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Qingdao Oct 23, 2025 01:42 PM


Originally Posted by rotaryextreme (Post 12642033)
It's nice to see more and more guys painting their own cars. Great job on all the custom fab work. There is nothing more satisfying then seeing a project car run!!!!


With 5 coats of clear those runs don't stand a chance. :lol:



I can't wait to fire it back up and drive it around again. This time with a windshield and A/C. :D




Before I do fire it back up I have some "betterments" to make to the engine. I don't like those Atkins solid corner buttons, and I reused some trash rotors. So I'll be putting in better rotors (N/A rotors if I can source them).

Also, I got a laser alignment tool for belt drives. Hopefully I can align my alternator a little better.

Finally, I want to make a better starter motor. I don't like the current connection between the bendix and the extended bendix; I have an idea, I just need to implement it.

But paint first. The concept of this car driving is proven. Just gotta make it look better than it was at DGRR25.

Qingdao Nov 10, 2025 11:58 PM

I had to make inner fenders.... One you can see the top of the wheels from the top of the car. Two, because of "one" rock will come flying out of the holes. THREE, the outter fenders have NOTHING protecting them from rocks. FOUR why not?







https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...def55677ca.jpg

^^ I just layed the rear inners right on the mock up cardboard. I'll wet it down and grind/sand off the cardboard.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4f83fe21b1.jpg

^^^^^the fronts got a different treatment. I made a plug formed on the car and covered it in foil. I layed 1 ounce mat on that.












https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4b9b119a2b.jpg


^^^^^ Here is the front installed but not trimmed or painted.









https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...10ab0e0dbe.jpg


^^^^ Here is the plug from the front and the somewhat finished product. ITS LIGHT :D





https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...13352446ea.jpg


^^^^ here is the rear. also, installed but not painted.

Qingdao Nov 22, 2025 12:59 AM

I've been doing paint correction and ceramic coating, but nothing to really show here.

I have finished my wheel well liners. I think they're pretty good. all they have to do is keep rock from slinging around.




https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7b408b615b.jpg







https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ed5177531b.jpg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...cac6124485.jpg

fireindc Nov 22, 2025 01:09 AM

Nice work! What a wild bastard of a machine and I love it. Hope you get to drive it again soon!

Qingdao Nov 22, 2025 10:18 PM

90 % done with the body working. UGH :P



https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c7c7c6584a.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...cf827494cf.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...33d51fbe18.jpg

t_g_farrell Nov 23, 2025 11:35 AM

Very shiney! It looks like an FD that was washed in hot water. Those wheel openings look huge or is it just the angle?

Qingdao Nov 23, 2025 01:17 PM


Originally Posted by t_g_farrell (Post 12643907)
Very shiney! It looks like an FD that was washed in hot water. Those wheel openings look huge or is it just the angle?

Maybe angle? The front is factory FD. The rear wheel arches are front FD arches.

Lots and lots of polishing and wet sanding. Then I gave the ceramic coating a try.

Qingdao Nov 23, 2025 06:29 PM

I had to put the wheels and hatch on...




https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...579fb8bc23.jpg


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c5c427199f.jpg


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5ed6e09390.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2a1737684a.jpg








Qingdao Nov 28, 2025 07:45 PM

The body I got from RX7parts.com didn't come with provisions to mount a top.... So I had to come up with a solution. I should be done with the plug this weekend and then I can make a mold and pull out parts. I got a buddy with the carbon fiber fetish. I don't have this affliction, but it seems right here. Carbon fiber??? Yes or no???






https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2d9c825c2e.jpg


^^^^ the negative I pulled off another car's top.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...294abdb65f.jpg


^^^^ the plug I pulled out of the nega​​​​​​​tive.



https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...67bc8e969a.jpg


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6004a9acda.jpg








Qingdao Dec 17, 2025 04:53 PM

Well the mold turned out nice. Pulled a test part out of it without issues. I gotta wait for my clear gel coat to come in and I'll give CF a try.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fff9629caf.jpg






In other news. With all (or at least most) of the painting finished I can turn my hands back into greasy paws.

I checked the alternator alignment with my laser tool. Seems like I was pretty close before. I'm not gonna mess with it. Just send it.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3da3fe83bd.jpg





Now to address the starter. I had the starter return on its own spring before, but now I want to drill a hole through the bendix and cram a roll pin through it. More or less permanently attaching my extended bendix to the starter motor. BUT>>>> Starter motor gears are HELLLLLLa hard. I might have to send this to a machine shop.




https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...349911a5b0.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...91d70babcb.jpg









Other than that the engine/trans are ready for re-install.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...631445dc9b.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2a617a57f4.jpg
















and the youtube link...




