Spic Racer GT40R
Lookin' good!
SR Motorsports flywheel, that's a blast from the past! I think I had one on my old FC back in the day.
What all new components did you use? Change anything to the porting?
Dale
SR Motorsports flywheel, that's a blast from the past! I think I had one on my old FC back in the day.
What all new components did you use? Change anything to the porting?
Dale
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: The Elysian Fields (Texas)
Other than replacing all the rubber seals, the engine remains unchanged. All the intake and exhaust porting are IRP's race port. It remains an engine with under 150 miles on it.
Even more certain that the coolant freeze expansion in -20F weather was the culprit of the coolant/oil mixing. The bottom of the C&R radiator was bowed out at the endcap from the same. Thankfully, that won't be a problem here in Texas. Much less in the new garage, but I also won't run straight distilled water again either.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 502
From: The Elysian Fields (Texas)
Center iron casting piece
Center Iron Crack
My foolish optimism that the oil/coolant barrier failure was merely a seal issue was cleanly torn asunder with the coolant pressure test. Apparently the irons aren't designed to deal with -20F ice. So I got that going for me... that's nice!
So all new irons heading to IR for some work.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,618
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From: The Elysian Fields (Texas)
Also, your comment about the trickiness of finding the crack(s) was my biggest concern. Without identifying the failure point, I was prepared to trash all three plates. I had a Bosch borescope at the ready but thankfully I was able to find the compromise with just a mirror and a little patience. So at least I could salvage the front and read endplates (only 10K mile) for some other build; I literally tested that they hold water. Guess those go into the parts locker... for now.
Last edited by Carlos Iglesias; Jun 24, 2019 at 06:42 PM. Reason: ADHD
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,618
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From: The Elysian Fields (Texas)
Holy Ham Sandwich™ resurrection!!! I assume you had been swallowed up by the social media... or at least communities of more bouggie cars! 
Seriously, VERY glad you're still around. One of the most interesting character in this place, in my not so humble opinion!

Seriously, VERY glad you're still around. One of the most interesting character in this place, in my not so humble opinion!

I visited Drew while I was in Texas in May and got to see his non-running RX-7. His wife was nice enough not to kill me for contributing to its present state.
Last edited by jimlab; Jun 30, 2019 at 07:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: The Elysian Fields (Texas)
I though this thread might unearth an old fart circle-jerk; so far I'm not disappointed.
Aside for the current Illuminati,
if I could just get Tuck, Max Cooper, Gene Felber, Sean (A-Spec), Brooks, and Kevin (in spirit) in,
I'd call it a "win".
Aside for the current Illuminati,
if I could just get Tuck, Max Cooper, Gene Felber, Sean (A-Spec), Brooks, and Kevin (in spirit) in,
I'd call it a "win".
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 502
From: The Elysian Fields (Texas)
Looked around your site and the image of Gene's just last week. It's kind of remarkable how many old rotary sites are still around even when the cars are gone. Yours, Gene's, Max's, Brian Goble's, and Robinette's are all time. Steve Cirian's went down not too long ago which was is a bummer. That site was a chronology of RX-7 performance development. Keep going!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,618
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From: The Elysian Fields (Texas)
Crispy, I suspect you'd be surprised by the site analytics!
If nothing else, I'm glad I refired up the thread just for the old fart reunion. Hope more join in..
Now back to deciding how many HRD's my marriage can afford that I spend on this latest round of upgrades.
If nothing else, I'm glad I refired up the thread just for the old fart reunion. Hope more join in..
Now back to deciding how many HRD's my marriage can afford that I spend on this latest round of upgrades.
Indeed it is! I'm impressed you're still hosting that data and hope it's useful to some degree- though likely much is out of date by now.
Career and other hobbies have gotten in the way, but really nice to see you and others carrying the torch.I was rather hoping that the new C8 would be the car to get me back into the hobby, but I'm very disappointed with the aesthetics. To me it's the new Pontiac Aztek of sportscars. Can't GM design a car these days?
My rollbar? Was that a Fritz special?
Gene
Last edited by gfelber; Sep 14, 2019 at 11:06 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: The Elysian Fields (Texas)
Gene, I have to admit some jealousy in having broken the rotary love-hate spell. Unfortunately I "haven't hit bottom" yet. ;-)
Definitely agree with you on the C8. It's a lot like the GTR to me: entranced by the performance, but damn it that face I couldn't live with everyday.
Finally, yes indeed it's your old (M2?) roll bar in my car. It's even still silver in color. Were you got it from, I assume you bought it directly from Brian.
Definitely agree with you on the C8. It's a lot like the GTR to me: entranced by the performance, but damn it that face I couldn't live with everyday.
Finally, yes indeed it's your old (M2?) roll bar in my car. It's even still silver in color. Were you got it from, I assume you bought it directly from Brian.
I thought Genes rollbar was black. I came this close to buying his car from Fritz, and in retrospect should have.
I'm pretty sure Genes car has a V8 in it now but is otherwise intact.
I'm pretty sure Genes car has a V8 in it now but is otherwise intact.








