Roadkill and Lemons inspired Budget Build
12-17-15, 08:13 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NJ
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Roadkill and Lemons inspired Budget Build
Just bought a 87 Rx7 FC, NA with 178k miles. The car is mint. The PO bought it in 88 from a neighbour and kept in clean, in garage never driven in snow. He got a new clutch at 100k miles and added a sony stereo.
My plans with the car.
Its a Budget track car, something I won't mind beating on. It will be driven on streets to go to events and such but no fancy carshow paint job. Its inspired by Roadkill/Lemons/Budget build concept, with total budget of, wait for it, $2000!
Yes 2000 bucks wont even buy you a set of good coilovers but thats my budget for now.
The plan.
1. Make it reliable.
2. Make it easy to access/fix.
3. Make it light, weight reduction.
4. Make it comfortable to drive.
5. Make it presentable.
1. Reliability:
1.1 Engine:
I am new to rotary. I changed plugs and wires, am going to change all fluids. Don't have any more plans for it yet.
1.2 Transmission.
It needs new shifter bushing, I cannot shift half the time on the street, forget going to track before I change the bushings.
May look at transmission mount.
1.3 Brakes:
New front rotors and pads is done, will be getting new front pads and rotors soon.
New fluid, Maybe new brake lines.
1.4 Suspension:
This is a big one, as far as money is concerned. I want spend most of the budget on this. Front shocks are shot where they mount to the control arms with 2 bolts. So I need new Shocks and the mount that they go in at the bottom. Possibily go with cheap coilovers or atleast decent shocks all around. Budget for this is $ 400 to $ 600.
Bushings, Which ones should I swap? Sway bar, Front is 22 mm any JY sway bar which is 26-32 would be a good idea. Again budget is going to kill me on this one.
1.5 Tires:
Got some old cheap tires and phone dial wheels, yes 4 lug. The front bearings are perfect the PO just replaced them. I have no idea what to do, convert to 5 lug and take the losses or get another 4 lug wheels and put good tires on it. Again its a budget build so I can't spring 1k on tires and wheels. Any comments will be appreciated.
1.7 Steering:
Its manual steeing, with a tiny slop. Not sure if I am going to do anything about it. Good momo wheel would be awesome but not in budget right now.
1.8 Gears in the Rear:
Just changing fluids. Not messing with anything else yet.
2. Make it easy to access/fix. AND 3. weight Reduction.
Engine bay:
Put a smaller CAI, cut a hole in the hood. Yes people hate this but it’s a budget build and the room and weight of the stock box is unacceptable.
E fan, this is only for space savings. I know it won’t even add 0.1 HP.
Move battery to the trunk, now there is room all around the front of the engine bay.
Remove the charcoal canister also.
Remove AC.
Airpump. Sorry for the language but WTF is that thing? What do I gotta do to get rid of that? Again, this is my first every rotary so I am sorry if I hurt someone’s feelings but, I sat in one in August 2015 for the first time, drove it at NJMP for the first time and had to buy one.
Interior:
Remove all carpet and padding, spare wheel, plastic molding etc. It should still seal so not removing glass or weather stripping etc.
Remove door cards, Plastic around dash etc. I am keeping the dash, and the center warning gage thing, everything else will be for sale shortly. Interior is mint, the PO seem to have kept this super clean, non smoker and everything. I hate that I have clean car for this kinda project but then again I didn’t want anything with rats, needles and **** in it either. Trust me this RX7 is going to live much more vigorous lifestyle.
The doors will still have all internals to move the glass and lock the doors. I will fabricate a thing plastic/wood door panel for sheap.
Headline is super clean, and I don’t want to remove it because I don’t know how to not break it. And, its pristine! Just too good to remove, YET.
Comfort:
Just comfortable enough to drive to the track, AutoX and such. GPS, CD player, Heat, Cell phone charging, decent seats in future, and 2 cup holders
Might just put a small amp with aux jack and keep the alpine speakers which are already there.
