rx3 street/strip build
 

I bought this car back in 2006, i started doing a backhalf/4link conversion but the project was too big for me at that time since i had pretty weak fabrication experience, now a few years/cars later i feel im finally ready for this car (well, we'll see :))

the car is a rust free -73 rx3, pretty rare here in sweden, only a handful that still is on the roads.. since i've already put the saw in it i thought i'd make a fun street/strip car out of it.. with the goal of having a street legal car, drive it to the events, run a 9 sec slip and then drive back home..

i have a a 13-rew engine and a fd tranny that i will use, engine management will be autronic sm4. 9inch rear, 4 link suspension.

im no expert what so ever so feel free to comment and help..

rx3 see the light for the first time in years.
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/1.JPG
time to take it to the garage!
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/2.JPG

first task was to determine ride height and put the chassis straight in all directions.
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/3.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/4.JPG

then i took alot of measures so i could put together a drawing for the rear suspension..
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/5.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/6.JPG

When i felt i was ready i finally could start fab the parts step by step.. here is the new crossmember
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/7.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/8.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/9.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/10.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/11.JPG

the frame rails for the shocks and front 4 link brackets
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/12.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/13.JPG

both frame rails welded
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/14.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/15.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/16.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/17.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/18.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/19.JPG

strange 9" housing
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/20.JPG

This is what i have done in the past few days, i will post updates when i get something done :-)

Nice Welds!

Sick shit bro!

I wish I could weld like that. I will get there one day. Nice work!

You will definately get there! Make sure you prep the pieces and make them fit 100%, it is easier to weld if you have good joints. The hardest part is not the weld but making the metal not distort/warp during welding, it is a time consuming work since you only can weld a few inches at the time and also need to think abou welding in the right sequence to make the shrinking forces pull against each other.

Im still learning these things, hopefully i can weld even better when this is done :)

Thanks for your comments.

The build is nice, just like your fd.

Subscribe'd :P
I will soon start my project again, and we shall put our brains together again :)

Awesome work and craftsmansip..

make 2 of everything and ship the extra set to me! Thats the same reason mine is still sitting under a cover 2 years later :lol:



Looking geat man!

She seems to be in good hands. Keep on keeping on

thanks guys,

I havn't had time to work on the car for some time but yesterday i welded the frame into the car and added some tubing.. also did some cutting to make room for bigger tires, the rear guards needs some work.. not in best shape.

http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx1.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx2.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx3.JPG

I also bought an old CNC milling machine... my ambition is to make some fun custom car parts.. :-)

http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx4.JPG

did some work today, this is very time consuming.. takes a lot of time to fit and weld since you dont want to warp the thin metal.

right side is done.
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx5.jpg
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx6.jpg
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx7.jpg

left side tacked ready for welding
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx8.jpg
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx9.jpg

when this is done i can center the tires and take measures for my 4 link bars. :)

Finally!!!! A nice build thread, Keep up the good work...

Looks great so far! That's the best way to learn, just jump in and give it a try!

nice rx3 love the way you stretched rear qaurters

Car looks awesome!!!!

Nice work :icon_tup:

VERY IMPRESSIVE!!! :icon_tup: Like what you've shared so far, can't wait to see how the project finishes up!

If you don't mind me asking, I was wondering what you used to make the sub frame out of :

1018 Steel? Gauge of material? and what you cut the material with? CNC, Waterjet, Laser, or Plasma cutter?

Oh yeah, one more thing. What type of welder are you using? Something like a Miller Aerowave / Dynasty Inverter?

Thanks in advance and look forward to seeing your next post!

looks nice bro, keep it up...

Amen to that! :icon_tup:

Everyone is tired of seeing Wacky put on new zip ties on his rx3 every other week.:lol::lol::lol:

thanks guys!!

the material of the frame is S355J2H, all the cutting is by hand with a small cutting machine and a band saw machine.

