this is an idea i have been toying with for about 3 years. the 91 vette has a wheelbase that is 9/10ths of an inch different from a first gen. i know the first gen is unibody, but with modification, i think it would be possible to remove the vette body, and put the frame, suspension, motor, trans, steering, rearend, brakes, bassicaly everything under the car. this would pretty much make you have a vette with an rx-7 body. effectively cutting down on insurance and possibly creating a nice sleeper. anyone ever try this? or even think about it? i considered just doing a motor swap, but the suspension on a vette is very nice. any input would be nice

 

well thats a DAMN interesting thought... i can't wait to see what the "experts" have to say...

 

id like to see some experts on this question....
sounds silly to me. why not use that cash you would spend on that vette and mod the fb df, mike-p, or ajc style? sounds like a lot of work, but if i had a vette and some spare time, i might try it hehe

 

i found a vette salvage yard that will sell me the parts cheap enough

 

What he said

 

Just do it kit car style....you cut the entire floorpan and bottom out of the RX-7, weld in temporary crossbars to support the sheetmetal, plop it down on the bare Vette frame, and then weld in round tube supports around the perimeter where the RX-7 skin is almost touching the frame. Man, that sounds like a really expensive proposition, though...

 

I just can't stop thinking - why?

 

Indeed....but he did ask for any input and he might actually have the $$$ for such an extravagant endeavor...ya never know...

 

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Originally posted by gamble302
why not use that cash you would spend on that vette and mod the fb df, mike-p, or ajc style?
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fb df, mike-p, or ajc style

i do not know these terms, could someone explain?


an answer to the "why" i couldnt think of a better way to get that kind of corner carving out of it, can you? if so, im open to suggestions. what im basically after is an rx-7 that can out-perform a vette in every aspect. whether it be on the straight, or on the curve. once again all input is apreciated

 

You'd probably need a wide body kit for it, too. I'm not sure, but I think the 'Vette has a much wider track on it. The 'Vette uses what? 245 or 265 width tires? You'd definately need to address the fender lips..

--Danny

 

305 width wide body is definitely in the works

 

The FB body is already amazingly stiff. It's torsional rigidity was among the highest in it's day, and it hasn't lost much to cars such as the 'vette.

the corvette frame is actually quite heavy and wide, and the '91 is known for low torsional rigidity. Read articles on the C5. When it came out, automotive journalists universally praised the far stiffer body over the C4 (including the '91).

Why would you want to chop up a stiff unibody to install a flexy, wide, fat frame?

if it's the handling you want, install Miata or FD suspension and steering. If you're adamant on using Corvette parts, swap the suspension and steering and fabricate a custom rear subframe to support the IRS/leaf spring (that's right - a Corvette uses a leaf spring in back) but for God's sake don't break what isn't broken!

 

fb, i still do not know this term. there are also 3 others listed above that i do not know. please someone enlighten me.

 

when you say leaf spring we arent talkin about your ordinary leaf spring though. someone post a link, im on dialup :'(

wizzard those terms are:
fb: 81-85 RX-7
(heres a bonus) sa22c: 79-80 (the eraly first gens with steel bumpers)

df, mike-p, and ajc (in no particular order) are forum members here who have killer cars. i left out many other people and myself of course (lol riggghhht) but those are the 3 that pop in my mind first as the most documented and drooled over 1st gens here.

if you would like to doa totally custom 1st gen you dont have to get a vette and a rex drunk and make em have a little love child. there are many ways to build a killer car though. if you want to do it that way, i'll root you on. just let me know how i can bolt those brakes on to my car

 

A Vette is a much bigger car than a 7. I think the back of the frame will be sticking out the back of the 7, kind of destroying the sleeper idea.

Not worth the effort in my opinion

 

sounds like i just need to upgrade the suspension

 

A far less expensive and far more practical idea

 

There are several good options for FB suspension, but the most universally used stuts and shocks are the Tokico Illuminas, which are 5-way adjustable. Spring-wise, the Racing Beat springs provide a 1 inch drop and a 20% increase in spring rates. You should also invest in polyurethane bushings for the front end, to tighten up the steering.

Is your FB a GSL? If you don't know, check the rear brakes. If they're disks, then you have a GSL. This is the best of the trim levels, as it came equipped with a LSD rear axle. If you don't have rear discs, you can pick up an axle assembly from a junkyard for a decent price and swap it in.

These suggestions are only the tip of the iceberg though. Do a search and you'll find a whole host of options to make your FB corner better.

 

Read the articles at www.iluvmyrx7.com or whatever it is. One of them specifically says that the RX-7 handled better than the cars they tested, only to be slightly superceeded by the vette. I think that if you just up the suspension, youd be amazed with the results.

~T.J.

PS - To get an idea of AJC-13B's car (AJC), as well as DirectFreak's (DF), and Mike-P-28's (Mike-P), check out www.AJC13B.com. Thats AJC's site, but Mike-P and DF are running the same engine, only not quite as beastly...Yet .

 

A few more things to think about:

1. Your'e talking about taking the heavy part of a Vette (the frame and engine) and replacing the lighter part (the fiberglass body) with the heavy part of an RX-7 (everything but the engine and suspension). You're going to weigh more than either of those cars when you're done.

2. If you just set the RX-7 unibody on the Vette frame you're going to see roughly 6 inchest of frame and body mount below the RX-7. Not remotely attractive. To avoid this you would have to cut out the floor pan, drop the body ~ 6 inches, and then reattach the floor pan effectively losing ~ 6 inches of head room - a commodity already at a premium.

3. You'll need an undamaged Vette to start with else you're in for some repair/replacement from the onset.

4. If you're getting all of this from a junk yard there's a bunch of stuff you'll need to spruce up (ie. rotors, calipers, all fluids).

I think I'll stop there I'd invest in some shocks, struts, springs, and bushings and call it a weekend. You'll be outhandling a '91 Vette in no time. Then move on to the power dept.

As for the question posed by gamble302, yup, it's pretty much an ordinary leaf spring, though fiberglass and mounted such that the ends are pointing at the wheels ie. entire rear suspension rests on a single leaf spring.

 

drum rear brakes. unfortunately. but i intend to buy another. i will look for disc in the rear this time. i have another question for anyone who may know. my 82 tends to go through differentials like butter. i dont know why. the car has had 7 differentials in it since i got it 3 years ago. they have all been used, but in pretty good condition. does anyone know what may be causing this? i know the 8000 rpm clutch dump did it the first time, but after that i stopped doing it but they kept breaking

 

yep yep, thats it. same as my moms 91 buick regal. i know what it is but couldnt explain it

 

have you guys seem this little corvetty??

http://www.pbase.com/image/13885789

 

Oh, please say it isn't so...

 

Ooof, now THAT RX-7 is a candidate for a V8 conversion....gotta love the guys that can't afford the real thing... Lambofieros and such...