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Project: "Last RX-7" by Herblenny
Brief information about me...
My name is Philip Sohn. I been in rotary scene for over 10 years and have owned my share of rotaries (RX-2, RX-3, 1st gen RX7, 2nd gen RX-7, 10 or so 3rd gens, RX-8, Eunos Cosmo 3 Rotor, etc). Here are few pics of the cars I've owned.. 1993 MB RX-7, 1972 Orange RX-2 coupe, 2004 Lighting Yellow GT RX-8 http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...0622081601.jpg 1985 GSL-SE RX-7 mint! http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/96933739.jpg 1991 RX-7 convertible (first rotary I bought) http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/3a22d1d3.jpg 1973 RX-3 coupe (track ready) http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/DSC00646.jpg 1993 RX-7 base blk/blk (my first FD) http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7..._7365992_n.jpg 1991 Eunos Cosmo 3 Rotor http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e79/herblenny/1.jpg 1994 SSM FD (My other project) http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7..._7763271_n.jpg I also run one of the biggest rotary car event called, 'Deals Gap Rotary Rally' (www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com). http://image.modified.com/f/34320366...+attendees.jpg And if someone ask me what my specialty is, it would be 3rd generation RX-7. I've owned more of these than any cars and have built 3-4 of them in the past. I personally think FD3S RX7 is the best car Mazda has produced and one of the top sports car available in the 90s and still one of the best today. For the past 8 years, I been collecting rare parts, manuals, magazines, and been lucky that some vendors appreciated my build and sponsored me (Thank you Exedy USA, WORK Wheels, Disc Brakes Australia, and Bride). Last year, I made it on to the cover of Modified Magazine and recently featured on S3 Mag. http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/4554/rx7cover.jpg Modified Mag feature: http://www.modified.com/features/mod...o/viewall.html Modified Mag feature about my event: http://www.modified.com/events/modp-...y/viewall.html After over 10 years of owning and now my life is starting to change (Married and with a young son), I am wanting to build my "Last RX-7" and go out with a bang. I been studying and researching about 3 rotor RX-7 and that is what my "Last RX-7" will be. From Now til SEMA 2012, I will be posting here my build process... Pretty much from a stripped chassis to show/track ready RX-7. This is almost 10 years of making in which that I been collecting parts for about that long... and how things comes around in full circle. So, please check often as I'll be posting detail process of this build. Now to my build! Friday Nov. 4th, 2011 - It was my last day at SEMA 2011 in Vegas, talking to some of my sponsors and checking out the cars at SEMA. But my main goal was to find a vendor/sponsor who will show my "Last RX-7" next year. After talking to few, I approached my sponsor Disc Brakes Australia (http://www.dba.com.au/) who graciously supported me in the past with my other RX-7 and RX-8. I had this 5-10 minute spill all lined up and asked the owner of DBA about my car being at their booth next year. After 2 sentences out of my mouth, owner said, "Sure!". I didn't know what to say at that point.. I think I just mumbled on and finished pitching the car even though I already got an OK from the owner. He said, he will love to have the car and right and there, my dream of building a car to SEMA has begun!!! Sunday Nov. 6th, 2011 - I flew back to Birmingham, AL day before and I got sick. This is the day I'm heading to New Orleans, LA to pick up my rolling chassis to begin my "Last RX-7" project. I was pretty sick in the morning where I went into UAB Hospital ER to make sure I was ok to travel. They gave me some antibiotic and I decided to head down there to pick up this 1993 Red RX-7. With help from a good friend John Lewis and loaner trailer from my best friend Leo Huang, we drove to New Orleans to pick up the FD. And here it is! http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...enny/VRFD2.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...enny/VRFD1.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...enny/VRFD6.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...enny/VRFD5.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...enny/VRFD4.jpg Thanks to my friends in New Orleans, Jack and Jonathan from Gorilla RE (www.GorillaRE.com) I got the car loaded and then we went out to eat :) Monday Nov. 7th, 2011 - We left New Orleans and headed back to Bham to drop off the car at my friend Walker Morgan's shop. He is by far the most professional and best fabricator in town. His skills are by far the best I have seen and he himself have worked on several SEMA cars and such. His company webiste is: www.mpfab.com Car leaving New Orleans http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...9149828_n1.jpg At Walker's Shop! www.mpfab.com http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...4305181_n1.jpg |
truely your last Rx7?
