My FD Project

[rlacasse1]

Well, since moving over here to Germany I have been short a project car. However, about a week ago a fairly nice FD popped up for sale local to where I'm at. It's a black, hard top, RHD, and only has 78k miles on it. I jumped on it, at a $1000 bucks it was pretty damn hard to pass up, even if it needs a new motor (it does). She just got delivered to my house today. I'll try to update this thread as I start to tear into it and get it rebuilt. Here's a few pics.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/DSC_0337_zps58735cdc.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/DSC_0337_zps58735cdc.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/DSC_0342_zps754f1ca2.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/DSC_0342_zps754f1ca2.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/DSC_0340_zps041e124b.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/DSC_0340_zps041e124b.jpg.html)

I actually have a brand new K&N intake setup that was given to me by the owner previous to the owner I bought it from. That will be replacing the ugly blue thing once I finish rebuilding it.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/DSC_0339_zpsd13aaf4e.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/DSC_0339_zpsd13aaf4e.jpg.html)

And finally, here's my buddy's E46 M3. I've been doing a decent amount of work on it. So far I've done the majority of the maintenance (all fluids, fuel filter, etc.), put in a short shifter, and also pulled the trans at one point. I still have to do a valve adjustment on it. But that may wait until it warms up. Ignore the messy ass garage.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/DSC_0338_zps9d52ddd2.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/DSC_0338_zps9d52ddd2.jpg.html)

[j2k4]

Looking forward to this, Ray. :)

[rlacasse1]

Me too. A lot. I have 4 years to spend on this thing. Unfortunately it is a 95, so I won't be able to bring it back with me per the 25 year rule. However, maybe I can figure something else out.

[fastfalcon94]

that is a steal and a half at $1k I've been looking around me and you are lucky to find one with a blown motor that isn't all hacked to death for less than $7k.

[CoopKill]

Nice, can't wait for the awesome to spawn!

[anyonebutme]

Me too. A lot. I have 4 years to spend on this thing. Unfortunately it is a 95, so I won't be able to bring it back with me per the 25 year rule. However, maybe I can figure something else out.

If the engine and transmission is shipped in a different container, it clears customs. That's how it was a few years ago, unsure if it's still good. Doesn't solve the being able to title and drive it legally, but nothing a VIN swap can't fix.

[rlacasse1]

If the engine and transmission is shipped in a different container, it clears customs. That's how it was a few years ago, unsure if it's still good. Doesn't solve the being able to title and drive it legally, but nothing a VIN swap can't fix.

That is true. I remember that being the way, I wonder if it still is. I'm trying to figure out how to do a work-around that will suffice for just a year or two until it is 25 years old.

[rlacasse1]

Spent an a couple hours out in the garage today. I removed the: intake, intercooler piping, intercooler, radiator and fans, accessory drive belts, random vacuum stuff, and a few other things. She's down to this now. Basically bare from the motor forward.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E1/DSC_0367_zps4c0972b9.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E1/DSC_0367_zps4c0972b9.jpg.html)

And after just that, here's my list of shit that I need. Well, what I remembered to write down.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E1/21-CurrentListofShitNeeded_zpsad005105.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E1/21-CurrentListofShitNeeded_zpsad005105.jpg.html)

So, funny thing. The previous owner said the car was "fast as shit". I don't know what his definition of fast is, but it can't be super fast, cause I found this. It's a fucked up coupler with a hole about the size of a quarter. Wonder how much boost it was actually building.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/DSC_0353_zpsc7044cf2.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/DSC_0353_zpsc7044cf2.jpg.html)

[green-lantern]

WOW what a steal for 1000!

and yeah I don't think that's going to hold a lot of boost. lol

LS swap would be cool.

[rlacasse1]

An LS swap would be really fun. However, I am currently stationed in Germany. That means LS motors are pretty hard to come by. So actually getting everything I need from a donor car would be a pain in the ass.

[green-lantern]

Yeah not as easy as in the states huh

I like rotary engines though. I have an old RX7 vert I drive in the summer. I've had a few RX7's and they have always been great cars. Never had a FD though.

[familyMAN]

Wow. Hell of a price!

[rlacasse1]

Discovered the car has a set of HKS coil-overs on it. That was a nice surprise.

