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My 81 Base, My first car...
I bought this for my first car when I was fifteen or sixteen. It was behind a used car dealer near where I lived. The dealer didnt know anything about rotaries and couldnt get it to start half the time. It reminded me of my dads '83 944 and I had to have it. If it makes any difference said dealer had a 1985 Celica-Supra, and a late 80's turbo 300ZX. This drove better and felt quicker than the other cars. And as the dealer wanted it gone, it was much cheaper... $1300 cheap...
It had been sitting out back for a few years and had weeds grown up nearly to the tops of the fenders and the paint had faded some. A buff and polish and the car was amazing, a carb rebuild later and she started without the choke. I couldnt bring myself to park it at the highschool so I bought a $400 1990 Civic hatch for a daily driver. However my 7 and I got into some wild antics that ended in me having my license suspended until I was eighteen... Who would have thought the officer would have a problem with drifting the circle in town? Well nobody said it was a smart move! Here are the earliest pictures I have of the car, http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0123_large.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0126_large.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0164_large.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0115_large.jpg Unbeknownst to me I had stumbled onto a car that had a cult following, a car that many enthusiasts dream of finding. It had riken mesh wheels on it, rotary engineering upper strut bar, header, and intake manifold. A Mikuni 44pph side draft carburator with a K&N filter and element. Newer Racing Beat plug wires, and a full Racing Beat exhaust. Within no time I had it in a garage, and eventually I traded my Civic for an '85 Rx7 and daily drove that for a few months. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...7/HPIM2203.jpg The car needed very little when I got it, however after three years of abuse the ring and pinion had a fist fight which left me limping home with some horrible noises coming out of the back. I quickly sourced a GSL big bearing rear axle and swapped it in. Shortly after that a friend of mine was parting out a GSL-SE and I got the entire suspension off of him for free. I never got around to swapping everything in, and sold it to recoup some christmas money. Besides, I had sweet meshies, I wanted to use them!! http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0163_large.jpg http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0171_large.jpg http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0174_large.jpg http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0170_large.jpg The reason I bought the GSL-SE swap was because I badly wanted 15 inch wheels, Ive always thought they fit the car perfectly. And one day I hit pay dirt. An epic set of Weds Autobahns that a redneck was selling for $75! He had used them on his quad, and just wanted them gone... http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...7/HPIM0533.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...7/HPIM0537.jpg I ended up helping a friend out (which I shouldnt have done in hindsight) and sold him the wheels for cheap so he could get a 7. This led me to search aimlessly for another set of dirt cheap 15's. I ended up with a cheap set of 14 inch enkeis ($75) and went ahead and tried them out. They were actually Mustang 4 lug wheels which are 4x108. However I have learned that due to manufacturing variances, many 4x110 wheels fit on 4x108 and vice versa, they do not fit snugly, they just fit.... That said Ive put alot of miles on 4x108 wheels and they fit as perfectly as my 4x110 Rikens. Now I dont want to say every set should fit, but I have had alot of luck so far! The only picture I have, yes they are gold, I didnt like the look, so I sold them on! http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...422001857a.jpg Shortly after I added the legendary Gilmer drive :twisted: http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...7/HPIM2207.jpg I also added 2GCDFIS, a custom 2.5 inch exhaust, a camera mount, and an electric fan... http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...7/HPIM2433.jpg I also found a set of generic (ARE I think) 15x7 meshies for $100 http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...7/HPIM2290.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...7/HPIM4163.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...7/HPIM4148.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...7/DSCF2506.jpg |
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Late last year.... I traded this car away..... I was without it for about six months or so before I found it and got it back. In some ways, I regret ever getting rid of it. My glass sunroof, and some of my wheels I will never get back. But I treated this car like a garage queen in the nine years that I owned it. I RARELY drove it, and I didnt do much in the way of serious modifications because I didnt want to risk permantly altering anything. (I.E. unable to revert to oem/stock) Now that I have the car back, that inhibition is gone. All I want to do, is make the car exactly what I have always wanted. Here she is the day I got her back....