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Wednesday, Nov. 9th, 2011 - Been searching for my missing parts and trying to put my engine together so we can test fit it in the car.
Here is my 20B/3 Rotor, built D series engine. Engine was built by my builder Luis Canizales. I consider him to be one of the top builders in the country. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...lenny/20B4.jpg Test fitting the motor mounts. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...lenny/20B1.jpg Different flanges for the manifold.. trying to decide which ones to use. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...lenny/20B2.jpg Ready to transport! http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...lenny/20B3.jpg Wednesday Nov. 16th, 2011 - I was going to install the engine earlier, but due to rain, I didn't get to until now.. I decided to delete PS, AC.. So, I used Mavel manual rack to install the 20B. In the engine bay! http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/20Bisin7.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/20Bisin6.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/20Bisin2.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/20Bisin4.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/20Bisin5.jpg |
I remenber picking up that Issue of Mod. Nice cars. I was woulding when you said you had a cosmo. I thought there is only one of those in the states which was in that issue.
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Wednesday, Nov. 23rd, 2011 - Today, I took couple of my strut tower bar to test fit it on the car. Make sure if it will clear the UIM (No pics). Unfortunately, both bars did NOT clear. I also cleaned up the car a bit and pulled the body electric harness off of the car.
Monday, Nov. 28th, 2011 - I was thinking about the clearance issue and decided to go with Atomic Rex manual rack. I think this should give me additional 1/4 to 1/2 inch more clearance. Wednesday, Nov. 30th, 2011 - Made a deposit for Atomic Rex manual rack.. We shall see how much space I'll have. If I could drop 1/4+ inch, I should be able to use my Cusco D shape strut tower bar without an issue. Friday, Dec. 2nd, 2011 - A Japanese rotorhead in KY helped me out with translating the wiring diagram for the super rare, Defi DSSC. Thanks Yuki Sawai!!! Defi DSSC is one of the rare item that never sold in USA and Defi did not allow this item to be sold outside of its dealers. Total of about 400 were made and I believe I might be the first in USA to put it in an FD. Here are some pics of the unit. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...enny/DSSC7.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...enny/DSSC6.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...enny/DSSC5.jpg |
do you still own your cosmo?
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I hope the build exceeds your personal expectations!
and I wish you blessings, health, and companionship with your project! |
Subscribed.... Seems like your starting out fast. I take forever doing things.
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Can't wait to see this finished up!!
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Phil, that is sik!
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wow. I'll be watching this
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I know you will make this car be the next envy. As you are meticulous
in making sure it is done right. This is also one of my dream builds. So I am also Subscribed. I can't wait for the updates and the finished product! Thanks for sharing with us Phil! :patriot: |
this is going to be a EPIC build, lol hurry up thou so you can help me with my car, lol
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Definitely interested in this one, gonna be awesome.
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Any news on this? Its the best thing I´ve ever seen
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December 6th, 2011 I got a call from my fabricator and he said he checked on the pricing for the Stainless 321 and going to order some for the new manifold set up. This means, my old SS 321 manifold with Racing Beat header flange is for sale!!! If you are interested let me know :)
Here are pics of my old flange set up! Here are the pics and placement of the turbo.. Turbonetic T76. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7.../3rotorFD2.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7.../3rotorFD1.jpg In the car with Hinson 20B /Pettit Subframe with this manifold with Garret T76 with T3 flange. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/DSCF0038.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/DSCF0028.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/DSCF0040.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/DSCF0041.jpg |
T3 flange? That seems incredibly tiny for a 20B.
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Info on T3 vs. T4... just in case :) T3 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...c/T3flange.gif T4 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/10...c/T4flange.gif |
December 8th, 2011 - My fabricator/friend Walker Morgan has explain to me how he was going to build the new 20B manifold. We've decided to use bit more expensive, 321 Stainless for the new manifold. I'm excited to see how its going to turn out!! Until then, I need to start working on the wiring for the car..
Here is a translated DSSC wiring diagram... Only one in the WORLD!!! :) http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...DSSCwiring.jpg |
Awesome project! Good luck :)
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It says they are .438 for the T3 and .406 for the T4.
Some of the numbers on the T3 diagram don't make sense though. |
yeah I realized that after I posted that the numbers were weird..