Anyways, I got to work on it a little more today. Got the motor stripped down to this.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E2/CurrentStatus_zps7cdf4f8f.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E2/CurrentStatus_zps7cdf4f8f.jpg.html)

[green-lantern]

Have you ever rebuilt a rotary engine?

[rlacasse1]

Nope, first time I've ever been under the hood of a car with a rotary engine.

[green-lantern]

I hear it's a bitch but IDK. I think most of it is because so few know how to work on them.

[rlacasse1]

It's not too bad so far. As far as room to maneuver under the hood, I would say they about the same as working on a VR4.

Personally, I think people are somewhat scared to work on them because they don't know how and they feel like there aren't really good resources out there to help them.

[familyMAN]

Are you sure this thing wasn't stolen? Crazy deal.

[anyonebutme]

I personally think assembling rotaries is easier than assembling piston engines.......the only time consuming thing is trimming the side seals to the proper length, it's akin to filing piston rings I guess but more of them. Oh, and buy a tub of vasoline, lol. It's the "assembly lube" of choice for rotorheads.

What will throw a wrench in all this, is if it needs new rotors and irons. Rotaries get crazy expensive to rebuild once something hard travels through them, think replacing an entire engine block at every rebuild. Doesn't take much for one to require 2 rotors, 3 irons, and 2 housings........and to buy that new you're looking at 1500+1600+1400+1400, sooooo 5900 in parts if all new. Atkins does a rebuild @ 5K, but hard parts are all remanned.

[rlacasse1]

So the only issue the car had was an overheat. The previous owner said it got hot and he immediately shut it down. However, it cooked out the coolant seals. I'm hoping nothing warped. And I'm hoping it doesn't have any other engine damage outside of that.

[green-lantern]

It's not too bad so far. As far as room to maneuver under the hood, I would say they about the same as working on a VR4.

Personally, I think people are somewhat scared to work on them because they don't know how and they feel like there aren't really good resources out there to help them.

Well I mean the internals. Plenty of room around those things because they are so small. Hopefully you don't need to replace those parts Chris was talking about but if you did this car was still worth every penny.

[rlacasse1]

Well, I guess I'll find out when I pop the engine open. But in my personal opinion, they don't seem too terrible. It seems like measuring and gapping the side seals kind of sucks. But overall, they seem like super simple engines.

[rlacasse1]

Got around to pulling more shit off the car. Pulled the starter, quite a few trans bolts, motor mounts, half the wiring harness, and a couple other things. Not pics to show for it though.

[rlacasse1]

Finally go the fucking down pipe out of this thing, what a pain in the ass. Fucking heat shield required about 3 hours of cussing and crying as a sacrifice before cooperating.

Also finished pulling all of the transmission bolts.

That was it, I didn't get a lot of time on it today because I had two BMWs I had to do some work on. But, the motor is about ready to come out. Just need to finish pulling the wiring harness.

[rlacasse1]

Well, tonight was an extremely frustrating night. I went to remove the engine wiring harness, I wanted to pull if from the dash. Through my own stupidity, I had the dash half-way apart before I realized it was completely unnecessary to remove the dash at all. It goes something like this: the wiring harness runs through a little tube/brace, didn't look like the tube could be removed without pulling the HVAC, can't pull the HVAC without removing the dash. Well, that was all wrong. The tube could come out without removing shit, major waste of time.

Anyways, she's starting to look pretty bare. Motor should come out tomorrow.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E4/8-Howshelooks_zps96ca0ac4.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E4/8-Howshelooks_zps96ca0ac4.jpg.html)

On another note, I found buried treasure in the dash. I don't know what "Fun Factry" is, or the other squiggly writing.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E4/9-Treasure_zps69a9805d.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E4/9-Treasure_zps69a9805d.jpg.html)

[Boomer3000]

You found techno music!!!

[rlacasse1]

Friend there in the background.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E5/21-GivingBirth_zpsbf5d58c4.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E5/21-GivingBirth_zpsbf5d58c4.jpg.html)

And.....she's a gaper.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E5/22-Gaper_zps9c893985.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E5/22-Gaper_zps9c893985.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E5/DSC_0495_zpsd70ca4a4.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S1_E5/DSC_0495_zpsd70ca4a4.jpg.html)

[anyonebutme]

Tiny engine is tiny.

[rlacasse1]

Tiny engine is tiny.

Yes, yes it is.

[green-lantern]

It's not the size that counts :suspect:

[futurevr4man]

It's not the size that counts :suspect:

Not everyone has to reassure themselves of that, you know?

