When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Just signed up and will visit site from time to time. Been into RX7s since 1993 and have a few gen 1s as well as a Miata. In 1998 I took a totaled '84 and put a new front clip on it and decided to do something different at that time around here, I put a built 302 in it with a C6 trans and beefed up stock suspension & brakes (springs, struts and hawk pads) I did it originally for the Grass Roots motor sports challenge It was fast but didn't handle or stop very well to my standards as compared to my Miata, my autocross prepared '84 RX7s or my C4 vette. I always felt I could have the best of all worlds with this toy if I made it a hybrid, I have just completed putting a corvette C4 front and rear in the vehicle and plan on using the built 302 with a toploader 4 speed until I have the extra cash for a tremec 6 speed. The C4 running gear will have slotted rotors, Hawk brakes etc The vette front and rear went in so easy it seemed like the RX7 engineers planned on using them. The car is planned as a cruiser , auto cross and track car and to run at the East Coast Timing Association measured mile. Ultimate goal is to go 200MPH with a different engine and supercharger. This is a low budget toy that keeps me out of trouble while retired. All my other RX7s are stock except for worked over suspension. I have always looked at the body style of the ‘79-85 as an art form, and to have the ‘84 that I call “Identity Crisis” with all the various parts look like a stock one, except for the vette wheels makes it a neat sleeper
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since I last posted back about 2010. Still playing with my RX7s and occasionally auto cross one. Just about completed my 1984 302 swap and need to do a build thread. It has a built 302, Tremec 5 speed, 95 Corvette front and rear suspension, Hawk brake pads on all 4 corners, sub frame connectors, drive shaft loop, ZO6 wheels, Z rated tires, headers, Corvette rack and pinion etc etc. Built as a street car I changed direction to make it a autocross and track car. Presently installing a 10 point roll cage and aluminum racing seats. The reason it became the platform for a V8 swap is because the front was totaled including the front uni-body frame and while I was teaching vocational education I showed my students what can be done to build a corner carving hot rod from something that was going to be scraped by the previous owner. We do all our own wrenching, fabrication and body work. I like driving at Virginia International Speedway but want more speed than my Miatas can do. At last count according to my grand son we have a total of 11 1st gen. RX7s some running some parts cars, always looking for one. I have always considered the 1st Gen RX 7 an art form. Bought my first one in 1994 and still have it. Gave my best '84 RX7 to my grandson who turned 13 in August, and that has inspired to get more involved with the herd. Next operation is to show him how to port and rebuild a rotary.. Also have a '89 Miata that is begging for a SB Ford or Chevy waiting patiently in the barn. With the virus going around we have plenty of time to spend in the garage. Good to be back!
I'll try to put something together, but realize a few things, one this started before I had a digital camera and with the intent of just doing it. Originally I was going to build a Factory Five Cobra, then this wrecked '84 RX7 came along and I saw the potential to get everything I was looking for in the Cobra, for a lot less of an investment, besides in my opinion a RX7 LOOKS BETTER!. I also do not have a smart phone nor a go pro. I am an old school guy that just likes to tinker with things. I do have a digital camera which I use to document where my savings are going. The Identity Crisis '84 RX7 build is just one of several projects. When I retired the first thing I did was build my dream garage, it is 40 X 60 with cathedral ceiling in the rear half of it with a clrnc. of 15' 4" in the middle where one of the Bend Pacs a HD 12 4 point lift is. The other Bend-Pac HD 9 is next to it. I put pull points in the floor to be able to straighten frames etc. Attached to the garage is two lean- to's one 56' X16' the other 14' X 32'. The lean-to's are for vehicle storage. The RX7 shares the main garage with these other projects. My grand son's '84 RX7 which is getting a refresher of new brake and fuel lines, rebuilt calibers and shocks new pads, booster and master cyl, is below the 302 powered RX7 which is up on the HD 9, On the main lift is our '92 Mustang Hatchback LX 5.0, 5 speed. It is in the final process of restoration with all new suspension up grades from Steeda, EiBach, KYG among others. Presently putting in a 4 point roll bar for a place to hook the racing harness and a bit of extra protection. It is a driver and auto cross car, and will do some laps at Virginia International Raceway on their short Patriot 1.1 mile course, it is not a full blown race car, just a toy. Next to the Mustang is a 1931 Ford AA flatbed truck, also in its final stages of restoration, just needing a bit more body work and paint. In front of the AA is another Ford '31 AA that is restored and is a driver, next to it is my 2005 Miata Speed, it is a driver and a auto cross car without a roll bar, so no VIR. next to the Miata is my Escape, and next to it is a completely restored, like new 1931 Ford TuDor Sedan. In front of the Miata is my Explorer.
The Identity Crisis RX7 is called the Silver Bullet. My son says this about it "Mazda Made it, Ford Shakes it and Chevy brakes it" Overall it is a work in progress With a bit more cash my hope is for a Windsor 427 small block and a Tremec 6 speed, or maybe just add a turbo to the 302, still undecided. The wide stance of the Corvette suspension really allows it to handle well, rack and pinion steering, wide tires and the Hawk brakes with drilled and slotted rotors all contribute to the fun.
I also restore '65-68 Classic Fastback Mustangs, presently not working on one.
07-12-10, 11:32 AM
new to site
