mustanghammer

iTrader: (3)

Sounds great!

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

I replaced the cheap Carter fuel pump last night with a Edelbrock Quiet-flo pump. The rubber isolators on the Carter had deteriorated to the point chunks were falling off. New pump. maybe 5 miles on it. Is it just me or is it getting harder to find rubber products that last any time at all?

Anyway, the new pump is quiet indeed. Car fired right up and pumps puts out about 7 PSI. Got the passenger seat and harness in too so I took my GF and we went to the grocery. Yep it's officially a grocery getter now and I don't have to worry about her leaving me for a man with two seats! The new seats are so much better than the old ones.

Few rattles I need to address. Overall it's about what I expect from a car with hardly any sound deadener and urethane drivetrain mounts. The factory rear view mirror is driving me crazy. I couldn't use all the factory trim obviously so now it shakes and rattles. going to replace it with an aftermarket glue on. Not much else. I need to find a two mile stretch of road so I can calibrate my speedo. I also need to adjust the toe-in. Got my Longacre toe plates yesterday so that will be a snap.

All in all I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Rides reasonably well and I haven't even begun messing with shock settings or anything yet.

Toruki

On my mostly everything stock 83 GSL, there was a "recall" for the dealer to install a tiny little brace between the stem of the rear view and the windshield. Recalls today seem so much more sophisticated and costly

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Awesome that you're finally on the road with this! Bet it feels great

Toruki - didn't realize that was a recall. I've learned a new fact for the day! lol

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

it does feel great! I removed the mirror and the rattling stopped. So yea very annoying.

So tonight I hooked up the heat. I’m using the factory heater core. No heat. I can feel the one side is hot but it must not be circulating through the core. Could I have this hooked up backwards? I figured it didn’t matter but who knows. Could be blocked? It’s getting cold. I need heat.

73rx313b

iTrader: (40)

I gotta say it...... Put a rotary back in there and the heat from the exhaust will keep you warm!!! lol
nice job on the car man!! i bet its a beast to drive

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Yea I know, I yanked the soul out and casually cast it aside LOL..............Actually I love rotaries. there is nothing that sounds better than a boosted rotary. I used to love to watch the RX8's imsa gt cars run. And the 80's first gens with the wide bodies were a lot of the inspiration for this build. I know almost nothing about rotaries though. I learned quite a bit through osmosis being on this site but I'm still not sure I would tackle the rebuild of one. I have lots of respect for the folks on here who know how to get the most out of them.

My intention from the start was to take a small car and stuff a big V8 in it. It evolved over the years for sure but I ended up pretty much where I wanted.

A RX7 wasn't even my first choice. I looked for a Opel GT for many months but couldn't find one for a decent price. They were all crazy expensive and rusted out. So my second choice was a 240Z. Same thing, rusted out and too much money. Then I remembered the first gen was along the lines I wanted. I happened on this car on Craig's List. A towing company was selling it and it had been listed for a long time so I stopped by expecting rust with a little bit of car still attached. The motor needed pretty much everything. there were no rear brakes, there was enough play in the steering that it reminded me of the 1949 tractor we used to have. the automatic trans wouldn't move the car. The interior was totally shot. It smelled like cats had used it for a litter box for years. the paint was cracked, the windshield was cracked. it was a mess. But surprisingly it had almost no rust in it. I bought it, he delivered it (towing company). He told me when he dropped it off that if he wouldn't have sold it that day it was going to the crusher. So I saved the poor little thing from a fate worse than death!

I really have to thank everyone on here for support, ideas, and a lot of parts. You guys are great.

