weld on wide body, anyone dare me?
 

Now that my engine swap is very close to being done, I have to think about getting the body done. So far I have pretty much a full kit along with R-Magic wide front fenders. The problem now is I need wide fenders for the rear to make things look right. Another problem is I need to have my body done and bring to the body shop within a month. I'm in a real big hurry with this car cause if I can't get it driving in a month, I'll be forced to buy a beater to drive until I get my FD up.

So anyways, I was thinking on making the rear fenders out of sheet metal. Something like this

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=2296821

https://www.rx7club.com/photo/data/5...80feastRX7.jpg



As you can see, the fender is very strait and only has one 90degree bend. My dad has done alot of pounding on sheet metal in his day so I think I'm going to have him tackle the job of forming and I'll do the welding. What do you guys think? I'm gonna start on it this weekend and hope to be done in a week. Parts of my car is going in the shop for paint this weekend so I need to get moving

There a rear shot of the car? I kinda like those rear fenders. And oddly enough, as much fun as I make of big wings, I think that one looks decent.

Blake

I think those kill the looks of the car. Poor thing :(

What's wrong with the stock rear? These cars look gorgeous from the back, why screw it all up?

-Manolis

I figured I already ruined the RX7 by dropping a V8 in so I might as well finish it off with some camaro fenders

V8 in an rx? Truely sad ;)

It's a nice looking kit tho - make sure you post pics of yours when it's finished.

And personally, I prefer a rear end that goes all the way to the ground. Just my preferance...

Of course I'll post pics:)

I haven't seen a rear shot of these fenders yet. Mine will be built somewhat like this

http://rotaryextreme.com/rewidebody-5.jpg

only not as wild. I only want it to be about 1" wider, just enough to make it look different but still be an FD:D

I'll hold you to that... ;)

I must say that I don't really like the way you can see the fuel tank and stuff tho... that's why i like a rear end that nearly drags... ;)

I have a C-West rear. I'm only working on the fender part. Can't make the bumper cover out of sheet metal unless I have mad skillz. I know the C-West stuff has been played out due to the many knockoffs available but it is still my favorite rear

Did you look at CF or FG moulding?

Hey John, here is a wide body for you:
https://www.rx7club.com/photo/showph...sort=1&cat=508

Justus

Just pull the fenders out and get them subtly re-sculpted BMW M roadster style. I think the kits above are overdone.

Justus, I'm not really a fan of the RE-Amemyia wide body. I know Rotary Extreme is havig a sale on them for something like $3000. The price is cheap but looks weird to me.

What rear fenders are on the first picture posted, and which wing is that on both Jay's and the original one?

Blake

i double dong dare you

Honestly John, I think if you kept the stock lines and just extended or mimicked the origanal rear fenders and brought it back in to meet up the rear it would look the best, and it would make it hard to tell they were even there.

Just my .02

Justus

Or if you're just looking for an inch, why not just some fender flares and cut away at the stock fender?

Blake

I think pic #1 best illustrates what I'll be making. I've already bought some sheet metal so I'll be working on it this weekend. I thought I would end up using 16ga but after feeling a sheet of it, I obviously needed something thinner and lighter. I ended up buying some 22ga steel. Still heavy but is alot easier to work with if I want to get some type of curve

Ugly. Curious as to why you got an FD to swap out the engine, and completely change the look.

Because I can and no one can stop me:) Honestly, I don't think I could ever be happy with any stock car, I don't care what it is. Why did I pick an FD? Because at the time it was a very nice car to work with for under $20K. Trust me, if I could go back in time, an FD would not be my 1st choice.

I suppose thats as good of reason as any. :D

Not too doubt you... Go ahead and try it but it will look like shit. RE Amemiya can't get it right what makes you think you can do it?

I have tried and failed many things in my life, some including projects on my car, it doesn't make me quit on future projects before I even start them. So what does RE-Amemiya projects have to do with mine? I'm sure I'll be attempting to build something totally different than theres. I'll try it, if it doesn't turn out right, I would have just wasted some time and $50. I think it's worth a shot.

Sorry that came off a little harsh but it just seems alot harder than welding some metal sheets too a body. Yet again I don't know you. It could look good but theres like a 0.0001 percent chance of that

It is alot harder than welding on pieces of sheet metal to my body. I know it's gonna take alot of pounding and time to get things right, especially if I want them to match from side to side. Along with the pounding there's gonna be lots of sanding, grinding, filling, and cursing. I know it's not gonna be an evening job, and I know people are going to say I'll fail, but I've never been one to quit just because people don't believe in what I do.

