85gsl-se build... waiting 9yrs is now happening

DWNUNDR · 09-25-2016, 01:56 PM

First allow myself to introduce..... myself... My name is Nathan and I am originally from Australia, I am currently living in Minnesota, USA (past 14yrs)...

About 9yrs ago I purchased an 85GSL-SE from a mate which had an issue with 2nd gear for $400.. so after the tow truck dropped it I decided to confirm that for myself.. 5k rpm, drop clutch, snap 2nd doing a burnout and boom.. confirmed haha... So myself and a buddy dropped the drivetrain out of it in the hopes to do a turbo upgrade... Well being that I had just opened a Meineke which included buying the land, building the building and outfitting the shop the cash flow stopped... this was back around 2005ish

This car was an ex cali car so absolutely rust free.. It has sat for 9 yrs in a shed.. the only issue is some mice decided to eat thru the roof lining.. right above both visors... %^$%^$^&%*&*^ pissed off...

So shoot forward to current day.. 3 days after wife said no to upgrading my motorcycle due to no funds I came across a 13B-REW for sale... was still running in an fd.. was apparently an $8K build by previous owner that only got a base tune to get it running then he sold the fd to move onto another project (an ex cali car) so I purchased the engine / trans package for what I feel was a nice price (but my wife didnt agree oops)

So this winter the install will begin with that same buddy that was there to strip it down... (He had never heard of the RX7 till meeting me and after showing him my dream car FD he turned up with one 3 weeks later) his now puts down around 410hp at the wheels... I dont have the money to buy his so this is whats happening instead... (pic attached of his car)

so I will try to keep the post updated with mods etc.. I work as a Machinist for the University of Minnesota.. so I have access to a huge waterjet, lathes, mill (manual and cnc) welders, brake, shears... pretty much anything.. I work daily with Mastercam and Solidworks so designing new mounts for engine and tranny will be fun... it if all works I may have to make a few sets as a kit for complete swaps...

also attached pics from my old rx7 and rx3 back in Australia

to be continued

DWNUNDR · 09-25-2016, 02:03 PM

Starting point... some photos of how the car was when I got it and how it has sat for 9yrs... (may actually be closer to 11 thinking about it)

had some small issues.. biggest was dent in the rear which we heat shrank the metal and ground smooth, then bondo filled (very thin skim coat)

I removed the rear trunk lock, and found a new front bumper section for $60..

added a photo of my buddies FD in my old shop... Sold the business about 8yrs ago...

DWNUNDR · 09-25-2016, 02:20 PM

pics of drivetrain I am installing...

picture of new waterjet we got at work this year

a picture of my home shop... it is a lot dirtier now and full of crap.. I also have a ben pearson tubing bender (exhaust bender) from my old shop I kept.. it is a press bender but it allows me to build many custom exhausts or do exhaust repairs etc... I have TiG and MiG welders, acetylene setup, and a hoist...

DWNUNDR · 09-25-2016, 02:26 PM

smoe additional photos..

my goal is to have mine sitting and looking like the rx7 attached... only the color may be army green... dark matte style

thats it for now.. more updates once under way.. I have to finish my sons dirtbike and organize the shop before winter then it starts...

tim. · 09-26-2016, 08:07 AM

I like that rotary lift.
Good luck with your build.
You seem to have a few irons in the fire there.

speedjunkie · 09-27-2016, 01:22 AM

Welcome!

You wouldn't be willing to cut some 3pc wheel faces would ya? LOL I have the CAD already, just looking for someone to cut them.

Good luck with the projects and getting funding approval from the wife lol.

***TitaniumTT*** · 09-27-2016, 08:23 AM

Oh dear god please do something about the wastegate placement and that absurd dumptube.

Otherwise should be a fun project. Helped a buddy build a 410rwhp 13B-RE Cosmo powered 1st gen.... originally a 12a auto cali car. Thing was immaculate. Now the frame is twisting from the POWA!

DWNUNDR · 10-26-2018, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT

Oh dear god please do something about the wastegate placement and that absurd dumptube.

Otherwise should be a fun project. Helped a buddy build a 410rwhp 13B-RE Cosmo powered 1st gen.... originally a 12a auto cali car. Thing was immaculate. Now the frame is twisting from the POWA!

thanks for your opinion... and NO... I wont.. I like it, its my build... besides you do realize thats sitting on a trailer for transporting right?? if you dont like that you wont like were I went with it... but then I dont care

Im doing this build with my kids and my mates... thats the fun

DWNUNDR · 10-26-2018, 07:26 AM

pictures throw in randomly.. car runs and drives... but is far from finished...

after almost 2 years of working on it here and there I got to drive it for a little.. had to take my daughter for a ride as she has been working hard with me... the other 3 kids not as much hahaha yes it rubs.. knew it would as I hadnt set ride height to final setting... after this video we adjusted it and drove it again with myself and 7 kids piled into it haha.. joy of being in the country

DWNUNDR · 12-09-2018, 08:19 PM

Ending the weekend on a good note...

