You folks make me feel old...

jtbshaw · 03-10-2008, 10:30 PM

Where to start.....there's too much to write so I'll just give a summary.

I've been a rotary owner since 1986, when I purchased a 1984 GS model and didn't take me long before I blew the engine. That started my education of rotaries. Since 1986 I have owned 21 RX7s, all 1st and 2nd gens. In 2002 I started up a speed shop in south Alabama and the local Mazda dealer had me work on any rotary that came through, with exception of oil changes and tune-ups. One of my oldest friends was the service manager and the dealership had no idea or training on how to work on rotaries (welcome to a small town dealer). This is where I grew a dislike working on FDs, and probably the reason I have yet to purchase a FD yet.

The last RX7 that I fully built was a 1983 GSL that I replaced almost everything on the car with new OEM or aftermarket pieces. I did everything except for the aggressive full bridge-porting (which was done by a very good friend of mine Fernando Rivera). I built the car to go turbo, but never could ween myself from the nitrous. The car dyno'd at just a hair over 409whp, on a 100 shot of the juice. Plus, I stripped it down to where it weighed in at 2242 lbs. Fun car to say the least. More details can be seen here, on my old cardomain page: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/852654.

I have since sold my speed shop to a local guy and now own and operate a full fabrication shop that builds almost anything. We offer anything from roll bars/cages, strut tower braces, some rotary exhaust, to anything specialized. We have a nice hydraulic tubing bender that can bend up to 3" - .120 wall steel (thick stuff!), to Tig (Miller Syncrowave 350) and Mig (MillerMatic 250) welding on steel, stainless, or aluminum, or plasma, laser, or water jet (5 axis) services.

IOW, I can't seem to depart from the rotaries. I love 'em, and always will. I look forward to one day owning a 3 rotor!

Todd B.

KaiFD3S · 03-10-2008, 10:50 PM

I old too...

85rx-7gsl-se · 03-10-2008, 11:53 PM

Welcome to the club. Glad to have another FB guy on the boards

3tegStrong · 03-12-2008, 08:18 PM

hmmmmm, i'm guessin'............ 42..?
anyways-HI & welcome!!!-

jtbshaw · 03-12-2008, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3tegStrong

hmmmmm, i'm guessin'............ 42..?
anyways-HI & welcome!!!-

Not too far off....37.

Of course my 3 kids make me feel old too. Not to mention many long hours at work (but I love what I do

).

3tegStrong · 03-13-2008, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolimitind

Not too far off....37.

Of course my 3 kids make me feel old too. Not to mention many long hours at work (but I love what I do

).

kid's do make ya old quick! i just got one (navy boy/honda tuner nut)- 40 feels like 60!

gmonsen · 03-14-2008, 10:22 AM

Hello and welcome. Turning 60 this year, so hopefully that's the new 50...

Gordon

jtbshaw · 03-14-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmonsen

Hello and welcome. Turning 60 this year, so hopefully that's the new 50...

Gordon

That's the funniest thing I've heard all week. Thanks for the laugh. I like that....the new fiddy!

Turbo II · 03-14-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmonsen

Hello and welcome. Turning 60 this year, so hopefully that's the new 50...

Gordon

Nah, I think 60 is the new 40. BTW I'm 52 and looking forwards to my 40s hah!

Turbo II · 03-12-2008, 08:26 PM

I old 3 and welcome to the site!

03-10-2008, 10:30 PM	#1
jtbshaw ORD - Old Rotary Dude Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pelham, AL Posts: 319 Rep Power: 18	You folks make me feel old... Where to start.....there's too much to write so I'll just give a summary. I've been a rotary owner since 1986, when I purchased a 1984 GS model and didn't take me long before I blew the engine. That started my education of rotaries. Since 1986 I have owned 21 RX7s, all 1st and 2nd gens. In 2002 I started up a speed shop in south Alabama and the local Mazda dealer had me work on any rotary that came through, with exception of oil changes and tune-ups. One of my oldest friends was the service manager and the dealership had no idea or training on how to work on rotaries (welcome to a small town dealer). This is where I grew a dislike working on FDs, and probably the reason I have yet to purchase a FD yet. The last RX7 that I fully built was a 1983 GSL that I replaced almost everything on the car with new OEM or aftermarket pieces. I did everything except for the aggressive full bridge-porting (which was done by a very good friend of mine Fernando Rivera). I built the car to go turbo, but never could ween myself from the nitrous. The car dyno'd at just a hair over 409whp, on a 100 shot of the juice. Plus, I stripped it down to where it weighed in at 2242 lbs. Fun car to say the least. More details can be seen here, on my old cardomain page: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/852654. I have since sold my speed shop to a local guy and now own and operate a full fabrication shop that builds almost anything. We offer anything from roll bars/cages, strut tower braces, some rotary exhaust, to anything specialized. We have a nice hydraulic tubing bender that can bend up to 3" - .120 wall steel (thick stuff!), to Tig (Miller Syncrowave 350) and Mig (MillerMatic 250) welding on steel, stainless, or aluminum, or plasma, laser, or water jet (5 axis) services. IOW, I can't seem to depart from the rotaries. I love 'em, and always will. I look forward to one day owning a 3 rotor! Todd B. Last edited by jtbshaw; 03-10-2008 at 10:33 PM.

03-12-2008, 08:18 PM	#4
3tegStrong XRANNIE Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: santa fe, tn Posts: 119 Rep Power: 18	hmmmmm, i'm guessin'............ 42..? anyways-HI & welcome!!!- __________________ got peter? GO NAVY..Thanks to All who've served!!!! http://www.theautolog.com/3tegstrong-1

03-12-2008, 08:26 PM	#10
Turbo II Zoom Freaking Zoom Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NC Posts: 324 Rep Power: 18	I old 3 and welcome to the site! __________________ 1988 RX-7 Convertible 1991 RX-7 Turbo 2004 RX-8 GT 1985 RX-7 GSL - Sold

03-10-2008, 10:50 PM	#2
KaiFD3S Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 437 Rep Power: 18	I old too...

03-14-2008, 10:22 AM	#7
gmonsen The Ancient One Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eastern Pennsylvania Posts: 144 Rep Power: 18	Hello and welcome. Turning 60 this year, so hopefully that's the new 50... Gordon