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psf9d260d5.jpg That is my Miata, my daily, and the girlfriends new toy an '03 MR2 Spyder. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psb01e37d0.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps34150ccb.jpg Decided the first order of business was getting it lower, I lopped a coil off each corner and was very unsatisfied. It rode well enough, but I really wanted a proper suspension after having a Miata on a good aftermarket suspension. Sure, I did it correctly, it didnt bounce. Sure its lower, but it didnt handle any better. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps66b35fee.jpg Unfortunately the first thing I did after this was order coilovers from a once respected company who I shall not name (Recieved full refund thankfully). I left the community right about the time they stopped delivering orders, and didnt think to research them when I got my car back. This led to me looking at lowering springs, coming up unsatisfied with what I saw. I looked at the TTT setup for a long time, before I decided I could build the exact same thing for less than half the cost. Well, I might have been right, except R&D cost money, so I spent about half the cost in the end First attempt I took some ebay coilover sleeves and some shaft collar clamps to see if this was even feasible. If it failed I wasnt out much cash, if it worked Id buy decent springs. I used old blown shocks for mock up so I didnt destroy my good shocks, and washers for the spacer as I had no idea how long the spacer would need to be. Mind you, this is all mock up and was never actually used. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psea1d928c.jpg What this taught me was that the 2.5 inch spring would never fit into the oem rear shock tower. Either the shock tower needed widened, or the 2.5 inch spring HAD to go. Also the spacer ate up usable travel. Once the weight of the car was on the spring there was very little travel before the spring hat would crash into the top of the shock, it just wasnt going to work. Enter the Draco 1.8" I.D. 150# springs. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psfc3ea058.jpg With the shaft collar there is no need for an adjustable sleeve anyway. This spring limits my shock selection to a degree but it fits into the shock tower with no need for a spacer. With some scrap steel an upper spring hat was fabricated although not pictured. At some point the car had been needlessly notched in the hopes of finding a way to stuff the 2.5 inch spring up further to shorten the spacer. No matter, it isnt a structural area, and I suppose it helps showcase the coilovers. lol http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psc44cb2b0.jpg Here she is with the front mocked up as well. Given I now had height adjustability I decided to see 'How low can she go?' Well, this is sitting on the rear bumpstops. If not for the bumpstops it could go a little lower. Mind you it was only driven into, and out of the garage at this height, at about two mph. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps326a58a1.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psf0200841.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps8c997856.jpg Here it is on the first test drive after I received my Summit 275# springs for the front, the rear was still a little tall, but I had taken it apart and reassembled it a half dozen times. So getting it perfect wasnt important yet, also I wanted to keep the rear off of the bumpstops. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps88127c92.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...pscfac4f39.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps26681be6.jpg Here is a picture of the front suspension, it is complete save for the shock inserts I want. Havent decided yet what I am going to go with. Yes the rotors are dual drilled, hopefully soon Ill get the axles done as well. Going 4x100. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psa34947c9.jpg And another of the rear, since this picture I have installed 1990 Camaro rear shocks, which are about two inches shorter than the Rx-7's rear shocks. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psb77c2a7e.jpg Another pic of my 7 and Miata. The Miata is on Eibach Pro-kit springs and KYB AGX shocks. I have plans to buy coilovers for it, I bought it with that suspension. But I figured Id put coilovers on the FB first. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps1f46dde5.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps9b732fb4.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psc084a063.jpg Drove to my hometown for no reason other than to test the suspension and waste fuel. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psb695eab1.jpg Ive been driving it down the nastiest, bumpiest, crappiest roads I can find. Interspersed with great stretches of twisty roads for testing. It handles exceptionally well, and Ive been aiming for every man hole cover and pot hole I see. So far the suspension has withstood tremendous punishment. Ive loaded it down with weight, Ive locked the brakes, accelerated as hard as it is capable of. No measurable movement from the collar clamps. I want to be -certain- that it is a reliable setup, and I am far from the first to try this so I know it works. But I need the piece of mind that comes with abusing it firsthand. Also, more importantly. I ordered a "Made in the 80's - Loved by the ladies" Decal from JNC, very FB appropriate if you ask me http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps99280f75.jpg Oh, and I made a little 'Before and After' to really showcase the change in ride height. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps6a527876.jpg Bought a house, progress on cars slowed. Thankfully it has a big garage! http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps5ec9b365.jpg Notice the second bolt pattern? It will soon be utilized... Just ordered some wheels. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psa34947c9.jpg |
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Looks good! Glad you got it back!
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Looks real nice.
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Looks fantastic!
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Can you do us a favor, and post the exact parts list (or close to it) that you used for the suspension set up?
Pretty please?? |
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Clearanced the fenders and quarters, car is driveable now, enjoying the New Year! Also, going from a 60 series sidewall to a 45 series has been quite a change..... http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps3f086b2e.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps0911f224.jpg |
Nice FB man, I was able to buy back my FB after I sold it two years later.
Also, Thx for sharing the parts list for your suspension set up. Steve. . |
So, in the rear you just bought the shaft collar clamps, and the springs? No coilover sleeve?
