Video Log Of The Restomodding Of My '76 RX-5 Cosmo (New Vid Jan 5/2023)
09-22-10, 04:28 PM
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Video Log Of The Restomodding Of My '76 RX-5 Cosmo (New Vid Jan 5/2023)
In September of 2007 I purchased a '76 RX-5 Cosmo from a local wreckers, only hours before it was to be crushed.
For the past three years, the car has been sitting in my storage area while I finish other projects. Now, it is finally time to start working on the Cosmo.
My plans have changed a little over the time that I have had the car, from a complete factory perfect restoration, to highly modding, and finally settling on a "resto-modding". The idea being to modernize the car and make it a little more contemporary without completely violating the factory styling. Thus, I have decided the following loose guidelines for the build:
-6 port turbo 13B making 300HP and 300FT-LBS
-Megasquirt 2 or 3
-Dark metallic blue exterior, dark maroon interior
-Large (18" or 19") 5 spoke wheels
-Air suspension
-Shaved locks and door handles
-Most chrome trim shaved
Now from the pictures, you'd think the car was a basket case, but that is only partially true. It appears that the car was someone else's project, and they got as far as to do some body work, put it in primer, and then randomly disassemble parts of it. For the most part, it is complete minus a few minor and major components. I'm sure that I'm going to be hunting for some parts, and what I can't find, I will create.
I'm planning to do this restoration as a series of videos. I don't want to toot my own horn, but my Project Tina threads are legendary. While those threads kick all kinds of ***, I'm going to take the video approach this time.
Over the course of this project I will just reply to this thread as I YouTube each video. To get things started, here is the "intro" video taken 3 years ago when I purchased the car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWmHLbUyY0k
And now, to start this project off, here the first official video! In this video, the Cosmo has just been brought into the shop and I do a quick cleanup while taking an inventory of the parts I have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZfDYpkYgWk
Stay tuned (and subscribe to this thread) for more. I already have enough footage to put together both engine removal and engine disassembly videos, so more to come soon!
For the past three years, the car has been sitting in my storage area while I finish other projects. Now, it is finally time to start working on the Cosmo.
My plans have changed a little over the time that I have had the car, from a complete factory perfect restoration, to highly modding, and finally settling on a "resto-modding". The idea being to modernize the car and make it a little more contemporary without completely violating the factory styling. Thus, I have decided the following loose guidelines for the build:
-6 port turbo 13B making 300HP and 300FT-LBS
-Megasquirt 2 or 3
-Dark metallic blue exterior, dark maroon interior
-Large (18" or 19") 5 spoke wheels
-Air suspension
-Shaved locks and door handles
-Most chrome trim shaved
Now from the pictures, you'd think the car was a basket case, but that is only partially true. It appears that the car was someone else's project, and they got as far as to do some body work, put it in primer, and then randomly disassemble parts of it. For the most part, it is complete minus a few minor and major components. I'm sure that I'm going to be hunting for some parts, and what I can't find, I will create.
I'm planning to do this restoration as a series of videos. I don't want to toot my own horn, but my Project Tina threads are legendary. While those threads kick all kinds of ***, I'm going to take the video approach this time.
Over the course of this project I will just reply to this thread as I YouTube each video. To get things started, here is the "intro" video taken 3 years ago when I purchased the car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWmHLbUyY0k
And now, to start this project off, here the first official video! In this video, the Cosmo has just been brought into the shop and I do a quick cleanup while taking an inventory of the parts I have.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZfDYpkYgWk
Stay tuned (and subscribe to this thread) for more. I already have enough footage to put together both engine removal and engine disassembly videos, so more to come soon!
09-23-10, 09:11 AM
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Thank you for the offer. I don't really know what I have unless you are looking for some of the trim that I don't need. Finding parts is going to be difficult so I will keep you in mind.
Oh, just noticed your avatar. That's awesome. I used the same image to make the title screen of my videos after a little minor editing.
Oh, just noticed your avatar. That's awesome. I used the same image to make the title screen of my videos after a little minor editing.
09-23-10, 09:18 PM
#6
Hey Aaron if you are going for a that "resto-modding"look why not going with a 4 port bridged motor.A nice solid bridged motor with some nice ITB controlled by the MS ems?That way you have that old school rotary hotrod sound running with today's technology.You know something different 2 do,you already have a nice turbo rotary so why build another one?A nice suspension,brake setup using modern technology,a nice set of wheels,that metallic blue paint that you want,you know what i mean?that old school look but build with 21 century tech.Good luck with the project Aaron!and im looking forward 2 see her finish!
09-25-10, 04:03 PM
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jeeze man where do you find the time and money to do this? most people struggle to build just one project, and here youre starting another one. mad props.
btw i found the video a bit entertaining, not sure if it was posed to be this way or not
btw i found the video a bit entertaining, not sure if it was posed to be this way or not
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09-26-10, 10:34 AM
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If so, then sweet! Most of the mechanicals are just RX-4 and 1st gen stuff, which I can get at the local parts store/Mazda dealer.Hey Aaron if you are going for a that "resto-modding"look why not going with a 4 port bridged motor.A nice solid bridged motor with some nice ITB controlled by the MS ems?That way you have that old school rotary hotrod sound running with today's technology.You know something different 2 do,you already have a nice turbo rotary so why build another one?A nice suspension,brake setup using modern technology,a nice set of wheels,that metallic blue paint that you want,you know what i mean?that old school look but build with 21 century tech.Good luck with the project Aaron!and im looking forward 2 see her finish!
This turbo setup will have very different goals then my RX-7. A small and responsive turbo which makes instant boost and carries it to 6.5-7K will make the car a joy to drive. I'm hardly even porting the engine. Since I'm going to use GSL-SE irons, the secondaries and aux get left alone. The primaries will be made taller. The Cosmo housings have tiny exhaust ports so I'll need to enlarge them, but by far less then most builds.
I have no life.
09-27-10, 09:28 AM
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Part 2: Engine Removal
The 2nd video, covering engine and transmission removal, is posted:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgsbVp22pOE
This video shows stripping down the engine to prepare it for removal, then finally removal of the engine and transmission as one unit. Normally I don't pull both at the same time, but it just seemed easier to yank them out simultaneously.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgsbVp22pOE
This video shows stripping down the engine to prepare it for removal, then finally removal of the engine and transmission as one unit. Normally I don't pull both at the same time, but it just seemed easier to yank them out simultaneously.
09-29-10, 09:25 AM
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I have enough footage for another video, but it will be a little while before it gets done. Just trying to decide whether I should combine engine disassembly and cleaning into one...
The shifter needs to be high due to the location of the transmission. Most of the old Mazda rotary cars had a similar shifter, including the SA RX-7 (one of the things I loved about my old '78 1st gen).
The transmission will go back in the car, but at the moment I have no use for the irons or intake manifold. I have no immediate plans to sell this stuff, but if the price was right I'd have no issue selling them. Before anyone PMs me, the irons are new. You'll see in the next video.
Really? It doesn't work. I was just going to eBay it with a starting bid of $40. Next time I check my PMs, I'll send you a message.
Sweet! I think I have a good line on a used grill, but I will certainly give them a call when I know more of what I need. I have a bunch of PMs with offers of used parts so I will need to go through them first.
Really? It doesn't work. I was just going to eBay it with a starting bid of $40. Next time I check my PMs, I'll send you a message.
Sweet! I think I have a good line on a used grill, but I will certainly give them a call when I know more of what I need. I have a bunch of PMs with offers of used parts so I will need to go through them first.
