Well ladies and gentlemen, you read right. I was approved by corperate management today to start at BMW of Bellevue. So, now that I have a pay check coming in again shortly, you should see some slow and steady progress with my car over the course of the next year or more as I build my 13B turbo 1st gen RX-7, aka " Project Viper Killer". Robert from Rotary Shack dubbed the project as such one day when I was throwing around the idea of when it was done, I was going to change my license plate frame from "Mazda RX-7 The Honda Killer" to "Mazda RX-7 The Corvette Killer" when he said I should aim for Vipers .

In the long run, the car will be set up with the following:

Engine/Transmission/Driveline
-S5 13BT Engine
-S5 13BT Transmission
-Custom Kevlar Clutch
-Custom 3" Driveline
-GSL-SE LSD Differential

Exhaust:
-3" Downpipe
-Full Mandrel 3" Exhaust
-Stanless Steel Presilencer
-Stanless Steel Packed Muffler

Intake:
-Custom Cold Air Induction
-Modified Throttle Body
-Stage 2 High Flow Turbo
-Large NPR Front Mounted Intercooler
-HKS SSQV Blow Off Valve

Fuel System:
-Low Pressure/High Volume Pump
-Surge Tank
-High Pressure High Volume Pump
-AN Lines and Fittings
-Modified Fuel Rails
-Rochester 1000cc Injectors
-Malpassi Rising Rate Pressure Regulator

Engine Management:
-Microtech LTX-8 Fuel & Ignition
-4 Bosch Ignitor Coils
-Laptop Link w/Software
-GReddy Profec B-Spec II Boost Controller
-GReddy Full Auto Timer Turbo Timer

Suspension:
-Full GSL-SE Swap
-Ground Control Coil Overs
-Eibach Springs
-Tokico Illumina Struts
-Polygraphite Bushings
-Racing Beat Front Sway Bar

Brakes:
-Rebuilt Calipers
-Slotted Rotors Up Front
-Stock Rotors In Back
-Hawk HP+ Pads Front and Rear
-Stainless Steel Brake Lines

Interior:
-Momo Millenium Steering Wheel
-Momo Race Air Leather Shift ****
-Rotorhead.ca Shift Boot
-Corbeau A4 Seats
-Corbeau 4 Point Harnesses w/Pads
-Autopower Roll Cage
-Autometer Sport Comp Gauges (Boost/Vacuum, Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature, Water Temperature, Air/Fuel Ratio, Voltmeter)
-Relocated Battery To Passenger Storage Bin w/Optima Red Top

Exterior:
-Mariah Mode 1 Widebody
-Velox VX-8 Wheels (17x7 for now)
-Michelin Pilot Sport Tires


So, as you can see, I have my work cut out for me. I plan on buying another daily driver so I can SLOWLY build this monster over the course of the rest of my natural life . Im hoping that I will get a fairly decent court settlement from my car being stolen. That combined with my new job paying fairly well, and me not having any other "expenses" per say, I can devote a good 60%-70% of my income to my car, so the project should, in theroy, move along nicely.

Im also going to be rapainting and restoring the engine bay before the engine goes in (already started), and Im going to be doing lots of other little things that werent listed up there.

Anyway, I just wanted to wait until I had a job to officially announce the begining of my project. Hopefully most of you will still be around to see it when Im FINALLY done .

~T.J.

PS - Yes, I know, dumping thousands into an RX-7 is pointless and yadda yadda, but its my dream, so dont crush it . Besides, Im well prepared to spend $10K+ making this come true, even if it takes me out of house and home, and takes me until the day I die .

 

That's the spirit TJ.

Who needs to eat anyways?

 

sounds like a plan. Everything looks good except your choice of brakes. No big brake kit or anything? With all that power and conering ability you'll have wouldn't you wanna get the brakes up to the same, if not a higher level? Just a thought, I'm sure it'll be a while before you get to that point anyway, so you'll have plenty of time to think about it. Good luck

 

In all honesty, I was going to look into the 2nd gen rotor and caliper conversion, but I cant find the logic in it. I mean, 60 MPH on the highway is 60 MPH, whether I have a turbo or not, and my brakes seem to work fine stock, so the little bit Im upgrading will make them just dandy in my logic. Someone want to give me an example where I would need more braking power other than on a race track?