[green-lantern]

Not everyone has to reassure themselves of that, you know?


:Slap:

[Greg E]

Subscribed for some FD love!

[rlacasse1]

Got the motor stripped down most of the way today.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX7%20-%20S2_E1/57-Bare_zps4aa445db.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX7%20-%20S2_E1/57-Bare_zps4aa445db.jpg.html)

[JasonY]

What do you want from the car and what is your budget?

Jason

[rlacasse1]

Truth be told, I haven't really set a budget yet. That's mainly because I'm new to the RX-7 world and still trying to get a feel for what they cost to build/operate. I don't mind spending the money on it, but there are two factors that are slowing me down. 1: I don't know if I'll be able to figure out a way to bring this home with me when I return to the states in 2018. 2: I promised myself that I would bring home an R32 Skyline when I return; what I spend on this will hurt the R32 budget.

I want to build this into a car that's just fun, with a little bit of power. I was thinking somewhere around the 375-400 mark. From what I've gathered, they're extremely fun in that range, but not all out crazy.

[mehrshadvr4]

fix this then sell it for a r32.

[rlacasse1]

fix this then sell it for a r32.

That's the plan if I'm unable to import it.

If I can figure out a way to get it back, then there might be two cars coming home with me. lol

[rlacasse1]

Engine is stripped. Next time I post here will more than likely be after I open up the engine. Can't wait.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S2_E2/17-Howshelooks_zpsa3a04dac.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S2_E2/17-Howshelooks_zpsa3a04dac.jpg.html)

And the garage. Looking like shit. I need to clean up and organize the place.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S2_E2/18-TheShitHole_zps2e331285.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S2_E2/18-TheShitHole_zps2e331285.jpg.html)

[rlacasse1]

Well, the flywheel is being a fucking bitch.

I was using a puller to remove the flywheel and had so much pressure on it that the main bolt of the puller ripped the threads out of the puller itself. That was even with heating up the damn flywheel to get it to break loose. Looks like it's time to move on to a more serious puller, the one I was using was a cheapie.

[rlacasse1]

And it's off, finally.

Should have just gone with a BFH in the first place. Skip the puller all together.

The motor should be getting opened up tomorrow.

[rlacasse1]

Got the engine ripped apart. In addition to the usual stuff that gets replaced during a rebuild, I'll also be needing a front and center iron, and more than likely a rear rotor housing. The rotor housing has some grooves in it. The irons are missing chunks in places. The coolant seals will no longer stay in place on the irons due to the missing chunks.

Damage to front iron.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S2_E3/7-FrontHousing_zps4dc989db.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S2_E3/7-FrontHousing_zps4dc989db.jpg.html)

Damage to rear housing

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S2_E3/9-CenterHousing_zps64b0ae2e.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S2_E3/9-CenterHousing_zps64b0ae2e.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S2_E3/8-CenterHousing_zpsb5fba230.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/RX7%20-%20S2_E3/8-CenterHousing_zpsb5fba230.jpg.html)

[anyonebutme]

Can't say I've ever seen that before. Would be the perfect time to switch to aluminum housings for lightness, lol.

[rlacasse1]

The housings are aluminum. The irons are....well, iron. lol

I guess those areas just corrode over time. And that is a fairly common problem. However, these are chunks that flat out just broke off. I found the little chunks of steel in the passages.

[green-lantern]

Well, the flywheel is being a fucking bitch.

I was using a puller to remove the flywheel and had so much pressure on it that the main bolt of the puller ripped the threads out of the puller itself. That was even with heating up the damn flywheel to get it to break loose. Looks like it's time to move on to a more serious puller, the one I was using was a cheapie.


The flywheel has always been a bitch on a RX7

[anyonebutme]

The housings are aluminum. The irons are....well, iron. lol

I guess those areas just corrode over time. And that is a fairly common problem. However, these are chunks that flat out just broke off. I found the little chunks of steel in the passages.

they make aluminum "irons". I called them housings because "aluminum irons" sounds, well, wrong. IIRC it's like 20-30 lbs right off the engine?

[rlacasse1]

Ok, got you. lol

I didn't know if you meant the irons. I know they make aluminum ones. But, i doubt I'll be doing that this time around.

[j2k4]

...i doubt I'll be doing that this time around.

