Progress Pics of my Widebody Turbo Vert
I can see how you get annoyed. But its all part of how people learn. I do think people should definatly take the time and research before posting. Slight body modification isnt to costly, but as ted said what RX heaven is doing is very expensive. Now personally Im a fan of some riveting or bolting on of some parts. Such as over fender (The type added to the normal fender) such as the panspeed fenders. Thats why I was asking what types of rivets should be used, because well I havent had any experience with riveting
Atleast not on cars, airplanes is a different story
Atleast not on cars, airplanes is a different story
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
RX-Heven,
It looks nice. I'm not a big widebody fan since many of them look out of place. However, yours really freshened up the look. Those rims are nice. I can't wait to see what it looks like with some fresh paint. A nice pearl white would look great.
It looks nice. I'm not a big widebody fan since many of them look out of place. However, yours really freshened up the look. Those rims are nice. I can't wait to see what it looks like with some fresh paint. A nice pearl white would look great.
wtf's a piston
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 0
From: Englewood, FL
Originally Posted by RETed
People don't realize how much trouble (and money) it is to do this kinda thing properly.
I'm getting tired of all these "newbies" who say they want to do this / they want to do that, but have no clue on the actual work and costs involved.
Adding body kit pieces to your car isn't cheap!
Think of it as repainting the car *PLUS*!
Even if you take a "$500" RaceOn cheap-*** body kit from eBay, don't even think you're going to spend $500 + S&H, and viola, you can is instantly going to be transformed into some gorgeous work of art that everyone is going to uuuuuh and ahhhhh over.
No, after getting that $500 body kit, you need to add a couple thousand just to get a competent body shop to mold the pieces onto your car properly.
Sure, you can just slap on the panels and rivet them on and call it a day - it's going to look like ***.
High strength epoxy plus lots of time and man hours shaving and forming the raw body kit to fit properly actually take up the most time, effort, and money.
Unless you're some super auto body guy, or con someone who has this kinda talent for a couple cases of beer, it's EXPENSIVE.
We haven't even touched the paint part of it yet...
Ask RX-Heven how much it's costing HIM to complete this project - I'm sure he doesn't even want to recall all the receipts!
I guess this is my weekly rant...
When I see comments about - "yeah, I want to do this to my car, how much would it cost?" replies - I know it's some kid who has no clue what they are getting into...
/RANT
-Ted
I'm getting tired of all these "newbies" who say they want to do this / they want to do that, but have no clue on the actual work and costs involved.
Adding body kit pieces to your car isn't cheap!
Think of it as repainting the car *PLUS*!
Even if you take a "$500" RaceOn cheap-*** body kit from eBay, don't even think you're going to spend $500 + S&H, and viola, you can is instantly going to be transformed into some gorgeous work of art that everyone is going to uuuuuh and ahhhhh over.
No, after getting that $500 body kit, you need to add a couple thousand just to get a competent body shop to mold the pieces onto your car properly.
Sure, you can just slap on the panels and rivet them on and call it a day - it's going to look like ***.
High strength epoxy plus lots of time and man hours shaving and forming the raw body kit to fit properly actually take up the most time, effort, and money.
Unless you're some super auto body guy, or con someone who has this kinda talent for a couple cases of beer, it's EXPENSIVE.
We haven't even touched the paint part of it yet...
Ask RX-Heven how much it's costing HIM to complete this project - I'm sure he doesn't even want to recall all the receipts!
I guess this is my weekly rant...
When I see comments about - "yeah, I want to do this to my car, how much would it cost?" replies - I know it's some kid who has no clue what they are getting into...
/RANT
-Ted
A couple thousand to mold it AND paint it.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally Posted by domestickilla
if that kit did become available, any idea on cost? im a fan of it
For the four fenders and both sideskirts, six pieces total, would be roughly $1500 but perhaps less for a "package deal" and also considering 2nd gen owners typically are not the biggest spenders.
We MAY also be making the hood, but that would be a little bit more money.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally Posted by Turbo23
Anyways, since were talking body work here, anyone know what a good size rivet to use for fenders? Im not going to mold my fenders in(different fenders then RX Heaven) Im going for more of the race car style look. And getting a body shop to mold and paint isnt cheap
ONLY USE stainless steel rivets. Aluminum rivets will work themselves loose over time when trying to secure body panels.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally Posted by RETed
Even if you take a "$500" RaceOn cheap-*** body kit from eBay, don't even think you're going to spend $500 + S&H, and viola, you can is instantly going to be transformed into some gorgeous work of art that everyone is going to uuuuuh and ahhhhh over.
No, after getting that $500 body kit, you need to add a couple thousand just to get a competent body shop to mold the pieces onto your car properly.
No, after getting that $500 body kit, you need to add a couple thousand just to get a competent body shop to mold the pieces onto your car properly.
This is my second widebody conversion. The first was with the original Tri-Point flares put on as they were intended. They fit very well and required minimal work to complete properly and look good. I know the difference, believe me.
Originally Posted by RETed
Sure, you can just slap on the panels and rivet them on and call it a day - it's going to look like ***.
High strength epoxy plus lots of time and man hours shaving and forming the raw body kit to fit properly actually take up the most time, effort, and money.
Unless you're some super auto body guy, or con someone who has this kinda talent for a couple cases of beer, it's EXPENSIVE.
High strength epoxy plus lots of time and man hours shaving and forming the raw body kit to fit properly actually take up the most time, effort, and money.
Unless you're some super auto body guy, or con someone who has this kinda talent for a couple cases of beer, it's EXPENSIVE.
Originally Posted by RETed
Ask RX-Heven how much it's costing HIM to complete this project - I'm sure he doesn't even want to recall all the receipts!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally Posted by gerbraldy
A couple thousand to mold it AND paint it.
