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DreamInRotary 01-02-17 06:09 PM

RXSE7EN – Building a Killer FB Mazda RX-7 REXOMOD
 
RXSE7EN – Building a Killer FB Mazda RX-7

Hey guys, I’m ‘Right Back at it Again’! (ADTR song reference, great band)

Since I have been away from the game for so long now I figured I’d take a different approach to a build thread. I’m going to focus on giving as much useful information as I can. This thread will have as many pictures as people can handle. This way if someone needs to reference how to do bearings, brakes, a wire tuck, anything that I’ll be doing – they can come back here and find useful information. It will almost be a ‘How To’ build thread of sorts. I did that with my first build when I did the TII swap in my first car ( Austin’s FB TII Swap – Details and Pics Aplenty ) and I think that turned out pretty well.

The first RX-7 I ever bought was purchased on 08/01/2011 and it’s all been a journey from there. Over the last 5 years I’ve learned more than I ever thought I would with these cars specifically and with automobiles in general. I’ve been collecting RX-7’s for the last 20 months now and not a single one of them has actually ran and drove. This red one was the 5th RX-7 that I had owned up to that point. Since I acquired this car I’ve had 6 more RX-7’s for a total of 11 RX-7’s so far. I also currently own a 2004 Winning Blue RX-8 with the 6 speed manual that I’m rebuilding as a daily driver right now

Here’s a quick timeline rundown (mainly for my own enjoyment):
  • 08/01/2011 #1 – Purchased my first 1984 FB GS Tornado Gray Metallic/Burgundy FB that was pristine. This was the one that I TII swapped and sold shortly thereafter.
  • 11/07/2012 #2 – Purchased a 1983 FB GSL Blue/Black parts car that had very high mileage to try and part it out and make some money, which kind of worked.
  • 02/01/2013 #2 – Scrapped the FB at a local yard in exchange for a rear seat out of an S2 FB but I wasn’t able to get the stupid rusted-in bolts to come loose.
  • 02/11/2013 #3 – Purchased a 1987 FC TII Blue/Blue that was running and driving as a donor car that would have been a perfect drift car.
  • 03/15/2013 #3 – Sold the TII shell to a local guy who was going to drift it but I think he eventually parted it out and got rid of the idea.
  • 09/01/2013 #1 – Sold the TII swapped GS FB to a local guy who eventually resold it to a friend or family member. Someday I’ll get it back…
  • 11/16/2013 #4 – Traded a high mileage 1992 Audi UrS4 (which I wish I would have kept) for a 1983 FB GS Silver/Black with some cash on his end.
  • 12/29/2013 #4 – I traded the 1983 GS that was pretty sketchy for 3 snowmobiles and a trailer.
  • Here I went 10 months without an RX-7…it was terrible!
  • 10/23/2014 #5 – I acquired this red 1984 FB GS Red/Gray that I’m using in this build in its stock form with an automatic transmission and a blown 12a motor.
  • 01/25/2015 #6 – Purchased a 1983 GSL Black/Burgundy shell that was swapped with an entire 1984 GSL-SE interior and suspension, with a Pacifica widebody kit and my favorite Epsilon Centerlock wheels.
  • 05/19/2015 #6 – Scrapped the pieced-together 83 GSL without suspension, body kit or wheels since I kept them all to myself.
  • 07/26/2015 #7 – Picked up an early-build 1979 SA IMSA Mk1 widebody kit-equipped White/Black car for parts mainly since the floors and frame were completely rotten.
  • 09/05/2015 #8 – Bought a 1984 FB GSL Black/Burgundy that was pretty much just a shell with the good big-bearing rear end for parts. Still need to scrap that car to this day.
  • 10/18/2015 #9 – Bought a 1987 FC TII Blue/Blue with a presumably blown motor for a good deal from the same guy I bought the #7 IMSA SA car from.
  • 02/05/2016 #10 – Bought a 1986 FC N/A shell with no front subframe with plans to drift it but I never got around to it and decided to get rid of it.
  • 02/14/2016 #9 – Sold the TII FC to my brother so that he can have an RX-7 to cruise around with me once it’s all built up.
  • 04/09/2016 #10 – Sold the N/A FC shell to a guy who planned on parting it completely out and scrapping the shell as far as I knew.
  • 06/24/2016 – Traded an old Dodge Durango for a 2004 Mazda RX-8 which will be built up as a daily driver while I work on the RX-7.
  • 11/22/2016 #7 – Scrapped the IMSA widebody SA car without the front fenders and without the rear wheels that were aftermarket.
  • 11/22/2016 #11 – Was given a 1984 FB GSL-SE shell with no motor, suspension or interior to use for parts. Will take the gas tank out of it and scrap the rest.

