Build thread! Action! Danger! A driveway!
10-07-10 | 12:28 AM
#26
Thread Starter
Just a hint of crazy.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Just to update the state of the engine bay, here's a picture of it as it sits currently, I have removed both headlight motors for a savings of about 7 lbs as weighed with the bathroom scale trick, and I got the left rear brake caliper and rotor taken off, time to order new brake pads and SS lines!
Also now on the to-do list: find out how to keep the headlights up with some prop rods...
Also now on the to-do list: find out how to keep the headlights up with some prop rods...
10-10-10 | 07:39 PM
#28
Thread Starter
Just a hint of crazy.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Well, it's that time of week again... more updates! I got all of the rear brake assemblies apart, and SS lines (all 5) are on order from RE-Speed pus Hawk HPS pads for all 4 corners. Now to explain what I did with the rear rotors, pics!
^Gunk-tastic!
^The before picture of the rotor, both caliper brackets will need new grease but are fine otherwise.
^The after picture! I sandblasted both rotors, this is not spray paint. The head at the shop seemed to think I'm an idiot for sandblasting the rotors and that the car isn't going to stop very well, guess I'll find out eventually...
Bonus round: Gauges!
^Housings taken apart, how the heck did it get rusty behind there...
^How many OE gauges will I use? Depends on how many work well, I'll be testing them in the electronics lab at college this coming tuesday.
^Not important, but totally awesome
^Gunk-tastic!
^The before picture of the rotor, both caliper brackets will need new grease but are fine otherwise.
^The after picture! I sandblasted both rotors, this is not spray paint. The head at the shop seemed to think I'm an idiot for sandblasting the rotors and that the car isn't going to stop very well, guess I'll find out eventually...
Bonus round: Gauges!
^Housings taken apart, how the heck did it get rusty behind there...
^How many OE gauges will I use? Depends on how many work well, I'll be testing them in the electronics lab at college this coming tuesday.
^Not important, but totally awesome
10-11-10 | 01:58 AM
#32
Thread Starter
Just a hint of crazy.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
I think I'm going to go with the 5.0, but I'm afraid of having the thread moved, and I think there's some pretty helpful/interesting stuff for FB people in here. Can I stay even if I'm a soul thief? Even the fuel mods should be relevant for TII swaps... and I promise lots of pretty pictures of things!
10-11-10 | 02:41 AM
#33
I'll leave the thread for now. Maybe there is still time for you to come to your senses and do a proper Turbocharged Rotary. If you get the Five point oh, then the thread has got to go.
10-11-10 | 11:01 AM
#34
10-11-10 | 04:54 PM
#35
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: South Africa
Hehe FB people are usually the most die-hard rotary fans...sooo V8's won't get much love here. I have nothing against a good boinger, but it musn't be in an RX in any form and it must atleast have 21st century things like overhead cams, 4+ valves per cylinder etc. etc. Pushrods are a no no 
. Buut to be fair, even modifying a 7 at all could be considered removing its soul so most of us are guilty there. I may not understand your decision but I if you have your heart set on it then screw what other people say its all for you in the end
. Buut to be fair, even modifying a 7 at all could be considered removing its soul so most of us are guilty there. I may not understand your decision but I if you have your heart set on it then screw what other people say its all for you in the end
10-11-10 | 06:03 PM
#36
Thread Starter
Just a hint of crazy.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Hehe FB people are usually the most die-hard rotary fans...sooo V8's won't get much love here. I have nothing against a good boinger, but it musn't be in an RX in any form and it must atleast have 21st century things like overhead cams, 4+ valves per cylinder etc. etc. Pushrods are a no no . Buut to be fair, even modifying a 7 at all could be considered removing its soul so most of us are guilty there. I may not understand your decision but I if you have your heart set on it then screw what other people say its all for you in the end
. Buut to be fair, even modifying a 7 at all could be considered removing its soul so most of us are guilty there. I may not understand your decision but I if you have your heart set on it then screw what other people say its all for you in the end
10-11-10 | 06:41 PM
#37
zoom zoom
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: nederland, texas
so i realize... But i would think fb/sa folk would like my reporting on the suspension brakes and everything else. Guess not enough eh. I would love to run an ohc or dohc alum 8, but unfortunately space constraints limit this. Besides, two valvers tend to have a sound that can't quite be replicated, as does a carb, though i'm going to go with efi. Thank you for your support, i don't ask for people to agree, only to not be hating. I support rotary power regardless of application and am a staunch supporter, i could only hope that people would show the same respect for a proven engine.