Stats for the car now are:

1981 Mazda RX7 GSL
custom widebody kit.
Front suspension:
2nd Gen front Subframe raised 2 inches for improved geometry. 3 port power steering rack with KRC power steering pump. S4 control arms, ISC coilovers with 500 lb springs and corrected for camber adjustment. Mazdaspeed swaybar. Turbo 4 piston brake rotors, stainless lines. drilled and slotted rotors, Hawk pads.
Rear suspension:
Granny's speedshop 8.8 axle. Torque arm conversion. 3.55 tru-trac posi. 33 spline forged axles. Techno Toys rear coilovers with 300 lb springs. Limiting straps. Watts link with custom links and double shear bracket. all urethane bushings front and rear. Turbo rear brake calipers. drilled rotors, hawk pads. stainless lines.
engine:
1986 up one piece rear main seal 350. Bored 40 over and mostly stock with sanderson headers, Weiand dual plane intake, Holley 750 4 barrel carb. Made 353 hp on the dyno. I have the other engine (420 horse 350, aluminum heads, 4 bolt mains) I'm going to go through with a 500 hp or so target.
Trans:
Tremec TKO 600 5 speed. Mcleod Clutch. Ceramic/organic. Denny's driveshaft with 1350 universals.
Fuel:
Custom 66 -68 sumped mustang gas tank. Edelbrock quiet-flo electric pump.
Interior:
pretty much only the door sill trim is factory. roll cage 1 5/8, .090 wall tubing, Braum seats, Corbeau Harnesses, tilt steering column 1981 camaro. custom aluminum dash, door panels, console etc. All automoter gauges. Painless wiring.

Street wheels are knock off Weld with sumitomo 225/50-15's on 15x10 's up front. Hankook 295/50-15's on 15x12's in the rear. I'm going to go with Weld RTS wheels 17x13 in the rear with 335/35-17 tires and 17x11 in the front with a 255/35-17 or so on the front for autocross and track days.

That about sums up the last 12 years. Now it's time to have some fun with it.

mustanghammer

iTrader: (3)

The heater core may have an air bubble in it because I don't think they are directional. That said I have never owned an RX7 with a functional HVAC system!
Try loosening up the hose that is cold to allow some coolant to seep out. This should allow circulation to happen

Outstanding build. Glad you are getting to enjoy it

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

I'll try that thanks! I also thought about switching the lines around and see if running the flow the opposite direction helped. I'll play around with it and hopefully it will work. I can't spot any leaks so I'm sure it's a good part.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Yeah I've enjoyed this build, glad you've been documenting it! (unlike me, i've been so lazy about posting lately )

As for the heater core, it's not really directional per say, but the left line (driver side) is the inlet in stock form, and goes to the heater control valve which controls how hot it gets (in theory, it's more of an on/off switch in my experience lol). Check to see if that is opening properly first. If it is, then trying running water from a garden hose through both sides of the core to see if a bunch of crap comes out - or if you have flow at all!

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

thanks 82transam. I reversed the hoses and it works great. So almost out of things to do. Guess I’ll enjoy driving it!

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Awesome! Get some good drives in before we get snowed/salted in for the winter lol

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

So I get it done just in time for the snow and salt to fly. Figures. I'm taking this time to go over everything and make sure everything is tight.

Had to address a minor tire rub but after a talk with my ball peen hammer we came to an understanding. I've had a few spots I've had to massage because due to the rear axle my wheelbase is a half inch shorter. Eventually I may get some adjustable control arms but it seems to work for now. I added limit straps to keep the coils from coming unseated when the suspension unloads. I need to shorten the sway bar links because the center of the sway bar is touching the diff cover on the 8.8. it's a bit larger than the factory GSL diff. Shortening the links will rotate the rear down away from the cover. Hopefully.

I love the seats. They are actually comfortable. The Corbeau harnesses are pretty comfy as well and retractable and you can lock them when needed.

Got my new smaller tach installed and it actually works and I can see around it a lot better. The new rear view mirror is installed and hopefully it won't fall off

So all in all the car is pretty much done. Now all the roads are covered with salt.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Looking real good. They salted here over the weekend too, so no more FB fun for a while... Hopefully it rains soon and washed it away lol

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Drove the car Saturday. Longest trip yet. (about 10 miles) running great. I found and fixed a slight fuel leak in one of the hardlines I made. I replaced the rear view mirror with one of the glue on versions. Works great. My sway bar is rubbing the rear diff cover. I was cruising the net and found that Racingbeat also makes a rear bar for the first gens that is a bigger diameter than the one I have. It sits lower in relation to the diff and is pretty much infinitely adjustable. So I ordered that and am waiting to get that on. Still need to get the speedo calibrated. That's about it with any issues.

