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1996 JDM LS swap build
10 Attachment(s)
Here is my build. What was supposed to be the purchase of a cheap FD, fix some electrical gremlins, paint it and drive, has turned into far more.
Purchased this... Attachment 633409 Only then two days later to also come across a small front end fire burnt C5 corvette, so I bought that too... Attachment 633410 Getting new front accessories and doing a conversion to the transmission to an f-body style. So I pulled the rotary. This will be easy, rotary out, get subframe kit, LS in... Attachment 633411 But, I decided, since I'm here and I'm painting the whole car, why not remove more and paint engine bay... Attachment 633412 While I'm here might as well order fender braces, and if I'm going to do fender braces, why not just seam weld the whole car, so out comes everything... Attachment 633413 Attachment 633414 Attachment 633415 Attachment 633416 Apart from what's seen above I did the trunk surround areas, windshield, door areas, firewall areas and under car like rear subrame mounted areas, wheel well areas F&R, etc. Everything was then treated with Ospho and primered so it can wait until I'm ready to paint. Attachment 633417 Attachment 633418 |
5 Attachment(s)
While under the car I thought, this is ugly, I'll sort that out too...
Attachment 633404 Attachment 633405 Attachment 633406 Now the body itself is sitting until a body man comes and fixes some rust on rear fender between wheel and bumper, I will also have him seal off all the antennae hole in fender, all trunk holes for wing (not going back on so that will be for sale), rear wiper arm and nozzle spray holes also, then he will prepare the entire exterior to the point that all I need to do is apply paint. I also will spray lizard skin in the interior. Attachment 633407 Began wiring work to remove wires I will no longer need, and just to clean up the bulk, make it all neat and will replace new expandable braided wire sleeving on entire harness once everything is test fitted and cars starts and everything functions. Attachment 633408 That's where I'm currently at. I have lots of parts accumulated but still have lots more to gather. I will update as progress is made. |
LMK (us know?) how difficult it is to work with lizard skin. That is what I am planning on using when I get to the bodywork of my FD. However, I was planning on undercoating it too.
Good luck with the build. Not a fan of v8s, but I enjoy your attention to detail (ugliness is not acceptable :p). -Nick |
Wow subscribed!
I cant wait to see the progress. |
Ok, I have not been doing updates often, but here's what has been going on.
Accumulated parts: From Samberg Performance: https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4c0ef7c5d2.jpg Mounting kit has been powdercoated after received. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7e11725b56.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...9aad35173e.jpg From forum member "Alex Rodriguez" https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7f5d664e8e.jpg From Ebay: https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2bcaa2ad8f.jpg From Improved Racing: https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a3d04adbe6.jpg Forum member "Juan" J-Auto: https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ba9e3c6690.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...37b1bc8256.jpg I also got some Chevy OEM things; new accessory kit for the LS motor (alternator, AC, Power steering, etc), miscellaneous parts to convert the C5 corvette T56 to F-body type. I have a transmission guy doing the conversion, thought I would have had it back to install this weekend, but he called me to come to the shop to show me chipped teeth on the 5th gear, so I need to order one of those. I painted the engine bay and mounted the LS. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c1b0277bf6.jpg Cleaned all the suspension bits and rear subframe and diff and then painted everything. Suspension bits before: https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7ac98976f5.jpg After cleaning and new bushings and pillowballs pressed in: https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8bbdd14eb6.jpg Painted: https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6b9452b4d5.jpg I have also reinstalled the rear subframe, diff and all suspension. I haven't taken pics of that because I'm waiting for new axle boots to replace and then paint my axles, and I need to get new coilovers. I did reinstall the axles, old shocks and springs, hubs, etc, because I am going to roll the fenders before I do the bodywork and paint. That's all for now. |
Looks good.
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You have some great parts! I love seeing the progress!
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Wow! Great build!
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5 Attachment(s)
OK, slacked off on the updates but the build has been progressing.
