I bought this 93 Rx7 FD about two years ago with plans to make it into a nice street car. The guy who sold it to me owned a body shop and said it just needed to be wet sanded and it could be painted. I figured whatever, it was decently cheap so I bought it and took it home. It had been sitting in the back of a shop for about four years, so I decided to do the ATF trick. It worked out just fine and fired right up. Literally, there where leafs next to the the header and they caught on fire lol. It wasn't anything major and we put it out without any damage. I drove the thing around a little bit, but it ran like crap. It would build any boost and had a really harsh idle. I decided to replace the vacuum lines. While tearing some things apart, I found a ton of oil in the intake and boost piping. I got pretty fed up with it and tore the motor out with plans of doing a swap. It sat that way for a couple weeks until I got some motivation to do some body work. I didn't really trust the dude I bought it from so I started sanding all the primer off. What I found underneath was pretty horrible. It was covered in dents and just filled in with body filler. I don't even know how someone could damage almost every square inch of the car in that way. It's almost impressive. The more I started tearing into it, the more damage I found. Plans changed, and since it was in such bad shape, it became my drift car. Over the past few months, I have been working on it as much as I can. I was it to look as nice as possible, but it's not going to be perfect.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...656dac2fd8.jpg This is the day I bought it. It had primer on it with guide coat. It didn't look that great, but it was my first car which made me really excited, but super naive. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...86096f8eaa.jpg Here it is after I got it running and took it to a buddies shop. I found that wing in the shop and just set it on the car (looks stupid, I know). https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c57e61acfd.jpg This is after I got tired of messing with the blown motor and yanked it out. I also bought a cheap set of TSW's for it. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b469537937.jpg I got it all cleaned up before I started getting serious about it. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...cff5e14ddf.jpg I threw a set of these ISC coilovers on first. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...49f45ee046.jpg I was messing around and wanted to see how low they would go lol. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a27dd46da5.jpg Then I got really serious and cut everything to the firewall and made my own tube front end. Everything was TIG welded. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ba84bb32d2.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...70081b7c70.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4d2e7884aa.jpg Everything is in the stock location. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6431605beb.jpg It worked out pretty well. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...cb1662cb95.jpg I ordered up a Shine Auto Project Spec GT kit and tested it out. I also threw on a gangster ass D-Drug GT wing. |
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...deae43708d.jpg
The owner before me replaced the roof of the car for some reason or another (he was a hack). The body work was horrendous. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...530cd71425.jpg So I cut out the mess on each side and replaced it with new metal. It was all flanged and done correctly. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a98ae70ba8.jpg I bought another set of wheels for drifting and this was as low and I could get it so I went a little crazy. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4e31ae9617.jpg I raised my rear towers by using six inch pipe which I welded the same style rings I used in the front inside of them. It made it so I could lower it another three inches. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4ab6915d92.jpg Everything fit nicely. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...1ec5b56ddc.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b0d7b5b63e.jpg Now it sits like this. Sorry, I don't have any pictures of the quarter panels right now. I forgot to take them. The quarter panel is cut out about three inches in the center and tapers down to allow for the tire. There are tubs that fill in the space between the inner fender and the quarter panel making it look nice and neat. I didn't wan't it to look like crap when you looked at it up close. I didn't want anything to be visible under the over fender. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4682b5dbd5.jpg Here's how the front end sits. It's about and inch and a half off the ground at the lowest point haha. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ec9d89b709.jpg After doing all of this I found out I don't fit in my car with a helmet on (I'm 6'1"). That really sucked haha. I cut out the old seat mounts so I'm pretty much sitting on the floor. I've got about and inch of clearance now. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7ac1b214da.jpg I also got rid of all the sound deadening stuff. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...50312cd425.jpg Greddy likes to help. I've still got a lot to go, but it's coming along. I've got some other parts on it that I don't have any pictures of. Like a Grip Royal steering wheel with NRG quick release and some Corbeau seats. I plan on ordering another 13B REW here in the next couple weeks that I'm going to bridgeport (I know I shouldn't, but I want it to sound badass) and throw my Precision 5858 CEA ball bearing on. With supporting parts of course. I would be stoked to make 450 to the wheels, but we'll so how that goes. I've got a lot of stuff I need to clean up and make look nicer, like most of the front end. The rear of the car from the firewall back should be in primer in the next couple weeks. Hopefully this heap will be ready for the first drift event this spring in Colorado. Also, I'm sorry for cutting up one of the greatest cars ever haha. |
this is badass
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Always nice to see a car getting restored after being neglected
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Great work thus far! I'll be keeping an eye on this one.
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Thanks guys! I'll have a few more pictures up here soon.