I'm going to take detail pics of the manifold this weekend so I can sell it and make my new one. This one is made of 321... that I know for fact. |
December 9th, 2011 - Today, I was thinking about stripping my MB FD and start thinking about what I'm going to do to the exterior of the car... I started looking over some old builds I did and thought about turning my MB to what my Blk FD last looked..
My 1st FD / my 'black fd' and how it last looked in my possession.. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/DSC_7818.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...y/DSC_7813.jpg I'm going to start parting out the MB this weekend!!! |
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DIBS on the AutoEXE wing insert if it is not part of the plan!!! The car will look much better wingless ;) Are you planning on going flat black again? You definately should because it looks AMAZING! |
RX7's look super gay without wings IMHO :o13:
Flat black looks cheap and nasty, worst finish I have ever seen on a car, not sure why people do this? Anyway personal taste is like an arsehole, everyone has one :001_005: I hope you water inject the 20B and make 1000+bhp from it, make the ultimate performance car :seeya: |
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Unfortunately, I'm going to keep the AutoEXE wing and maybe use it on the SSM. Quote:
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December 13, 2011 - I didn't get much accomplished over the weekend... Kid, wife, holiday season, plus my old house that i'm trying to get rid of is sucking all my spare time I have.
Yesterday, I finally ordered my new wheels for this car from WORK Wheels. http://www.workwheelsusa.com/media/w...colors/324.jpg I'll most likely use these on the street and my RAYS/VOLK RE30s on the track. WORK CR Ultimate is their newest Emotion Series that are much lighter and stronger than previous CR series. I'm super excited to get them and now they are available in 10.5 width. |
which mazda dealer was that picture at...i went to mazda training in Atlanta with the old guy behind your car!
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Danny Files is a great guy!! We got an alignment there. |
Phil, have you decided on paint color yet?
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December 16th, 2011 - I've received some sneak peek pictures of the turbo manifold yesterday. Walker Morgan from www.MPFab.com did an excellent job.
Here are few pics from the pics he sent me! http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...Bmanifold3.jpg http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...Bmanifold2.jpg http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...Bmanifold4.jpg http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...Bmanifold1.jpg Its made with Stainless 321, which Walker did his magic on them to look like this... Not sure if many of you seen how 321 comes form suppliers, but they looked horrible. I'm heading over to the shop on monday to take some high res pictures with my dslr and also bring him the mid pipe and catback for him to test fit to make the DP. Those of you who haven't heard of MPFab.com, he has worked on several exhaust systems for high end SEMA cars and custom hot rods. He also developed turbo kids for bikes and other sport compact cars. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7...enny/MPFAB.jpg For more information about them, go visit: www.MPFab.com |
I want to pet the manifold, can I pet it?
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Walker always amazes me with his welding abilities, i feel like im watching a master fabricator in the making, i remember when he 1st started learning how to build turbos back in the day @ turbo specialties with Bryan, now they both have shops of their own and they both do superb work now
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December 19th, 2011 - I went by MPFab.com this morning to drop off my titanium catback and a midpipe so, he can start working on the turbo placement and DP. I also had a chance to take a look at Walker's handy work. Man was I impress with his fabrication skills :)
Here are some better pics I've taken. http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7.../manifold2.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7.../manifold1.jpg http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e7.../manifold3.jpg I have yet to see bottom mount turbo set up on a rotary and I'm excited to see how all is going to turn out! |
Wow, so the turbo will actually be positioned down low as shown in a couple of previous posts? Should be VERY cool, not to mention the benefits of moving the heat source away from the engine block AND shortening the hotside piping to your IC. I take it that you're planning a front mount? Cant imagine there's enough room in there for a vmount IC.
Can't wait to see more progress. It will be interesting to see how they route the DP. BTW, manifold is sick bro. Can't recall if I've ever seen welds THAT nice. |
Its not quite welded yet :) Just tacked.
We are going for a V mount set up. Its going to be interesting but I think it will work.. and also retain the hood latch :) Mr. Walker Morgan (from www.MPFab.com) is pretty amazing fabricator and have done some cool stuff before.. including exhaust system for my Eunos Cosmo (dolphine tip). I will keep you guys updated on the build... |
Hmmm, I'm needing to get a manifold fabricated now also. And that one looks AMAZING so far.
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