Old IMSA/SCCA RX2 Racecar Resto
06-27-10, 04:42 PM
#76
Rock Auto lists the bearings as having the same ID! They have a complete assembly for an '89 truck for $87. It looks a little beefier than the RX2 unit as well.I'd rather keep the two piece shaft if I can. I have a 4.88 or a 5.12 gear for this thing( I need to find what box its in after the move) I've had issues with driveshaft speed with the shorter gears on fast tracks. The two piece shafts don't seem to have the same problem. I remember hearing some of the faster FB E Prod cars run two piece shafts.
06-28-10, 11:02 AM
#77
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,792
Received 2,572 Likes
on
1,828 Posts
mazda comp sold a 2 piece shaft FOR the SA/FB's... actually they still have em
the other funny thing is look at an 89-98 MPV suspension, its just a bigger rx2
the other funny thing is look at an 89-98 MPV suspension, its just a bigger rx2
07-03-10, 10:39 PM
#78
I did a little work on the quarter panel but I've been having more fun sand blasting and powder coating. The UPS man brought me some powder for the wheels on the RX2 and my '59 Bugeye.
Since the car isn't going to be the factory color I went with "wheel silver" for the RX. You can see the factory blue on the before wheel. The 'after' wheel is still going to get a coat of clear that will knock the gloss down a little and make it more durable.
Since the car isn't going to be the factory color I went with "wheel silver" for the RX. You can see the factory blue on the before wheel. The 'after' wheel is still going to get a coat of clear that will knock the gloss down a little and make it more durable.
07-14-10, 11:09 AM
#82
I've been busy with other stuff and I've only been able to do little things to the car, nothing picture worthy.
When I removed the rear window I found the lower edge of the opening had much worse cancer than I thought. I bought some steel yesterday and I have a friend that has a shear and a few brakes. I think I'm going to rebuild the entire lower edge of the window with two right angle pieces of metal formed using a shrinker and stretcher combo tool. As soon as I can catch my friend at his shop to bend some metal I'll post some pics of the window fix.
When I removed the rear window I found the lower edge of the opening had much worse cancer than I thought. I bought some steel yesterday and I have a friend that has a shear and a few brakes. I think I'm going to rebuild the entire lower edge of the window with two right angle pieces of metal formed using a shrinker and stretcher combo tool. As soon as I can catch my friend at his shop to bend some metal I'll post some pics of the window fix.
12-08-10, 02:46 PM
#83
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: British Virgin Islands
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: My IMSA RX-2
Great project! I would love to find out a bit more race history and information on this RX-2. In 1978 there were only a few RX-2s raced in the Mid-Ohio race.... this *may* be the #30 Walt Bohren IMSA RS car... can't be sure without a bit more background. Do you have any further information? Thanks!
-Bern
-Bern
12-08-10, 04:25 PM
#84
Welcome to the forum Walt. And welcome to my little project thread, I'd love to pick your brain about the cars from the series. Amos Johnson doesn't live too far from me and he's has been to my old shop a bunch of times. I used to share a shop with Ed Diehl(ran with Bob Tullius in the early years)
...I feel like I need to get some more done on the car since we have one of Mazda racing's early drivers looking over my shoulder...
...I feel like I need to get some more done on the car since we have one of Mazda racing's early drivers looking over my shoulder...
12-09-10, 01:23 AM
#85
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Southern Cali
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On your IMSA Car and Driver IMSA RX-2 #30, I've had the pleasure of moving it around a bit, and really studying it at Mazda.
-Bern
12-09-10, 11:03 AM
#86
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: British Virgin Islands
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Noonan invited me to the Seven Stock last year, and I would have enjoyed taking part, but I am the owner/operator of a sailing catamaran charter business in the Virgin Islands and had a charter on those dates. Maybe one year I will be able to make it.
I'd be glad to answer any questions, you might have.
I'd be glad to answer any questions, you might have.
[/IMG]
12-12-10, 07:58 PM
#88
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: British Virgin Islands
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That race at Riverside was a heartbreaker. Yorino was co driving with me, and after I got back in to finish the race, a piece of the air cleaner box broke off and went into the engine while leading. Oh, Man!!!!!!
02-09-11, 07:30 PM
#89
I had to repost this from the racing section to save this in my thread.
RIP Walt, wish I could have shown you the finished car.
