August 2009 - Bwaits Widebody Rx7

[Kentetsu]

Q: Congratulations for winning Ride of the Month! Tell us about how you acquired this car?
A: It was being parted out on a forum. Like many rotorheads I can not pass up a good deal. Even if space, time and funds are limited.

I put another project on hold in order to turn it into the first Re-Speed show car.

Q: What got you into becoming a major vendor for the rotary world?
A: When I started racing in the early nineties I built all of my own stuff. Later I put racing on hold to pursue a manufacturing business. Around 4 or 5 years ago I was contacted by a person who wanted us to work on a brake adapter for him. Turned out to be for an Rx7 and that kit became our Mark I Big Brake Kit. We have not looked back.

Q: Whats the biggest reason you chose a rotary powered car to modify?
A: As if there is anything else.
While growing up my father raced SCCA Pro Rally in Rx2's, Rx3's and then a SA. I had the pleasure of traveling around the country with him as he slowly turned me into a rotorhead. My first street car was a rotary, my first race car was a rotary. I currently own more than I should.

Q: What are the future plans on this car?
A: This particular car has been sold. The new owner is overseas serving our country. Once he returns he plans to have it painted.

Q: What was the worst and best memory of this project?
A: We planned to have the car at DGRR '07 it did not make it till '08.

Q: Any other hobbies besides cars?
A: Not really. I do enjoy product design and 3D modeling.

Q: Anyone you'd like to thank?
A: Crit and Donnie came by the shop and helped a great deal. All the Re-Speed customers.

Q: Anything in the pipeline for another ROTM win?
A: We just picked up a '77 Rx3 SP for product development. I also have a '76 REPU currently going through a frame off rebuild. Big Brakes, Steering kit, TII drivetrain...Should be a fun little truck when completed.

Full specifications listing? (mods, etc)

Drivetrain:

FB gearbox
Mazda Trix New drive shaft with replaceable u-joints
GSL-SE pumpkin
ReSpeed HD Axle retainer plates
Exhaust:

PROTOTYPE ReSpeed Pre-Silencer
Borla SS Muffler
ReSpeed fabricated mandrel exhaust. 3" to 2.5" over the axle housing.
Brakes:

ReSpeed Mark I front and rear big brake kit.
Brembo blank rotors, re-drilled 4 lug
EBC Green Pads
ReSpeed re-manufactured caliper sets
ReSpeed Stainless line kit
Rear brake bias lever with stainless plumbing
Front Suspension:

ReSpeed Race coil over kit
ReSpeed 350# front springs
Modified and powder coated front spindles
ReSpeed Caster/Camber Plates
ReSpeed Spherical kits
Tokico 5 way inserts (Race)
ReSpeed 1" Roll center blocks
ReSpeed Tubular Competition Sway Bar
ReSpeed Strut Tower and Firewall Brace
Rear Suspension:

ReSpeed rear spring adjuster kit
ReSpeed 175# springs
ReSpeed Tubular Rear Lower Control Arms
Steering:

ReSpeed rack/pinion kit with Aluminum engine mount upgrade
Flaming river 15:1 rack
Ignition:

MSD 6A on leading, direct fire
ReSpeed 3 Coil Mount
Autometer Rev Limiter
Electrical:

Two completely independent wiring systems. First one is a painless fuse box kit that handles all ignition, fuel and electric fan circuits. Fuses are mounted to the dash for quick repair. Second is a gutted stock harness that handles the street car aspects like turn signals and wipers. The stock harness was laid out and unwrapped, all unwanted wires were removed. Pop up headlight motors were removed.
ReSpeed FC fuse box bracket.
Relocated battery with fabricated mount structure
ReSpeed Quick headlight pop up stays
Fuel System:

Holly adjustable regulator
ReSpeed 0-10 Fuel Pressure Gauge
ReSpeed Dry Break
General:

Relocated oil filter using ReSpeed block off and filter mount
-10 Stainless oil cooler lines
Second generation oil cooler
ReSpeed Cold air radiator support
Wheels:

15"x8" SportMax wheels - Zero Offest

[Whizbang]

Q: Congratulations for winning Ride of the Month! Tell us about how you acquired this car?
A: It was being parted out on a forum. Like many rotorheads I can not pass up a good deal. Even if space, time and funds are limited.