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this is so awesome. POST MOAR
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https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b986d356c6.jpg
Did some work on the steering rack. Put on a rack spacer and messed around with toe angle. I'm going to need adjustable tie rods and tie rod ends to get what I want. I will be cutting up the knuckle this week. The wheels will also have spacers to help with fitment and rubbing. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...0619e309f1.jpg Stuck the front end back on to see how it all looked. I bought some 1/2" tubing to make the fender mounts and radiator support. I also can't seem to find any headlight covers that are well made and somewhat affordable. |
nice work, I like where this is going. Whats with the 4 runner bumper? What are your plans for the motor?
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Diggin that tube frame. I got excited thinking this was a 10 page thread....
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Originally Posted by Freeskier7791
(Post 12020610)
nice work, I like where this is going. Whats with the 4 runner bumper? What are your plans for the motor?
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Love this build! Yeehaw!
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Need updates!!
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I'll have some more pictures up tonight.
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https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...9965762e19.jpg
I made a bash bar over the weekend. The bumper mounts to the bottom corners and inside the main hole. I didn't want any mounts to be visible. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...462d57e2d0.jpg It's removable. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4a351fd4fa.jpg It bolts in through the side of the frame. I welded nuts inside the square tubing so I don't have to mess with bolts that go all the way through. The intercooler mounts will be made tonight, along with some more tubing to brace up the bottom of the bumper. |
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...1c5eedeee9.jpg
I finished up the front end and got the intercooler mounted. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3e8f8fb37d.jpg I doesn't look too bad. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...219c9ccf82.jpg I put everything back on to make sure everything still fit. Next up is mounting the headlights (which I did get covers for) and maybe the radiator. I threw on a few ricer parts for the picture. |
Are you keeping the pop ups? Dying to see someone mount pop ups on a tube frame, especially seeing how people have problems re aligning them on the stock chasis..
Pumped to see how this thing turns out! |
Originally Posted by stevexk
(Post 12036625)
Are you keeping the pop ups? Dying to see someone mount pop ups on a tube frame, especially seeing how people have problems re aligning them on the stock chasis..
Pumped to see how this thing turns out! |
Originally Posted by ColeWithTheFD
(Post 12020829)
This is my uncles shop so there are always parts around. I was just too lazy to move it for the picture haha. As for the motor. The plans are to put a 13b-rew back in. I'm tossing around the idea of doing a bridgeport on it. I'm looking for extremely quick throttle response which is why I'm using the Precision 5858 I have. It's pretty small, but I'm ok having a little less horsepower to have the response I'm looking for.
Loving all the fab work you're doing!! |
I am also after quickest response possible with the exception of wanting to "brap" so I am planning on going with a half bridge. Might want to think about a bigger turbo as a bridge would spool a small turbo fast and max out before higher rpms.
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Thanks for the advise guys. The motor is still a ways out. I don't even have one yet haha. Unfortunately I am probably going to have take my chances with a motor import company, which I'm not looking forward to. I will most likely put a larger turbo on to compensate for the bridgeport if I do go that route cause I really want an obnoxious idle. The 5858 is just one that I have laying around that I could use in the meantime. I just don't want to regret not going all out and have to tear the motor apart later. The half bridge is also a good idea. I've don't know anybody that has ever had one so I'll do some research on it. Thanks.
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Originally Posted by ColeWithTheFD
(Post 12037750)
Thanks for the advise guys. The motor is still a ways out. I don't even have one yet haha. Unfortunately I am probably going to have take my chances with a motor import company, which I'm not looking forward to. I will most likely put a larger turbo on to compensate for the bridgeport if I do go that route cause I really want an obnoxious idle. The 5858 is just one that I have laying around that I could use in the meantime. I just don't want to regret not going all out and have to tear the motor apart later. The half bridge is also a good idea. I've don't know anybody that has ever had one so I'll do some research on it. Thanks.
https://www.rx7club.com/rotary-car-p...-setup-350939/ half bridge idle |
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...d1a9e195a2.jpg
If anybody was wondering. A universal Mishimoto radiator is almost the exact shape and size of a stock FD radiator and fits perfectly inside the stock mounts. The only differences are it's an inch thicker and about $100 cheaper. I'm not going to put it there though. It will be moved forward about five inches. I also got one fender and headlight fully mounted up. I will post some pictures once I finish both sides. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...da19ed2f99.jpg Mixtape dropping soon. It's fire. |
Its got some good company. Nice work so far
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Dying for some updates!!
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Great fab work - also looking forward to some updates
Good luck with the build |
very nice
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Sorry guys, I've just been working on small things that don't really make for very interesting photos. I've got some bigger things coming up that I'll get some photos of.
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Any updates on this beast? You plan on tubing the wheel wells?