Good God, you plan on doing it again?

[anyonebutme]

Good God, you plan on doing it again?

#rotarylife

[j2k4]

I've had several people describe to me what it is to live with and rebuild a rotary.

As a partial consequence, I bought a 3S, instead. :lo5l:

[MDoe8]

wait, are you saying your getting rid of the FD for the 3s?

[rlacasse1]

Good God, you plan on doing it again?

Hopefully not. However, this is the first time I will be building a rotary, and quite honestly something could go wrong.


wait, are you saying your getting rid of the FD for the 3s?

Was that a question for me? If so, no, that is not my plan. I plan on bringing home an R32 when I come back to the states. I would love to have another VR4 though.

[j2k4]

No, Mike - I have a buddy out in Colorado who helped me secure my TT, but before that, he was considering it, and if he'd jumped on the Stealth, I was gonna buy his FC.

He decided to keep the FC after spending a few hours staring at the Stealth with the hood up. :D

Sorry to stray, Ray - back OT now...

[MDoe8]

fc's are cool. I started to get drag oriented with this car. The hood was because i was going to get a very large intake manifold but never got too it. This car was fun. Had normal wheels and it ran stock suspension so it drove very normal.

***1:20 and on is when it gets to sound and engine bay***


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaoedLAvsy8

[Frostedbutts]

That's the plan if I'm unable to import it.

If I can figure out a way to get it back, then there might be two cars coming home with me. lol

There's a lot of really bad information being thrown around in this thread about how to import cars back into the USA. It is not as easy as removing the engine and the transmission - customs workers know this charade and have known about it for quite a while now. It's not very hard for them to put 2 and 2 together when your Bill of Lading lists: 1 shell of an RX7, 1 13B Engine, and 13B 5 speed transmission. Add your R32 with the EPA/NHTSA paperwork, and now you're the guy who knows about the 25 year rule but is importing a non 25 year car in pieces.

The last few skylines I've brought in have taken ages to clear because people are trying to sneak stuff in - like R34s with R32 vin plates welded into the firewall. They've seen it all. It is possible, but very difficult to get a vehicle into the US illegally right now.

[anyonebutme]

There's a lot of really bad information being thrown around in this thread about how to import cars back into the USA. It is not as easy as removing the engine and the transmission - customs workers know this charade and have known about it for quite a while now. It's not very hard for them to put 2 and 2 together when your Bill of Lading lists: 1 shell of an RX7, 1 13B Engine, and 13B 5 speed transmission. Add your R32 with the EPA/NHTSA paperwork, and now you're the guy who knows about the 25 year rule but is importing a non 25 year car in pieces.

The last few skylines I've brought in have taken ages to clear because people are trying to sneak stuff in - like R34s with R32 vin plates welded into the firewall. They've seen it all. It is possible, but very difficult to get a vehicle into the US illegally right now.

I guess you missed the separate container part of what I said.

[Boomer3000]

Also, seperate the ship dates... Get the body cleared first. Then wait a month or two do the engine. Wait and do tranny.

[rlacasse1]

Or just send it to Canada and store it there for a year until it's fucking legal to bring to the states. Could be wrong, but I believe they're relatively easy to get to Canada.

[rlacasse1]

Well, I know it's been a while since I updated this. Here's the current status of the car:

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/CAO%2021%20March_zps14psnwbl.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/CAO%2021%20March_zps14psnwbl.jpg.html)

The plans now are to complete strip the engine bay (other than the ABS/brake lines). That way I can have the bay steam cleaned and then touch up the paint. After that, I will hopefully have the motor ready to go. My goals are to have a mild 450hp single turbo setup. I think that will be fun and plenty of power for such a light/small chassis.

[MDoe8]

sexy sexy ;)

Good luck with the build! Love when people bring it completely down to do it properly.

[rlacasse1]

A small amount of progress has been made today.

This fell out.......

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Dash_zpsnmsdxm6f.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Dash_zpsnmsdxm6f.jpg.html)

Followed by this............

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Wiring%20Harness_zpsxbujb4sk.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Wiring%20Harness_zpsxbujb4sk.jpg.html)

The reason the harness is out is so I can replace the loom. The loom is dry and brittle at this point. Anybody have any good recommendations on what to replace it with?

