My 13B-REW Build
 

So, after many years of being on the site and building RX-7s, I have managed to save something pretty awesome to unveil with my 1000th post.

My rotorhead sickness started with my first FB almost 10 years ago. I instantly fell in love with these cars and was always set on making them handle better and go faster. I played around with your standard bolt ons: custom exhaust, mikuni 44phh, weber 45dcoe's, 48 IDA's, low gearing, etc. but my dream was always to build an absolute turbo monster.
Here I am, 10 RX-7s later and my dream car has come to life.

This may be quite a long story but I figure I might as well chronicle the build from begining to end. It all started with the purchase of this 1985 GSL-SE, years ago:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ry/GSL-SE1.jpg

It was the nicest RX-7 I have ever owned, had been babied all its life, and never modified in the slightest.
The choice to build it up was difficult, but I had a crazy idea in my head and it was the perfect start.

I started with the basic stuff: Racingbeat springs, swaybars, tokico illuminas, and some ugly wheels.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/DSC02392.jpg

I drove it around like this for a long time while I planned the build.
Along the way I bought respeed coilovers, and a rack and pinion conversion kit.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_1096.jpg

Drove it a bit longer with these wheels, until I got ticketed for the poke.
I then decided it was time to just go for it.
I knew this build was go big or go home, so after months of planning I picked up a couple of FD's for engines/parts:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...W/DSC01585.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...2/IMG_0527.jpg

They both had good engines, so I knew I was onto something.

I stripped them both and began preparing the FB. I knew I wanted to keep the 13B-REW complete, so I started by building a full custom subframe. It sat far to low so I scrapped that idea and chopped up the FD subframe and made it fit.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_2203.jpg

Its kinda ghetto looking, but the engine tucked up real nicely and this thing is tough as F***.

At this point, I had a FD flywheel resurfaced and bolted up an ACT Xtreme clutch and pressure plate. I did an almost full "rich mans" non-sequential conversion and ported the crap out of the wastegate.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_2226.jpg

I then picked up a S5 turbo II transmission and shortened the shift rod. I modified an FB trans mount to fit as well.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_1886.jpg

At this point it was ready to bolt in (of course with a few mockups along the way).

Once it was bolted in, I modified an FD engine wiring harness:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_2501.jpg

Built a full 3" mandrel bent exhaust that hugs the car perfectly:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_0782.jpg

Threw on an HKS noisemaker:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_2453.jpg

Modified and refurbed the -SE gas tank:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_0785.jpg

And bought a custom aluminum driveshaft:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_2300.jpg

I ran -6 lines to and from the motor and installed a bosch 044 fuel pump.

At that point the mechanical was mostly done.

I decided that I wanted to cool the beast as best I could so I set out to jam a big intercooler, FD rad, and sakebomb garage oil coolers on.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_2439.jpg

Took some creativity, but I managed to jam it all in there.

At this point I installed a PowerFC, FC datalogit, Greddy profec B spec II, Xcessive LIM, Injector dynamics 725cc primarys and 4x1000cc secondaries. CJ motorsports fuel rails, aeromotive rrfpr, GM 3bar map, HKS SSQV3, Innovate wideband and a gaggle of defi gauges.

Relocated the battery to the rear, did a bunch of little stuff, and integrated all the wiring. Even managed to retain the FD diagnostic port!

At that point it was nearly done and looked something like this:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_2886.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_2493.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_2859.jpg

I joined Chuck Westbrooks tuning group and tuned the sucker myself to 15 psi.
She has been running great since I finished her last fall.

Here is a quick walkaround of the beast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBBdZkVINxk

Anyways, Im sure ive missed things, but its been an amazing project so far.
I have had the time of my life building it and the car is absolutely unbelievable.

Plenty more pictures and stories to come, and lots more surprises this summer too.

Current project is to get some rubber on this thing so I wont burn the tires to the top of 3rd gear anymore. :)

I will be sure keep everyone up to date with my adventures.
Hope you enjoyed the read!

Cheers,
Alex

Great thread, I like how you did the wiring. Clean...

nice good job!!!!!!

That thing is porn! Nice job!

Thanks!

My only real regret is not buying a defi boost gauge. I thought the Blitz I had from one of the FDs would fit in alright but it REALLY bugs me.
Defi boost gauge is definitely on the shopping list. :)

Nice job!

