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any one here have an 76-79 cosmo or rx5 same thing

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Old 06-02-10, 12:47 AM
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any one here have an 76-79 cosmo or rx5 same thing

cuz iam in a real tight spot looking for parts or information any info will help.
Old 06-02-10, 08:28 AM
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What is a Cosmo?

What do you want to know?







I have a few (understatment of the year) of them. I would truly shocked if there was a single person somewhere in the world that has more Cosmos than I do.

For the US market the Cosmo was only 76-78 with the 78 being the rarest. Elsewhere in the world it was called a Rx-5 for rotary models there was a 121 for piston versions (but not in the US) In japan it was a Cosmo. There were other years made after 78 but not for the US. Engine variations, there was a PISSED ON (pistion) one, then there were both 12a and 13b variations. About half the running gear is Cosmo only, the other half is 76-78 Rx4. The rims and wheel bolt pattern are Cosmo only 4X120mm
Old 06-02-10, 10:05 AM
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well i need to get shocks bushings and other parts i just don't know if any of the parts will cross from the first gen 7 or an rx4 or 3 really i am having a hard time finding out any thing about the car i know some of the first gen 7 brake components will work on it but thats about all i know so far i just want to get the car on the road again
Old 06-02-10, 07:07 PM
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I need specific questions as to which bushings and such you are looking for. I can help but I have to know exactly what it is you need. As I posted above many of the parts are the same for the 76-8 Rx4, yes some change over to the Rx7 for example the ft brake calipers and brake pads are the same as early (key word is early) 79 Rx7. They say the rear brake pads are the same as well, but they are not the Cosmo pads don't have as much material on them. What I have usually seen happen is you get a new set of rear pads they don't fit and you have to get them milled down at a machine shop/clutch shop. This is just some of the examples. There are a few Cosmo owners on here and most will help you without any problems just try to be specific on the questions.

DAVE
Old 06-02-10, 09:09 PM
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sweet baby jesus. thats a lotta rotarys
Old 06-03-10, 02:11 AM
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ok heres what i know i need a new dash pad and door panels. thoses i can not get made like the seat aphostry but i not sure what you callthe ones in the back but all the bushings i can see need to be replaced i mean all of them also on the back and front shock are gone car jumps around alot the question on all this is where can i get new ones. I also need to find out what th original carb was and how it hooked up seeing it is quite obvious that what is on the car is not the original and the carb i have on it now (the one it came with that i suspect came off a rotary truck ) is damaged i would like to get the right one on there or one that works even along with all the correct vacuum lines go with it but i will up load pics after i go to my chiefs house and get some for all to see . i just want to get the car to pass inspection so i can drive it and register it so i can take it to the hobby shop on base and fix it up.
Old 06-03-10, 12:33 PM
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Ok, quick questions for you. Do you want to restore or drive it and enjoy it. For the interior, Dashes..... not available Just Dashes in Oregon did one for me long time back it cost 750 then plus shipping. the benefit new vinyl custom colors new foam they are very good. similar companies can do semi custom door and rear panels this is your best bet Orig stuff in good shape impossible to find and if you do find it you are competeing against big pockets to get it. Namely me and a couple of other guys, not trying to scare you just being honest an up front. I sold one NOS Dash in 1995 for 1200$ I have 2 more I am not interested in selling either one.

I need to know what your ultimate goal is with the car so I can advise you in the right direction mechanically. I have some ideas for you but need your answer first.
Old 06-03-10, 06:20 PM
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i want to drive but also fix and update as much as my budget will allow. i wana getit running good first and i want it too lok nice after i guess you could say i want to fix it with a factory look not a bunnch of wild out there ****. but most of all i want to enjoy it .
Old 06-03-10, 07:50 PM
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Ok cool, that is exactly what I needed to know. Lets start with the front suspension. We can go mild to wild here. We can start with just change struts, brake pads etc. But I actually recommend something slightly different. My recommendation is changing the entire ft strut assemblies to 84-85 Rx-7 ones. Several reasons; 1 more strut choices, 2 better spindle and bearings, better brakes, better brake options. Now this conversion will require a little work. but Re-speed already makes the components, the only special request would be asking for a 4X120mm bolt pattern on the new rotors. To help tighten up the steering inspect your Idler arm for wear. If this is worn you will need to find a machine shop to help you rebuild it, they are not available but the bushings can be made. For the rear that is totally different all the bushings will have to be either custom made or matched up with ones from some other kit. The rear struts/shocks I will locate for you. If you want to go totally custom then you would have to get a different rearend mounted. There are no options for gear sets or LSDs or brake mods for the Cosmo, also the parking brake shoes must be relined they are no longer made.