Also, I cleaned up the rotors. I threw them in the electrolysis tank for 2 days and then everything basically wiped off.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Clean%20Rotors%202_zpsdfc2tr7b.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Clean%20Rotors%202_zpsdfc2tr7b.jpg.html)

[rlacasse1]

Well, I got some more knocked out today. I was able to strip damn near everything out of it. All I really have left to do is remove various plastic clips that once held the wire harness in place, and pull the heater core and A/C, since it's going back together without A/C anyways. After that I will powerwash it, drop the subframe, and the begin to prep it for paint. It feels nice to finally have her back on all four so I can clean out the garage. The last pic is the shit hole as it sits at this point. I need to clean it pretty badly. And I probably shouldn't be using my buddy's M3 for a table like that. lol

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Miscellaneous/on%20all%204_zpsnbmvl24a.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Miscellaneous/on%20all%204_zpsnbmvl24a.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Empty_zpsuq29sy0e.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Empty_zpsuq29sy0e.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Mess_zpscjrwu9qo.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Mess_zpscjrwu9qo.jpg.html)

[green-lantern]

Keep it up, you've got a bunch done.

[rlacasse1]

Well, it's been awhile since I've updated this.

I spent the last two days completely stripping down the front body harness so I could put new loom on it. This is where I have her at now.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/DSC_0041_zps2d2sdbaf.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/DSC_0041_zps2d2sdbaf.jpg.html)

As you can see there about 15 billion zip ties. I used them to hold the basic shape of the harness, and more importantly at junctions in the harness to make sure I keep the branches at the right places.

Next up i will start removing the plugs so I can actually slide the mesh loom over the harness.

[rlacasse1]

Quick update.

Since my last post, I got busy with removing all of the plugs, fuse boxes, and relay boxes on the harness. The reason for this is because I have to remove them to get the new harness material to slip over the wires. I'm wrapping the harness in a mesh wire loom.

To remove the plugs, I first numbered each one and labeled which wires went where on diagrams that I drew. Below is an example of one. I'm sure this info is probably out there somewhere if I had bothered to look hard enough. But, I wanted to do it this way.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Random/DSC_0044_zpsm2k0mgub.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Random/DSC_0044_zpsm2k0mgub.jpg.html)

There's the harness with the 56 (I think), plugs and fuse/relay boxes removed. The plugs definitely aren't as hard to remove as you would expect. Once I got into the groove of removing them it didn't take a lot of time to get them off.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Random/DSC_0047_zpsuztbbzhn.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Random/DSC_0047_zpsuztbbzhn.jpg.html)

You can see that I have already begun to wrap the harness with electrical tape. Mainly on the ends where the harness is in the cabin. I'll continue wrapping the harness with electrical tape to help keep the harness' shape. Then later on will come the mesh loom.

More to come!!!

[green-lantern]

That's one thing I don't think I'd have the patience for. Seems like a lot of work with little reward. Was the old loom in that bad of shape?

[rlacasse1]

It was super dry and brittle, and looked nasty as hell. I didn't want to go through the effort of cleaning up the bay as well as I'm going to, and then throw in a junky old harness.

It's really not that hard once you get the hang of popping the pins loose.

[rlacasse1]

Finally got back to working on the car. I had planned on updating this thread with a completed harness, however, I decide the tape I was going to use at the intersections of the harness was simply not durable enough, so now I have better tape on the way.

Although the harness has been a fail, I did have a majorly successful day on the car itself. I had a buddy come over and we went to town taping up the car, covering it, and then stripping the bay. We have quite a bit to do though before I start spraying here with primer.

First I had to get her home all cleaned up and then center her in the garage. That's my friend you're seeing.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0061_zpsztzhvq1p.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0061_zpsztzhvq1p.jpg.html)

Then got her up in the air. These stock BMW wheels work perfectly for stands under the rear wheels of the car. She's all taped up and covered too.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0084_zpsh7avvkws.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0084_zpsh7avvkws.jpg.html)

Getting her down to bare metal.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0088_zpszxpquuxy.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0088_zpszxpquuxy.jpg.html)

And this is where she sits. I still have a couple long days of stripping and then the primer goes on.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0091_zpsyrbvksps.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0091_zpsyrbvksps.jpg.html)

[rlacasse1]

Car has been partially primed. I need to finish priming it then spray the black. Then I can move onto cleaning up the bottoms of the frame rails and the fender wells so they can be coated.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0095_zpsz7qpbap1.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0095_zpsz7qpbap1.jpg.html)

[J-Groove]

Excellent progress!

