New project: 1976 Cosmo RX-5

[djmtsu]

Figured I might well get a jump on things, so this is what's going down. I am picking up a 1976 Mazda Cosmo (RX-5) this weekend. It is partially disassembled, body solid and everything is there. Including a bunch of NOS extras.

Right now here is a teaser of how it sits:



And here is a pic of how I would like it to end up:



I am gonna need some help

[Prodigy]

That will look great when shes done, are you going for the similar color of white, or another color all together...?

I will be subscribing to this thread


J.

[djmtsu]

I like my white Mazda's, so I might try to use the Crystal White Pearl that my Mazda3 had. Bright white with silver in the clear.

Stay tuned.

[TitaniumTT]

NICE... nice find DJ. I want to do an old school rotary. After the FC, and the 'vert, and the FD, and the E46

What are your plans for powa!

[My5ABaby]

You're a crazy bastard.

[djmtsu]

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT

NICE... nice find DJ. I want to do an old school rotary. After the FC, and the 'vert, and the FD, and the E46

What are your plans for powa!

Ditch the vert and FD and move onto an old school! There is a guy down in North GA with a bunch of old schools for sale. One being an RX-4 with great body and interior with a locked motor. $800 I believe.

Anyway,

The car has a 12a in it that was installed by Mazda back in the early 80's. So no 13B 4 port twin dizzy. It also has the 'better' electronic dizzy in it. This is one of those 'ran when parked' deals. He said it really did run great when he started to take it apart to address some issues. He has put oil in it and turned it by hand a few times a year. So it might be able to be brought back to life.

First off however, I am dealing with the body work and interior. It really just needs a few small spots addresses and to the trim put back on. The interior is in great shape except for the dash. For now, I will get a dashmat until I can redo it myself.

Next, I am addressing the suspension and brakes. I am under the impression that 84-85 from strut/spindle assemblies will bolt in, and give me many more options. From there I can get the RE-Speed FC brake kit. The rear end is where I am in the dark. I know it has factory disc in the rear, but uses a drum inside the rotor for parking brakes. This is not ideal. If I can get an FB rear end under it, I can again go with RE-Speed 5 lug axles and big brakes. From there, a nice set of 15's will be sourced (old school, or meshies).

From there, its power time. If the 12a is healthy, it will get a Weber carb and manifold, direct fire ignition, custom catback, radiator with e-fans and an FD alternator upgrade.

Right now I am debating on whether to keep the chrome bits chrome, or powder coat them black instead.

[TitaniumTT]

Originally Posted by djmtsu

There is a guy down in North GA with a bunch of old schools for sale. One being an RX-4 with great body and interior with a locked motor. $800 I believe.

I hate you.... I hate you SOOOOO much right now... I've got 2 13B cores in my garage just waiting to be torn down. Both with water seal failures.... I hate you...

Originally Posted by djmtsu

Ditch the vert and FD and move onto an old school!

I can't, they're both in my driveway. And per code I'm only allowed to have two unregistered cars on property at any one time. So I'd have to hurry and finish the 'vert, tag it, then move on to old school.... did I mention I hate you

Originally Posted by djmtsu

The car has a 12a in it that was installed by Mazda back in the early 80's. So no 13B 4 port twin dizzy. It also has the 'better' electronic dizzy in it. This is one of those 'ran when parked' deals. He said it really did run great when he started to take it apart to address some issues. He has put oil in it and turned it by hand a few times a year. So it might be able to be brought back to life.

First off however, I am dealing with the body work and interior. It really just needs a few small spots addresses and to the trim put back on. The interior is in great shape except for the dash. For now, I will get a dashmat until I can redo it myself.

Next, I am addressing the suspension and brakes. I am under the impression that 84-85 from strut/spindle assemblies will bolt in, and give me many more options. From there I can get the RE-Speed FC brake kit. The rear end is where I am in the dark. I know it has factory disc in the rear, but uses a drum inside the rotor for parking brakes. This is not ideal. If I can get an FB rear end under it, I can again go with RE-Speed 5 lug axles and big brakes. From there, a nice set of 15's will be sourced (old school, or meshies).

From there, its power time. If the 12a is healthy, it will get a Weber carb and manifold, direct fire ignition, custom catback, radiator with e-fans and an FD alternator upgrade.

Right now I am debating on whether to keep the chrome bits chrome, or powder coat them black instead.

And if the 12A is not healthy? as an aside, 12a's suck... but if it's not.. boosted 13B-RE?? Cosmo for the Cosmo

[djmtsu]

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT

And if the 12A is not healthy? as an aside, 12a's suck... but if it's not.. boosted 13B-RE?? Cosmo for the Cosmo

Oh, I know, 12a's are not beastly engines, but if it moves it, that is good for now. And they are tough little engines.

I would love to put a 13B-RE in it. You got a spare you want to loan me? Lol (don't forget the EMS). I actually bought an S5 TII engine last week, but plans changed and I sold it to jfaplanet for one of his REPU's.

I am sure I can find another

[speedjunkie]

Damn man, this is so ballin. I hate you now too. LOL

Congrats!

[Herblenny]

Cool Project car DJ! Can't wait to see it!

[djmtsu]

Thanks Phil.

Anyone hear from Rotarydave? I haven't seen him post anywhere in a while. I PM's him a few weeks ago and have not received a reply. Wonder if he is in Iraq again.

[djmtsu]

Wow. Info out there for the Cosmo's is so vague, and somewhat cryptic. I read a post where a guy said he uses FC struts in the rear (which doesn't seem possible), and a few references to FB shock in the rear. Nobody has an upgrade spring solution it seems.

Also, the factory bolt pattern is 4x120. Which sucks. Now, if I upgrade the front struts/spindles to GSL-SE, I can get some 4x120 to 4x114.3 adapters for the rear (since there is zero info on an axle swap). However, I have no clue on offsets.

This is going to be fun! I wish I knew if Billy could make his subframe for an FB fit the RX-5. R&P steering would be the shit!

[My5ABaby]

Good luck.

[djmtsu]

Originally Posted by My5ABaby

Good luck.

Shouldn't you be off crimping wires? Or cleaning a fuel tank?

[My5ABaby]

Originally Posted by djmtsu

Shouldn't you be off crimping wires? Or cleaning a fuel tank?

At 1:30 on a Thursday, I wish. Ok, not really since I'm not looking forward to those. At least the fuel tank. The crimping won't be bad as I want to redo my tail lights and clean up the wiring. I'm looking at cutting the wiring in half along with making my reverse lights LEDs. Already have the boards made...