Im using a no-name china tig welder

havn't done much for the last 2 weeks, been working on my CNC milling machine.
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/21.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/22.JPG

my new 28" wheels :nod:
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/23.JPG

WOW you just don't know how many times i have dreamed about doing this to my 3. But it is definitively not as easy as it looks. Some day I'll get to it... my intentions are to increase wheel well, but not do a 1/4 chassis just an intergrated four link to a stock chasis. Very nice work keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

been doing some drawings on the new front suspension, i dont trust the stock one with some power behind it. I will try to make new struts, spindle, lower control arms and convert to steering rack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy6eq92dfcY

Very nice! I never was really happy with the way i modded mine and plan on switching it up next winter.

Nice nice work keep us posted ,,

Some very nice fabrication work done there

unbelievable, keep up the good work!

thanks guys!

it's not much but im working on engine mounts and the front subframe, need to get the engine in the car to check some measures before i can continue.

http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx32.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/rx3-3.jpg

Quality work and better planning any luck with the milling

Maybe 3rotor engine or 4 rotor engine? It will be bad ass rx3!

been doing some more work on the drawings, i totally redesigned the front subframe, the plan is to use all stock bolt holes in the rx3 chassis making it 100% bolt on.. im not finished yet, some minor bugs needs to be sorted out.

http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/20...sis4-liten.jpg

the spindles are stock rx3 with customs hubs making 5x114,3 pattern, s6 rotors and calipers. will convert to coilovers so i can fit wheels with higher backspacing, even doing this it is still hard to get an acceptable scrub radius since the KPI angle on the stock spindles is pretty low but i think it will work out with low profile tires.

The camber plates will give me a maximum of 2.5dgr negative camber.

http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/20...sis3-liten.jpg

the rack and pinion is taken from escort mkII that will be shorten a bit to take bump steer to a minimum. The stock knuckles are reused (just switched sides) giving me about 50% ackerman.

http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/20...ssis-liten.jpg
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/20...sis2-liten.jpg

im eager to start doing some 'real' work... soon :-)

Haha, we and our SolidWorks.. :)

I need to take classes in CAD..... the possibilities are endless

Man that solid works really lets you be creative. Nice...keep the drawings coming.

Did the body also, much easier to get correct rear axle width and wheel backspacing when i have everything on the computer..

im pretty happy with the ride height.. :)

http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/2012/kaross4.JPG
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/2012/kaross5.JPG


Will need smaller profile front runners :P
http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/2012/kaross6.JPG

looks great,only the cage will need to be tucked up to the roof alot more to get the head room needed for clearance with a helmet.

great cad work.

Headroom isnt really an issue.

I've seen 6foot and taller drivers in shorter cars have more than a foot of head room.

The cage is just estimated and not adjusted to the body.. Will be hand trimming it in anyways :)

http://transport.molnsatra.se/bil/rx3/7.JPG
what soft did you use ?

Google sketchup, awesome free software.

Can't wait to see it on car .

I should have been clearer with my sentence,i am 6 ft.the halo in my Rx3 is touching the inner structure to the left of my head,and still only have an inch or so with my helmet on.

first time I post on the forum in a long time. This build thread is just awesome. Keep updating this man, I'm really looking forward to a finish project. Always have to admire clean work.

Car looks kool, im so tuned to this thread..............Awesome work so far

im glad you like it!

today i felt like doing some real work, i did a fixture for the front subframe.

first i made a drawing
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...s/9dc5db3c.jpg

cutting, drilling and tapping
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...s/aaf59707.jpg

after some welding
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...s/8a3cfa07.jpg

cutting out the brackets for the square tube crossmember
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...s/3f440773.jpg
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...s/29ae07a1.jpg

bolted to the fixture.
http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/...s/f5fa8988.jpg

congrats on the build.. and on the drawing my rx3 looks very similar.. atleast at it's current state..

looking good gus. hope its ready for the summer ;)

thanks, feel free to send some pictures!