I wonder if tube frame the front end wouldn't be a better way to go after seeing that. The 3 is saveable, but there is A LOT of metal work there...good luck. Can't wait to see how the progress goes...always stay inspired!

 

I was thinking the same but I kinda want the original look I may have them do some for more support and bracing . But will see

 

Second day on the car and it feels great to finally start, I Took of fender and started stripping away undercoating and paint came out failrly easy, then started to take out the inner fender support,



AND NOW THE PIECE IS OFF .

 

I STARTED GRINDING AND CLEANING AND PRIMERED FOR NOW , ONCE IM READY TO WELD AND PUT STUFF BACK TOGETHER, POR15 . IM GLAD THIS SIDE IS BETTER,




AND THE PIECE TO REPLICATE WILL DROP OF THIS WEEK AND HOPEFULLY I GET A CHANCE TO PICK UP SOME GOOD METAL FROM A SHOP TO START CUTTING AND GET IT READY FOR THE PIECE TO GO ON,

 

Very similar rust to what I found on my Cosmo. I'm betting it's because the cowl drain leads right into that area, so all the leaves and dirty collects, trapping moisture. When I reinstall my inner fender pieces I intend to drill some large drain holes.

 

I just commented in your Project and I was thinking of that too but dont know what Route to go, I was thinking of leaving a gap that will drain off .

Like I said earlier on your thread I dropped this piece of to get duplicated well similar dont have to be exact but close enough, I cant wait to really start on it Im finishing another project getting it ready for paint to sell but looks like im getting a rx8 in between all this and helping my brother out with his car and having 4 kids I really dont know how I make it to work sometimes lol.,' thanks Aaron for your help

 

Just drilling some 1/2" drain holes on the bottom at the lowest points should do the job. The OEMs make little Vs in the flanges were they spot weld for drainage, though since EVERY ONE OF THOSE was clogged on my Cosmo, it appears they don't do much.

 

yes well I cant wait to get my inner fenders in so I can start this 2 areas, thanks for your help and yep mine had alot of crap in this area, I think im going to use 16 gauge metal to do this area . my friend made me a simple metal brake for some curved area , Man I got 2 project I got to finish to start and finish my rx3 . thanks Aaron your a beast,

 

20 gauge is stock, 16 gauge is pretty thick and at least on my Cosmo, only used for a reinforcement plate that welds to the shock tower area underneath the inner fender piece.

 

^^ You will find that if you make your 1/2 inch holes a bit oblong there is much less tendency for things to get hung up and clog your very good idea .. ( I have made things like this for years and always found an off size hole always works better regardless of size ) The OEM little V is probably the worst idea anyone could come up with ..

 

wow that is a lot of rust but hopefully youll get her cleaned up. your off to a good start, good luck with the build.

 

Yea Im going to use the thicker sheet metal under the inner fender metal tower area original is 20gauge as well but since im a rookie i think I wont burn thru as much with a thicker metal lmao, and I want it for more strenght overall,,

ALmost done with one Project Monday off for a cheap single stage coat to put up for sale asap , and second project is been for sale since yesterday so far is going good,

Sat is my day for my Next Project for a daily RX8 cant wait to rebuilt engine to start on my rx3 again,

 

yea once I get back my inner fenders I will post and see where I should add more Holes for water to come out,

Thanks Great start but on hold for a bit again,, sucks It felt so good starting now again on hold for more money making deals and a daily project deal,

but soon soon more progress,

 

With the correct welder settings and thin wire you shouldn't burn through. Certainly practice on some metal of the same thickness before you try it on the car. Then if you start burning through on the car, you'll know that you're trying to weld to rust instead of solid metal.

There's not really much strength gained by just increasing thickness. When the OEMs want more strength in an area, they use multiple layers and punch some beads or flanges into the piece.

 

Weld on rust I don't have rust in my car do I.? Lol Well I'm sure going to practice first going with a thicker gauge I think will easier for me since is a straight piece but I'm picking both thickness up once I get my inner panels in. Thanks once again.

 

I havent done nothing to my car but just move it to back yard until I get my New addition to the family my 04 Rx8 6 speed done bought it super cheap. Got my little hatch back done to so going to sell asap so I can upgrade a few things on my 8 then jump on my rx3. Check out my new toy.

 

nice bro, keep trucking on the 3, you'll get er done!

 

well is been 5 long months and today I miss my rx3 so I but a bomb in it and bombed it , yep killed all the bugs lol,, Im cleaning it and doing some primer on the open rust areas, Im still working on my rx8 and almost done buying all parts for my rebuild,. here is a picture of my 8 as it awaits its new rebuild heart,

 

very nice project keep up the good work and you'll get it done.good luck

 

^ thanks can't wait to start on it again.

 

Geez that's a lot of rust to fix up, I was lucky my coupe wasn't too bad rust wise. Hope the rest of the car isn't too bad, good luck with the resto.



Keith

 

I am also looking for some parts for my RX3SP, 5sp transmission, door and trunk lock with key and ignition lock with key. Just got some parts in from Ebay that I am going to be putting it togetter this weekend. Radiator, hoses, spark plugs, rotor and ignition cap. Ready for show. Chino conoces a Ivan que es de aguada medio loquito que se trepapa en la verja en los juego de pelota del equipo de aguada?

 

yo soy de Aguada P.R ,,de los Crespo de las Maria's I went to school en Eladio tirado Santiago or something like that , y que tiempo Estes hablando' when ?
Good luck finding parts , by the way you should know pipi or heard of him his from Aguada and does fiberglass parts de rx3. Y 2 tambien I'm in a hold on rx3 trying to finish my rx8 in the next 2 weeks

 

I keep this picture on my dresser so I can see what I've been missing ,

 

Saludos, en Aguada hay un senor que hace los SPOILERS de RX3SP, no me acuerdo del numero o nombre pero mi amigo Ivan, que era un loquito de Aguada quizas me lo pueda conseguir....JC RX3SP 78

There is a guy in Aguada, Puerto Rico that fabricates the RX3SP SPOILERS, front and back. I will check with a friend to see if he can get his phone number.