10-11-10 | 07:02 PM
#38
carb newb
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Charlottetown,P.E.I
^^^
+2
I thought 5l when I first got mine,mainly because I knew and still don't know much about rotaries. But decided I'd like to learn so the 12a is staying put in mine.but I'm not gonna hate on anybody doing their thing to a car they own.
+2
I thought 5l when I first got mine,mainly because I knew and still don't know much about rotaries. But decided I'd like to learn so the 12a is staying put in mine.but I'm not gonna hate on anybody doing their thing to a car they own.
10-13-10 | 01:03 AM
#39
Thread Starter
Just a hint of crazy.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Minor update, but an important one, I managed to put a stud in the stripped out wheel bolt hole, I just drilled it out with a half-inch bit and the one I bought (don't remember specs exactly, M12?) Just slipped in, and I used a thick washer and 19mm nut to pull the splines into the hub, then mounted the rotor after drilling one of its holes to pull it in all the way, seems way solid and I think it will hold up, though balance issues may occur. I also got done with gauge testing, and I will post my findings and musings for all to read in the technical section perhaps. In summary though I'll use all of the ancillary gauges except for the oil pressure, because it sweeps way too slowly to make me comfortable.
^Cheapass and tasty solution.
^Cheapass and tasty solution.
10-18-10 | 06:07 PM
#40
Thread Starter
Just a hint of crazy.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
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From: Los Angeles
Well I decided to pick up my point-and-shoot and try something new...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opkPcNduQPg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opkPcNduQPg
10-23-10 | 11:43 PM
#42
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 340
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From: Southern Minnesota and Southern California
Hey Flyboy,
Good job with the posts. I am rebuilding a FB in Minnesota and am about the same place you are, although I'm currently working on the front suspension. Keep up the posts and good luck
Good job with the posts. I am rebuilding a FB in Minnesota and am about the same place you are, although I'm currently working on the front suspension. Keep up the posts and good luck
10-24-10 | 10:41 PM
#43
Well the Illuminas got in a few days ago, but I'm waiting until the rest of the suspension gets here to finish the rear end (thanks to billy for being so prompt in letting me know that he's just short a few parts). In the meantime, I want to show you discerning FB and SA enthusiasts my extra special pennysaver modification to the rear hatch struts to make them work without having to buy new ones! Without further delay:
^As you can see, I simply drilled a hole in the strut after using a pointed tap to make a starter divot and break the chrome, and I use two cotter pins my dad grabbed me for my main and two straight cotter pins on string as backups. They actually fit better (that is; perfectly) but I don't have the heart to tell him that :p Important to note is unless you want a bunch of fluid coming out, make sure to sand down the burrs and broken chrome before testing or installing, my left strut got the seal torn up because the hole was rough.
^As you can see, I simply drilled a hole in the strut after using a pointed tap to make a starter divot and break the chrome, and I use two cotter pins my dad grabbed me for my main and two straight cotter pins on string as backups. They actually fit better (that is; perfectly) but I don't have the heart to tell him that :p Important to note is unless you want a bunch of fluid coming out, make sure to sand down the burrs and broken chrome before testing or installing, my left strut got the seal torn up because the hole was rough.
Dude this was worth the price of admission!
And for what it's worth, a V8 is a perfectly good way to go. I'm sticking with the 12a for now, but I'm investigating whether you could make a vortec 4200 24 valve I-6 fit into that bay.
10-27-10 | 12:03 AM
#44
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 1
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Love the video update idea.
