85 GSL Restoration with 20b swap in mind
 

So it's been about 2 months since I bought my non running 1st Gen. To my surprise the car started after I brought it home and made some adjustments under the hood, so that was a big plus for me. As you can see, the paint was in pretty rough condition, so I decided to get paint on it right away. Car still in the shop with an estimated completion date of 30 Sep 13. Here are a few pics of the progress thus far:
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Interior is very clean, except the driver seat and steering wheel, everything else is in 8 out of 10 condition. Stock radio is coming out for something somewhat newer.
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Bought garnish at the junk yard to replace the one on the car that has a bent on the left corner.
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Here's where I started taking stuff off in preparation for the paint job:

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Took off garnish and presented the front bumper cover, and you can see where I replaced the right fender as well.

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Here's the car at the shop getting ready for some fresh paint:
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More to come on this, to include talks about my 20b swap.

I love where this is going...

Here's what suppose to be the Rhyal Metallic Blue Clear Coat L6 paint code for the 85 RX7. This was sprayed a few days ago, but some blemishes came up so it will need some sanding and respraying to make it look even better.

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I'm also in the process of sourcing a rear end for the 20b going in. I'm going single turbo and have a Haltech E11V2 model, older model, but still works to power this project. Car should be complete by Monday of next week, the paint that is.

Well, lots of issues going on at the paint shop so my car still in the shop. Here are the latest pics of where my car is at in the process. It should be getting the final spray tomorrow.

So it's been a while since I updated this threat, but I've been busy with trying to put the car all back together. I've managed to get the car polished after a less than average paint job, put the interior back together, with the exception of the rear panels and clean up the wheels.

I've also been busy compiling parts to help me complete the swap. Today I decided to pull out the 20B and just look at it an think how I'm gonna approach this swap. I'm very close at getting this done.

A few pics of the car as of late and broken down 20b.

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20b in this would be nasty cool. Good luck with it!

If you move the 20B back a little, keep room for the oil filter.

Thanks for the tip Jeff, will have it in consideration when the time comes. Hopefully this thing can be in by spring!!!

Another reason to move it back is the radiator. I didn't and ran into that problem which required some real creativity. In retrospec I should have just moved the engine back. Life would have been far easier.

Do you mind sharing some pics? I'd like to see the set up. Did you use the 12b front cover on the 20b?

Spent sometime yesterday cleaning up the 20b, still lots to cleanup.

Today the weather is cooperating so I'm painting the rear bumper trim and the whale wing I bought some weeks ago.

After new year I'm having a buddy teach me how to weld, so I'll start fabricating the headers or this. Can't wait...

Looks awesome so far, I'll have to keep an eye on this thread so I can see it in person once it's finished. Do you ever take the corolla out to any local events like Auto-cross or Cars n Coffee? (or whatever they call it these days)

I've taken the Trueno to a few "cars and coffee" meets. I'll probably go in the rx7 next time...12a still runs. I'll probably auto cross the rx7 before i take the Trueno to such events. I have another project in mind for autocrosa/drifting though.

Today I took care of the wing and a few other little intricacies in the car. I also got some parts of the engine cleaned up.

Here's a few pic of the car with the wing on...should I leave it black or go with the color of the car? What you'll think?

I kinda like it black. The wing itself adds a lot to the car, and a little contrast makes it pop.

I agree, I'm leaving it black and will have it professionally painted black sometime soon. I wish I had done the side skirts black now looking at the spoiler, but they got painted the color of the car, but yet to be installed.

Paint looks awesome. :icon_tup:

I have a couple questions - did you have any issues with getting paint up under the edges of the rear side glass? Did you remove the windshield or the windshield trim, and how did the paint there turn out? Couldn't tell from the pics. I'm curious because I have to have my car painted and want to figure out how much of the glass to take out.

I think the skirts being body color will look nice and make the wing look better with the contrasted color.

I believe the paint under those areas turned out pretty good. No trim was taken off form the glass. If your in town your more than welcome to check it out.

Installed side skirts and painted rear interior panels. As you know, they fade with time, now looks like new!!

I'm about to change outer tie rods as bushings are all busted. Thinking of going with the reSpeed stage 1 rack eventually. Anyone has any feedback about this product? I want my steering and suspension to be tight and responsive once the swap is complete.

Been spending some time cleaning up the motor from calcium deposits and gunk.

Also did the away bad links and tie rid ends as the steering wheel felt very loose and notice the links were shot and what a difference it made.


Now need to assess what all I need left to put this thing back together...I think a gasket set is next.

So got this in today, 20b engine stand adaptor. Time to start working that engine up. More to come!!!

A little update...

Finally decided to pull the plug on my 12a and mock up the 20b in the engine bay. Been working on this thing for like ever and thought it was time to get this project done before it starts getting cold here in San Antonio.

Here's one last pic of my 12a and the 20b in the engine bay. I'll be fabricating engine brackets this week...bought enough material to make a few in case one doesn't work out. lol

I re shaped the firewall on my hurican [ series 3 rx7 ] to allow the motor and gear box to sit further back to allow more room for radiator and other components. will take some photos to show you and post them tomorrow

I'd appreciate that. At this point I'm analyzing all viable options. :nod: