Curmudgeon wrote:
Before going to a dinky steering wheel: the Jensenator has an unknown ratio manual steering rack and it had a 13" wheel when I got it. 22x10x13 Hoosiers made steering at low speeds difficult, to put it mildly. I stuck a 15" wheel on it, the difference was amazing.
About electric power steering: I wonder how hard it would be to adapt one of those electric power steering assists like my daughter's Saturn ION has.
http://www.fastfieros.com/tech/eps__electric_power_steering.htm
Was out in CA/Sacramento last year and came across a 510 Datsun at an SCCA auto-x that had that Saturn/GM unit as a power steering device. Builder's dad had some shoulder problems and they used this so he could autocross the car. Worked beautifully. If you search around there's a site in Europe where they sell them and a controller that lets you 'adjust' power assist level. The site is related to the Mark IV Escorts I believe......memory suspect. Alternatively, you might reach out to SCCA members in the Sacramento area and ask about that 510 - they can probably put you in touch with the guy.
In reply to MichaelYount:
Thanks for that insight. Very cool.
Not cool: driverside axle nut refuses to tighten up.... Threads seem fine on both sides but it just won't cinch up...
Apparently axle nuts are made of unobtainium....
Just some more information about electric steering columns.
I am from Europe and here it is very common to install electric steering in classic cars, rally, Van´s, etc.
Why do you need a controller kit? You need it because it will send information to the ECU. Without this information, the system doesn´t work. And the controller allows you to adjust the steering assistance you want. With a knob you control the steering assistance.
I sell in Ebay controller Kits for European cars. I had a lot of people asking if I had controllers for American cars.
With this interest, 6 months ago we started developing a controller kit for American cars. One month ago we had the prototype done. We have tested the steering to the limit with very good results. Now the controller is ready and it is for sale in Ebay. You can see it here:
Click here !
For now on, people from USA and Canada can buy a used steering column, a controller and install an electric steering in your car.
If you have any question about electric steering, please fell free to ask.
Sorry for the offtopic.
Keep the good work on your RX7.
Not sure is serious... or canoe...
RX7 is vacuumed out. Rear chassis harness is re-loomed and laid out. Windshield frame is cleaned up and painted flat black. 6th port actuators installed. Accessory drives back together and ready to roll after cutting a spacer for the water pump pulley.
Done for the night.
No pics. Sorry. Here's one of me from the first AutoX of the season.
Finished second in class after not driving this car for 2 years. I'm pretty proud of that.
In reply to DaveEstey:
I think I have a few laying around.
Axle nuts? I already ordered one from the local stealership. Just waiting for it to come in now. These guys seriously suck at their job.
In reply to DaveEstey:
yup. I had been busy unable to GRM or I woulda just shipped them to you. I think I have 5 possibly 
How is it everybody has a ton of these things and I had to special order one?
Did you sell the miata yet?
In reply to DaveEstey:
I have a hording problem. There practically is a 2nd engine in my basement. I have an extra set of front "axles" with hubs/wheel bearings. one has a good ball joint on it and then another pair of naked spindles.
what I'm saying is that I have spare parts lol.
I'm not sure if turbo or NA use the same nut or not but I'm pretty sure I have a mix of both.
I have a spare drivetrain, but not the little stuff like this. Time to start hoarding!
In reply to DaveEstey:
my recomendation is part a car out, and keep misc stuffs. I think I have 5 CASs 2 front covers, an extra dizzy/cap/rotor, spare control arms, bumper, passenger door assembly, f/r sub frames, s4/s5 NA manifold, a few oil cooler lines, an oil cooler...
the list goes on.
Count me in on this hoarder list as well.
However, any time I need something, I don't have it.
Ohh, I need an S4 lower intake manifold..... E36 M3. I have 3 S5 ones. And I have never owned an S5. For serious.
Rob R.
In reply to wvumtnbkr:
lemme check when I'm home from work. I know I have an upper s4
I think I have an extra lower S4.
Wow, I appreciate the offers.... It was just an example.
I am good on S4 lower intake manifolds.
The truth was I really do have (3) S5 LIM and have never owned an S5.
I know where to check when I need something!
Rob R.
Well today was productive.
Fired it up (no hesitation at all on the car's part after sitting for 9 months) and remembered how loud a car with an open header could be. Especially a rotary.
Shut it down quickly before the neighbors formed a lynch mob.
Ride height is that tall due to my super small diameter slicks. Can't get a jack under the car with them on.
Side notes:
The stock exhaust manifold and cat weight 43 pounds.
Stock steel hood weighs about the same...
DaveEstey wrote:
Side notes:
The stock exhaust manifold and cat weight 43 pounds.
Stock steel hood weighs about the same...
I should really weigh my car, I have the original window sticker with factory weight listed.
I cut the webbing out of the hood last night (left the outer portion for some sense of shape) and weighed it. 10 lbs lost.
Anybody have a used water pump they want to send me for cheap? Doesn't need to be functional, I just want to explore my options for block off plates when I install my EWP.
I might still have a spare. Lemme see if I can scrounge around for it.
Also, I found the rest of the silicone hose kit.
