Bigpower

During some random interweb searching last week I found one of those wierd for sale ads that you know is going to cost you. Whilst I really dont need another project I couldnt resist this one and on friday I picked up my 3rd project car. It is a Mazda RX7 FC in need of some TLC.



After a long drive to stoke to buy the car, the state of the interior and a few bodges almost stopped me, but hearing the engine run changed everything and

**Decent full paint job**

Did someone say my favourite words?

Having seen this in the flesh, Rob has bitten off another Volvo Amazon scale project in terms of ambition if not scale. I love FC's (Don't mention a word Nik) and RX's full stop (Gareth; shh!) so when Rob asked to use the truck and trailer and he said this was the reason, I had to help. Well, I would have done anyway but when it's a Rex.........

Best of luck Rob. Can't wait to see this thing up and running properly.

First thing to do is get yourself on Mazdarotaryclub.com and rx7club.com. Both have a wealth of resources for FCs. I'll see if I can dig out the guides for the FC for you.

FCs are superb !!! They are getting more and more rare these days.

I would check the sill area as this rusts spectacularly !!!

Will see what I can dig out for you mate, whats the plan with it ?

Thanks guys

Sills have some rust and that will be fixed up soon. The car isn't bad and hopefully won't be anything like the volvo. It can be drivable in a days work but will need a fair bit more for an Mot and to make me happy with it.

Plans are get it fixed up and running then cage it, add some carbon seat I already have molds for and paint the whole thing pearl white. Suspension needs a rebuild with poly bushes so that is one of the first things on the shopping list and needed for MOT.

I had better come clean about the engine. As Stu already knows this car lost the rotary a while ago. Right now there is a big V8 and a 4 barrel holley carb under the bonnet! The sound of that is what sold me the car. I hope the rx7 fans can forgive it for that, but I love it either way so there is no way I can break it for parts.

Fine, I'm not helping anymore !!!!! If it isnt a rotary in there then I'm not interested. :x
Just kidding mate !!
Thats a blooming good deal if you got it for that. All the perks of a cool looking car without the potential problems of the rotary engine !!!

Will have to come and have a look if it is in the unit.

lol, cool

RX7 wrote: Will have to come and have a look if it is in the unit.

Yep, it is under the silvia - I will be spending some time there next weekend if you want to see it. If there is any fuel left then you can hear it too!

I haven't been the best at updating the thread but there has been some decent progress on the car. Further investigation showed up the conversion to be even worse than we thought, but the noise of the engine made it worth sorting properly.

- Sills have been repaired and all but one last bit of welding is done.
- Exhaust system off for now
- Sunroof has been filled with the original metal panel and blended in. On the outside you cant tell it was there.
- replacement doors fitted
- late model rear lights fitted
- The rear subframe has come out, been checked over, fixed up, rust treated just in case, painted, put back together and is now back on the car.
- Rear suspension (Tein) serviced, refitted and adjusted. 1 locking ring is jammed so that will be cut off and replaced later when i have a replacement to go on.
- Brake master cylinder replaced (with a Nissan 200sx one, so also custom brake lines made)
- Brake callipers serviced, refitted and system bleed. Handbrake also done.
- New fuel lines bought
- RX7 turbo diff fitted (different length to NA) with stronger Turbo driveshafts and LSD.
- Custom prop adapter made (single piece prop) to fit Turbo diff, also involved modifying diff output flange
- New gearbox mount made, still needs plating / painting
- floor pan painted with waxoyl stone chip stuff
- A few dents fixed
- Interior all out except for the dash and drivers seat. They will come out later for the interior build and cage.
- Clutch hydraulics fixed and bleed
- Exhaust Manifolds off for coating
- Engine and gearbox disconnected ready to remove

And that is it so far. Tomorrow night I hope to have the engine out in a few hours after work, so it can be checked over and rebuilt where required whilst new engine mounts are made, the front subframe is given whatever work it needs, the steering is re-made and done properly and the engine bay is tidied up and painted. Those should keep us busy for a few more weekends before the engine goes back in. I still want to drive it this summer after a full rebuild and repaint, and get back onto the Volvo project.

I have taken some photos as we go, so will sort them out and do a photo build up soon of the progress.

EDIT (forgot a few things)
- Headlights fixed
- most dents repaired
- chassis and suspension pickups checked for straightness

Sounds great.....pics pics pics !!!

What an awesome car !
I'd love to see this in action, should have a few people scratching their heads when the soundtarck does nt match the car as well!!