Originally Posted by homebrewer
A nice pearl white would look great.
As for the status of the project, the car is in my garage with the turbo off as it's bearings were shot and need replacing. The wastegate is also getting replaced as it has seized shut for whatever reason. It was a relatively new Tial 44mm and they are swapping it out for me. Then it will be dynotuned by Steve Kan in mid December. I'll post results when I have them.
The car is going back up to the bodyshop the first week of January to finnish off the bodywork, get the molds made and then get sprayed. Should take 4 to 6 weeks from the time I drop off the car
"Fortunateley," I typically don't drive the car much in the winter.
Last edited by RX-Heven; Oct 30, 2005 at 05:56 PM.
Lives on the Forum
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 26,664
Likes: 22
From: n
Originally Posted by RX-Heven
Then again, without trying to sound like a snob, I can afford to do it "right."
It's a rarity nowadays to see people plunking down their very hard earned dollars on something that you will almost never get your money back...most of the time.
"Kids" just don't seem to get it.
Great job and looking forward to see the final pics when everything is done!
-Ted
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
I have started a group buy on the kit. Details can be seen here:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=480742
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=480742
Man, that intercooler piping looks real clean. Whoever did it, did a real good job. I dont see any bends that arent necessary. And I do love that car man. I'm in the process of a turbo vert, but it is still far from done, and wont look this nice. The widebody makes it look so bad! I bet if there wasnt mazda badges people would think it was a Maserati or something.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
Thanks.
I did the ic tubing.
Basically I have done everything on the car except the actual engine build, bodywork and exhaust manifold.
Most people think its a 944
I did the ic tubing.
Basically I have done everything on the car except the actual engine build, bodywork and exhaust manifold.
Most people think its a 944
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally Posted by petex
You getting the car ready for 20B, Am I right?
What's next?
What's next?
It will be going into the vert in the near future. At this point I just want to drive the car and enjoy it for awhile before I tear it apart again.
Originally Posted by turbo-polak
is your motor dowled?
My 20b has a 3/4" billet aluminum "sump plate" that replaces the oil pan with larger bolts. That will prevent twisting better than any extra dowelling will.
There are also several tension bolt stud kits out there now as another option.
Last edited by RX-Heven; Nov 14, 2005 at 02:36 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Canada
Originally Posted by RX-Heven
Yes I am. Actually I already have a new, fully built and ported 20b with a dry sump system. It was going into my old 10th AE widebody that I just sold. "Unfortunately" after getting the vert, I got somewhat sidetracked from my 10th AE but I still have the engine.
It will be going into the vert in the near future. At this point I just want to drive the car and enjoy it for awhile before I tear it apart again.
The 13b is not. I'm hoping the S5 rear plate will prevent any cracked irons. I've already cracked an S4 iron not to long ago.
My 20b has a 3/4" billet aluminum "sump plate" that replaces the oil pan with larger bolts. That will prevent twisting better than any extra dowelling will.
There are also several tension bolt stud kits out there now as another option.
It will be going into the vert in the near future. At this point I just want to drive the car and enjoy it for awhile before I tear it apart again.
The 13b is not. I'm hoping the S5 rear plate will prevent any cracked irons. I've already cracked an S4 iron not to long ago.
My 20b has a 3/4" billet aluminum "sump plate" that replaces the oil pan with larger bolts. That will prevent twisting better than any extra dowelling will.
There are also several tension bolt stud kits out there now as another option.
thats craaaaazy .... i wish i could run a dry sump system...
the s5 rear plate is supposed to be stronger?
cheers,Dan
Full Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro,TN
thats nice. but if i ever go widebody. i would have to find some way to make the doors a lil flared out. i hate the way it just sticke out on either end of the car then slims in the middle. but your car is top notch.
vinny
vinny
Not a rotor? Not a motor.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: BC, Canada
Wow man.. Not usually a vert fan but that is one sexy machine..
Can't wait to see it with that 20b - keep up the good work!
Nigel.
- Oh, and those tires are insane! haha
Can't wait to see it with that 20b - keep up the good work!
Nigel.
- Oh, and those tires are insane! haha
Last edited by Denholm; Mar 20, 2006 at 09:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
The car is up at the body shop as we speak. It had been relegated to a lonely corner of his shop until yesterday while he took care of the high roller customers. It had been just sitting up there for more than a month now 
However, the owner of the shop is giving me a huge deal and I cannot compete with customers who own factory Porsche GT racecars, original Cobra's, a fleet of 16 new Star Mazda cars all needing painting and/or bodywork. Just the Carbon Fiber noses of these Porsches are $7500 and the owners of these cars pay top dollar for everything and have the money to put themselves in the front of the line.
Molds should be made of the bodywork with the 3 presold kits shipped out by mid April. I am signed up for the April 29-30 event with NASA in the Unlimited Time Trial class and am hoping the car will be done by then. If not, I'm pulling it out of the shop to drive it as is before giving it back to the shop for paint.
Also, the engine is out as we are trying out a new port design. I'm hoping, if I get the slicks I want, to set the track record at Infineon.
However, the owner of the shop is giving me a huge deal and I cannot compete with customers who own factory Porsche GT racecars, original Cobra's, a fleet of 16 new Star Mazda cars all needing painting and/or bodywork. Just the Carbon Fiber noses of these Porsches are $7500 and the owners of these cars pay top dollar for everything and have the money to put themselves in the front of the line.
Molds should be made of the bodywork with the 3 presold kits shipped out by mid April. I am signed up for the April 29-30 event with NASA in the Unlimited Time Trial class and am hoping the car will be done by then. If not, I'm pulling it out of the shop to drive it as is before giving it back to the shop for paint.
Also, the engine is out as we are trying out a new port design. I'm hoping, if I get the slicks I want, to set the track record at Infineon.
