82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, Im getting sporadic days of warmth and am just getting back into the groove of working on the car. After months of winter, I'm still working on figuring out where I left off on things. Should be making some real progress in the next couple weeks.

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

Got a start on design for the headlight motors. Only the most basic mock up here, I'm hoping to utilize the factory mounting positions as much as possible.





Transfering the motion to the headlamps is going to be tricky, but I've ordered some heavy duty bell cranks with adjustable ratios and angle that I'm hoping will simplify the action. I've got three inches of stroke on the motors that I need to cantilever into about 3.5 to 4.0 inches. Overall, I'm very happy with the look that I see coming together. Operation will require some relay logic, but Im going to tuck that away out of site.

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

Also got the bumper and Sideskirts.

I purchased the VIS Magnum front bumper and the Extreme Dimensions GP1 sideskirts.

FYI!!!! the VIS Magnum is advertised as looking like the old Factory IMSA design, this is what it actually looks like. I was a bit disappointed at first and hashed it out with my Distributor and VIS. But after I did some basic mock up, I found the fit to be excellent, and the center inlet fit into my V-mount setup like it was designed for it, its uncanny.

The GP1 sideskirts are a different story. The look is good and the build quality is comparable, but the fit is poor. It does not fit around the door and I expect it to take much longer to fit. But overall I'm happy with how they look together.

placd1

iTrader: (3)

This build has been incredible so far. Originally I thought that you were going for a sleeper approach but the gauges on the cowl look like you mean business! Quick question , how much fabrication did it take in order to fit the V-mount?

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

It was pretty straight forward, and I worked around stuff I already had. The radiator is from my orignal setup and I had the intercooler laying around. I just sort of made it work.

Check my older threads, there are some detailed pictures of how it was fabricated.

Things are going to look real sick once everything is painted flat black and that shiny intercooler
is visible on the hood. And this thing is ALL BUSINESS! I'll be doing a lot of shows once its finished and everything is still fresh and clean and shiny, while I shake things down. After that it will get regular street use and some exibition racing.

placd1

iTrader: (3)

How is the hood going to close with the intercooler mounted there? It seems like it's at least 2 " higher than the hood line. Oh, I get it! A cutout on the hood for the intercooler!

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

the front edge of the intercooler is exactly at hood level (ext surface). It will vent out of the hood.

placd1

iTrader: (3)

I went with cowl mounted gauges (Aussie style) on a previous build (Honda Civic lol) and some SOB stole them. Yanked them off and didn't even have the courtesy to unscrew the base plates!

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

That sucks. I hope that doesn't happen here, as they are mechanical, and the lines have to be removed after they are pulled from the cup. Even if they pulled them out of the body, they would have to cut the AN line, not always a simple task.

That being said, I made some small progress despite the fact that we got EIGHT INCHES OF SNOW IN APRIL!!!! and its again below freezing. **** sucks, but I have been bearing it.

Got the cowl painted so I can permanently mount the gauges (being mech). Turned out pretty good for rattle can, I will definately spend more sanding time on the remainder, but I was pressed for time and it was cold. Color match is not perfect, but the engine bay paint is two years older.



Also got the washer pump mounted and wired. A nice easy task in the never ending build.



Fabbed up the lower switch panels. The lower panel; the left lower trim cover, has the light controls. Left is Fog lights, right is Headlights up. The upper panel; the right lower trim/console has the manual overrides for the fuel pump and cooling fan, which are otherwise controlled by the Haltech SprintRE. I will put labels on them eventually.



Lastly, I ran the speaker wires for the radio. I abandoned the plan for a 5 channel amp with a sub and am just going to run the deck. I went with Pioneer equipment. The Reciever is a Mech-less unit with full Android compatible phone/music/Pandora by Blu-tooth. Not that I'll be able to hear it over the exhaust.



I should have a big update soon, with a mostly finished dashboard. But it wont be warmer than 40F until Sunday, so probably not until then.