-John

[green-lantern]

Good to see you updating this thread again. Great work!

[ReddVR4]

Nice work!

[rlacasse1]

Good to see you updating this thread again. Great work!


Nice work!

Thanks guys, I appreciate the compliments.

I was able to spend a little bit of time on the car today, and now she's black again..................... The camera captured a lot in the 2nd pic that I can't see when I'm looking at it, regardless, the car isn't going to be a show car, so I'm ok with a certain margin of error. But overall, it came out looking great for rattle cans.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0096_zpsfeuj8ndq.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0096_zpsfeuj8ndq.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0098_zpsa37xq3rm.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Engine%20Bay/DSC_0098_zpsa37xq3rm.jpg.html)

[rlacasse1]

This thread has gone much too long without an update. Life's been busy, but I've been able to focus on the RX-7 a little bit more now. Nothing major, but finished up some powder coating for it.

It's hard to capture a good picture of the blue I'll be using in the engine bay, it's a dark sparkly blue. There will be some blue accents, the majority of what's under the hood will be powder coated wrinkle black.

The first pic is the blue pre-baking, after that are a couple shots to try and get the finished product. It shows really sparkly due to the flash, but it's not that sparkly. Final pic is the black that will be used.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/Pre-baked%20blue_zpskpnfbsw8.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/Pre-baked%20blue_zpskpnfbsw8.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/Finished%20Blue%202_zpstt4wlsrl.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/Finished%20Blue%202_zpstt4wlsrl.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/Finished%20Blue_zpsyto2opc7.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/Finished%20Blue_zpsyto2opc7.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Wrinkle%20Black_zpsey5vdlgu.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Miscellaneous/Wrinkle%20Black_zpsey5vdlgu.jpg.html)



Hopefully over the next month I'll finish up the body harness.

[rlacasse1]

On the topic of the body harness.

I am going to be attempting a mild tuck and rewrapping the harness. I already have it dissected. We'll see how it goes........ lol

[j2k4]

You go, Ray! :)

[rlacasse1]

I've not accomplished much over the winter, been cold as shit and I've been dedicating my time to fixing/selling other cars as a hobby (currently have three for sale, lol). But, I finally got out and put some random stuff back on the car. Threw the coilovers back on and the subframe. However, the top plate on the right side coilover is falling apart, so I will have to pull it back off and replace it.

Pics....

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Suspension-Subframe-Brakes/Subframe_zpslml8vtso.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Suspension-Subframe-Brakes/Subframe_zpslml8vtso.jpg.html)

Damage to top plate of the coilover.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Suspension-Subframe-Brakes/Coilover%20Top%20Plate_zpsehrpky7n.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Suspension-Subframe-Brakes/Coilover%20Top%20Plate_zpsehrpky7n.jpg.html)

The biggest part of yesterday is that I finally started scoping out where I would like to place the three large fuse/relay assemblies. I'm not going for a full tuck, but I would like those boxes out of the engine bay.

The following pics are my current version of where they will be placed. The two boxes under the fenders will clear the fenders (just barely on the left side) and the fender liners, and I believe will be away from the elements rather well. Additionally, after thinking about heat issues in those areas, I believe they will be safe as long as I make sure the seals between the fender liner and fenders are good.

Tentative locations. Right side first, left side second.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Wiring/RS%20Relays_zpst2pjnxtz.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Wiring/RS%20Relays_zpst2pjnxtz.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Wiring/LS%20Relays_zpszydjiow2.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Wiring/LS%20Relays_zpszydjiow2.jpg.html)

The relay box that is up front is going to be relocated as well. The following picture shows its location.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Wiring/Frong%20Relays%202_zpstvjpmqjp.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Wiring/Frong%20Relays%202_zpstvjpmqjp.jpg.html)

It clears the front bumper, crash bar, and hood latch/release fairly easily. However, it will be buried rather deep. The following pic shows how inaccessible it will be.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Wiring/Front%20Relays_zpsbi0tqezh.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Wiring/Front%20Relays_zpsbi0tqezh.jpg.html)

Since removing the front bumper just to do any work with the relays would be a pain in the ass, I have a plan to solve that. As of right now, the plan is to trim the metal bumper support just slightly for some clearance and then create an angled bracket that will set the relay box at an angle. So when opened, the top will rotate slightly to the rear to clear the bumper (I can take a pic for clarification if requested). At that point, all that will have to happen to open the relay box is the three bolts holding the release/latch will have to come out and then the release/latch will be set aside. Fairly simple solution I believe. We'll see how it goes.

