Since i was 16 i wanted an rx7 more than anything but they were all 20k and obviously out of my price range.. I got a v8 2004 mustang and went with exhaust and wheels, the generic. I learned small things i needed to though to get introduced into the world of tuning. I totaled it at higher speeds and got into an s-chassis (240sx)

Mustang



240sx at first...Stock, around 180 whp



after.. sr20, around 300 whp



I had to sell the sr out of it to pay for an accident in my daily f150...
This led to buying the 2jz i later traded for the wheels im going to show you later in the thread.

I put together another 240sx during all this that i traded for the non running dream car i own today. (this is it non complete)
This one is a t3 rb powered older model. Lots of goodies like exhaust, mint interior, coilovers, 4 pot brakes. the works. (cash and lots of parts also involved in the trade)



I personally painted and swapped everything.

Here is the rx7 i acquired, i dont think ive ever been in such disbelief in my life. I didnt believe it was real for weeks lol. It wasnt perfect, 200k on the odo, not running, no turbo, fuel leaks, water leaks, rebuilt due to fire damage but i didnt care one bit. I had the one ive been looking for.

 

The work begins, the first thing i fixed was a broken glovebox, no big deal.... but this led to a mint interior.



I realized almost instantly when i saw the price of parts it was going to be lots harder to build this car to impress the scene compared to a 240sx. I was getting worried mine wouldnt be as cool as the rest lol. Hard to stand out in a world of such beautiful fd's. I took the plunge and bought some carbon widebody.



I couldnt afford the whole kit so i was at first going to just make due. This wasnt enough lol..

This rest of the kit was mine, the only one.
I went ahead and riveted it on without waiting and im obsessed.



God i cant stand those wheels. Remember the 2jz i mentioned earlier? Totally dumped it in orlando with a tranny and many swap parts for some wheels i had been seeking out for quite a long minute.

Discontinued work equip 05's. The ones. (the rears had a 6' lip that i switched with a 3 were off during the time of this picture) Fits perfect front and rear now.

 

I was starting to like the car alot, i really hated one thing though... the fire damage in the bay drove me insane. I went ahead and decided to bite the bullet. After getting the fuel leaks and installing a turbo on her and making sure the motor runs and drives like a built motor should i pulled the bitch to paint it.



That fire damage is horrible looking.



I pressure washed, sanded, scuffed, epoxy primed, and put 2 stage paint down. Rootbeer metallic.



It's quite ******* beautiful.


While i was doing all this i also went ahead and got my 4 digital evo gauges needed before i get a real tune and try to daily this thing. A/F, Boost, Oil press, Water temp.
I hate A pillar gauges, about as much as i hate civics with fart cans... this is what i went with...

 

What did you do to modify the factory cluster to fit the gauges?

 

Hahah that's a build thread in itself. First I removed the cover and plastic down to the cluster gauges and completely removed the stock units (3screws a piece). I cut and dremmeled out some plastic behind the cluster to epoxy in the gauges and ran the pigtails out of small holes drilled.

 

You should make a thread for that!

 

In-dash gauge install Maxcooper
I'm doing the same thing but I'm using a spa water temp and oil pressure in one gauge and a DM-200 plx wideband in the other location.

Don't forget to run an LED or something for the stock warning lights that you deleted. Just a thought

 

Congrats on buying your dream car. I know the feeling. I would recommend buying a beater Honda to daily tho if I were you.

 

Thanks haha my daily now is a newer four door f150 and is nice for engines and parts. Once the fd is perfect perhaps ill build another mild s-chassis. As a 21 year old that has built a few cars and can do paint/body I feel like ill never buy a Honda beater... Cressida mebe hahah

 

Yeah I use my crx like a pick up truck lol. Poor thing has hauled sets of wheels, trannies, bumpers, seats and coolers like a champ.

 

Jared i need a post

 

Got the motor back in and cranked up!! I also odered the 99 spec lip and started fitting the bumper and drilling all the holes for mounting. It really takes the miata look away from the car, the lip will improve it for sure. Summer classes have been holding me back but in 2 weeks ill be done with them and have a break to spray the front bumper, wire the gauge sensors and redo the water plumbing

 

Getting some more done, rad in and found out I'm missing heater hose clamps when I went to get the system all together, bay looks great though!

 

Lip came in and I drilled away again and test fit and I think I want another small carbon step or splitter underneath the 99 lip, not aggressive enough as it sits. Enjoy!

 

Nice build so far, great to see people follow their dreams about FD's so they don't end up junked!

 

Wow, this looks very detailed and promising. The carbon widebody is definately different.

 

Keep up the good work.

 

What color is that in the bay, like a candy plum?

 

The paint is a rootbeer metallic, it's easier to see earlier in the thread.

Here's another shot of the lip and a set of some 18x10 spair wheels I picked up.

Thanks for all the positive responses! Exams are on monday and tuesday meaning ill have time before next weeks over to finish up.

Left on the list-
Wire gauges
Tighten all powertrain bolts
Bleed coolant system (any advice?)
Tighten up the couplers
Clean up bay (tuck a little wiring and get excessive vac hose and wire cut to length)
Bleed brakes and clutch system
Buy battery
Wideband bung install

She runs right now pretty good but I really want to get a solid harness that's not so crispy, get a better turbo return line, and finish the list obviously, before driving or tuning.

 

looking good! diggin that front end!

 

this is inspiring lol kinda like my story except no totaled stang haha
im looking to do widebody on my fd but idk where to get the carbbon kit

 

I'm pretty sure Jkl only made one carbon mold of the kit. Re-A might be able to help you out? I think it's rep

 

Need to tune it still, getting little things cleaned up here and there. Building another 240 as well!
As of now

 

I can't imagine having 2
Project cars in college.

 

Looks like you have an FB going on as well! Good start.