For those who have paid attention, this is my old thread with this same car that I felt was getting way too cluttered up with my old aspirations and all the other cars I owned in the time period: Widebody Turbo Swap – My Dream FB Build is Finally Happening

So here I am now!

RXSE7EN came to me when thinking of vanity plates and I thought it would be a cool hashtag to use on social media that would be easy to find and remember. It is a compound of the RX from the car and SE7EN from the movie with Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey. So I’m going to go about this build thread using the following seven areas in order to keep it somewhat orderly and easy to follow.

SE7EN Categories:
1NE – Engine
2WO – Drivetrain
THR3E – Suspension
4OUR – Wheels
5IVE – Wiring
SI6 – Interior
SE7EN – Body

DreamInRotary 01-02-17 06:16 PM

8 Attachment(s)
1NE – Engine
Originally this car had the old trusty 12a with a Nikki carburetor and had an automatic transmission behind it. This of course was blown because the apex seals were extremely stuck in the rotors. I tried getting this to start and run on its own power but it just refused to work. So I had grand plans to swap in a TII motor again but that didn’t pan out in the end.

Now it’s getting an S5 N/A 13b motor out of an FC that I’m going to use a DelLorto DHLA 48 for fuel delivery. Short, simple and sweet – the easiest and best way for an FB to be in my life at this moment.

Original 12a in the car
Attachment 606080

Attachment 606081

Original 12a pulled out of the car
Attachment 606082

No more 12a, but cool shot with the auto transmission still in the car
Attachment 606083

S5 N/A motor out of an FC supposedly that ran, we will see
Attachment 606084

Attachment 606085

DelLorto DHLA 48 side draft carb and Racing Beat side draft intake manifold setup as I got it
Attachment 606086

Attachment 606087

DreamInRotary 01-02-17 06:20 PM

6 Attachment(s)
2WO – Drivetrain
This car was originally an automatic but will be ran with a S4 TII transmission setup instead.

This car originally had the automatic transmission in it so the transmission mounts are different than they would be in a manual car.

OS Giken twin disc clutch setup that I'm going to rock in this car
Attachment 606074

Attachment 606075

Using the Mazdatrix flywheel stopper to install the rear flywheel nut
Attachment 606076

Installing the pilot bearing using the Mazdatrix pilot bearing install tool
Attachment 606077

S4 TII Transmission redone with new seals, still should get a rebuild eventually though
Attachment 606078

Attachment 606079

DreamInRotary 01-02-17 06:21 PM

9 Attachment(s)
THR3E – Suspension
Since this car was originally on GS suspension I knew that this wouldn’t be good enough in the end. So it’s had the GSL-SE suspension swapped into the chassis so it’s now 4x114.3 bolt pattern with the best stock FB brake setup you can get.

Some nasty old brake components that sat for way too long!
Attachment 606065

All new braking components except calipers
Attachment 606066

Stainless steel brake lines from Apex
Attachment 606067

Repainted calipers
Attachment 606068

Redone brake calipers
Attachment 606069

New wheel bearings, retainers, repainted dust covers and axle shaft retainers
Attachment 606070

New studs pressed in and new bearings installed
Attachment 606071

GSL-SE rear axle installed and hung
Attachment 606072

Axle shafts and third member installed
Attachment 606073

DreamInRotary 01-02-17 06:22 PM

11 Attachment(s)
4OUR – Wheels
Of course I’m going to be running my Epsilon Centerlock 16” wheels 8” fronts and 9” rears as my main set, and I have a set of Enkei 16” wheels that will most likely turn into track wheels when I can finally justify it.