Fungus Mungus

iTrader: (9)

I loved my EG and sometimes I miss it, but I hated the low-life bottom feeders I had to protect it from. I feel your pain. I don't miss the stress of wondering if the car was going to be there in the morning or not. Not one little bit.

fm

cshaw07

iTrader: (14)

i currently have an EG and can't wait for the day it's gone. whether that be me selling it, or driving it off of a cliff... good looking build

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

You[re right, that looks way different from the online pictures of the VIS Magnum front piece. It kind of looks like you got the Extreme Dimensions M Sport nose piece:
Extreme Dimensions M Sport kit


I actually like the piece you got better, which is why I was looking online for it. The Magnum/IMSA piece is much more flat vertically. I like the little bit of setback it has below the bumper.

edit: Yep, that's what you got. Take a look at this eBay auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/79-85-Mazda-RX7-M-1-Duraflex-Front-Bumper-Lip-Body-Kit-/400665818259?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d498b3493&vxp=mtr
The half bumper looks exactly like yours.

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

Vis sells it to extreme dimensions apparently

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

Maybe it's just that mine is still unpainted, but I think there might be some minor difference. I don't think mine tucks in and back as much, and the grill was mounted completely different. The ED one is cheaper too.

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

The pictures I see online (tiny advertising pictures, of course) show the VIS pies as being pretty much flat, vertically, like an old school air dam, which it is, I guess. Still, the one you ended up with looks good, whatever model it is, and if you like it, that's all that really matters, right?

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

Got the cowl gauges finished out, but unfortunately one of the fittings was incorrect and Ill have to order a different one from summit. No problem as there are other things to do. Couldn't help but mount them for a look.










Next goal is to fit the center dash, mount the Radio base plate and USB bulkheads to the center dash bezel and add the turn/pass indicators to the gauge cluster and mount that. I cant wait to see the dash completed again, its been a while, and I have 2 more gauges now.

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

Nice! I like the stainless tubing for the wiring. Very clean.

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

Those are pressure lines, the gauges are mechanical. The wiring is right behind the mount directly under the gauge cup, you can see it in the last picture. it has black braid over it like the rest of the car.

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

Got most of the console assembled. Fitting the radio mount was super time consuming. The fit was very tight; there was zero room for error on its vertical position and minimal on horizontal.



But after cutting and filing for nearly an hour, the fit turned out perfect. I still need to secure it, but that should be cake. The radio headunit is a nice fit as well, with matching black and metal. Its a Mech-less, so it short, for an easier fit.

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

Ah, even better. Very clean.
Center console is looking good, too.

Jager

iTrader: (10)

Looking great!

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

Things are coming together. Almost got the dash finished up, but had to drive to 3 different places before I could find a basic A to A Usb cable to finish the radio install. Still need to mount the Haltech into the Glovebox and mount that. Along with a few other random trim parts.

First is a redo of a Picture I took of the car over 10 years ago when I did the Autometer gauges the first time. Ill see if I can find the original.





Finishing the Cowl Gauges proved tricky, but in the end I am very happy how they look. In retrospect I should have painted the whole cowl, not just the drivers side, but whatever; this project was never about fancy paint.

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

Dash is more or less finished. Got the radio finished up, but I may pull the trim and paint it silver to match the gauges. Painted and mounted the USB ports by the clock. Left is radio, right is Haltech. Also finished the shifter trim, tightened up the boot and installed the new Hurst SHifter. Turn and highbeam indicators were added to the cluster.

And gave a thorough cleaning to everything. I am very happy with how things are turning out. Next phase is finishing the battery cables and mount, and fitting the seats.

placd1

iTrader: (3)

Fantastic progress to date. I love how the center console looks. Mazda should have gone with brushed aluminum straight from the factory!

82streetracer

iTrader: (1)

thanks, Im loving how its turning out.

dug up this old pic off the forum. THis is how I built it orginally when I was 17 (12 years ago). Took me 5x time to fab and didnt look nearly as good. I also used clearcoated steel and it rusted.