~T.J.

PS - You should see the used parts piles outside of the BMW dealership...Maybe I can come up with something for my brakes there with some M5 rotors and calipers, lol .

 

Agh, Mariah Mode One, huh?

I'm guessing you're gonna widen up the tires and all that... and if you are then the kit is understandable, I just like the stock look for some reason. Especially if you're gonna keep it street drivable. I think the mode one is an aquired taste.

All the other mods look great, though, and I hope to be around to see the finished project regardless!

 

There is no need for a huge brake upgrade on the street, but looking at your list its obvious you intend to track the car, I mean who uses 4 point harnesses and roll cages on the street? If you really need those for road driving then your really asking for it. Don't mean to sound like a jerkoff, just think maybe you should give your intentions some thought.

 

you'll be happy with robert at rotaryshack...when the time comes for more power (after i know how to handle it), he told me to upgrade the system and refresh the engine.

he'll do you right im sure of that....i'll also be popping down once in awhile down that area as he has some places with really good eats.

 

hey tj..how did you like your weber setup from rotary shack? im looking at my carb options..just want a good opinion btw the list looks good! those vipers are quick..saw a brand new black convertable other day..sounded awesome through those side pipes. 500hp..500ft lb...500ci. *hiss*

 

505ci to be exact

 

I don't think it's pointless...Ive seen people spend thousands of dollars in taverns and bars....and not have a damn thing to show for it...

Even though when IM done I still have an damn nice Rx-7....good luck and keep that dream....so well worth it....

 

can you really fit 17X7's under there? without cutting and mangling the car. I had 15x7's on my 83 with 195 50 15's and they rubbed a bit under heavy cornering... something to thing about..... especially if you are planning on lowering the car at all. smaller the rims better turning radius.. anyways. good luck and congrats on the job.

 

Ive heard that you can fit 17x7, and Ive seen some people do it, but Im not sure yet.

As for the widebody, Im still pretty indecisive on it. Im buying the kit, but I dont know when it will be installed. I LOVE the look of the stock car, yet I cant help but be drawn to the widebody. Ever since I saw a white Mode 1 driving down the highway, Ive been drooling about one. Although, everytime I look at my car when I come home, I cant help but think how nice it looks just the way it is. So, as you can tell, Im really indecisive. I originally only planned on the widebody so I can try and keep the power to the ground with the room for the wider wheels and tires, the look was just a bonus . So, maybe Ill wait to drop that kit on until after Ive gotten the engine fitted and tuned. Then, Ill install the kit when my checkbook recovers so I can paint it to match .

Someone asked about the Weber setup. Yeah, I was very pleased with the Weber setup Robert sold me. It was a great deal, and it ran beautifully. Sounded pretty badass too .

As for the brakes, I think Im going to stick with what I have planned, not just because Im stubborn, but because I think Im right . I know youre not a jerkoff man, so dont worry about it. As far as plans for the car, yeah it will see some track time, but for the most part, its going to be a daily driver. The roll cage is going in simply because I like the idea of having it. I would put one in just about any RX-7 if I could afford it, reguardless of mods. I just think that the more protection you can get, the better. Those SUVs are damn big . The seats and harnesses are only gaing in mainly because mine were stolen, and its hard to drive without a seat, and the harnesses fall under the safety category .

Anyway, I hope that someday you all can see my creation, and I plan to have a camera mount built on my harness bar so I can get some cool videos for you all too. Now, this is where Im going to be stupid though. Im setting a deadline. Im aiming to have it done so I can drive it to Sevenstock 7. Donations are currently being accepeted .

~T.J.

