Project: "Last RX-7" by Herblenny

[Herblenny]

July 31st, 2012 - Over the weekend, I had a chance to pick up a unique parts for this car... One of them being this, FEED GT II R wing.



And yesterday I had a meeting with Mr. Goolsby at Goolsby Customs about how the car is going to be built... and brought bunch of carbon parts

[Herblenny]

Aug 6th, 2012 - Update from past 7-8 days...

Well, On my way to pick up some goodies for this project and my MB, I stopped off last weekend at the Import Alliance in Charlotte, NC. There, I saw this yellow FD with K swap.



Up on closer inspection, the turbo set up seemed very similar to my 20B project. See if you can compare..



I did talked to the owner and they did a great job putting this car together in less than 3 months. Its definitely different... but not sure if this is something I consider a 'better' option to 13B or LSx. I was told it should make mid 400whp using GT35R. That's about what you would get from 13B. Also, unlike 13B, K seems to sit much higher. That's definitely not an advantage over 13B.

After my trip to IA, I headed to Charlottesville, VA to pick up some goodies!!
Some of the back roads were amazing up there (not as cool as Deals Gap ).

Here is a photo taken inside the 4 Runner, on our way up.



Picked up my goodies from one of FD fanatic, Fritz Flynn... here are his collection of VR FDs. I've also been to his 'warehouse' and I'm sure he has few more FD's sitting around there.




After my 1300 mile trip, I took 3 days off/worked and made other trip up to Louisville, KY to visit Chris Ludwig from www.lms-efi.com .

Chris is working on my Haltech PS2K harness and also using mil-spec connector for all the Haltech and Defi Super Sport Cluster (DSSC) stuff.



This week, I'll be beautifying my short and long block and ordering some goodies

[WE3RX7]

Nice trip... didnt even stop by passing through my stomping grounds huh.. what roads did you take in cville? We have a lot of great roads in that area....

[MrNizzles]

OMG, what a beautiful build and thread, thanks so much for moar pr0n! I love you!

[Herblenny]

Originally Posted by WE3RX7

Nice trip... didnt even stop by passing through my stomping grounds huh.. what roads did you take in cville? We have a lot of great roads in that area....

Sorry man, I pretty much head up there and left after picking up the parts.. Not sure what roads... as I just went up from Greensboro to Charlottesville.

Originally Posted by MrNizzles

OMG, what a beautiful build and thread, thanks so much for moar pr0n! I love you!

Thanks! LOL!

[Herblenny]

Aug. 13th, 2012 Update...

Well, the car is at one of the best paint and body place in the country... Jonathan Goolsby @ Goolsby Customs (www.GoolsbyCustoms.com).

While the car is there, I've decided to freshen up the engine..



Then spent couple of hours taping up the engine..



And here is the finished engine




Also, Goolsby Customs started to test fit the panels...



More to come later this week...

[WE3RX7]

Nice taping job... I've done that in the past and don't think it turned out as well.. its very difficult to tape around a sealed engine so kudos on that one. Why didn't they just do the paint work when the engine was apart?

[Herblenny]

Originally Posted by WE3RX7

Nice taping job... I've done that in the past and don't think it turned out as well.. its very difficult to tape around a sealed engine so kudos on that one. Why didn't they just do the paint work when the engine was apart?

Thanks man! its also the tape that you use.. I used this new tape and it works much better. Traditional blue tape tends to bleed a little and this seems to do much better... I found this when I was painting my friends house.

We didn't paint it initially as I didn't know what color I was going to go with. Glad I didn't as I would of re did it


anyhow.. more update..

Aug 14th, 2012 - Today, I finished up the engine by touching up few spots, and decided to paint the UIM, LIM, and install the Exedy Clutch.


Lightened twin disc Exedy Clutch - Front side

Back side

I also installed all new plugs


repainted the inside of the back.. and clean up counter weight.


flywheel torqued on.


Discs in..



And now, its on

[rxspeed7]

Looks amazing!!!! Although one question, how come you aren't running the oil line to the center bearings?

[Herblenny]

Originally Posted by rxspeed7

Looks amazing!!!! Although one question, how come you aren't running the oil line to the center bearings?

We didn't think about it when building this engine.. Maybe next time.

Aug. 15th, 2012 - This morning I decided to finish what I started yesterday... UIM and LIM.

To start, I took some of the cast marking off by filing them off.



After about 1-2 hours of this, I taped it up and sprayed with the same gray I been using, with high temp clear. I initially thought about doing wrinkle red, but after painting the short block, I think it might be bit off.



I let it cure over night and using a file, I took the clear and paint for the machined look, "3 ROTOR".



And to tie in the exterior of the car, I took one of the carbon fiber panel I had and made an insert. This took bit of time as I didn't have the right tools and used some sand paper and file to make the rectangle.




Next is TB and some of the accessories to match everything.. So, more pics in next couple of days.

[WankelsRevenge]

It always amazes me how after some of the amazing advancement made with clutches, we all still use those cheap alignment tools when installing them. But hey whatever works right?

[Herblenny]

Aug. 17th, 2012 Update.... Some body related updates.

Goolsby Customs did quite an update since I brought the car to them about 2 weeks ago.. They have now install most of the panels and lining them up.

Here some pics..


fender, lights, and bumper


Front bumper, lights, canards, and undersweep


FEED wing, lip spoiler, etc


Rear wheel well cut for the FEED fender flares..

[Herblenny]

Aug. 20th, 2012 Some minor update but not much to show... anyhow, more pics

How the car is sitting now..


Test fit the UIM..

[Herblenny]

Aug. 23rd, 2012

Couple of things to update you guys..


Car's coming along with all the panels are on except for the fender mirrors.. I'm hoping to pick out the paint color tomorrow or early next week.

I also started to work on other things attached to the engine.. I stripped down the throttle body (TB), cleaned it, and painted simple black with polished ends. Hope all ties well together at the end.



And finally, the writer of this article contacted me and told me about the rare 767 4 rotor race car (http://www.stanceworks.com/2012/08/a...-road-atlanta/).

It was being rebuilt at the famous Jim Downings in ATL (Also developer of Hans Device). I made call to a friend at Downings and found out that it was still in ATL, GA. I planned to head over there and couple of days before, a friend and manager of Mazmart, Paul Thomas, decided to organize an event for those interested in seeing. I than talked to Paul to find out when, rescheduled and went to see this rare 767..

And here are some pics from it.



And I got to see it before everyone got there and took few of these without the crowd.







i'll post a video of this in couple of days.

[reddozen]

Good stuff man... I would have gone, but I had court all day Wednesday, and a funeral Thursday...