Interest in: Full FD front end conversion
01-30-07, 08:30 PM
#1
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Interest in: Full FD front end conversion
Well after years of consideration I have finally decided to build a full front end conversion for the FC. I have sourced the parts needed to fabricate a full front end kit and produce a mold. I am seperated from my wife and kids so I have so much time on my hands that I feel it is time to make this dream a reality. I know for every 10 people that say "I want this kit" maybe 1 person will come through with cash.. But I am doing this for a hobby with the potential to turn it into a money venture. The kit will be based on the following:
OEM FD Front bumper
OEM FD fenders modfied
OEM FD headlight covers
OEM FD hood
I will of course be modifying the parts to fit the FC's chassis and then making molds to produce Fiberglass parts. The picture provided is the basis of this plan. I sourced the parts locally for about $355 and plan to get to work shortly. Let me know what you think. The cost is going to be close to $1000 at best. But money could be saved by sourcing your own bumper and hood. I will continue to update this thread.
OEM FD Front bumper
OEM FD fenders modfied
OEM FD headlight covers
OEM FD hood
I will of course be modifying the parts to fit the FC's chassis and then making molds to produce Fiberglass parts. The picture provided is the basis of this plan. I sourced the parts locally for about $355 and plan to get to work shortly. Let me know what you think. The cost is going to be close to $1000 at best. But money could be saved by sourcing your own bumper and hood. I will continue to update this thread.
01-30-07, 08:48 PM
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looks great, although the rear fenders look outta place with the fd hood/fenders in the front.
im sure its gonna be a lot of hard work, but sounds pricey. you kno were all poor...
im sure its gonna be a lot of hard work, but sounds pricey. you kno were all poor...
01-30-07, 08:54 PM
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The Fd fenders will have to be cut in half and then welded to a set of fc fender bottoms and then trimmed to fit the door contour. I am unsure as to weither the hood will fit in stock form yet. The front bumper will remain stock size. I may not end up makind the kit for retail. At this point it is more of a personal endeavor. Perhaps with some fender extensions on the rear the lines would flow a little better. I think it'll look fine in stock form though.
01-30-07, 09:12 PM
#6
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WOW! I love the way that looks! Ive always loved the FD front end and especially the FD FTPs. i know in your original post you said the design would be based off of the OEM bumper but i was wondering are their any plans to make an aftermarket one also? Or will an aftermarket FD bumper fit up nicely to the re-done front end? I would be extremely interested in this and would willingly spend the money to have it! Talk about stepping outside the box and doing something different! Hurry with the R/D the moneys already burning a hole in my pocket!
01-30-07, 09:26 PM
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With the way I am building the kit you could buy any aftermarket bumper built for the 93-96 rx-7. From my understanding the 99 spec front will not fit the 93-96 fenders... But I don't really know.
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01-30-07, 10:06 PM
#8
What's the point??
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That would be awesome if you could make it.
That being said, I would strongly advise against making it for retail, the headaches and problems caused would not be worth it IMO, also, it keeps your car more unique.
That being said, I would strongly advise against making it for retail, the headaches and problems caused would not be worth it IMO, also, it keeps your car more unique.
01-31-07, 12:04 AM
#12
The Cause of Death
THAT looks like good quality. IMO, it does not flow with the more rigid lines of the FC.
A NO for me.
If you decide to produce it, best of luck! It seems like you'll have a bunch of buyers!
James
A NO for me.
If you decide to produce it, best of luck! It seems like you'll have a bunch of buyers!
James
01-31-07, 12:16 AM
#14
yes,thats me \/
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thats pretty cool, and would confuse everyone of what the hell year rx7 it really is for people that dont know alot about them. i would probably buy it if fitment was good and such, WHEN im looking for a kit. like a year from now
01-31-07, 01:28 AM
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I think the idea is good just like that Japanese example. Execution is another story though. 
As long as I don't see FC's with unpainted FD front ends and some cheap wheels then I won't talk smack. Almost everytime I see an FC in So Cal, it's got some unpainted body kit with ratty wheels.
As long as I don't see FC's with unpainted FD front ends and some cheap wheels then I won't talk smack. Almost everytime I see an FC in So Cal, it's got some unpainted body kit with ratty wheels.
01-31-07, 07:03 AM
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I am using a 1988 Turbo that is down and out as the car for fitment. I worked in a machine shop for a cuople years honing my welding skills and have been doing bodywork and paint for the past 4 years. THe hardest part of this project will be the mounts for the front bumper and the hood latching. I am really unsure as to how the hood will latch and or bolt to the hinges. The car pictured has the fenders welded and molded to the hood so it is all one peice. If this is to be available for retail then there is no way that I could make it as one peice. Herein lies the issue. I will know a little more shortly, but hoodpins may have to be utilized. Also to keep costs down I may end up just producing the fenders and the headlights covers with instructions on how to convert your buckets... Then people could source thier own hoods and front bumpers....
01-31-07, 09:13 AM
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Maybe I'm the only one to notice this, but it looks like the FD front totally rapes the rest of the FC. 
The FD front is so round and organic compared to the hard lines of the FC that it seems obvious that it's two cars that have been grafted together.