Front 16" x 8" 4x114.3mm 4 3/8" backspacing +10mm offset
Rear 16" x 9" 4x114.3mm 4 3/4" backspacing -6mm offset

Front wheel backspacing
Attachment 606054

Front wheel width
Attachment 606055

Rear wheel backspacing
Attachment 606056

Rear wheel width
Attachment 606057

Wheels all done and ready for tire installation
Attachment 606058

All four tires installed on the wheels
Attachment 606059

Rear wheel after tire installation
Attachment 606060

Rear fitment without flare
Attachment 606061

Attachment 606062

Rear fitment with flare mocked up
Attachment 606063

Attachment 606064

DreamInRotary 01-02-17 06:22 PM

9 Attachment(s)
5IVE – Wiring
In the way that I can’t leave anything alone, I decided to do a wiring tuck and modify most of the harness to accomplish this.

Engine bay before wiring tuck
Attachment 606045

Engine bay after wiring tuck
Attachment 606046

Attachment 606047

Ignition cylinder replacement
Attachment 606048

Broken ignition switch
Attachment 606049

Relay wiring for fuel pump and cooling fan
Attachment 606050

12a ignition wiring in the process of being redone
Attachment 606051

12a ignition wiring setup almost finalized
Attachment 606052

Sound system wiring installation
Attachment 606053

DreamInRotary 01-02-17 06:23 PM

7 Attachment(s)
SI6 – Interior
I wouldn’t be continuing this build without modifying the interior along with the rest of the car.

Stock interior, as it came to me
Attachment 606038

Attachment 606039

Attachment 606040

Attachment 606041

How it sat for a very long time
Attachment 606042

Attachment 606043

What it's starting to look like now, more pics later of course
Attachment 606044

DreamInRotary 01-02-17 06:23 PM

8 Attachment(s)
SE7EN – Body
The exterior of this car will remain mostly stock besides a few tasteful mods that make it look much better.

Stock body, as it came to me
Attachment 606030

Finally had the rear axle installed in the car
Attachment 606031

In this pic you'll see the 04 Durango that I traded for the RX-8 hiding in the background
Attachment 606032

IMSA Wing mocked up on the car
Attachment 606033

IMSA Wing mocked up on the car with the ZG Flares
Attachment 606034

Attachment 606035

Attachment 606036

Attachment 606037

Qingdao 01-02-17 06:52 PM


Originally Posted by DreamInRotary (Post 12137797)
1NE – Engine
Originally this car had the old trusty 12a with a Nikki carburetor and had an automatic transmission behind it. This of course was blown because the apex seals were extremely stuck in the rotors. I tried getting this to start and run on its own power but it just refused to work. So I had grand plans to swap in a TII motor again but that didn’t pan out in the end.

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1Q...UXBjn1_BuG5_sK

Now it’s getting an S5 N/A 13b motor out of an FC that I’m going to use a DelLorto DHLA 48 for fuel delivery. Short, simple and sweet – the easiest and best way for an FB to be in my life at this moment.


Use the Nikki with an RB holley intake manifold. Or make an adapter plate to bolt the Nikki manifold to the 13B. That's what I'd do. But you said easy not cheap ;)

DHLA's are cool but expensive.

gonna direct fire it?

DreamInRotary 01-02-17 08:40 PM


Originally Posted by Qingdao (Post 12137813)
Use the Nikki with an RB holley intake manifold. Or make an adapter plate to bolt the Nikki manifold to the 13B. That's what I'd do. But you said easy not cheap ;)

DHLA's are cool but expensive.

gonna direct fire it?

I have the DHLA 48 already that I just need to finish up. I'll port match the upper intake with the lower intake, and the lower intake with the iron porting.

This will not be direct fired yet, unless I find a few good ignitors and change up some wiring on the ignition setup I already made up. I have the ignition set up as a stock 12a that should work out alright for now. Eventually I'd like to do an MSD and just run the leading plugs with two MSD coils. But that's a while down the road yet!

craaaazzy 01-02-17 09:50 PM

[QUOTE=DreamInRotary;12137804] 4OUR – Wheels
Of course I’m going to be running my Epsilon Centerlock 16” wheels 8” fronts and 9” rears as my main set, and I have a set of Enkei 16” wheels that will most likely turn into track wheels when I can finally justify it.