Presentable:
Just remove the moldings and clean up oxidation. Not going to invest in rattle can yet. Just needs to be presentable so that neighbors don’t think its garbage.
Dr. B
PICTURES
http://imgur.com/a/DnOkz
My plans with the car.
Its a Budget track car, something I won't mind beating on. It will be driven on streets to go to events and such but no fancy carshow paint job. Its inspired by Roadkill/Lemons/Budget build concept, with total budget of, wait for it, $2000!
Yes 2000 bucks wont even buy you a set of good coilovers but thats my budget for now.
The plan.
1. Make it reliable.
2. Make it easy to access/fix.
3. Make it light, weight reduction.
4. Make it comfortable to drive.
5. Make it presentable.
1. Reliability:
1.1 Engine:
I am new to rotary. I changed plugs and wires, am going to change all fluids. Don't have any more plans for it yet.
1.2 Transmission.
It needs new shifter bushing, I cannot shift half the time on the street, forget going to track before I change the bushings.
May look at transmission mount.
1.3 Brakes:
New front rotors and pads is done, will be getting new front pads and rotors soon.
New fluid, Maybe new brake lines.
1.4 Suspension:
This is a big one, as far as money is concerned. I want spend most of the budget on this. Front shocks are shot where they mount to the control arms with 2 bolts. So I need new Shocks and the mount that they go in at the bottom. Possibily go with cheap coilovers or atleast decent shocks all around. Budget for this is $ 400 to $ 600.
Bushings, Which ones should I swap? Sway bar, Front is 22 mm any JY sway bar which is 26-32 would be a good idea. Again budget is going to kill me on this one.
1.5 Tires:
Got some old cheap tires and phone dial wheels, yes 4 lug. The front bearings are perfect the PO just replaced them. I have no idea what to do, convert to 5 lug and take the losses or get another 4 lug wheels and put good tires on it. Again its a budget build so I can't spring 1k on tires and wheels. Any comments will be appreciated.
1.7 Steering:
Its manual steeing, with a tiny slop. Not sure if I am going to do anything about it. Good momo wheel would be awesome but not in budget right now.
1.8 Gears in the Rear:
Just changing fluids. Not messing with anything else yet.
2. Make it easy to access/fix. AND 3. weight Reduction.
Engine bay:
Put a smaller CAI, cut a hole in the hood. Yes people hate this but it’s a budget build and the room and weight of the stock box is unacceptable.
E fan, this is only for space savings. I know it won’t even add 0.1 HP.
Move battery to the trunk, now there is room all around the front of the engine bay.
Remove the charcoal canister also.
Remove AC.
Airpump. Sorry for the language but WTF is that thing? What do I gotta do to get rid of that? Again, this is my first every rotary so I am sorry if I hurt someone’s feelings but, I sat in one in August 2015 for the first time, drove it at NJMP for the first time and had to buy one.
Interior:
Remove all carpet and padding, spare wheel, plastic molding etc. It should still seal so not removing glass or weather stripping etc.
Remove door cards, Plastic around dash etc. I am keeping the dash, and the center warning gage thing, everything else will be for sale shortly. Interior is mint, the PO seem to have kept this super clean, non smoker and everything. I hate that I have clean car for this kinda project but then again I didn’t want anything with rats, needles and **** in it either. Trust me this RX7 is going to live much more vigorous lifestyle.
The doors will still have all internals to move the glass and lock the doors. I will fabricate a thing plastic/wood door panel for sheap.
Headline is super clean, and I don’t want to remove it because I don’t know how to not break it. And, its pristine! Just too good to remove, YET.
Comfort:
Just comfortable enough to drive to the track, AutoX and such. GPS, CD player, Heat, Cell phone charging, decent seats in future, and 2 cup holders
Might just put a small amp with aux jack and keep the alpine speakers which are already there.