 

i like fuel injection but if i were you i would do a weber blow through system.... they run great , you can tune it yourself and you can save lots of $$$$$$

no matter wich route you choose it WILL be a viper killer!!!!!

 

Well, Im gonna teach myself how to tune the Microtech, and hope I dont kill my engine in the process, lol.

~T.J.

 

well i had the top tuners in LA tuning mine and $1,800 and 2 motors later its finally running good... but then again ita a bridgeport turbo.... yours will be alot easier!!!!

 

Robert - Yeah, I hope mines gonna be easier, lol. Ive got a few people I plan on talking to, but other than that, its up to me and my laptop, lol.

Also, just something I forgot to add to that list...

Lo-Jack



~T.J.

 

I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully there will be some Vipers out to kill when you get your car done.

 

Go for it TJ, lots of worse things out there to waste money on. Glad to hear you got the job.

 

A wise man once said
"YOU CAN LIVE IN YOUR CAR BUT YOU CANT RACE YOUR HOUSE"
Good Luck

 

good one!

good luck with it man.

 

Sounds like a good idea to me. You might consider also refurbishing a nice FB GS or GSl in stock and painting the same color, thus creating "Twins", like the movie. Friend of mine did this with 2 little Fiat Topolinos back in the 50s. Replaced the 500cc mini-mill in one with a corvette V8, etc, etc, etc. Painted them the same blue. It was a kick to drive either car. People gave either one the double-take because they'd prolly seen the Twin.

B

 

Cool TJ, So what is the job at BMW ? I mean, what will you be doing? Thats great eh? After all your stories, I'm glad to see you'll be able to finance your dream. . . Good on ya and stuff the $$! - I have seen the paint I would like to paint my car and the job alone would cost 4-6 grand. . . more than the whole car's worth. . . still I too say - GO FOR it! - Better than feeding it into the slots like me old man does!

 

Sounds like an awesome setup TJ. A Viper is no small feat.

Just keep in mind that a roll cage in a daily driver might hurt you more than help you. Unless you are strapped in a 5 point harness with a helmet, there's more "hard stuff" to bang into. I've seen it personally.

My car will be going to a shop next week to get a 6 point cage with the swing-outs installed. Thus it will be a 4 point for the street, and a 6 point at the track. The best of both worlds.

I wanted to change to the Ford 8.8 rear while it's there, but I am waiting on CP Racing's Big Brake Kit (using TII rotors) for the front.

This way I can go ahead and get 5 Lug rims all around, and get the rear to match.

 

First off, Congratulations! You have chosen a project car wisely After driving my car for the past few months now I'm still amazed how much fun it is to drive. It's hard to go a couple days in a row with out taking it out and having a little fun.

The above is the only thing I have questions on.
The regulator, is that a 1:1 ratio regulator? 1:1 is what you are looking for.
Bosch coils, It has been proven that FC coils are damn good units. If AJC-13B could light his mega HP engine off with a set of stock FC coils that is good enough for all of us I have yet to experience any misfires under boost with mine plus you can get them for next to nothing
Widebody, Talk to MIKE-P-28 about his. They scrape everywhere! If this is going to be a true street car then you might not be happy with a widebody. I know I woulden't. I like to drive my car not fix bodywork
17" wheels, Just my opinion, they are too big for the little FB/SA. Almost any big *** brake upgrade will fit behind a 16" wheel. Speaking of brakes... I have -se brakes all around with the braided lines, they work great for regular driving but when you go to stop quick after a quick blast to 120 they aren't the best. Granted I have stock rotors and pads. I'm sure a set of sloted rotors would do my car a lot of good.

Whether people will be around to see your car when done, This is VERY true! When I first started my project there were a little over 1000 members on this forum!!! Guess how long ago that was

10k to build, from all the things you listed I'd plan on 12-14k. Once again, it's worth it though Nothing better than being able to spank cars 3x's the cost.

 

Want to get a sjump start on your project? Just come and buy mine, that will give you a hell of a start. I just dont have time to fool with it anymore.