Front 16" x 8" 4x114.3mm 4 3/8" backspacing +10mm offset
Rear 16" x 9" 4x114.3mm 4 3/4" backspacing -6mm offset
[\quote]

Just a quick correction for you. The wheels are 7 and 8 in width (front and rear respectively). Measurement is taken from inside the barrel.

ROTARY_ADDICT-1 01-03-17 12:20 AM

nice work

woodmv 01-03-17 05:10 PM

This is gonna be EXCITING to follow! :nod:

RGHTBrainDesign 01-04-17 02:18 AM

Welcome back!

82transam 01-04-17 08:08 AM

About time you posted about this! (said the guy who's hasn't posted about his last 3 builds....)

Johnny Kommavongsa 01-04-17 09:02 AM

Looking good.

Jager 01-10-17 10:41 PM

Looking good.

ETA?

cfamilyfix 01-14-17 06:24 PM

Hey he's back....

eprx799 01-16-17 07:08 PM

Nice looking build!👍
I like the flares and wheels.

DreamInRotary 04-08-17 11:23 PM


Originally Posted by craaaazzy (Post 12137868)
Just a quick correction for you. The wheels are 7 and 8 in width (front and rear respectively). Measurement is taken from inside the barrel.

Ahhh, I gotcha. Thanks for the correction!


Originally Posted by ROTARY_ADDICT-1 (Post 12137898)
nice work

Thanks man, I appreciate it.


Originally Posted by woodmv (Post 12138142)
This is gonna be EXCITING to follow! :nod:

I sure hope so. Hasn't been much progress as of late because of all this RX-8 nonsense, but I will be doing better here shortly.


Originally Posted by SirLaughsALot (Post 12138290)
Welcome back!

Thanks! Feels good to be back.


Originally Posted by 82transam (Post 12138322)
About time you posted about this! (said the guy who's hasn't posted about his last 3 builds....)

And your builds are much cleaner and more noteworthy than mine! It's just so tough to compile it all in one place, ya know?


Originally Posted by Johnny Kommavongsa (Post 12138336)
Looking good.

Thanks!


Originally Posted by Jager (Post 12140494)
Looking good.

ETA?

Thank you! I want to have it out of the garage and on the streets in the next 4 weeks or so, depending on funds and timing.


Originally Posted by cfamilyfix (Post 12141680)
Hey he's back....

That's right!


Originally Posted by eprx799 (Post 12142280)
Nice looking build!👍
I like the flares and wheels.

I love them too, my favorite part on the car!

Mr N4SA 06-25-17 01:23 AM

Nice build.
any further updates?

DreamInRotary 07-05-17 09:07 PM


Originally Posted by Mr N4SA (Post 12194599)
Nice build.
any further updates?

I do have updates, but I guess that I will need to switch image hosting companies now since I'm not paying $399.99 PER YEAR to Photobucket to enable 3rd party hosting on any other site but their own. How STUPID! More like PhotoPhuckit at this point...

I'll update later this week hopefully once the picture issue is resolved, making some seriously great headway on this project lately and I aim to drive it within the next week or two here :biggrin:

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 01:41 PM

12 Attachment(s)
Let's do a huge update!

The engine got all put together for it's intended purpose on the stand:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503610958

The engine was then put in the car!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611029

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611051

I also ditched the DelLorto DHLA 48mm sidedraft setup and ended up getting a Mikuni PHH side draft carb. It measures out at 48mm for the body but they only say the PHH carbs go up to 44mm, so I call this thing a bastard carb - like Jon Snow!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611146

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611345

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611345

Here's the jetting size that I'm using for a Mikuni PHH 44mm (really a 48mm bore) side draft carb in my RX-7. Just for keywords I'll put that it's not a 12a, it's a stock port 13b S5 NA motor in here (not S4 REGI or GSL-SE SE motor, an S5). I looked around for this information for forever and never found anything so hopefully I can help someone out here.
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611345

I also had to find out the hard way that an S4 or GSL-SE REGI NA lower intake manifold is indeed different than an S5 NA intake manifold (I cannot confirm which one I have, it's either an S4 or SE). The way that they take in exhaust gasses for all of the EGR crap is different. Turns out that the S5 has a much larger port in the iron designed for reusing those exhaust gasses. The other intake manifold that I used first left a gaping hole shooting exhaust out at the fender of the car. Pictures to follow of course:

Here's what the wrong lower intake manifold on an S5 NA motor looks like:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611105

