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Pulling the boxes off, cleaning the garage, itching to get back to work.
Gents,
I've been a forum member since the 90's, I've owned several FCs, a few FBs and dream of FDs... but, life got in the way. Marriage, kids, deaths, neighbors that call the cops when you grind at 10 pm...
I've been building MY dream 7 for almost 5 years now, (91 Vert, stock turbo motor, massive amounts of "custom" things,) but the car has honestly just sat in my garage for that last 3 or so years... I plan on changing that real soon. I'm cleaning, organizing my tool collection, getting ready to finish this car. My goal is to be done, 100% and able to drive it by next spring. (I think that is reasonable, probably realistically finish January or so.)
Anyway... 2 questions to begin:
1. My front bumper is 100% custom, and is starting to crack, how should I fix it? (What product is best for this situation?) It was a fiberglass lip (ordered on ebay.jp, arrived wrapped in Japanise newspapers):
I molded it to a "hacked up" S4 stock bumper using long and short strand "kitty hair and Bondo:"
shaved the Mazda logo and molding off, and "grafted" in Chrysler/Jeep fog light "brackets":
All done:
Now, 3 years later I see that its starting to crack:
How should I handle this? Also, I now plan on shaving/filling in the reaming "molding," so how does that affect what product, since the S4 is polyurethane, the insert is fiberglass, and there already is "kitty hair" on it...
2. Engine Management
YEARS ago I bought a Haltec E6K, (perfectly acceptable at the time,) would anyone offer suggestions? I know that ECU/ECM technology has VASTLY improved over the years, but... Since my gauges are all either mechanical or compatible, is it worth it to bother spending an extra $1,000+ on a modern ECU if this will be just fine? Will this be "just fine," or should I upgrade?
(Side note: It is in the car, bolted to a bracket I made for it and custom relay boxes, but it is NOT WIRED to anything. Depending on the answers to this thread determines if I start wiring it.)
My "goals" are VERY moderate, not looking for massive HP with this build, just a GREAT looking, "PERFECTLY" made (according to me, NOT ANY INTERNET TROLLS) RX-7 convertible. (My opinion, the greatest looking car!)
Last edited by DBookatay; Jul 4, 2017 at 04:20 PM.
Personally I like the BIG Photos and it allows more detail to be shown..so no Biggie on that.
I hate fiberglass But in this case I would clean it up and put the epoxy in the cracks..THICK,then sand down and repaint.
On the inside I would lay some sheets and reinforce the area with the crack so it does not extend any more than it has already.
I guess I didn't register till 2004, lurked for YEARS!
Originally Posted by DBookatay
I molded it to a "hacked up" S4 stock bumper using long and short strand "kitty hair and Bondo"
I should have said on the front side. On the back, I used SEM 39747 (panel adhesive) to "glue" the S4 bumper and lip together. (My personal opinion is 39747 is the strongest **** ON EARTH!)
Originally Posted by DBookatay
Now, 3 years later I see that it's starting to crack
Just the top part, the bottom gouge is from something else.
Originally Posted by DBookatay
Will this be "just fine," or should I upgrade?
We all know the E6K will work fine on a 95% stock T2 motor, but will I be able to get maps for it, or find someone in the Tri-State (NY/NJ/CT) area that can tune it?
Originally Posted by DBookatay
The rust is just because of a pipe in the ceiling above the car burst in Feb. It's all surface rust that will come right off.