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https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...f01e793dd2.jpg
Another test fit with all the panels on. Sorry about being so lazy about this thread. I usually don't remember that I need to take photos until I've gone home. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...47330593a8.jpg I boxed in all the upper control arm mounts and got a little carried away with the welder. I don't MIG weld often, so that's about as good as it gets. The frame is all trimmed up and welded so I can smooth it all out and make it look nice. It looks like poo right now. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4783d37e44.jpg I made mounts for the fenders. The headlight brackets also mount to these. I started to make them, then realized that I need everything on the front end mounted and aligned before I could get them to fit properly. So I took them off. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ab37f85636.jpg I got some sweet ricer hood mounts and cut them into my hood. I'll be getting a new hood for the car since this one is garbage so I'll just have to cut them into the same spot on the new hood. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...33ba3bc183.jpg I'm pretty much winging it when it comes to the tube front end. I don't really know what I'm doing, but I think it looks kind of neat. It probably weighs more than stock lol. The additional bars are for the hood mounts and radiator support. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b7aff1fe6e.jpg Everything sits in there pretty nicely. I know a lot of people do v-mounts, but I wanted to go pretty standard. The radiator sits about four inches forward from it's stock position, giving me a little more room to work with. |
You might notice some specks floating around in some of the photos. I dropped my phone and broke it. Now it likes collecting all sorts of debris.
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Originally Posted by stevexk
(Post 12078478)
Any updates on this beast? You plan on tubing the wheel wells?
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https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fac67b3dae.jpg
Detailed my evo and it looks pretty good. Just thought I'd share. |
nice work, I think if its just a track car then you dont need to tub the wheel wells. And the whole point of a bashbar/tube front end is durability I wouldn't be too worried on weight.
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Why not go with a V-Mount configuration for your IC/Rad? Since you're LITERALLY building it all from scratch, why not make it more efficient from the get-go?
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Originally Posted by fendamonky
(Post 12084717)
Why not go with a V-Mount configuration for your IC/Rad? Since you're LITERALLY building it all from scratch, why not make it more efficient from the get-go?
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Lol, I was hoping that nobody would see those. They are 50mm spacers. They are just temporary right now until I get some nice wheels that actually fit.
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Originally Posted by ColeWithTheFD
(Post 12085586)
Lol, I was hoping that nobody would see those. They are 50mm spacers. They are just temporary right now until I get some nice wheels that actually fit.
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Originally Posted by Freeskier7791
(Post 12085706)
You should fab up some wide track front arms....
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Originally Posted by ColeWithTheFD
(Post 12085929)
I'm going to use the new FD Wisefab kit once it's available. I've been e-mailing them to try and get a time frame of when it will be for sale. They haven't gotten back to me haha. From what I've seen of it, it looks pretty rad. James Deane has posted some videos of it on his car.
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Nice build. I am thinking of doing a similar front setup but currently planning a v-mount. Any updates?
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Any updates on this?! I hope you got around to near its completion!
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Hey everyone, sorry for the lack of updates. The car was neglected for a couple years because I bought an E30 that took my attention. I've been drifting that until I broke a knuckle and smashed it into a fence lol. Like a reaaaally well built fence. I've spent the past four months or so back working hard on the FD. It's currently running and driving, but still needs paint, body work, and a some other things. It hasn't really done anything other than a few burnouts in my driveway. I'll try to update this more often, but it realistically won't be finished until winter because I'm I'm also pretty focused on my Can-AM X3 as well. I probably won't post any photos of it with the new motor until it's completely finished since it's pretty dumb and I'll get made fun of lol.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6bfda0b332.png This is the E30 I was talking about. It makes about 450whp and only weighs 2100lbs without me in it so it's pretty rowdy. I've competed in a few Drift Colorado comps with it and have had some decent results. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...40aea8bd54.png This is how the car looked before I put the motor in. Got some hella stance boi Weds wheels for it that I'm sure I'll destroy. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...62a9cdb658.png It has a fully TIG welded cage that took me wayyy longer than it should have to finish. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c5bf721058.png I robbed a few parts off other cars of mine including this fuel cell that ended up working pretty well. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b269b16ae5.png Here is version 1 of my ECU and relay panel. I didn't really like the layout so its changed a bit to make it cleaner even though it's tucked under the dash and you can't see it. I also made a pretty cool shifter mount plate. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...307c7ba91e.png I had to make a new sub frame for the new motor. It looks pretty weak in this picture, bur everything has been reinforced an is plenty strong. The steering rack was moved down and inch so I used a bump steer kit to fix the tie rod angle. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8e8c517450.png I had to get pretty crafty with the down pipe to make everything fit. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...12357dc167.png Here how all that jankiness comes together. It's a mess and I'm and idiot. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...359870ade7.png Also, here's the X3 I was talking about to help understand what is distracting me from the FD right now. |
I have a feeling that engine mount is going to melt like butter sitting that close to the DP.
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Originally Posted by fendamonky
(Post 12362049)
I have a feeling that engine mount is going to melt like butter sitting that close to the DP.
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Originally Posted by ColeWithTheFD
(Post 12362070)
I’ve used these mounts on relatively similar setups before and they’ve handled heat really well.
Originally Posted by ColeWithTheFD
(Post 12362070)
It’ll still get wrapped in gold heat tape though just to be safe.
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Can't blame you for getting seat time instead of building a car.
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