Here you can clearly see the differences in the S5 NA lower intake manifold and an S4 or GSL-SE REGI lower intake mani, very evident when side by side.
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611105

Making the swap in this picture:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611105

Ahhhh, that's better!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611146

Emissions system all blocked off of course.
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503611146

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 01:48 PM

10 Attachment(s)
Let's make a super cool custom tranny mount that'll stiffen up the chassis!

This whole thing was made out of 1/8" mild steel components. I drew the brackets myself, allowing for bend allowances (since I worked in sheet metal up until last week), and had them laser'ed out of a sheet of 1/8' mild steel I bought. The square tubing came from the same distributor and I just bought a 4' section of it from them. It's 1" OD tubing with 1/8" sidewalls, super stout stuff.

Brackets for the frame rails:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503612083

All jig'ed up and ready to weld:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503612083

Some welding done:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503612083

Welding completed:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503612083

Pass welds added on top of the structural ones, wanted to make sure it wouldn't break free!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503612083

Ground the bottom flat, just in case I want to drag the frame in the near future (lower it to SLAMMED status...nah, I prefer function over form).
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503612083

Concept of how to mount the tranny in the car with some polyurethane bushings from eBay:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503612738

Some cutting and drilling...
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503612738

It's slowly coming together, after a lot of cutting and drilling...
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503612738

Another angle of the whole setup:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503612738

The final render of what I thought would work amazingly well:

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 02:02 PM

12 Attachment(s)
YouTube video associated with this part of the build:

So I decided to replace the super old, saggy, nasty suspension components here.

A set of barely-used Tokico Blues replaced the blown old struts on all four corners.
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613230

Gross old front subframe, steering components and suspension came out in one piece...more or less.
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613230

This is a different front subframe from another FB that I had which I chose to refurbish. This car had no rust on the components whatsoever, whereas the one out of my car here was in terrible shape. I would still be fighting with the parts to this day trying to get them to come apart. The only difference I can conceive is that the parts car I had was sitting on concrete and this red car of mine was sitting on grass or dirt. Every part was so corroded together there was no way I was going to be able to get them to separate. Thank the Lord for parts cars!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613230

In case you wanted to see what a whole lot of money in suspension components looks like sitting on a bench top:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613230

Here they're all unboxed:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613230

Trying to put the puzzle back together:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613317

Here it is in the car finally!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613317

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613317

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613317

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613317

First time on its wheels, was a big day for me!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613317

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503613317

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 02:08 PM

This is the video I did showing how I replaced the ball joints on the FB.

It was honestly a very frustrating and annoying job, probably one of the worst I've ever done on a first gen. The video says enough:


DreamInRotary 08-24-17 02:10 PM

Also, since people constantly ask me about how I ran a TII transmission from a Turbo 2 FC RX-7 in my FB RX7 I figure I should post this video here as well.

Honestly, it's really simple so long as you follow a formula:
Counterweight to match the engine rotating assembly
Flywheel to match the transmission you want to run
Starter to match the flywheel and transmission you're running


DreamInRotary 08-24-17 02:21 PM

4 Attachment(s)
So I had a problem with the ignition cylinder in the FB! I went to turn the key to do a test and I could feel the little plastic tab snap off as I turned the cylinder.

Here's the video I did on the subject and a bunch of pictures afterwards for clarity's sake:


https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503614222

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503614222

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503614222

Bolts to replace the ones you have to cut off:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503614222

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 02:24 PM

6 Attachment(s)
This is a section where I show how I wired in a super simple ignition setup in the FB. It works great for a carburetor powered setup and is basically just the stock wiring setup for a 12a ignition system.


Setting the whole thing up on the bench:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503614504

Pair of nasty old coils with the wiring leads hooked up for lengths.
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503614504

Distributor ends getting figured out:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503614504

Entire setup mocked up on the bench:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503614504

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503614504

Coil-side of the setup:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503614504

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 02:29 PM

8 Attachment(s)
I decided to put a sound system in this car. I'm still a little hazy as to why I decided to do this (since I won't be able to hear it), but hey - made for a good video and a few pictures!


