Not sure if this is the appropriate area for this thread (please change if necessary) but here goes.

I race a 1st Gen RX-7. It’s a blast to drive, reliable, and for a rank amateur, very forgiving. While relatively inexpensive to operate, it still must be fed fuel and tires, have parts replaced and of course there are all the weekend expenses of food, gas and hotels.

To help with my racing addiction I am hoping to develop some sort of side/support business, specifically for the RX-7 community. I have some business experience and contacts with machine shops, welders and even fiberglass outfits. But before I start wracking my brains and head down dead-ends, my question to the community is two-fold:

(1) Is there a product (or service) that is not being offered that folks would like to see developed; or,

(2) Is there an existing product (or service) that due to price and/or quality is found wanting? In other words, is there something I can improve upon?

You may post here or send an e-mail to: racerdog7@hotmail.com.

Thanks in advance for your time and interest. I hope I can come up with something that benefits the community!

 

Well since sterling doesn't do carbs anymore, having a service to performance mod stock nikki would be a good service. However, finding someone with the dedication to do it like sterling would be a challenge.

 

Tires! Can't find a damn thing in 13" anymore.

 

A Nikki modding service!

 

Nikki modding would kick ***, or maybe a stereo surround minus the a/c controls with gauge holes where the a/c controls were? Or maybe a new sunroof panel with a closeable vent to let more air in to keep the driver cool, made of fiberglass or carbon to keep it light? Just a couple things ive been thinking over^^

 

a full bolt on exhaust system. RB is a full system, and is too expensive for not having the connector pipe. Some buyers may want a cat too.

 

A fiberglass TII style hood

 

1. Tubular Control Arms, either using stock Ball Joints or slightly different ones, I've been weary of doing mine given the what seems to be 50/50 craps shoot of whether you will deform the hole when you press the old ones out.

2. Short Shifters for both SA and FB and possibly given more popular threads for shift *****.

3. Exhaust pieces, while I doubt these will be cheaper than Racing Beats setup, it would be nice for someone else to provide a product, as I don't really like the sound of the Racing Beat setup and while it's been tried and true it's just not my cup of tea so I'm left designing a custom setup.

4. I personally would like to see a Lexan hatch possibly made even in a small run.

5. Windshield Wiper Bushings or Replacement arms w/ bushings, these are NLA and the ones available from retailers are FUBAR expensive to say the least...either coming up with a piece that can be inserted into the old arm or setting up a 'core' system would be good.

6. As far as fiberglass, hoods would be nice but the different styles and things people want would make it very tough to produce enough for people to buy. a REOS hood is pretty much something I can only dream about having one day as the only company I know of in Japan that makes them has no English Liaison so getting ahold of one is damn near impossible.
This is the hood: http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5759/02fujiyama01.jpg

 

(just remembered)

7. Panhard and Tri-Link. G-Force Engineering is retiring and so they will be NLA after the last few are sold.

8. Rear harness bar, as far as I know none are currently in production but would be a nice addition to the car especially for the weekend warrior and racer alike.

 

I agree with the Control arms, exhaust system/components, and harness bar. All are parts that I was going to be making at some point in the future.

 

MUD FLAPS!!!!!!!!!!! sorry for the caps...

 

that would be nice, always been a big fan of it, but us carb'd guys wouldn't be able to use it.

 

Windshield Wiper Bushings would be great. true nylon bushings.

What about door handles that aren't made out of pot metal?

 

Oh man a TII style hood and short shifters would ROCK.

 

I have Mazda factory ones on my car

:-D

 

Windshield wiper bushings, short shifter, nikki modding, and a TII hood would be pretty awesome

 

Headlight linkage bushings. Because not all of us are as skilled as divindriver in working with plastics.

 

How about housing? lol

 

Wow!!! Thanks for all the input - I have a few ideas I will be working on.