I put another project on hold in order to turn it into the first Re-Speed show car.

Q: What got you into becoming a major vendor for the rotary world?
A: When I started racing in the early nineties I built all of my own stuff. Later I put racing on hold to pursue a manufacturing business. Around 4 or 5 years ago I was contacted by a person who wanted us to work on a brake adapter for him. Turned out to be for an Rx7 and that kit became our Mark I Big Brake Kit. We have not looked back.

Q: Whats the biggest reason you chose a rotary powered car to modify?
A: As if there is anything else.
While growing up my father raced SCCA Pro Rally in Rx2's, Rx3's and then a SA. I had the pleasure of traveling around the country with him as he slowly turned me into a rotorhead. My first street car was a rotary, my first race car was a rotary. I currently own more than I should.

Q: What are the future plans on this car?
A: This particular car has been sold. The new owner is overseas serving our country. Once he returns he plans to have it painted.

Q: What was the worst and best memory of this project?
A: We planned to have the car at DGRR '07 it did not make it till '08.

Q: Any other hobbies besides cars?
A: Not really. I do enjoy product design and 3D modeling.

Q: Anyone you'd like to thank?
A: Crit and Donnie came by the shop and helped a great deal. All the Re-Speed customers.

Q: Anything in the pipeline for another ROTM win?
A: We just picked up a '77 Rx3 SP for product development. I also have a '76 REPU currently going through a frame off rebuild. Big Brakes, Steering kit, TII drivetrain...Should be a fun little truck when completed.

Full specifications listing? (mods, etc)

Drivetrain:

FB gearbox
Mazda Trix New drive shaft with replaceable u-joints
GSL-SE pumpkin
ReSpeed HD Axle retainer plates
Exhaust:

PROTOTYPE ReSpeed Pre-Silencer
Borla SS Muffler
ReSpeed fabricated mandrel exhaust. 3" to 2.5" over the axle housing.
Brakes:

ReSpeed Mark I front and rear big brake kit.
Brembo blank rotors, re-drilled 4 lug
EBC Green Pads
ReSpeed re-manufactured caliper sets
ReSpeed Stainless line kit
Rear brake bias lever with stainless plumbing
Front Suspension:

ReSpeed Race coil over kit
ReSpeed 350# front springs
Modified and powder coated front spindles
ReSpeed Caster/Camber Plates
ReSpeed Spherical kits
Tokico 5 way inserts (Race)
ReSpeed 1" Roll center blocks
ReSpeed Tubular Competition Sway Bar
ReSpeed Strut Tower and Firewall Brace
Rear Suspension:

ReSpeed rear spring adjuster kit
ReSpeed 175# springs
ReSpeed Tubular Rear Lower Control Arms
Steering:

ReSpeed rack/pinion kit with Aluminum engine mount upgrade
Flaming river 15:1 rack
Ignition:

MSD 6A on leading, direct fire
ReSpeed 3 Coil Mount
Autometer Rev Limiter
Electrical:

Two completely independent wiring systems. First one is a painless fuse box kit that handles all ignition, fuel and electric fan circuits. Fuses are mounted to the dash for quick repair. Second is a gutted stock harness that handles the street car aspects like turn signals and wipers. The stock harness was laid out and unwrapped, all unwanted wires were removed. Pop up headlight motors were removed.
ReSpeed FC fuse box bracket.
Relocated battery with fabricated mount structure
ReSpeed Quick headlight pop up stays
Fuel System:

Holly adjustable regulator
ReSpeed 0-10 Fuel Pressure Gauge
ReSpeed Dry Break
General:

Relocated oil filter using ReSpeed block off and filter mount
-10 Stainless oil cooler lines
Second generation oil cooler
ReSpeed Cold air radiator support
Wheels:

15"x8" SportMax wheels - Zero Offest