There was a car very similar to this in super street a couple months back. It was a custom made widebody kit with metal fenders. Car didn't really look "wide-bodied" while it was moving. And from a stop you could tell but it wasn't "gaudy" like the cars above. The wide fenders mimicked the stock fd lines with no sharp edges but with a little more flare. Simply the way a widebody should be done IMO. I tried looking for it online but can't seem to find it.

I remember that one it was a black one i believe, it looked stock to the outsider, but definetely wiiiidde

Possibly this one?
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=200902

http://www.splitpixels.com/roper/front.jpg

:bigthumb: I like this one :D

Justus

Ooooh....I like that. Thats pretty nice looking...

BTW, KWH, just because YOU don't think something looks good, that doesn't mean its ugly.

Blake

shit, I wish I can pul that off. Again guys, I am very new at metal working, in fact this is my first big project. I think I've changed my mind on what I'll be doing now. Though I still think the blue FD in my original post looks tight as hell, I just don't think I can make that within a week.

What I'll be doing is taking the widest part of the rear fender and taking it all the way back to the rear bumper with somewhat of a curve. I'll post pics soon. Justus, maybe this is what you were saying

I'n not forcing my opinion upon you, If I think it's ugly it is ugly. Oh yah WTF are you talking about... the comment I made about RE? I think most people can agree that kit looks like shit.

And I think the Mona Lisa is a horrible painting...does that make it a horrible painting? No.

And by saying its ugly, you're stating that as a fact, when it clearly is not a fact. Its an opinion.

Blake

I think most FD owners do think the orange RE wide body is ugly. They will also be one of those people that poke there heads through a croud to check it out. I think the kit looks nice. Would I buy it? No, but that doesn't mean it's ugly. Park that car anywhere on a race track/ car show and you'll have everyone looking at it

YES!

A beautifully curved body with nice flowing, rounded edges....then WHAM. A 90* cut rear fender.......

yeah, that looks great:rolleyes:


Raj

Not all looks are because someone loves what it looks like. ;)

Yeah, this car looks like shit than huh?

http://www.53forward.com/images/C6-01.jpg

yes, but when was the last time you seen a croud around an ugly car?

oops

Ever heard of Hot Import Nights? :p:

That car also doesn't have huge gaps behind the rear fenders(which I think is the biggest turnoff to the RE kit for me personally) And for that reason I find something like that black car or even the the border wide body kit much more attractive.

Everyone has their own taste, some people may even dislike some of the lines on the C6. I like the C6 for the most part but not to crazy about the ass-end.. But hey what can you do..

Wish you luck with fender project though, break out the english wheel and the jesse james metal shaping tips..

Thats the ONE!!!

Be honest, this black one has not lost the original lines in any way, just had some more accent to it, I think it's great.

So this one is a metal sheet custom body?

That kinda ruines my day because I had a picture of the back and hoped to find the manufacturer one day and consider buying it.

But well, we're in the FG business for something, maybe I'll give it a try

i remember the feature on that car. very nice. if you look closely, it appears that the door was also widened to match the fender, instead of making a steeper curve at the fender by avoiding the door.

yup, you're right, doesn't exactly make things easier...

I'll run up to Protech Body and ask them about it. See what it would cost to reproduce it.

Blake

Not to bring back an almost dead thread, but talked to the owner of that black Protech car. Ran into him randomly tonight, and he said the price for the custom body kit would be something like $12-15k. Really nice guy as well.

No stickers on the car now, and it is absolutely gorgeous. Interior, exterior, everything. Virtually flawless. Did the seats custom two tone colors, painted the interior trim glossy black (looks like fiberglass, but a better fit).

Blake

looks extra good

Hey John, Border makes a wide body like the kind you are talking about.
I found it on this thread: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...0&pagenumber=2


http://www.border-racing.com/border-...aero_image.jpg

Justus

Thanks Justus but remember how little of a time schedule I'm in. That kit will take forever to get. I should have the whole car painted in two weeks. Got the front and fenders painted already. I'm pretty pissed cause we forgot to wipe down the fenders after the basecoat. Lots of particles sat on the paint and of course went through the clear. The front came out really nice. Doing the doors on monday as well as side mirrors and wing.

BTW, I showed my dad what I wanted to do and he just wasn't able to do it with my schedule. So I just fixed my holes I had back there made by my last wing. I'll hopefully get an R-Magic wide body by next year

Found another one . .
 

http://www.urbanracer.com/gallery/ar...swong/0002.jpg

http://www.urbanracer.com/articles/anmviewer.asp?a=819

Looks like an oversized stock fender.
I think its a molded Pettit over fender.
Justus