IMSA: 1980 GTU Champ Walt Bohren Passes Away
Mazda pioneer Walt Bohren, 1980 IMSA GTU champion and 1981 12 hours of Sebring class winner, dies at the age of 63 in the British Virgin Islands.
Marshall Pruett | Posted February 09, 2011 Fremont, CA RELATED
•2011 Sportscar Schedules
•ACO Unveils 56 Entries
•PHOTOS: Sebring Winter Test
•Weekly World of Sportscars
Bohren's AKAI-sponsored Racing Beat Mazda RX-7 was an absolute terror in the IMSA GTU category, earning the 1980 title for the team and the Japanese manufacturer. (Racing Beat)
Former IMSA racer Walt Bohren was found dead on Tuesday after an apparent accidental drowning near Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands. Bohren, 63, who had retired to Tortola on his catamaran, was last seen alive by his girlfriend when he left their boat and took a small dinghy to go ashore.
He was found floating in the water Tuesday evening and an autopsy will be performed by the BVI medical examiner to determine his cause of death.
Bohren was a staple in IMSA’s early years, competing during its formative stages in the Baby Grand division. Known for his association with Mazda, Bohren drove Mazda RX-2s and RX-3s before graduating to RX-7s, which dominated the GTU category for nearly a decade.
Driving for the Racing Beat team, Bohren won five GTU races en route to the 1980 championship. Another notable win came in the GTU class at the 1981 12 Hours of Sebring at the wheel of an RX-7.
Bohren moved to bigger cars for the 1984 IMSA season, driving V8-powered American machinery in the GTO class for the Dingman Bros. He would win his second race for the team that year in Miami, and would also make his one and only start at Le Mans, sharing a Rondeau M482 with American Jim Mullen and French ace Alain Ferte where they finished 13th.
Walt Bohren, circa 1982. (GrandTouringProtoype.com)
He would later race for Buz McCall’s Skoal Bandit Racing GTO team, driving a Chevrolet Camaro through 1987, his last season in IMSA. By the end of his IMSA career, Bohren had earned eight victories in GTU and GTO competition.
His final race would come in a Porsche at the 1996 12 Hours of Sebring, although he would later test a Daytona Prototype prior to the 2005 Rolex 24 At Daytona before hanging up his helmet.
As a frequent competitor and occasional co-driver, Mazda legend Jim Downing told SPEED.com that Bohren’s talent surpassed most of those he raced against.
“I started with Mazda in 1974, and Walt was there shortly thereafter. I always thought Walt was the best of the group. He was just a tough, fast driver. I always thought he could go on to become a paid, full-time driver in Indy cars or whatever he wanted. He had that killer instinct—that thing we all wanted to have and some drivers lacked. When Racing Beat hired him to drive their Mazdas, he was always the fastest, as far as I remember, and didn’t break the cars. He was just an outstanding driver.”
Racing Beat boss Jim Mederer has fond memories of Bohren, and paints a picture of a star driver who knew just how good he was.
“We got to know Walt after first building an engine for him, and he had some modest success with that. We knew Walt had extraordinary capability as a driver. Walt had, what could be most generously termed, a ‘difficult personality.’ To be honest, he was that good that you had to take it. He was a good guy, but he had a lot of confidence in himself… He drove one of two cars for us in the 1980 [IMSA] season. He and Jeff Kline drove for us, and he ended up winning the GTU championship in our car, which was a first for Mazda. Walt had an uncanny ability to feel the car and give feedback to what the car was doing, which allowed me to adjust the car and go even faster. He really was a joy to work with that way. That season went incredibly well and we won a bunch of races together on the way to the championship.”
After his days in IMSA, as Downing shares, Bohren's appearances in major races became less frequent.
“He just kind of faded off into the distance after a while,” he said. “He became a driving instructor at the Skip Barber racing school, and for some reason, he didn’t pursue the pro driving career I thought he had the make-up for. It’s sort of unfortunate. We always scratched our heads a bit as to why it didn’t work out for him. Regardless, he was always a winner. Things were only easy for me when I co-drove with him at Racing Beat, because you knew if you were in a race against him, well, that was going to be a pretty tough race. He’ll be missed.”
RIP Walt, wish I could have shown you the finished car.
IMSA: 1980 GTU Champ Walt Bohren Passes Away
Mazda pioneer Walt Bohren, 1980 IMSA GTU champion and 1981 12 hours of Sebring class winner, dies at the age of 63 in the British Virgin Islands.