*

DWNUNDR · 12-23-2018, 12:31 AM

Assembly time

DWNUNDR · 01-17-2019, 01:01 PM

designing some side marker covers

desired effect if it works

diabolical1 · 04-07-2019, 09:51 PM

Looking good. I really dig the color.

DWNUNDR · 09-05-2019, 07:01 AM

havent updated in a while.. blew the motor... guess i hadnt really been 'rebuilt' so I had Kevin Baltz rebuild it and we are still currently tuning it...

hoping to be running 20psi soon....

FC Zach · 09-06-2019, 02:33 AM

Very nice! I like the 8 seats in there.

09-27-2016, 08:23 AM	#7
*TitaniumTT* Test Whore - Admin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right Behind you son iTrader: (4) Posts: 4,581 Rep Power: 10	Oh dear god please do something about the wastegate placement and that absurd dumptube. Otherwise should be a fun project. Helped a buddy build a 410rwhp 13B-RE Cosmo powered 1st gen.... originally a 12a auto cali car. Thing was immaculate. Now the frame is twisting from the POWA! __________________ -The Angry Stig- DGRR 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2013 - Best FC DEALS GAP!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! 2015 Audi S4 - Samantha - Zero Brap S4 2004 RX8 - Jocelyn - 196rwhp, 19mpg fuel to noise converter 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport - Wifey mobile - Now with 2.5" OME lift and 30" BFG AT KO's! So it begins 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 5 spd, 4" lift, 33" BFG's - Rotary Tow Vehicle 1988 'Vert - In progress 1988 FC Coupe - Gretchen -The attention whore BEAST! I'm a sick individual, what's wrong with you? I'm pure Evil I'm still insane, in the best possible way. I think Brian's idea of romance is using lube. Your rage caused the meteor strike in Russia. The Antichrist would be proud of his minion. You win with your thread. Most everything It's a truck with a steel gate on the back. Just a statement of fact Motec M820, AIM dash, ported 13B-RE Cosmo, 6-spd trans, 4.3 Torsen, custom twin wg fully divided mani, Custom 4" split into 2x 3" exhaust, Custom HMIC, Custom custom custom custom I like to welder stuff.... No Bolt-ons allowed. Dyno'ed @ Speed1 Tuned by me - 405rwhp on WG.... WM50 cuming soon. *-Angry Motherfcker Mode ENGAGED-**

12-09-2018, 08:19 PM	#10
DWNUNDR The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2016 iTrader: (0) Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	Ending the weekend on a good note... **

09-06-2019, 02:33 AM	#15
FC Zach RCC Loves Me Not You Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eagleville, TN iTrader: (2) Posts: 2,267 Rep Power: 19	Very nice! I like the 8 seats in there. __________________ 1993 Yamaha GTS1000 1992 Celica Turbo AllTrac 1987 RX7 Sport 1979 Yamaha G1, KM24 powered 1975 Dolmar KMS4

09-26-2016, 08:07 AM	#5
tim. Plate Spinner Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Perth County, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	I like that rotary lift. Good luck with your build. You seem to have a few irons in the fire there.

09-27-2016, 01:22 AM	#6
speedjunkie RCC Loves Me Not You Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, CO iTrader: (1) Posts: 2,089 Rep Power: 19	Welcome! You wouldn't be willing to cut some 3pc wheel faces would ya? LOL I have the CAD already, just looking for someone to cut them. Good luck with the projects and getting funding approval from the wife lol.

10-26-2018, 07:26 AM	#9
DWNUNDR The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2016 iTrader: (0) Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	pictures throw in randomly.. car runs and drives... but is far from finished... after almost 2 years of working on it here and there I got to drive it for a little.. had to take my daughter for a ride as she has been working hard with me... the other 3 kids not as much hahaha yes it rubs.. knew it would as I hadnt set ride height to final setting... after this video we adjusted it and drove it again with myself and 7 kids piled into it haha.. joy of being in the country

12-23-2018, 12:31 AM	#11
DWNUNDR The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2016 iTrader: (0) Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	Assembly time

01-17-2019, 01:01 PM	#12
DWNUNDR The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2016 iTrader: (0) Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	designing some side marker covers desired effect if it works

09-05-2019, 07:01 AM	#14
DWNUNDR The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2016 iTrader: (0) Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	havent updated in a while.. blew the motor... guess i hadnt really been 'rebuilt' so I had Kevin Baltz rebuild it and we are still currently tuning it... hoping to be running 20psi soon....