and suspension.

 

Good point. I guess if you're prepared to go as far as installing an MX-5 (Miata) front end, then fabrication of engine mounts isn't out of the question.

All up, it sounds like it'll be one hell of a car when it's finished. Good luck with it, and as RMD said, document the whole thing.

 

I remember reading, once a long time ago, ont he mazspeed forums facts section that the miata subframe goes into the FB.

But ic an't find it any more

It will be an awesome swap.

 

The key being will be. I don't want to mislead anyone here and make it sound like I've a Miata and RX7 shell in the shop, swap underway. I'm finalizing the purchase of a few shells right now, then I need to buy the Miata donor, etc...