Marshall Pruett | Posted February 09, 2011 Fremont, CA RELATED
•2011 Sportscar Schedules
•ACO Unveils 56 Entries
•PHOTOS: Sebring Winter Test
•Weekly World of Sportscars
Bohren's AKAI-sponsored Racing Beat Mazda RX-7 was an absolute terror in the IMSA GTU category, earning the 1980 title for the team and the Japanese manufacturer. (Racing Beat)
Former IMSA racer Walt Bohren was found dead on Tuesday after an apparent accidental drowning near Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands. Bohren, 63, who had retired to Tortola on his catamaran, was last seen alive by his girlfriend when he left their boat and took a small dinghy to go ashore.
He was found floating in the water Tuesday evening and an autopsy will be performed by the BVI medical examiner to determine his cause of death.
Bohren was a staple in IMSA’s early years, competing during its formative stages in the Baby Grand division. Known for his association with Mazda, Bohren drove Mazda RX-2s and RX-3s before graduating to RX-7s, which dominated the GTU category for nearly a decade.
Driving for the Racing Beat team, Bohren won five GTU races en route to the 1980 championship. Another notable win came in the GTU class at the 1981 12 Hours of Sebring at the wheel of an RX-7.
Bohren moved to bigger cars for the 1984 IMSA season, driving V8-powered American machinery in the GTO class for the Dingman Bros. He would win his second race for the team that year in Miami, and would also make his one and only start at Le Mans, sharing a Rondeau M482 with American Jim Mullen and French ace Alain Ferte where they finished 13th.
Walt Bohren, circa 1982. (GrandTouringProtoype.com)
He would later race for Buz McCall’s Skoal Bandit Racing GTO team, driving a Chevrolet Camaro through 1987, his last season in IMSA. By the end of his IMSA career, Bohren had earned eight victories in GTU and GTO competition.
His final race would come in a Porsche at the 1996 12 Hours of Sebring, although he would later test a Daytona Prototype prior to the 2005 Rolex 24 At Daytona before hanging up his helmet.
As a frequent competitor and occasional co-driver, Mazda legend Jim Downing told SPEED.com that Bohren’s talent surpassed most of those he raced against.
“I started with Mazda in 1974, and Walt was there shortly thereafter. I always thought Walt was the best of the group. He was just a tough, fast driver. I always thought he could go on to become a paid, full-time driver in Indy cars or whatever he wanted. He had that killer instinct—that thing we all wanted to have and some drivers lacked. When Racing Beat hired him to drive their Mazdas, he was always the fastest, as far as I remember, and didn’t break the cars. He was just an outstanding driver.”
Racing Beat boss Jim Mederer has fond memories of Bohren, and paints a picture of a star driver who knew just how good he was.
“We got to know Walt after first building an engine for him, and he had some modest success with that. We knew Walt had extraordinary capability as a driver. Walt had, what could be most generously termed, a ‘difficult personality.’ To be honest, he was that good that you had to take it. He was a good guy, but he had a lot of confidence in himself… He drove one of two cars for us in the 1980 [IMSA] season. He and Jeff Kline drove for us, and he ended up winning the GTU championship in our car, which was a first for Mazda. Walt had an uncanny ability to feel the car and give feedback to what the car was doing, which allowed me to adjust the car and go even faster. He really was a joy to work with that way. That season went incredibly well and we won a bunch of races together on the way to the championship.”
After his days in IMSA, as Downing shares, Bohren's appearances in major races became less frequent.
“He just kind of faded off into the distance after a while,” he said. “He became a driving instructor at the Skip Barber racing school, and for some reason, he didn’t pursue the pro driving career I thought he had the make-up for. It’s sort of unfortunate. We always scratched our heads a bit as to why it didn’t work out for him. Regardless, he was always a winner. Things were only easy for me when I co-drove with him at Racing Beat, because you knew if you were in a race against him, well, that was going to be a pretty tough race. He’ll be missed.”
02-11-11, 10:19 PM
#92
What Subscription?
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Aiken SC USA
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
02-11-11, 11:03 PM
#93
Seems like it was a popular theme on these cars, like the old Alfas with a different color nose.
