And finally an engine bay pic. I am not happy that it was somewhat ruined by rust water. That is tough to clean.





I added the cooling panel in front and realized that there could be more front end damage that I ever realized. The driver side of the panel did not sit flush I had to screw it down in place. Probably not a bend panel, that is the side that had wreck damage. That side sits about a 1/4" or more lower than the passenger side, unfortunatly.

 

One of the last projects that I want to try to do before the cold sets in is, the end links. I save the old ones and want to go with no stock urethane or other.

I started with this rusty mess, a bench vise and and two sockets.



I left them sit in evap-o-rust for a week.




I have been repeatedly soaking then with industrial paint remover. I will sand and paint these with chassis paint and fill them with the bushings. Kinda surprised that the fronts are the easiest ones to find, so far.

I will slowly start removing OEM parts and start the modding process. I will go slowly so I can see,hear, and feel the difference.

I wanted to replace the three Cats with the down pipe and a high flow cat. I need to find a good one that is about 20" long. I have been waiting on RX7.com to open, with no luck. I will hold off until spring and I then will start looking for something else.

 

I finally took the car on the highway for third gear pulls. It seems to be running very well.

I have about 300 miles or so on the car before that on two lane highways and back roads. I almost got smoked on the back roads by a dump truck. I thought for sure that I would be upset being behind it. I slowed way down and let the truck get ahead. I had more trouble catching up than expected....

So, from the feel of it, I can push this car much harder in the corners. Maybe then I won't get smoked by a dump truck.......

 

Wow, your car looks great Jeff! Thanks for sharing some pictures, excellent work! But, there's always more work to be done!

 

Awesome update! It's really coming along, and you're leaving no stone unturned.

It's obviously a labor of love. Keep it up, love seeing the progress.

 

There is always more work, for sure. I have attempted to be thorough but still missed the mark, in places.

 

I had the car out today with about 30 miles of kinda lazy driving. I need to get the gas out before the end of the month. It seemed like 10 miles or so of easy driving was needed before the car warmed up and felt like it was at its best. I will probably move to 10w 40 for the oil when my stash is gone. Nothing can be done for the trans and diff though?

I need to check the rotors with the scope after this tank of gas to see if they look any better than before.

I also need to order the link bushings. The front are rear are the same part. I was a bit worried there for a second. 😂

 

How's things going Jeff? Any updates?