Presentable:
Just remove the moldings and clean up oxidation. Not going to invest in rattle can yet. Just needs to be presentable so that neighbors don’t think its garbage.
Dr. B
PICTURES
http://imgur.com/a/DnOkz
Last edited by roadtripRX7; 12-17-15 at 08:22 PM. Reason: Forgot Pictures
12-17-15, 09:38 PM
#2
A few random comments:
I don't think "mint" means what you think it does.
About this "budget racecar" thing...you need to get a lot more specific about what series/class you want to compete in. Even Lemons requires a roll cage, which is missing from your budget.
Until the car actually competes, you have no idea what it may need or how it could be improved and I think it's a waste of money and time to guess.
Get a decent street suspension (like KYB AGXs and some Eibach/Racing Beat springs) and the best tires you can afford and see what happens.
Stripping the interior at this point contradicts one of your stated goals- "Make it comfortable to drive"- and results in a laughably minimal weight savings. How much lighter will your racing doorcards be than the originals? Three pounds saved at each wheel would make a lot more difference than whatever weight you drop from the doors.
There are several guys who race regularly here, in a variety of arenas, well worth reading their threads to glean ideas for your car.
I don't think "mint" means what you think it does.
About this "budget racecar" thing...you need to get a lot more specific about what series/class you want to compete in. Even Lemons requires a roll cage, which is missing from your budget.
Until the car actually competes, you have no idea what it may need or how it could be improved and I think it's a waste of money and time to guess.
Get a decent street suspension (like KYB AGXs and some Eibach/Racing Beat springs) and the best tires you can afford and see what happens.
Stripping the interior at this point contradicts one of your stated goals- "Make it comfortable to drive"- and results in a laughably minimal weight savings. How much lighter will your racing doorcards be than the originals? Three pounds saved at each wheel would make a lot more difference than whatever weight you drop from the doors.
There are several guys who race regularly here, in a variety of arenas, well worth reading their threads to glean ideas for your car.
12-17-15, 10:04 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NJ
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks.
This isn't a lemons build. Lemons build will need a cage and 5 point seat and kill switch. I joined a team that has a RX7. I did two races this year and it was a lot of fun. I am building something thats budget built like many lemons cars, with true fun lemons spirit. I am not racing any class either, I will take this car to Autox days and Track days. There are 3 tracks within 3 hours and bunch of autoX events close by. The goal is to have fun, improve driving skills and then again, have more fun.
Stripping interior makes for cleaner interior to put tools and such. I am not loosing much time or any money doing it. I drive a jeep with no carpet at times so this is a step up from that. I think I will weld a few small tabs for tie downs, mount a fire extinguisher.
The comfort factor is mostly electronics.
I definitely need good wheels, tires and suspension. Still figuring that out. I like driving it, simple changes and it will be much more fun to drive. The build is simple overall, with one goal. Have fun building a RX7 on budget, go to the track and have more fun.
This isn't a lemons build. Lemons build will need a cage and 5 point seat and kill switch. I joined a team that has a RX7. I did two races this year and it was a lot of fun. I am building something thats budget built like many lemons cars, with true fun lemons spirit. I am not racing any class either, I will take this car to Autox days and Track days. There are 3 tracks within 3 hours and bunch of autoX events close by. The goal is to have fun, improve driving skills and then again, have more fun.
Stripping interior makes for cleaner interior to put tools and such. I am not loosing much time or any money doing it. I drive a jeep with no carpet at times so this is a step up from that. I think I will weld a few small tabs for tie downs, mount a fire extinguisher.
The comfort factor is mostly electronics.
I definitely need good wheels, tires and suspension. Still figuring that out. I like driving it, simple changes and it will be much more fun to drive. The build is simple overall, with one goal. Have fun building a RX7 on budget, go to the track and have more fun.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Solid
New Member RX-7 Technical
2
11-18-15 02:42 PM