I'm really close to being done with my '59 Bugeye refresh project. I'm down to the plumbing after a total repaint, new interior and 5 speed conversion. I'll be getting back to the RX2 this spring.
Stay tuned for updates soon. I may pick up some DOM tubing next week and start bending up the cage.
I'm really close to being done with my '59 Bugeye refresh project. I'm down to the plumbing after a total repaint, new interior and 5 speed conversion. I'll be getting back to the RX2 this spring.
Stay tuned for updates soon. I may pick up some DOM tubing next week and start bending up the cage.
02-17-11, 09:20 PM
#95
No thread anywhere on the Bugeye.
Here is the rear window repair I started. I made the patch panels with a metal brake and a shrinker/stretcher combo. I like how they turned out but I may make a different one for the outer skin. When I was adjusting the brake I tried to get the bend radius close to how the stock edge looks and I think its just a little off. I'm going to do one with a tighter edge and see how it looks.
The picture doesn't show how tight the edge is right now with the part just laying there. I'm just being picky over changing the radius by about 1/2 a mm.
More to come.
Here is the rear window repair I started. I made the patch panels with a metal brake and a shrinker/stretcher combo. I like how they turned out but I may make a different one for the outer skin. When I was adjusting the brake I tried to get the bend radius close to how the stock edge looks and I think its just a little off. I'm going to do one with a tighter edge and see how it looks.
The picture doesn't show how tight the edge is right now with the part just laying there. I'm just being picky over changing the radius by about 1/2 a mm.
More to come.
02-18-11, 09:08 PM
#96
What Subscription?
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Aiken SC USA
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ill be making the same panels. I have a modified Harbor Freight Lancaster shrinker with "stipled" dies on the way from GITZIT
http://www.gogitzit.com/
http://www.gogitzit.com/
10-13-11, 05:28 PM
#97
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,792
Received 2,572 Likes
on
1,828 Posts
update?
10-17-11, 02:18 PM
#98
OVERKILL is under rated
Hey John,
Why in the name of rusting metal would you buy an English car?
P.S. Did you see my Lotus in the others section?
Rex, (yes that Rex)
zoom zoom
Why in the name of rusting metal would you buy an English car?
P.S. Did you see my Lotus in the others section?
Rex, (yes that Rex)
zoom zoom
07-03-12, 01:21 AM
#99
So, I get a phone call last week from a friend that runs an RX2 in vintage/SPU down here in Fl. Car is a show stopper, super straight, super clean, super fast. My friend is on the phone as he leaves Sebring telling me his hood just did The Whaleshark impression that I had warned him about. He didn't get to have much fun with his fresh Mandaville 12A P-port.
At about 125mph heading into the hairpin the hood lifted about a foot in the middle. It's not too bad he says, he thinks I might be able to staighten it out.
I pick up the hood and check it out. I cut the inside frame that is bent up at about 30 degrees just outside of the hinges. Did you know there are only four spot welds that hold the skin on the frame? Four welds and a bunch of dots of space age adhesive from the 1970's(that dries out and no longer has any "adhesive" property).
I work the skin a bit with a hammer and dolly and pull the frame out of one of my hoods that was screwed up by the guy I had do some media blasting on them. It lays out perfect(hood was a surviving NOS piece when the car was built) and I made a mold on saturday. I pulled the mold on sunday and did a little prep for the first part.
Next I'm making a mold for some of the under frame because the guy that let me use the hood wants to be able to bolt it on and use hood pins on the back edge only.
Pics to follow, got home late from the shop, didn't have camera with me.
At about 125mph heading into the hairpin the hood lifted about a foot in the middle. It's not too bad he says, he thinks I might be able to staighten it out.
I pick up the hood and check it out. I cut the inside frame that is bent up at about 30 degrees just outside of the hinges. Did you know there are only four spot welds that hold the skin on the frame? Four welds and a bunch of dots of space age adhesive from the 1970's(that dries out and no longer has any "adhesive" property).
I work the skin a bit with a hammer and dolly and pull the frame out of one of my hoods that was screwed up by the guy I had do some media blasting on them. It lays out perfect(hood was a surviving NOS piece when the car was built) and I made a mold on saturday. I pulled the mold on sunday and did a little prep for the first part.
Next I'm making a mold for some of the under frame because the guy that let me use the hood wants to be able to bolt it on and use hood pins on the back edge only.
Pics to follow, got home late from the shop, didn't have camera with me.