Nothing wrong with a V8 swap. Yeah rotary soul and all that, but it's not like there's only a handful of these cars around. Hot rodding is all about swapping, making things work, throwing stupid power at a tiny car, etc.
In fact, I just found a 84 that has some aftermarket bits on it with a body kit for a few hundred bucks. It's also got a blown engine. The perfect candidate for a V8 once I'm done with the 84 GSL I've got. I'll be calling the guy tomorrow. Keep up the good work, your going to love those pads and the SS lines. They make a HUGE difference.
Nothing wrong with a V8 swap. Yeah rotary soul and all that, but it's not like there's only a handful of these cars around. Hot rodding is all about swapping, making things work, throwing stupid power at a tiny car, etc.
In fact, I just found a 84 that has some aftermarket bits on it with a body kit for a few hundred bucks. It's also got a blown engine. The perfect candidate for a V8 once I'm done with the 84 GSL I've got. I'll be calling the guy tomorrow. Keep up the good work, your going to love those pads and the SS lines. They make a HUGE difference.
11-13-10 | 05:02 AM
#45
Thread Starter
Just a hint of crazy.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Holy kit and kaboodle, the boards are back online?! Well I've made simply massive progress since last post, the whole front end is reassembled with all the trick parts and combined with the rear the entire suspension is done, took me a long time to do all of it (i was up till 2:30 in the morning finishing the front end). Lots of pics, I'll throw them up when time allows.
11-15-10 | 11:01 AM
#46
roadkill hats rock
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
Holy kit and kaboodle, the boards are back online?! Well I've made simply massive progress since last post, the whole front end is reassembled with all the trick parts and combined with the rear the entire suspension is done, took me a long time to do all of it (i was up till 2:30 in the morning finishing the front end). Lots of pics, I'll throw them up when time allows.
11-15-10 | 07:35 PM
#48
In Love with a GS
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Mid Northern Indiana
Let us know what you'll be doing with the gauges, i'm looking for ideas on how to make a custom set this winter, already have everything out of the car... just trying to get a process down before i ruin anything
11-18-10 | 12:32 PM
#49
Thread Starter
Just a hint of crazy.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
For some reason I wasn't as thorough with my picture taking of the front suspension, but I do have some pics of things.
Part of it unboxed!
mmmm, camber...
Rear end ready to do some work.
And outboard.
Her best angle! I don't have any pics of the front end redone for some reason,
but I'll snap some next time i'm taking pictures.
Part of it unboxed!
mmmm, camber...
Rear end ready to do some work.
And outboard.
Her best angle! I don't have any pics of the front end redone for some reason,
but I'll snap some next time i'm taking pictures.
11-18-10 | 12:44 PM
#50
Thread Starter
Just a hint of crazy.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Love the video update idea.
Nothing wrong with a V8 swap. Yeah rotary soul and all that, but it's not like there's only a handful of these cars around. Hot rodding is all about swapping, making things work, throwing stupid power at a tiny car, etc.
In fact, I just found a 84 that has some aftermarket bits on it with a body kit for a few hundred bucks. It's also got a blown engine. The perfect candidate for a V8 once I'm done with the 84 GSL I've got. I'll be calling the guy tomorrow. Keep up the good work, your going to love those pads and the SS lines. They make a HUGE difference.
Nothing wrong with a V8 swap. Yeah rotary soul and all that, but it's not like there's only a handful of these cars around. Hot rodding is all about swapping, making things work, throwing stupid power at a tiny car, etc.
In fact, I just found a 84 that has some aftermarket bits on it with a body kit for a few hundred bucks. It's also got a blown engine. The perfect candidate for a V8 once I'm done with the 84 GSL I've got. I'll be calling the guy tomorrow. Keep up the good work, your going to love those pads and the SS lines. They make a HUGE difference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_WjLTcx0QA
Get her swapped! Just make sure to rock a slipper in the rear end for maximum hoonage potential.
I assume you mean bushings then? There's not much more to the rear end... Why would you want soft bushings? It would just cause deflection.