Hey guys, back in october I picked up Kens 1977 repu - link: https://www.rx7club.com/old-school-o...oject-1035789/

I always thought these trucks were badass but figured I would't be able to get one until later down the road when I was more financially stable (because college student). That was until this particular one popped up for sale less than 90 minutes from my house with a freshly built engine and a decent price. Bonus - I also knew the shop/mechanic who did the work on the truck who's shop happens to be less than 10 minuets from my parents house.


When I first picked the truck up it didn't run very well because it needed to be tuned. I didn't really get to drive it much other than to the gas station.




Filled her up, got it ready to be stored for winter and here it sat with my other rotary project which was under the knife all winter.



Now that its summer and I am out of school I have been spending a lot of time fixing small things on the truck and driving it. I am currently working on cleaning up the interior. So far I have replaced the cracked dash with a brand new one, got some misc. electronics in cab working, cleaned up some wiring and replaced some oem panels/parts that weren't installed when I got it.


Working on cleaning up the engine bay a bit.




Made these this weekend because I was bored and it was memorial day.




Went for a cruise with some buds.



The plan for this summer is to get some new wheels and tires for it, lower it and mainly enjoy rippin' around in it.

 

congrats and enjoy.

 

Looks great!

What's going on with the RX-8?

 

Thanks!

Engine rebuild right now. Will hopefully have it back on the road in the next month, maybe two.

 

Little up date:

I have been putting alot of miles on this thing recently and have fixed a few things over the past month or so. On my way home from work a few weeks ago the front left outer wheel bearing decided to not exist anymore. I ended up renting a dolly and towed it home and had it fixed the same weekend. Brake light switch also needed replacing since the push in pin broke, leaving my brake lights stuck on all day at my first car show with the truck, also a quick and easy fix.


A new oil cooler was a much welcomed upgrade from the old tired and leaky original that was spraying oil all over the engine bay.



Also rebuilt the clutch master cylinder since it was slowly leaking through the worn seals, almost stranding me 2 hours away from home!


Up next: dyno tuning to get this thing dialed in. Also debating on buying wheels and tires this month or just putting it off until next spring.

 

Got these on over the weekend. Now it desperatly needs more low.

Crappy picture but thats all I have for now.


This thing handles so much better with proper rubber.

 

Looking good, What size? Good rubber even on stock suspension will make it stick in the high speed corners more than one would expect.

 

what a difference the wheels make, looks great........now lower it and remove that rear bumper

 

New wheels are 15x7 front and 15x8 rear, 3.75 backspacing for both, with 185/60 and 195/60.

I would remove the bumper but I like that it protects the truck since I live in Milwaukee and park on the street frequently. Also I do tow a small fishing boat occasionaly so its nice for that.

 

...and drop in a 3-rotor

 

Got around to lowering the truck this weekend. Looks much better.
Now I need to get an alignment and work on the exhaust a bit since it is hitting the rear axel over large bumps.

 

man that looks a whole lot better! great job

 

Heres a question for those with a lowered REPU.

When you lowered the front of the truck did you have issues with the idler arm hitting the tie rod and bending it? If so what did you do to remedy it?

I just went to get an alignment since I could see the toe was off noticeably. The guys at the shop told me they couldn't do it because of this issue. I looked at it briefly and have a few ideas as to how to fix it but I would like others input if they have already dealt with this.

 

I miss driving this thing every day, heres a photo a friend took this summer.



Hope to get to work on this thing over winter break.

 

When I lowered my REPU I didn't have any issues with mechanical interference. I have 245/40/17 tires upfront with a 25.5" ride height measured from the ground to the center of the fender wheel arch.

 

I will have to measure my fender height while taking in to account tire size difference and compare this weekend. I replaced the idler arm this summer with a non OE part, maybe that has something to do with my issue? most likely not, but I will bring the original idler arm to verify anyhow.

 

I haven't updated this in a while, mainly because I'v been lazy with taking pictures but progress is being made. Biggest thing that has allowed me to start making progress is the new welder I bought (first for me) during the holidays. I started with a handful of practice welds on some scrap metal I got from work and then jumped right in and modified the idler arm to resolve the issues I'v been having with it.


shortened it up about 8mm and changed the angle a bit so that the linkage was level, how it should be.


Installed. Not the prettiest weld but I'm still learning. Before I made the changes the linkage was angled downward and I was having issues with not only the idler arm hitting the tie rod but also the linkage rolling across the bushing for the lower A arm.


New fuel pump since my old one decided it wanted to start leaking fuel everywhere.


Mid way through upper ball joint replacment. Lowers are going in this weekend.




I also made this gauge pod for oil temp, pressure and coolant temp. These are pics throught the process of making it but its done now along with a few other things which I don't have pictures of, I'll try to take some this weekend.

I'v got a few more things to wrap up yet before it comes out for the season which I need to get done before May 16th since I'll be taking the truck down to SOWO in Georgia along with two sport bikes in back. Let the count down beign!

 

Got some more stuff done this weekend. Installed my new recored radiator, got my gauges all hooked up though they still need some tweaking and I got one seat installed.

 

Got some more stuff done on the truck this weekend. Both seats are now in along with a fire extinguisher, also new lower ball joints and tie rod sleeves/ends. With proper seats and refreshed bushings the truck feels totally transformed. Glad to be getting it back to dd status.

 

Those look good in there.

 

Thanks!

 

Swapped the ranger out for the repu this past weekend, nice to have it back. Alignment today after work.

 

cool pic...enjoy it

 

Thanks!


Well its been a busy past month but I have few updates.

-Truck had the hood wrapped a few weeks ago
-Made the 1700 mile + trip to Georgia and back with only minor exhaust issues
-Got rid of the rear shackles and went to sliders
-Some new parts that have already been put on and or will be: steering wheel, oil cooler scoop, air filters, bash bar is off... some other stuff I can't remember.

Now that Iv got some decent mileage on the truck with the gauges installed I noticed I'm seeing high oil temps above 70mph, around 220F just cruising. I took off the bash bar since it blocked some flow, sealed around the oil cooler with foam and made a air scoop to help direct more flow. All of these helped but are not the entire solution.

Some ideas I'v tossed around: fan on part of the oil cooler with an analog switch, new bigger oil cooler, some type of water misting system.

Trying to do the Festival of Speed track day at the Milwaukee Mile this up coming weekend so I'd like to figure out the high oil temps out by then.

And some photos attached from the trip.

 

Nice repu!!