Qingdao Dec 20, 2025 12:47 AM

SUPER DUPER tempted to make the exhaust open a little earlier while I'm in here mucking about.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7f2edf6e0d.jpg

Qingdao Dec 23, 2025 10:39 PM

Little image dump. I'm mostly just waiting for my machinist to mill that starter gear down the way I want. I don't own a mill, but I'm really thinking about making the purchase. This is the second time I've had to borrow my machinist's milling service.






https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6850823fc3.jpg


Finished installing a​​​​​​​ll the front bits a​​​​​​​nd I pulled va​​​​​​​cuum on the a​​​​​​​/c system. Gonna​​​​​​​ go get some ga​​​​​​​s tomorrow and see how well the 12vdc a​​​​​​​/c works.





https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...10c373884f.jpg

I ma​​​​​​​de my instrument cluster. I ha​​​​​​​ve space for the temp gauge and the "possible" speedo. I'm using a bicycle speedo, and its different from bike speedo's I've used before. I don't know if it will pla​​​​​​​y well with the magnetic pickup I'm using.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...bf29b30a42.jpg

I also put on one of those UTV street legal kits. Flashers and a horn. Man that was stupid easy. Just power it up and everything is self contained.




https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...97393663e4.jpg


Finally I covered my roll bar with felt. I think it looks tits.



rotaryextreme Dec 24, 2025 12:41 PM


Originally Posted by Qingdao (Post 12645682)




https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...97393663e4.jpg


Finally I covered my roll bar with felt. I think it looks tits.

It does look tits!

Let's see how the hold "up" over the next 40+ years. hahahaha

​​​​​​​Love watching your creative build - so cool.

Qingdao Dec 24, 2025 05:17 PM


Originally Posted by rotaryextreme (Post 12645713)
It does look tits!

Let's see how the hold "up" over the next 40+ years. hahahaha

Love watching your creative build - so cool.

I'm a real grease monkey... so it'll last a day; then it'll have stains.


I'm just kidding, my seat already has oil stains in it. They got there before I even installed it. :lol:


Its just that tan interiors go SOOOOO well with Montego blue. Me as a mechanic just doesn't work well with tan interiors.

Qingdao Dec 27, 2025 10:21 PM

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...407328646c.jpg




Still waiting for my starter repair to be finished. But I had to put the engine/trans back in to see if the ride height is good.... It is.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e8922ac368.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e0153611e5.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...f1e61e990c.jpg




Made a cover for the cluster. Felt again. also, I made windows. The windows go far enough down so I won't get my lap wet when it rains.

t_g_farrell Jan 2, 2026 10:59 AM

Looks good. Your engine is in backwards! :hahano:

Qingdao Jan 3, 2026 05:13 PM


Originally Posted by t_g_farrell (Post 12646286)
Looks good. Your engine is in backwards! :hahano:


Well, at least its not upside down. LOL


Here's my version of the moon roof.

You can see my progression. One more copy and I think it'll be acceptable.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...51bd9796fc.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...751feb2726.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...efb6ae2933.jpg

Qingdao Jan 5, 2026 03:34 PM

Image splooge incoming in three, two, one.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...857b60c3e4.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5c0f56052e.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b920c69b93.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...dc9bfc94fd.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...76c5afe916.jpg


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7e41377f79.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a1844db7e1.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...d8cf7c1384.jpg


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...dcfa2f6207.jpg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a46ca5a85a.jpg


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5b63c552ff.jpg




t_g_farrell Jan 5, 2026 04:11 PM

Moon roof looks good. Looks like I won't see it until 2027 DGRR. Adulting is hard. Good luck.

TeamRX8 Jan 14, 2026 04:45 PM


Originally Posted by Qingdao (Post 12645682)


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...97393663e4.jpg


Finally I covered my roll bar with felt. I think it looks tits.


Looks more like a helmet/skull crusher to me :suspect: at least with those seats.

Interesting build though, not sure why I didn’t see the thread sooner.
.

Qingdao Jan 15, 2026 01:55 PM


Originally Posted by TeamRX8 (Post 12646914)
Looks more like a helmet/skull crusher to me :suspect: at least with those seats.

Interesting build though, not sure why I didn’t see the thread sooner.
.

Dunno, same height as the Boxster or 996. They're oem 986/996 seats with an oem 996/986 roll bar.

I don't plan on wearing a helmet in this car. :D

I'm trying to avoid the humiliation at a tech inspection. They'll take one look at that adaptor plate and literally start rolling on the floor laughing. :lol:

Qingdao Mar 4, 2026 04:02 PM

There was nothing really wrong with the old flywheel adaptor but I made a better one. This one bolts directly to the automatic CW from the S4 engine. Then the Porsche flywheel bolts directly to it.

The old adaptor just uses long bolts that thread into the CW. I didn't like that setup.

Homemade Porsche flywheel adaptor on a Vevor mini lathe


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGmWrhGFhE0





https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...70779fd350.jpg


marshun Mar 12, 2026 11:03 AM

this is amazing

Qingdao Mar 24, 2026 02:19 PM

So, I got bored of waiting for the machine shop to drill some holes for me (I didn't trust myself to drill these holes strait). The machinist told me "you have a lathe, just make your own tools". He was right.


So I turned out a little bushing to hold my drill bit in place while I drilled out the holes that mate the Porsche flywheel to the adaptor. I did the same thing for the Mazda CW and the adaptor.













https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2f379f163e.jpg
^^^^^^
Turned down the "bushing"



https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8ae03c69f1.jpg
^^^^^^
Used the "bushing" to align my drill bit.





https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e2af0a7330.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...89a2c83cee.jpg
^^^^^^^
Perfectly drilled holes. The old adaptor is to the side there. The new one is a million times better.

Now I'm just waiting for some specialty fasteners to hold this conglomeration together. :D




Homemade Porsche flywheel adaptor on a Vevor mini lathe



https://youtu.be/sGmWrhGFhE0?si=7Cu9oHoi3FSzTWqs



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