Also, I would like to say, the reason I've chosen these places for the relay/fuse boxes is that I haven't found a good thread where anyone really details how they did their tuck or where they placed them. I've also been through quite a few build threads, and nobody ever seems to point out where they're putting these boxes.

So this is just where I'm at as of right now.

Standby for more updates........ someday! (Soon I hope)

[mehrshadvr4]

So you'll have to pull the fender to replace fues

[rlacasse1]

Yes, which sucks.

The plan as of now is to have everything replaced with new and have the car up and running before the fenders go on. Hopefully that will help negate having to pull the fenders too much.

[rlacasse1]

Too add onto my previous post... the RX-7 has an extremely cramped engine bay. There is basically nowhere to relocate anything unless it's removed from the engine bay entirely. That's why I'm looking at placing them under the fenders.

[fastfalcon94]

Your fuse box will probably be alright there as it's right side up. When I did my swap I mounted mine upside down there thinking it would be ideal because it was out of the way and I could reach up inside the bumper opening to access it better.. It filled up with water and then caused my headlights to go crazy:)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRkxSPZDawU

[Turbo Beast]

Awesome! I can't believe I've never seen this thread before!!

[rlacasse1]

Got some work done today.

I made brackets to mount the fuse box under the left side fender....

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Wiring/LS%20Complete_zpskqfyiwk0.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Wiring/LS%20Complete_zpskqfyiwk0.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Wiring/LS%20Complete%201_zpsv3cbg0zz.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Wiring/LS%20Complete%201_zpsv3cbg0zz.jpg.html)

Admittedly, my welding skills are lacking. So the longer bracket needs to be cleaned up quite a bit, mainly the weld needs to be ground down where it balled up on me. That will be done the next time I make it out to the garage.

Also modified the stock bracket for the 4 pack of relays to make it work for the right side. I had to make a metal bracket for one side and just a spacer for the other.

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Wiring/RS%20Complete%202_zpszsmwsscq.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Wiring/RS%20Complete%202_zpszsmwsscq.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Wiring/RS%20Complete%201_zpsxt0tsnso.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Wiring/RS%20Complete%201_zpsxt0tsnso.jpg.html)

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab162/rlacasse1/RX-7/Wiring/RS%20Complete_zps0zuwdjqr.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/user/rlacasse1/media/RX-7/Wiring/RS%20Complete_zps0zuwdjqr.jpg.html)

All the brackets will eventually be cleaned up with a grinder, have sharp corners rounded, and be painted. They'll all be mounted with new hardware as well, right now I have random bolts/nuts holding the left side together. But I have the new hardware already, just didn't replace them tonight.

Both boxes are in the clear, they do not interfere with the fenders or liners in anyway. So they're good to go as far as placement.

The next time I make it out to the garage I will be making something for the front fuse box.

[Thonnawan]

Awesome thread so far. Looking forward to additional updates.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Greg E]

Any updates?

[fastfalcon94]

Any updates?

Did you buy Jason's rx7? Any idea what he moved onto?

[Greg E]

Yes I did. Probably should do a build thread for it. Bought it with a bunch of issues that I've since fixed up. Absolutely love the car and got a great deal on it.

He is done with cars. (His own words)

[Beef6]

Hope this car is still coming along!


Yes I did. Probably should do a build thread for it. Bought it with a bunch of issues that I've since fixed up. Absolutely love the car and got a great deal on it.

He is done with cars. (His own words)

Please do make a build thread! An FD is still my dream car. Curious to see what all was wrong with his, as it seemed flawless at NG16.

[rlacasse1]

Long time since I've been on this thread and posted an update...

So, I sold the car. My brother had been trying to get stationed in Germany and he was going to look after the car once I left. However, he decided to try and remain in the states. Since the car would have to be held here for an additional two years after I return, I could not justify spending the time and money on the car if I could not bring it back. And I did not trust any person or business, other than my brother, with that responsibility.

The car was sold to a local here in Germany who is continuing the build.

As for me, I just picked up an R32 GT-R. I'll post pics in the next month or so. It needs some TLC, but it was a steal at $9k.