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My 1979 RX7 build thread

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Old 02-21-13, 12:09 PM
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IL My 1979 RX7 build thread

Finally snapped some pictures to put up here to show my build that is currently in progress.

Some history first. Picked this SA up from a real good friend of mine (also a member here) for a steal. Car had all the bodywork done and finished in Velocity Red Mica. JDM style mirrors were also added. The stock 12A is not stock anymore either. Rebuilt, Peripheral port, new housings, Racing Beat intake manifold kit with Holley carb, Racing beat race header, and Racing Beat Road/Race midpipe, Mallory fuel pump to name a few parts. Still learning the rotary engine. As far as suspension, Progress springs, Tokico struts/shocks, and Racing Beat sway bars were included.

Here is when I first got it home
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Here is here it sits now
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As you can see I am in the process of putting it back together. Slowly tackling the engine, interior, etc as parts come in. Front suspension isn't in hence the raised look in front as I want to do that along with all the sterring components at the same time. I will make sure to update as parts get installed!
Old 02-21-13, 12:35 PM
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nice start! i like the center panel, its very much like the RB bonneville car, which is a great SA...

i also like the velocity red, it still looks stock, but its not
Old 02-21-13, 04:05 PM
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Nice to see another Illinois guy on here, I am working on an FB just at a stand still... Looks great Do you have any other plans for it?
Old 02-21-13, 05:20 PM
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Other than putting it back together nothing right now. Next winter I will have the seats and door panels redone and once I go through the tires new wheels and tires.
Old 02-21-13, 05:26 PM
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looks good
Old 02-21-13, 05:31 PM
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Thanks.
Old 02-26-13, 12:14 AM
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Disconnected the front sway, made a panel for the radiator support, and bolted up the starter.

Also placed an order to Racing Beat for oil cooler fittings, exhaust gaskets, and sway bar end links.
Old 02-26-13, 01:07 PM
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looking good.

Originally Posted by hectik1
Also placed an order to Racing Beat for oil cooler fittings, ....
what lines and fitting are on there now? (5th photo)
Old 02-28-13, 12:20 AM
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I believe the lines are from Racing Beat. The fittings that came with them were too big for the cooler. I think they may have been ordered wrong.

Oil cooler brackets made out of some spare aluminum. Need to adjust and tighten everything.
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Made a radiator panel out of some sheet metal. Needs some paint.
Old 02-28-13, 08:50 PM
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Great car, I really love the SAs! Good luck with the project.
Old 02-28-13, 10:28 PM
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Car looks good in red. My friend had one that he loved. Unfortunately he was t-boned by someone while driving.
Old 03-01-13, 12:07 AM
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Thanks. I didn't have the car painted, but the color picked is definitely a great one.
Old 03-11-13, 12:12 PM
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So have been doing some odds and ends.

Pulled these out of the rear. Some old Pioneers in good shape and more important completely intact!
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Making new kick panels. Covering with black carpet. Updated pics later.
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Pic of eBay FMOC and Racing Beat fittings/lines all connected! Made my own mounts since there were none on the car.
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Old 03-21-13, 11:30 AM
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Been doing a lot of different things as I get time.

Finished new kick panels
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Installed new rebuilt alternator with dual pulley I picked up here on the classifieds.
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Removed most of the suspension and steering to replace bushings, tie rods, ball joints, sway bar, springs, and struts.
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Got bored playing with rusty parts so I made myself a custom dead pedal.
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Old 03-22-13, 10:51 AM
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Looking good! I'd love to have the time anymore to tear into the front suspension like that. Mine is at least as old and rusty as yours is. Are you replacing it completely or refurbing and painting and replacing joints?
Old 03-24-13, 08:12 AM
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Good job! It's nice to see the effort and money going in to bring another SA back to the open road. Looks like an early build 79 too (sometime in 78) with the hood prop on the right and stowing in the bonnet itself.
Old 03-26-13, 10:34 PM
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Nice work man, keep it up.
Old 03-26-13, 11:32 PM
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I am replacing parts completely. Some things will be refurbished like the control arms. Going to refinish the strut housings too. Brakes will be replaced along with bearings.
Old 03-30-13, 05:57 PM
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Busy today. Got some gray Turbo II seats last night. Good condition but the wrong color.

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I used Duplicolor fabric paint. Used this to paint my Evo's inserts and it held up and looked great. This will last me until winter when I get the seats redone.



Finally got the rest of the bushings...so much work to do!



Installed Racing Beat front sway bar too. Slowly getting there!
Old 03-30-13, 10:42 PM
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Fabric paint?!?

Have you used it before?
Old 03-31-13, 08:39 AM
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Yep, fabric paint. I painted the blue inserts on my red Evo when I had it. Never faded, wore out, etc. Figured it would be good for this year.
Old 04-18-13, 09:25 PM
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Getting the suspension all finished up.

Got the all the watts link and control arm bushings in along with the sway bar, endlinks, shocks, and springs.
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Got the FB struts in with the help of new FB strut mounts, springs, sway bar, endlinks, tie rods, idler arm, and ball joints.
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Next is brakes.
Old 04-22-13, 10:10 PM
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nice build!
Old 05-26-13, 03:54 PM
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Good progress. Any future plans for the motor?
Old 05-30-13, 11:58 AM
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Driven a turbo FB lately?

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IN

Originally Posted by hectik1
So have been doing some odds and ends.

Pulled these out of the rear. Some old Pioneers in good shape and more important completely intact!


Making new kick panels. Covering with black carpet. Updated pics later.


Pic of eBay FMOC and Racing Beat fittings/lines all connected! Made my own mounts since there were none on the car.
MAN that reminds me I need to pick up some 1/2 inch plywood and make some new kicks. I put 5 1/4" speakers in the kicks of my 7's. I have to use 1/2 inch and load the speaker through the front, use the grill that comes with the speaker and turn the hood release handle up and down. Always fits great...

Love the SA's man, my first was sunrise red 80 SA on red oxide primer. Gave it a darker deeper red look than the one I'm painting now.


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