Project Black Betty My RX2 Build
 

Well, I figured it was time to start a thread about my project RX2. I spent a lot time looking for the perfect candidate, and finally found something I wanted to use. It is already painted jet black, and has a very clean interior. I have owned it for about 9 months, and have just begun work on the suspension. Next is the engine. :D

Here is a pic of the 8.8 rear end. I know the shot is crappy but you get the idea. The rear end is out of a 1998 ford explorer. This is important for a couple of reasons. First, the Explorer rear end is a 31 spline, big bearing axle. Additionally, you get 11 inch disc brakes, and the 5 X 114.3 wheel pattern. Finally, they come with LSD, and if your lucky 4.11 gears. :D I had 9" inch ends welded on, So I could use larger stronger 9" axles and big bearings. This rear end should be bullet proof. :D
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=223084&stc=1










More to come.

Next is the suspension. The rear shocks are bilsteins that have been converted over to coilovers. For those of you looking for replacement shocks in the back, these are standard FC, (Second Generation, Series 4, 5) Shocks. They are the same size and fit perfectly. You will just need to modify the tops with your hardware and mount them. I went with Coilovers, but I am pretty sure you could make stock TII springs work.

Again pictures suck, but you get the idea.

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=223089&stc=1

Pretty cool. I love black cars. You kept it 4 lug in the back?

Next is the front suspension, and brakes. Again this is a custom Bilstien coilover that ISC racing put together for me. The spindles had to be sent in to him and enlarged to accept the newer, fatter, bilstien P30 insert. The tops are Ground Control Camber/Caster plates. I had to do some cutting to make them work. If I had to do it again, I would just get the Noltec camber plates, and avoid the cutting. If you look closely in the last picture you can also see the new 24MM whiteline camber adjustable swaybar.

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=223091&stc=1

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=223092&stc=1

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=223094&stc=1

Bad To The Bone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some pictures of the how the strut tops fit in the car.

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=223098&stc=1

Here are some pics of the new tie rods, and ball joints. Before you ask, :) RX7 first gen inner tie rods will work, you just need to open the hole on the steering linkage by an 1/8 of an inch or so.

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=223096&stc=1

Thanks Lupe. How you like the 8.8? :D

Here are some shots of the brakes before they went in. I looked at the possiblity of putting in Second Gen brakes, or adapting other brakes to work, I was looking at $600 + I would be using dodgy bearing spacers. When I compared that to a new big brake bolt on package for only $900, I knew it was a STEAL!!!! For the price I got new custom billet hubs with a choice of wheel patterns (5 X 114.3 for me) Billet 4 piston calipers and bracket, and an 11.8" 2 piece drilled and slotted rotor. This is very nice kit that Tony at the Racing Store puts together. He has kits that start at $500, bolt on!


https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=223099&stc=1

Wow, looks great. Some of the same concept that I am doing with mine. I wish I hadn't gotten rid of my 86 gxl seeing how I could have used some of the parts.

Whoa, Black Betty, Whamalam, :p:

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...hmentid=223083

RX-2 looks mean as hell, all blacked-out like that. What wheel/tire set-up are you planning to run with those huge brakes?

Hey RE Matsuda, how's that 7 running?

I got a set of 17" ROTA D2's just to get her rolling, black with chrome lip, but I will probably go with a custom set of 17's when everything is done.

Jesus christ that is some NICE suspension and brake pieces! Those front brakes are NASTY big. Pretty serious looking stuff. Very nice, VERY nice.

Running great, it's actually been the most reliable RX I've ever owned. I may even swap the set-up into an old school RX, if I can find a shell. Seeing all these recent turbo RX-2/3 projects makes me miss my old car.

Going Aussie-style with the 17s eh? Can't wait to see it :thumbsup:

Dave that looks great....so you got the suspension/brakes covered now what about whats under the hood? how about a preview ...

