1979 s5-sa

jfaplanet · 08-26-2011, 06:21 PM

1979 SA
Build date Sept 1978.
FC front subframe w/ manual rack
5-lug conversion
S5 NA engine with stock electronics

So I bought this SA from a friend who bought it from a guy in Jersey that had done some suspension work to it and then decided to ditch the project for VW's and completely get out of the 7 business. The car came with a Re-Speed rack, GSL-SE rear end, and lots of RE-Speed suspension parts.
Well being that I already have one SA that is modified with SE suspension, I decided to put the rack and springs and shocks on my other SA. Some of you have seen it at Deals Gap, the red and black SA-SE. Back to the story. My daughter has a 04 winning blue RX-8, and also had built a S5 motor for her 91 coupe, but decided that she liked SA's a lot better. So this is where the story gets good.

We decided to put a FC subframe in the SA, many of you have seen it done on the evil forum and so that is where we got our inspiration. Now the FC front subframe will be able to accept the S5 motor without any modifications to the front cover or oil pan. The s5 ecu and harness are retained and fused using a fuse block out of a FB placed inside the center console. Also included is the check engine light for diagnostics. ECU mounts nicely to the passenger side kick panel. The rear of the car had been modified for a panhard bar and did away with the watts link. Battery had already been relocated to behind the pass seat. FB bins hide the battery and allow for some storage. Adapters allow the FC wheels to fit on the rear, with t2 brakes in the front. Stock FC sway bar fits nicely and allows for the FC radiator to be mounted very much like an FC's. I have been working on the car for about a year now and have had lots of help from fellow Rotor heads in my area. Thanks guys you know who you are.

When finished this will be my daughter’s car to drive on weekends and play with when she doesn’t want to drive the 8. She has not yet decided what color to paint the car. Her goal is to one day do a S5 turbo swap into the car.

dream36realms · 08-26-2011, 07:07 PM

dude, I am laughing hysterically right now. I noticed something in the second to last pic. That is MY exhaust. I bought it off of you on ebay a while back. thanks too. It fits perfect over the 8.8 rear end.

Also, the bumper shock replacement has given me ideas and thank you.

djmtsu · 08-26-2011, 08:39 PM

This SA is gonna be a great balanced car.

dream36realms · 08-26-2011, 08:49 PM

oops, disregard my post

rx71king · 08-26-2011, 09:28 PM

nice...

WE3RX7 · 08-27-2011, 09:09 AM

Great build so far... I remember hearing about this car at DGRR this year. Are there spacers on those wheels?

IH8DSM · 08-27-2011, 09:24 AM

The rears there are spacers converting it to five lug, the front because of the fc rack sticks out a inch further then stock.

j9fd3s · 09-01-2011, 01:46 PM

i like it, really well done!

08-26-2011, 06:21 PM	#1
jfaplanet Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Smyrna, TN Posts: 134 Rep Power: 18	1979 s5-sa 1979 SA Build date Sept 1978. FC front subframe w/ manual rack 5-lug conversion S5 NA engine with stock electronics So I bought this SA from a friend who bought it from a guy in Jersey that had done some suspension work to it and then decided to ditch the project for VW's and completely get out of the 7 business. The car came with a Re-Speed rack, GSL-SE rear end, and lots of RE-Speed suspension parts. Well being that I already have one SA that is modified with SE suspension, I decided to put the rack and springs and shocks on my other SA. Some of you have seen it at Deals Gap, the red and black SA-SE. Back to the story. My daughter has a 04 winning blue RX-8, and also had built a S5 motor for her 91 coupe, but decided that she liked SA's a lot better. So this is where the story gets good. We decided to put a FC subframe in the SA, many of you have seen it done on the evil forum and so that is where we got our inspiration. Now the FC front subframe will be able to accept the S5 motor without any modifications to the front cover or oil pan. The s5 ecu and harness are retained and fused using a fuse block out of a FB placed inside the center console. Also included is the check engine light for diagnostics. ECU mounts nicely to the passenger side kick panel. The rear of the car had been modified for a panhard bar and did away with the watts link. Battery had already been relocated to behind the pass seat. FB bins hide the battery and allow for some storage. Adapters allow the FC wheels to fit on the rear, with t2 brakes in the front. Stock FC sway bar fits nicely and allows for the FC radiator to be mounted very much like an FC's. I have been working on the car for about a year now and have had lots of help from fellow Rotor heads in my area. Thanks guys you know who you are. When finished this will be my daughter’s car to drive on weekends and play with when she doesn’t want to drive the 8. She has not yet decided what color to paint the car. Her goal is to one day do a S5 turbo swap into the car.

08-26-2011, 08:39 PM	#3
djmtsu My minds tellin' me no... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 4,043 Rep Power: 22	This SA is gonna be a great balanced car. __________________ 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 2003 Toyota Tundra TRD 2015 Toyota 4Runner SR5

08-27-2011, 09:24 AM	#7
IH8DSM RCC Contributor Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 610 Rep Power: 18	The rears there are spacers converting it to five lug, the front because of the fc rack sticks out a inch further then stock. __________________ 85 rx7 gsl-se - AA tags/ never ending project will never run

08-26-2011, 07:07 PM	#2
dream36realms Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 32 Rep Power: 0	dude, I am laughing hysterically right now. I noticed something in the second to last pic. That is MY exhaust. I bought it off of you on ebay a while back. thanks too. It fits perfect over the 8.8 rear end. Also, the bumper shock replacement has given me ideas and thank you.

08-26-2011, 08:49 PM	#4
dream36realms Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 32 Rep Power: 0	oops, disregard my post

08-26-2011, 09:28 PM	#5
rx71king Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: queens ny Posts: 117 Rep Power: 16	nice...

08-27-2011, 09:09 AM	#6
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 19	Great build so far... I remember hearing about this car at DGRR this year. Are there spacers on those wheels?

09-01-2011, 01:46 PM	#8
j9fd3s Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 123 Rep Power: 17	i like it, really well done!