One empty looking radio area!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615139

Got some of the wiring in there:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615139

Used the Metra kit to install a single din in the car.
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615139

In the process of everything:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615139

The numbers on the Metra kit that I used:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615139

Everything is together and ready to get dropped in:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615139

Everything is in there and off:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615139

When everything fires up:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615139

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 02:32 PM

5 Attachment(s)
Since I knew that I would have to tune a carburetor in this car I figured I should install a wideband O2 sensor so that I don't screw up the motor. I did a short video explaining how I installed it and a few more pictures to follow.


Some of the wiring for the gauge itself:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615524

What the backside of the gauge looks like when fully installed:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615524

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615524

Once it sits flush it's actually quite nice!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615524

Here it is fully installed and ready to rip!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615524

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 02:37 PM

9 Attachment(s)
I picked up this old Autopower bolt-in roll cage setup a while back in an old FB racecar that someone had. I got a killer deal on it and figured I should put it in! Which came with it's ups and downs in many regards:


Notice how there's no passenger-side harness bar? That bothered me.
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615857

Let's weld one there!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615857

Sure, that'll work. After all, welding is an additive process!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615857

Got it all welded together:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615857

Ended up a little lower than the other side, but I don't really care too much.
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615857

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615857

Fitment behind the driver's side seat (hint: the Corbeau doesn't fit).
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615857

Fitment behind the passenger's side seat:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615857

How the whole thing looks from the backside of the car:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503615857

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 02:40 PM

6 Attachment(s)
A few pictures of it painted and what the front bars would look like in the car:

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503616173

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503616173

Semi-Gloss Black with Satin Clear Coat over the top, both from Rustoleum rattle cans, not bad!
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503616173

Passenger side front bar mocked up:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503616173

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503616173

Driver side front bar mocked up:
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503616173

craaaazzy 08-24-17 02:53 PM

photobucket sucks and is killing your thread!

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 06:13 PM


Originally Posted by craaaazzy (Post 12210814)
photobucket sucks and is killing your thread!

Yes it sure does suck! Working on fixing this entire thread right now, should be working well. Since I can now edit my posts again I'm attaching everything to the forum posts themselves so they'll never go anywhere again. Unless the forum decides to start charging me for how many pictures I use, which I wouldn't blame them for :biggrin:

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 06:27 PM

So, will a Corbeau Forza Wide seat fit in a FB RX-7? Watch this and find out!


Or I'll just tell ya; No, it doesn't fit. It's too wide at the base and it hits the e-brake on the driver's side and I guarantee that it would hit the same thing on the passenger's side (but the shifter surround part over there).

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 06:30 PM

4 Attachment(s)
I've always wondered if those eBay aluminum radiators were worth my time to mess with. Turns out they are! I bought a cheap one and installed it in the FB and it's worked well so far. Granted, I only have a few miles on it as of yet but it's not leaking any coolant yet! Will post more info on it if the need arises.


https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503617387

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503617387

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503617387

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503617387

DreamInRotary 08-24-17 06:32 PM

I've always read about the Miata short throw shifter install in an RX-7 but never did one for myself. I don't have any pics of it installed at the moment, but will post some later. This is my installation video, shows how I was able to get the thing in there and ready to rock.


DreamInRotary 08-24-17 06:47 PM

2 Attachment(s)
If you want to keep up to date on everything that I'm up to please subscribe to the following accounts, you'll be first to hear about things that are happening with me and my builds!

YouTube - DreamInRotary Youtube Channel
Facebook -
Facebook Post
Facebook -Midwest Mazda RX-7's Facebook Page
RX8Club - RX8Club.com DreamInRotary User
RX7Club - RX7Club.com DreamInRotary User
Instagram - @dreaminrotary
eBay - eBay.com DreamInRotary User

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503618355

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1503618355

craaaazzy 08-29-17 03:04 PM

ahhh, much better! nice to see that u are still working on the car(s).

DreamInRotary 10-13-17 12:26 PM

This car now runs and drives, I will edit some video and post it up on YouTube so that it can easily be shared here. Been making more progress on it lately but I have big plans for this upcoming winter :D

DreamInRotary 05-28-19 10:01 PM

3,000th Post - Overdue Build Update!
 
This is my 3,000th post on the forum! https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/rock.gif

Long time, no update! What can I say...life gets in the way.