For example, look at the fender line on the purple car vs. the image in my signature. Notice how the stock Mazda fenders continue a very pronounced body line down the side of the car. On the purple FC, that line just disappears into the wheel well. The front wheel well appears also quite a bit larger then the rear wheel well in that image and that combined with the fender lines just ending halfway through looks a little odd in my eyes. The hood lines and headlights appear far too round when compared with the rear of the FC. And in general the front end looks huge and flat compared to the stock FC nose which is far more pointy. It almost makes the front end look as high as the rear, which has never been an RX-7 shape because the engine sits so low in the chassis.
Just my two cents.
The FD front is so round and organic compared to the hard lines of the FC that it seems obvious that it's two cars that have been grafted together.
For example, look at the fender line on the purple car vs. the image in my signature. Notice how the stock Mazda fenders continue a very pronounced body line down the side of the car. On the purple FC, that line just disappears into the wheel well. The front wheel well appears also quite a bit larger then the rear wheel well in that image and that combined with the fender lines just ending halfway through looks a little odd in my eyes. The hood lines and headlights appear far too round when compared with the rear of the FC. And in general the front end looks huge and flat compared to the stock FC nose which is far more pointy. It almost makes the front end look as high as the rear, which has never been an RX-7 shape because the engine sits so low in the chassis.
Just my two cents.
01-31-07, 09:25 AM
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I agree that it is odd. But the FC's always have bothered me (minus the S5's) due to the nose. I think that with the propper rear flares and a set of s5 tails and a decent rear skirt the kit would flow well. The car pictured appears to be a near flawles job. Also understand that the car shown has a fairly low bodykit... I dunno we'll see how it goes. Thanks to Chadwick he's selling me the parts to get the ball rolling.
01-31-07, 10:22 AM
#20
Originally Posted by Aaron Cake
Maybe I'm the only one to notice this, but it looks like the FD front totally rapes the rest of the FC.
The FD front is so round and organic compared to the hard lines of the FC that it seems obvious that it's two cars that have been grafted together.
For example, look at the fender line on the purple car vs. the image in my signature. Notice how the stock Mazda fenders continue a very pronounced body line down the side of the car. On the purple FC, that line just disappears into the wheel well. The front wheel well appears also quite a bit larger then the rear wheel well in that image and that combined with the fender lines just ending halfway through looks a little odd in my eyes. The hood lines and headlights appear far too round when compared with the rear of the FC. And in general the front end looks huge and flat compared to the stock FC nose which is far more pointy. It almost makes the front end look as high as the rear, which has never been an RX-7 shape because the engine sits so low in the chassis.
Just my two cents.
The FD front is so round and organic compared to the hard lines of the FC that it seems obvious that it's two cars that have been grafted together.
For example, look at the fender line on the purple car vs. the image in my signature. Notice how the stock Mazda fenders continue a very pronounced body line down the side of the car. On the purple FC, that line just disappears into the wheel well. The front wheel well appears also quite a bit larger then the rear wheel well in that image and that combined with the fender lines just ending halfway through looks a little odd in my eyes. The hood lines and headlights appear far too round when compared with the rear of the FC. And in general the front end looks huge and flat compared to the stock FC nose which is far more pointy. It almost makes the front end look as high as the rear, which has never been an RX-7 shape because the engine sits so low in the chassis.
Just my two cents.
I bought the FC for the way it looks (and the engine of course). I love the way the FD looks, but they're completely different styles.
BUT, if you want to do the kit, I wish you the best of luck.
01-31-07, 07:28 PM
#23
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I think it looks sweet Trevor, go for it man!!!
Sorry on the vert rollbar deal, I ended up leaving that company because they lied and I wasn't making any money. But also, I understand you are ditching the vert project anyway!!!
PAINT MY CAR!!! And put an FD nose on it!!! (white please)
Sorry on the vert rollbar deal, I ended up leaving that company because they lied and I wasn't making any money. But also, I understand you are ditching the vert project anyway!!!
PAINT MY CAR!!! And put an FD nose on it!!! (white please)
01-31-07, 08:43 PM
#24
YES! I'm interested. But I'd want a kit to adapt OEM FD fenders, not fiberglass. And the widebody style is a big no.
What??!!? Tell me more. Is that from an FD? Front end only or front and back?
Among others, I have two pie in the sky goals. One is an FD front end, bumper and maybe doors (basically leaving only the FC hatch). The other is a Miata suspension. I'd say $300 for a front end adaptor kit (fenders, hood and front bumper not included) would be reasonable enough for me to buy it. But if I got such a thing it would come about 2 years from now after I finish my less aesthetic mods.
Originally Posted by hIGGI
i always found more interesting doing double wishbone conversion on FC....
Among others, I have two pie in the sky goals. One is an FD front end, bumper and maybe doors (basically leaving only the FC hatch). The other is a Miata suspension. I'd say $300 for a front end adaptor kit (fenders, hood and front bumper not included) would be reasonable enough for me to buy it. But if I got such a thing it would come about 2 years from now after I finish my less aesthetic mods.
01-31-07, 08:43 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by hIGGI
i always found more interesting doing double wishbone conversion on FC....