Arktis

Oh, how long I've made fun of the apex seal...now here I am. The irony kills me.

My name is Matt, and I'm from DFW. As much as I'm going to regret saying this, I'm not actually here for the RX7s themselves. I'm more or less here for everything else on RX7s. (Parts *****, but hey.)

WHY I'm here is something that might be more of interest. I'm currently underway in a project I'm on. I'm building a Locost (Lotus Seven replica) that's powered by a stroked 4G63, but using a Turbo II drivetrain and tranny. I've been asked to sign up here a few times, but I consider it rude just to go to a forum to watch for parts and not stay...so now I'm going to make myself give updates on the project as it comes together, once I finish my part collection and start putting everything together.

I like long walks on the beach, candle-lit dinners, and the smell of 110 octane mixed with beano and gear oil (I love me some Formula Mazdas at the regionals.)

That being said, I hope to make my stay here enjoyable for everyone (or at least tolerable).

flylow

Welcome! I almost headed down the Locost path as well. I found that what I wanted to do was going to cost too much (I know, I know, they call it Locost for a reason...) so I'm starting small. Something fun in a ready to go package now, move up to a built-it-myself project later.
I'm sure there have to be some locosts here in DFW, but I've never seen one.
Are you going from scratch, or starting with a ready-made frame? Are you going to upsize with some +4s in strategic areas? (I figured at 220 and 6-foot I'd need something a bit wider )
Shoot me a PM when you're ready to show off your progress to someone in person.
Good luck with your build!
-phil

Arktis

I'm headed down the locost path for a few reasons. I aim to road race with it (SCCA, NASA, etc) strictly, but should something happen to the subaru, I wouldn't have a problem with using it to get around (hint hint). I'm projecting 6k for the entire thing, with a 2k overhead for little parts that I know I'm going to miss somewhere. :|

The frame, I'm doing myself. I'm not a superior welder, but I can lay a pretty decent bead, so... I'm keeping it standard frame, not +4 or 447 (or whatever that other number they have for it is), along with the aussie mods, and maybe a few I can come up with to strengthen it in a few spots.

Once it gets underway, I'll definitely hit ya up to come take a look. You're gonna love what I have in mind for the body. (Hint: It's not going to look anything like a lotus 7 or anything familar in that area.)

vh_supra26

iTrader: (4)

hi

flylow

Have you looked into the McSorely plans? From everything I've seen, that is the place the guys who have built one send all the new folks. Real engineering drawings that address the shortcomings of a "book" frame, etc.
Don't know if I can post the address, but I'll send it in a PM for you along with a concept I had my eye one before jumping ship.

-phil

Arktis

Thank you for the PM, flylow. I already have his plans, but I didn't get them from his site, so that's far beyond helpful.

In a hilarious turn of events, it appears that my fiancé is getting an 87 white nonturbo RX7 this weekend...so I'll probably be posting alot more on how to fix it. :|

thefat1

dude put a 20b in that ****

thefat1

dude 600 hp

thefat1

nitro purge

thefat1

yeah soooo sweet

Arktis

Honestly dude...did you have to spam that in my thread?

What's with the 5 post count thing anyway?

Greenmeansgo

goodluck with your project

willjs7

iTrader: (1)

+1 on the nitro booster purge valve.

Dorito-chan

buldozr

iTrader: (1)

very nice project, I have been fortunate enough to see a Super 7 in person, it was the ford 2.0 with a drysump oil system. Very nice cars. Slightly underpowered in comparison to a built 4g. Also, dont make fun of my doritos, crank walk is a bitch

buldozr

iTrader: (1)

Also, had another Q. I heard of someone taking the 5spd from the conquest/starion and swapping bellhousings from wide(2.6l motors) to the narrow(2.0 in DSM). I hear that bellhousing can be found in some of the mitsu mighty max pickups with the narrow 2.6L(???). From what I am being told, the 5 speed out of the star/quests are very stout and with the correct bell housing, a plug and play ordeal. GL with the build.

buldozr

iTrader: (1)

sorry, I didnt ask the question, damn ADD. Alright, any reason a tII trans over the star/quest trans?

Arktis

Facts:

1. Mighty Maxes are known for wideblock 4Gs.
2. The carburated Mazda B2600 from between 86-88 used a G54B (Starion/Conquest).
3. The bellhousing is detachable on both the truck and the RX7.
4. The wideblock 4G63 shares the same transmission bolt pattern as the G54B.
5. The Starquests are directly compatible with the RX7 transmission and the W4G63

As for WHY...I understand that the RX7 transmissions are capable of handling LS1s producing somewhere around 600hp. Seeing as my motor will produce only around 400 with nowhere near as much torque, and how light/plentiful the TII transmissions are (picked up a JDM TII tranny for $150 in 2 days) compared the the starquests...yeah...:|

This guy explains it in far greater detail than I.

http://www.projectzerog.com/rx7transmissions.shtml

Crazy ****, really. The DSM community scares me with what they discover about our cars...been out of them for a few years, and they've made leaps and bounds of development since then. They're incredible.

ReFc

iTrader: (3)

irony... gets me every time

Arktis

What's ironic?

Arktis

Christ, mazda wants 430 for the bellhousing...

I can buy the TRUCK for 200...

buldozr

iTrader: (1)

very interesting link on the three transmissions. Now I know. GL with the build.