Previews coming soon. Suffice to say, it is as nice as the suspension. :bigthumb:

Lug pattern front and back is 5 X 114.3

Looking Goooood !!
Keep those updates, pictures and lessons learned posted. it helps newbies like me to the hobby. You, Doc Holiday, Wacky, 13B-RX3 and Islandsnow are some of hero's and my motivation to keep working on it! Real projects by real people!
Andres

Dang Dave!! Very nice mang. Cant wait to see it.
PS: Im surprised that your wife didnt kick you out of the house yet. :)

She's my crew chief :p:

I love it !!!! I was wondering if you had ever went to one or not !!! :)

I bought one for my corolla too :)

Looks very nice, though ! :Kill1:

That really is a bad lookin' ride man. Congrats :icon_tup:

Your car looks good David, but I still do not like you. :D

Damn fine....... Thats going to be one hell of a ride when its all done

Thanks for all the kind words. Gives me inspriation to get going on the engine. :D

I wonder if I should sell all my junks except for the best one and make it as nice as Black Betty. Nahhhhhhhh!!!! :rlaugh:

Hot dang, thats nice! Nice and sinister!

Lookin real good. Keep us posted.

Hey Jesus...

You da man!

No wonder so many people worship you.

:bowdown: (Pun intended)

Dwayne

PS Great job..... Much respect!

Yea! Finish it already so we can cruise!!!

Ha ha, when you coming over to help me drop in the engine?

Sweet

Hey David, looking really good man!

I've gotta ask though, did you use regular Bilstien FC3S rear shocks or are those short strokes? The FC rear shock is pretty long... maybe because the RX2 upper hat is so deep? Hmm... I'll have to post some pics about what I'm talking about.

Good luck though and keep the updates coming.

-Vince

Thanks Vince!

Standard FC rear shocks in rear. No adjustments necessary, but you do need longer springs.

do you need to shorten that rearend to get it to fit? and if so, by how much?

Yes you do. I am not sure of the exact amount.

Dang you've come a long way with that project! Looks like you got off cheap with some of the pricing on the brakes and suspsension! I'm still down to help you out on the weekends if you need it (that's if the crew chief is cool with that!)...anyway, I'm down right now thanks to FedEx "losing" some of my custom made parts. Oh well, I'm still waiting...just got the insurance check from them last week. Hopefully I'll be back running again soon so when you're finish we can cruize already!

Keep an eye out for your lost parts on ebay. I found out that these guys (http://myworld.ebay.com/motorsportslc/) sell items from lost packages. There are probably others who do the same and who knows you might get lucky and buy your parts at a discount. Not likely though. Sorry about your setback.

Looking good Jesus,
Since you got rid of the leaf springs, how did you locate the rear end? 3 link, 4 link? Panhard bar?

I thought RX2's were factory 4 link cars.

oh, no shit. I dont know. that would make it easy then.

LOL, yeah, 4 link and a panhard bar. However, plan is to go with a 3 link setup similar to what you have.

Yeah, my turbo manifold cracked and I had my guys weld it back together...I figured since it was off I would get it jet coated. I sent it to the jet coat place via FedEx and they say it got "lost". They did a search and it never left the local wharehouse...I think someone saw a box that came from a popular tuning shop and was insured for $3k...so they figured they'd take it!

WOW! VERY nice!

Damn Dave, thats looking good..

You still going to drop in that engine setup that I seen last time? If so... thats going to be one crazy fast car when its done.

Also, does the shop you got the front brake kit have a website? If so could you provide a link?

Thanks, hope to see ya soon. :) Going to take me for a spin right? :D

Yep, same engine setup you saw is going in :D

Brakes came from www.theracingstore.com

Tony no longer advertises these brakes, but if you ask him he will have them built for you.

I'll make you a deal, you video tape, I drive. ;)

Did you sell godzirra?

I too would like to know where you got the brake system, and if I could get a setup like that for my Rx7 (if its not the same considering I know nothing about Rx2's).

Also, that is one great example of an Rx2. I wish I lived close enough to see that thing in person once it was done. Amazing looking car.

Hey jesus r u the new owner or is that you sitting in the car by the way that car looks f****ing sick man

^ Thats Dave sitting the car.

Thanks for the link Dave, I still have the car.. been driving it every weekend. :)

Finally got this somnabitch to roll! :bigthumb:

There is still some fine tuning to do, but now I can move the car enough to get the old engine out and the new engine in.

Wheels are Rota D2's 17 X 7.5 +20. Both front and back are going to need spacers to get them just right. I am currently running 15MM spacers in front, and will probably go up to 20MM. Rears have no spacers but my guess is I am going to need them to clear the hubcentric bore on the wheel.

Anyways enjoy :)

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=227588&stc=1

https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=227589&stc=1
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=227592&stc=1