Got it up to about 70 mph. Tracks perfectly straight, steering works really well. I can just feel a little vibration in the steering at speed. I'm sure it's the cheap front wheels. Could be the balancing as well but probably a combination of both. Not too bad though. I'm currently saving for some much better wheels. Either CCW classics or Weld RT-S wheels. Why are wheels with no moving parts so dang expensive!? I'm going to go to a 17 inch diameter as well. I didn't notice any tire rubs which is good. Guess I fixed that as well.

The trans shifts so nice. The shifter throw is short and crisp. I love the mustang shift lever and straight shifter ****. it feels just right. This is the first car I've ever driven with a torque arm suspension. It's the best live axle setup I've experienced. Absolutely no squat on hard launches. It just goes. No wheel hop, no drama. I can't wait to get some good rubber under this thing. The 295/50-15's on back can be smoked at will. Car definitely needs more grip. My driving days are pretty limited right now with the crappy weather but each time I venture a little farther.

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year's! I was off work for 12 days! it was a much needed rest. Been so cold though. Some below 0 temps at night. Got the car done just in time for winter..................

I installed the new rear swaybar on over my vacation. Turned out to be a bit more involved than I first thought but then, isn't everything? Anyway, I trimmed the torque arm bracket a bit and moved the swaybar brackets rearward a little and it fits. has plenty of clearance now so it should be good. Just have to wait for salt to be off the roads and I'll try it out.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Very nice. I've had the RB rear sway bar on my wish list for like 5 years. I'll get it one of these days... Salt sucks!

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Yea, figures we would actually get a winter this year.

I still need to switch my mirrors. I have the power mirrors but they aren't powered. Every time I shut the door it moves on me. I really don't want to wire in the power for them so I have a set of earlier manual mirrors I'm going to use. I have to clean them up and paint them so that will give me something to do. I'm also going to make an isolation plate to seal the air cleaner to the hood scoop. I can always find something to work on!

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Well, finally got the spark plug wires all sorted out. I had to assemble them to get the correct length but they look good and won't burn against the headers. I'm saving for some new wheels now. My wheels are cheap 15 inch with limited tire availability so I'm saving for some 17 inchers. Car is a blast to drive and it's scary fast. I'm probably going to have to raise the suspension a bit for general driving as well. some recent pics.

craaaazzy

iTrader: (9)

looking good. how's the view from inside w/ that bulge in the hood? hard to see passenger side of the lane? just curious, not meant in a negative way.

Freeskier7791

No fan? Everything looks super tidy

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

ricsrx

i have just read the enter thread, great build, excellent documentation, it is giving me motivation to keep going on mine, winter came to Utah last week and it is really slowing me down.

and the comment from the douche bag "Economizer". that dude also got on our local 4x4 web site telling us how to build rock crawlers, he was kicked to the curb after a couple of comments, i watched as he tried to sell his high end built rx7 locally, i think it ended up getting towed to the local pick-n-pull, it was so jury rigged im sure it was sent strait to the crusher.

thanks again for all of the innovative and creative ideas!

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Took it on the most spirited drive yet. Started off on some backroads, handles great. Flat in the corners, not so stiff it kills your kidneys. I do still have a slight tire rub though and it's because the brackets on my Granny's rear axle moved the axle close to a half inch forward. The tire hits the front of the inner wheel arch that I carefully trimmed and re-welded. So next project is getting some lower control links and putting a Heim joint on one end. if anyone knows where I can get a set I posted a wanted to buy in the classified section.

I also drove it on the interstate for the first time. I had scoped out a 2 mile section to calibrate my Autometer electric speedo. Gotta love the .10 mile markers they have now. It couldn't be easier to set up. Push a button, drive 2 miles, push the same button and it's set. I checked it against my phone speedo app and it's dead on.

Overall I'm super happy with how it drives. Steering is so nice. Rack and pinion really works well. it's so solid. No bump steer at all. no vibrations at least up to 80 MPH.

I need to get some serious wheels and tires on it soon so I can run it in autox.