Sorry don't drill them out get a small cut off wheel or dremel with a wheel and cut a groove in the head so you can use a screwdriver on them. The bolts have smooth heads almost like a carriage bolt. That's why you have to slice a groove in them.

 

nice find.

 

Started swapping the FC subframe into the RX-2. all the old, worn out, garage of a suspension and steering. Made the front brackets are they are welded in. Took forever to get them right using the dial caliper so they should be as close as possible.

Need more cutting discs to clearance the rear. then i can box that and make the rear mounts.

 

WOW!! This is interesting project you have going on. Great job!

 

I'm liking where this is going.

 

the pics with the subframe hanging out up there are not a good example of how it will sit.

I have the front mounts mostly done. Ill be reinforcing them after i get everything squared up and proper. Going to continue clearancing the unibody "frame rail" so the rear portion of the subframe can come up where it needs to be. Then that will be boxed back in.

The next challenge after that is to clearance for the steering. I have a pretty good idea of how i am going to do it. Basically use round pipe, 1/2 cut to a U shape then notch the frame of the car for it to fit.

It will be a much wider track than the original stuff. So to match the rear, i am using an Rx7 GSLSE axle, which i will not be shortening. Basically, i have to run some kinda fender flare.

 

WE3Rx7, worst case if i can fit what your using, then it would be of benefit!

the subframe is in place. Going to reinforce the mounts and strengthen the frame. Im actually quite pleased!!!

 

Are you going to run fender flares?
I've always wonder what the rx2 would look like with fender flares.
Work looks good,keep the pics coming.

 

that is the plan. the wheels would seriously stick out otherwise. Now the trick is going to be finding flares. I figure i need to look at other makes and see whats availible. Compare the arch size and whatnot. Probably something for a Datsun or Toyota in the states. Unless i want to get fancy and contact some UK Ford Escort Mk1 type stuff.

 

I was going to use bmw 2002 turbo flares on an rx2 a few years back. They fit the fender size, shape and style of the Rx2 well. They had a little flat lip where I was going to either rivet or use small stainless hex bolts to attach to the body.

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mazdarx2/

...great project man!, can't wait to see the end result...btw ck out the fb group

 

hmm... ill have to look into that. Ireland engineering sells a variant of them as well (the front right flare is backorder status from germany anyway) but if that is close, ill have to see how much clearance i need!

i have a 71 2002 btw

 

great looking old school build ...keep it clean

 

Nice find. Keep the photos and updates coming.

 

this is an inspiration. i wanted to do a similar set-up on my light blue RX-3 including IRS but i sold it. im currently looking for a roller since my collection of old school RX are comple and are close to stock condition.

 

Just an observation- Your mounts for the front crossmember make me nervous. I think a plate that runs on the bottom of your frame rails that the crossmember then bolted to would serve you better. The loads your mounts will see as you have them will, I believe, crack over time. A plate will have more weld surface, and the weight load of the body will be straight down. (not that there's a lot of weight in and old school rotarty)

Other than that, I love this plan. Take a semi rough/rusty Rx2 coupe, and go sick with later model, 5 lug, disc brake, LSD, IRS, flares, etc.... That's the direction I'm dreaming of for my Rx4 GTR(less the flares-I think I'll have the room). Keep it going. I'll look through my collection and see if I have anything to contribute. I think my Rx2 stuff is dwindling, though.

 

yea, the mounts are not finished (by any means!). ill post up some pictures once i get my welding gas field.

 

Any progress? hope all is going well.

 

actually i have made a little. The frame rail is notched to clear the steering. So now I need to refill my welder and finish reinforceing everything. Then ill drop her on the ground for the first time at some point.

 

Excellent work! Keep it up

 

Nice project, looks fun

 

Here is progress from today and last night. Most of what i wanted for reinforcement is done. Just need more finishing welding, then some metal for the frame rails underneath that i had to cut for clearance. Ill probably get OCD and file the welds so everything that i can reach will look nice and rounded. I also got a manual rack and It seems like i can use the stock steering with the FC intermediate shaft. I just had to clock the steering a bit to clear.

The pics below are not fully assembled just because i was still messing with fitment. The steering is like 1 degree from going right in. I might just clock a little more and be good.

 

Wow, looks pretty beefy. Great progress, can't wait to see how it sits on wheels and stance.

 

Busy weekend working on the claptrap. Started boxing the frame i had to clearance for the FC subframe. I learned I hate welding upside down. Like, a lot.

Started stitching up the engine bay, which proved a pain. Lots of rust to contend with. Steering clearanced in the frame rail, but a little rust to remove forward of the cut. so i need to work on that still.

Then found one of my FB overskin templates, so i modified the Rx2 top to be an Rx7 for obvious reasons. Need to find the other one to the do the driver's side. I also might go ahead and smooth over the welds so it looks nicer. But OCD.

 

OK. I feel much better now with your support/mod. I'm very interested in this project. Still in the earliest phase of planning which direction to take the Rx4, so any examples are greatly appreciated. Go, man, go.