Lots of great work!

I love the modified FD subframe!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention one of my favorite parts of this build!
This was all done outside on a gravel pad in my back yard!

No fancy tools (except a welder) and the only things I didnt do myself were: resurface the flywheel, fabricate the driveshaft, and machine the shift rod.

I built this car at 24 years old, am not a mechanic, nor have I had any real mechanical training. Just good old rx7club and motivation!

If you believe in yourself, you really can do anything!!!
Just get out there and dont let anyone or anything stop you from building your dream car!

You can do anything you set your mind to!

:beerchug:

google > technical trade training lol

:icon_tup: to you sir!

Congrats! Hell of a 1000th post! That engine looks
like it came from the factory that way.

So you have an FD Engine, stock FD wire harness,
and a PowerFC + FC datalogit for the tune?

I am impressed. Purrs like a kitten too.
I always love true "sleeper" FB's.

What are the lights on the center dash for?
Also, if' you're not running an A/C or Radio, why don't
you mount the gauges in the center?

Yessir: FD engine, modified stock FD harness, powerFC and datalogit.
Luckily I have managed not to blow it up just yet. :D

The LED (right) and button (left) between the heater knobs is for calibration on the wideband.

I now have my boost controller, some switches and warning lights in the panel where the radio was (not completely finished yet).
I considered putting the gauges in the console, but I prefer the visibility on the dash. It also looks pretty sweet at night too, the red defi's are a great compliment to the stock cluster.


I really appreciate the kind words Directfreak, your car has been my biggest inspiration!
I remember the first time I watched your dyno video years ago, I fell in love. I can only hope to rival that beast one day! :)


Unfortunately, I am not sure I can keep it a sleeper. I really need to get some tires on it!
Kinda tossing ideas back and forth at the moment, but Ive got these goodies that need to be put on a car:

https://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/IMG_3046.jpg


I really dont know which way to take it at the moment.... I change the "plan" far too often

looks great brother

Your gonna need a higher speedometer .

great job , hope to see it around this summer

You are now. :icon_tup:

Hahaha, I noticed that when I was tuning the boost controller. :biggrin:
You must lurk on winnipegheights....

you've built one bad ass machine my friend :)

Great work. I love the simplicity of the build by not going too radical. Leaves a lot less room for potential headaches and more time to enjoy the car. Keep it up.

Exactly. Advice I wish I would have followed myself.

Too much sticky tire, and you're gonna need a new rear end.
Some wheel-spin is the price to pay for not breaking drive-line components.

I think Ive got it covered. When the stock diff lets go, there is a grannys 8.8 here waiting to replace it. :lol:

Just hoping I dont burn through transmissions!

Looks like a blast to drive!!! congrats on a clean install of stockish parts. do you have an idea of HP and how bad is the traction issue? my fb is almost done its a Cosmo 13B-RE and single turbo (copy of my FD drivetrain)

I can tell you that if your rolling with the TII trans, you have nothing to worry about. It should be a good sign that most FD guys that are making any serious HP are swapping in TII trannys.

You have a clean build there. Congrats, and welcome to the Turbo FB crew :icon_tup:

Spent approximately 8 hours today fixing some shitty fibreglass, modifying , prepping and painting the flares:

https://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/IMG_0589.jpg

Got a few runs, but overall I think they turned out great! Ill leave them to cure for a week then buff em up.

Next mission is a bit of rust repair, and trimming the fenders.

I am currently building up a set of Stich mesh wheels, 17x9 and 17x10. Just not sure which tires to go with.
I would like 255/40/17 front and 275/40/17 rear. My options in those sizes are Falken Azenis RT-615K, Kuhmo Ecsta XS, or Nitto NT01 if Im feeling really adventurous.

Dunlop Z1 star spec, and Yokohama AD08 are also contenders but they dont come in my preferred size.

Dont know what to do! :scratch:

Very well done! Looks and sounds great! Flares look great too! The power delivery with those twins in a fb must be amazing!

Here is a nice shot my buddy took before I started to cut her up:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...00038467_o.jpg

Sneak peek of flares (test fit):
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_0654.jpg

Rust cut out:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_0652.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_0657.jpg

And 255/265 star specs mounted on the finished wheels:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...n/IMG_0681.jpg


Everythings prepped for the 5 lug swap so more pictures to come soon! :)