Last post here was 10/13/2017 - a grand total of 588 days ago. For those of you who care about the personal stuff in car builds that gets in the way, feel free to read on before getting to the pictures and videos.
In these last 588 days I've done the following:
  • I finished 4 semesters of school towards my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and I'm now working as an intern at a large engineering company in Minneapolis.
  • I have 2 years left (another 4 semesters) to finish my degree and will finally start engineering full-time.
  • My wife finished her Associates Degree in Nursing (RN) and is starting her new job on Thursday.
  • She has one year left and will graduate with her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) next May.
  • We have lived in the same house this entire time, but we are moving this month. I lived in the house we are going to for about 2 years, and left there about 3 years ago now. The place we are going to we will be buying from my grandparents, as they want out and we need a house - the timing worked out perfectly. The garage that I'm going back into is the one where the concept for Dream In Rotary started and where my first videos came from. We will be renovating it and I'll be making the garage into the nicest working space I've ever had, and the house into the nicest place we've ever lived in.
I also bought the most maintenance-whore car on the planet and made a separate build thread for that, feel free to check that out if you feel so inclined:
Allroad "411R0AD" Stage 2 Build - No Bolt Left Un-turned!

During this time the car has gone through a few different stages, none of which were extremely happy or well-sorted.

I had the S5 NA 13b engine from an S5 FC in the car, running with a Mikuni PHH 44 (hogged out to 48mm). I wound up doing a video describing what it was like to startup the car for the first time, was kind of a shit show but funny enough in hindsight.

I have some video of that in the car and running, one edit of which is up on YouTube:

I have more video from inside the car, while running and driving it but it's not included in that video. I'm not sure if I have enough material to justify making a second video with the remaining footage, might just keep it for my own personal enjoyment.

So why isn't it currently an S5 NA Carb setup?!?
The biggest reason was a faulty oil pan stud installation. This issue stopped all progress on the car while I was trying to remedy this:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8d64556a90.jpg
Then I lost interest in it because I was too lazy to deal with it while school started to ramp up.

The long answer in a nutshell is that I was selling the swap to a buddy for $1,500 fully-installed. He paid half down for the swap in October of 2017 and we never completed the deal. I refunded him the money in the spring of 2018 and ended up tearing down the engine to sell parts. I've just started selling off those parts to fund my next endeavor as I won't need any of them anymore.

When the car was up and running it looked like this:
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...2cc929d6c8.jpg

So what's been going on with the car?!?
The car has mainly just been sitting around, waiting to be built. I've accumulated a ton of parts for it over the last 2 years and am just now getting the motivation and time to finally get it together.
Just a small list of parts would include a full S4 TII keg, another S4 TII transmission (I already have one in the car), a big Turbonetics turbo setup, tons of interior parts, as well as a never-ending list of little things that I picked up over time.

I wound up pulling and tearing down the engine that was in it:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...f6583d7d2d.jpg

I wound up pulling an S4 TII keg and transmission from the old S4 TII blue/blue FC that I originally bought, then sold to my brother, then he wanted to get rid of. So I bought that setup from him and plan on using it in this car.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3ecee618a9.jpg

Over Christmas I picked up a big turbo kit for the car, not sure if I'll end up running it or not - time will tell.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4ba32b62f6.jpg

Just recently I went to the junkyard on a mission and pulled an FC front subframe full swap for the car, got it all for $250.01!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...0bfcd054bc.jpg

To the best of my knowledge, the car hadn't been outside the garage walls since around September of 2017...somewhere near 600 days of garage time...such a sad realization now that I'm typing it.

She saw the light of day with my other soon-to-be-gone maintenance whore on Sunday, gave it a hand washing and pushed it back in the garage for the time being.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...38ec4aaed3.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ba460a7b74.jpg

So this is where the car currently sits, as seen in the last picture.
There are huge plans coming up extremely quickly, that I will make sure to document thoroughly. I won't give up the ghost before it comes fully to fruition, just know it's gonna be good!

Thanks for all the support guys, I always appreciate it.
Austin

DWNUNDR 05-28-19 10:12 PM

Not to forget that I took a few days if your time sorting mine out ;)

hat.paradox 06-24-19 04:45 PM

Hey man. Just thought of you and your build, glad to see you're still going at it with all the schooling and moving! Love your build.


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