Carb and engine. Your best option is either Holley or Webber, stock is OK but you will be much happier with the aftermarket. Combine this with a Header exhaust (orig stuff is NLA) it will improve your hp from 100hp to about 170-180 get rid of all the crap on top of the engine and if it hasn't been done already instal a newer alternator from a later Rx7 with an internal regulator and an Rx7 electronic distributor.

This should get you started.
Old 06-03-10, 08:38 PM
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We can start with just change struts, brake pads etc. But I actually recommend something slightly different. My recommendation is changing the entire ft strut assemblies to 84-85 Rx-7 ones.
how would i do this ? and by any cance did you do it cuz i would like to see it . i was actually thinking of installing a second gen feul injection system with a megasquirt. but i want to gget it runing now so i can rerester it i cant briing it to hobby shop on base other wise i do like the idea tfor the front though is just cant figure how to do it with out an example.
Old 06-04-10, 08:38 PM
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Bolts right on although you will have to use a new hydraulic brake line with the correct fittings there are several places that make them although i like using Re-Speed. He can also help with new rotors drilled with the right bolt pattern.

With the FI system what are you looking for in the way of power? If you still have a good 13B 4 port (stock engine) you are money ahead to use the carbed systems.

Being in Iraq right now I can't get at the stuff to show pictures but if you search through the archives here I am sure that someone else has done this same conversion before.
Old 06-06-10, 01:01 PM
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will the 1st gen strut assembly bolt to the cosmo steering knuckle? or does the knuckle have to be changed to fit the 1st gen strut?

I'm just trying to find bump steer spacers for my cosmo, and hoping I can just get 1st gen ones and bolt them on.... thanks

sorry don't want to hijack this thread or anything.
Old 06-06-10, 03:27 PM
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If I remember correctly they bolt right up
Old 06-07-10, 02:50 PM
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sweet now i just need to get those struts and tthe front will be better now to takle the back and the engine lol.
Old 06-07-10, 07:33 PM
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Use the strut assemblies off a 84-5 Rx-7, why because then you can get with Re-Speed later to get brake upgrades and such
Old 06-07-10, 10:49 PM
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Rotarydude, if you ever want to get rid of a shell with all the exterior parts let me know. I think one of these bad boys would look cool with a tube chassis, 20B and some real big meats in the rear. I have always loved the cosmo and thought that one as a full on drag car would be cool.
Old 06-10-10, 03:12 PM
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ok so i secured a new set of struts from a black dragon and th brake line and stuff so now i just need to figure out the back set up. ohh and rotarydude i know it sucks i iraq (i was there for a while ia) so stay safe man above all else.
Old 06-10-10, 06:37 PM
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Kevk, the wife is pulling out some parts and will let me know what we have.
Old 06-12-10, 03:38 AM
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wow thanks
Old 06-18-10, 11:12 PM
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For all i just found out that Atkins Rotary makes a complete set of bushings for the front out of DELRIN no less
Old 06-20-10, 10:36 PM
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wow thats alsome iam going to call them as soon as i can. but for now here some pics of it so you can see what iam working with.
Attached Thumbnails any one here have an 76-79 cosmo or rx5 same thing-rxx5-002.jpg   any one here have an 76-79 cosmo or rx5 same thing-rxx5-003.jpg   any one here have an 76-79 cosmo or rx5 same thing-rxx5-013.jpg   any one here have an 76-79 cosmo or rx5 same thing-rxx5-008.jpg   any one here have an 76-79 cosmo or rx5 same thing-rxx5-005.jpg  

Old 06-20-10, 10:53 PM
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You oldschool guys are so patient and resourceful. I get annoyed enough with FC part availability, and that is so much better than an Rx-5/Cosmo.
Old 06-21-10, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by arghx
You oldschool guys are so patient and resourceful. I get annoyed enough with FC part availability, and that is so much better than an Rx-5/Cosmo.
Hi, my name is Dave, I like 10,000 piece jigsaw puzzles from the second hand store that are missing 3 pieces, and finding needles in haystacks........ Oh yea and I am an Old School Rotorholic.

Finding that one piece of unobtainium that finishes the project makes it all worthwhile.
Old 06-22-10, 12:13 AM
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^^^^^^^

And old schools are just cooler than new school. I just need to find myself a RX5/cosmo up here.
Old 07-20-10, 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by rotarydude
For all i just found out that Atkins Rotary makes a complete set of bushings for the front out of DELRIN no less
do have a part number ? or some more details also sorry it took so long to get back to you .


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