More goodies piled up…. Quick Time bell housing Attachment 619220 Random Stuff…. Attachment 619221 Attachment 619222 Attachment 619223 Transmission in. This was the C5 corvette trans that I converted to a fbody Attachment 619224 |
7 Attachment(s)
Shifter in
Attachment 619213 Cut out trunk for new gas tank Attachment 619214 Fuel tank in Attachment 619215 New trunk floor and fuel lid, this whole new fuel tank and lid setup worked out 15lbs lighter than the stock floor and tank. Attachment 619216 Lizard skin sprayed down, sound control and ceramic insulation, used 2 gallons of each, also did the inner roof. I weighed the containers full and they were about 42lbs total, I weighed them after to get an idea of how much weight was sprayed in, so I figured about 34lbs of material. Attachment 619217 Cleaned down to bare metal to block off filler hole, forgot to take a pic after welded up Attachment 619218 Mocking up the wilwood pedal box and C5 DBW pedal Attachment 619219 |
8 Attachment(s)
Speedhut gauges mocked up
Attachment 619205 Trimmed the back ring for the tach gauge to fit. (Basically I just put all gauges through the front and screw the back locking ring on, it worked out good) Attachment 619206 Took off OEM gauges from board, and you can see the trimmed side for the warning lights to have a clean fit back up, also had to trim some of the plastic “tubes” that stick up around the oil, water and fuel area Attachment 619207 Calipers before, I am rebuilding them and painting them, will show after when completed Attachment 619208 Mocking up my Sureflo exhaust (from Greg Stevenson in Australia), it comes with flanges, pre-bent piping, merge collectors. It’s done this way so it can then be tailored as setups can vary (different subframes etc). Still need to finish final welding, will post after pics. Attachment 619209 Doors, fenders, trunk and hood were painted, here’s the doors Attachment 619210 Rest of car heading to the paint booth Attachment 619211 At the booth, should be back home this weekend, then the rest of the fun can begin putting together the fuel system, brake lines, engine accessories, radiator, and then wiring (which I am not exited about the wiring) Attachment 619212 That’s about it for now, will update once more progress is made. |
how hard was it to make that cut in the rear tub? i just got my car painted and i'm looking to replace my fuel tank with a fuel cell, but i want to make sure i can cut the tub without too much paint damage
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Nice work man looks like it's coming along good scoop on the vetted at least you'll have whole car instead of a junk yard pull out
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Cut out in the rear tub was not hard, I just used a drill to make a pre hole then I used a sawzall mainly and a cut off wheel on a grinder in a few tight space, especially right against the rear frame. You should be fine to not damage any paint.
If you are a bit worried just cover the rear panels and bumper with some cardboard stuck on with painter tape. |
The title made me think I would hate it, but everything is so nice, and the parts are all high quality. I can't help but love it.
Awesome build! Vince |
updates joe bro!!!!
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10 Attachment(s)
Well it has been a long time since I updated. I'll just do a quick update. The build is "complete" for now....
Cargo cover Attachment 604269 McLeod RXT Twin went in Attachment 604270 AC works! Attachment 604271 How the complete package looks... Engine Attachment 604272 Driver cockpit Attachment 604273 Body Attachment 604274 Attachment 604275 Attachment 604276 Attachment 604277 Attachment 604278 |
Wow, I love the integrated spoiler! That car is super clean and I wish I had an RX-7 like that!
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Build turned out great! What spoiler/tail light surround is that?
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Wow! This came out so clean. I love it!
It is weird seeing the left quarter panel with no fill hole door for the fuel. |
Originally Posted by rocketman2440
(Post 12176340)
Build turned out great! What spoiler/tail light surround is that?
See link here: https://www.rx7club.com/shineautopro...-item-1102823/ |
And thanks to everyone for the positive comments. Was a long time in the making and as we all know it's never truly "finished"...
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Nice Build!! Honk at me if you see the Black FD around W.Bay!! Nice to see another RX7 back on the road!
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All I can say is WOW! This turned out so nice. Can you post up some videos of how it sounds?
Vince |
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