rx7 construction materials
#1
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rx7 construction materials
Hi all, new to the board, tried searching for this but couldn't find it. Can anyone tell me if the RX-7 was made entirely of aluminum or was it a steel/aluminum mix ie chassis = steel, body panels = aluminum. Also, has anyone experienced rusting or seen signs of metal fatigue (excluding crashes!) on their FD? I'm looking to buy one in the near future, but being 12 yrs old these kind of things scare me... not the engine stuff.. its easy(er)/cheaper to find a good mechanic than someone to spend months at a time stitch welding your car back together! thanks!
#2
Do it right, do it once
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Steel with an aluminum hood.
Torn down to the point where there is no question:
http://community.webshots.com/album/132281433kiUBKO
http://community.webshots.com/album/89560034SgoVwL
Torn down to the point where there is no question:
http://community.webshots.com/album/132281433kiUBKO
http://community.webshots.com/album/89560034SgoVwL
#3
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Well the only japanese car i know of that is completely made of aluminium is the NSX. I dont think you have that big of a problem with the fd cos its such a nice car people would tend to take care of the body a lot more than other cars. The only thing im definate on is that the hood is aluminium.
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thanks guy's!, damn NSX's and their semi-exotic materials..... Jeff, i've noticed that you've built a bunch of FD's, have you experienced anything related to the chassis/subframe that would require reinforcement, and did mazda include any kind of rustproofing on it? (ie zinc coating). From your pics it looks like the chassis/subframe is pretty clean and sturdy, but i wasn't sure if that was your work or if it came like that (painted)
Also, have you seen or know of any warning signs of rusting/fatigue in the cars that you've built? I'm in Canada, and these cars probably have seen snow/salt at one time or another.
(i've been watching too many of those restoration -reality TV shows w/ cars that look ok on the outside, but on the inside look like they're 1 hit from cracking in half!)
Also, have you seen or know of any warning signs of rusting/fatigue in the cars that you've built? I'm in Canada, and these cars probably have seen snow/salt at one time or another.
(i've been watching too many of those restoration -reality TV shows w/ cars that look ok on the outside, but on the inside look like they're 1 hit from cracking in half!)
#5
Do it right, do it once
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It is my impression that the FD is fairly corrosion resistant. I haven't seen any really rusty cars. I can't comment on the specific Mazda processes regarding Zinc coatings, etc but I can say that I've cut a few of these cars apart and I don't see any body rust. The rear subframe and underbody fasteners can get rusty but those are easy and cheap to replace.
I don't think the body needs any reinforcement. Some people buy underbody bracing but I don't think it is called for unless your doing something extreme with the car.
I don't think the body needs any reinforcement. Some people buy underbody bracing but I don't think it is called for unless your doing something extreme with the car.
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Originally Posted by turbojeff
Steel with an aluminum hood.
Torn down to the point where there is no question:
http://community.webshots.com/album/132281433kiUBKO
http://community.webshots.com/album/89560034SgoVwL
Torn down to the point where there is no question:
http://community.webshots.com/album/132281433kiUBKO
http://community.webshots.com/album/89560034SgoVwL
#7
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Jeff's work
Im really amazed to see how good of a job you do on these cars jeff. How old are you anyways to be able to afford all this? Do you fix them up then sell them? Really nice job, especially on that cym
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