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I was having some bump steer so I ordered some TTT RCA's, Id recommend them to anyone lowering your car. Also got some lightweight lugs. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps3378ff5a.jpg The rear bump stops needed cut down, and when I removed them they fell apart. They are nothing but rubber glued to a flat washer, so I made my own. I cut down a set of fronts and epoxied them to a flat washer giving me the ability to safely lower my car some more. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps1dbaed98.jpg The RCA's lowered the front about 3/4" so I lowered the rear to match plus eliminated some of the excessive rake the car had. I think its looking really good, but I may need to raise it up depending on how it drives. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps02034ac3.jpg |
Mean looking FB. Very nicely done. Make sure hold onto it, as not many can say they still have their first car. :biggthumpup:
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The TTT RCAs have cured my bump steer!! Now I just need some sunny weather for a photoshoot!
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Boogered up the rear axle holes, had to source new ones and start from scratch. Had to wait quite awhile for parts like this,
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps030ae4ee.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps72711999.jpg So that's whats been happening the last few weeks. Sourced all the parts and, http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psef09a1c5.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps9a09e853.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps5b2e2b05.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps41859086.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps4874f53c.jpg Mmmmm.... Its good to be driving a rotary again... |
Glad to see it's back up and running. Congrats, and running before summer too. :biggthumpup:
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When I welded the rear top hats together for the coilovers, one wasnt perfectly centered. This led to the passenger side spring always making odd noises under heavy compression. Finding 1.8 inch tophats wasnt the easiest thing to do. Thanks to South West Speed, I sourced a pair, and now the rear sounds and operates like stock.... Other than the higher spring rate!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps3e2f7333.jpg Also, ever since I did the 2GCDFIS the coil bracket was only held by a single bolt. Finally, it is properly hard mounted. And nice and level, unlike before. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps458bb3b9.jpg And for fun.... http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps87344fb1.jpg |
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Man this looks awesome. I want a 1st gen just like this.
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She looks great! Good job man!
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A local photographer was taken with the 'ole FB at the Dayton Cars and Coffee. This resulted in some high quality photography!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps6bb8d5d9.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psfa534ed3.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps3228a036.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psb4c1023c.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psf922c39e.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psdd7cdbaa.jpg Big BIG thanks to Trapspeed photography! I love their work! |
Beautiful!
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http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psc4bad9f2.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psf80aa69f.jpg Just out enjoying the weather! |
Holy blurry pictures batman! Here are some better ones!!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...psd4097b2d.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps5a5ba9d8.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps47f5b31c.jpg |
Great looking FB. Although I'm curious what Ohio weather you're enjoying. It's been %$#&ing miserable down here.
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No snow, Im good lol Mind you Im a Miata owner, I havent been putting the top up, not til it hits 40 degrees! |
stunning! what wheels are those? also, what did you use to color/paint your tire lettering?
you have some really nice cars between you and your girl. |
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Sharpie paint pen, its not as good as regular tire paint lol And thanks!! |
Hi, you mentioned that you went to 45 series tires but what size are they? Are they the same front and back? I have some very old tires on Revolution rims on my car just to see how they fit but cannot drive it to see if they are going to rub on the stock flares, the tires are way too crusty. The guy I got them from had them on a lowered first gen but I'm not sure if he had the fenders flared or not. He had 205 50 15 on the front and 225 50 15 on the rear. The fronts look okay for clearance but the rears almost stick out beyond the flares. I'm worried that the tires will rub if I'm on a bumpy road with a passenger. I have 200lb front springs and 150lb rears, lowered about an inch and a quarter. They are Lovells which replace the stock springs without any modifications, which I got from Australia.
Also wanted to say great job on your car! Looks great. Thanks Gary |
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Mine do not come close to the flares at all (Front or rear). If you have a GSL-SE your wheels would stick out further than mine with the same offset. Also if you have different offset/wheel width than mine it could change where the wheel is as well. Also different manufacturers tires are sometimes different heights/widths despite saying the same/similar sizes. So basically I cant say for sure if going to my tire size will help you for sure or not. But they are a lot shorter in height than a 225/50-15. |
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Here is another angle of the rear tire
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To be on the safe side you might want to have that fender lip rolled, pulled if you are really worried about it. But I think you might be alright, a 45 series should help.
Look up fender rolling, but Id advise you to have it done professionally, less chance to destroy the fender/paint. |
Its that time of year, warm up sessions with little to no driving involved. Too much salt on the road.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps352372a7.jpg I cant wait until spring! |
Found some pics Trapspeed took of my car at an event this summer!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps5c2053f6.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...pscd26cabc.jpg |
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