RX7 Hillclimber Build Thread

I'm getting a lot done at work today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0F0iJu_I4Q

Gonna do some endurance racing?

Naw I just like the history. My car doesn't fit in any endurance classes - or scca classes.

Busy weekend. Got the RX7 ready for cagework to start next weekend. That meant removing the rest of the harness and pulling the engine. Transmission will come out this week and I'll give things a pressure wash before it goes under the knife. I also knocked out all the plastic clips and whosits. This is about as light as the car will ever be. The engine harnesses combined were about 40 more pounds.

No special trials or tribulations with this - it all came apart really easily.

Yes, the passenger side engine mount fell apart. It was going to get replaced anyway.

Once it comes back to my shop I'll be giving the car a fresh spray of white paint.

Next step is ordering my new seat, steering wheel and quick release. Any suggestions?

I gots some suggestions:

The Ultrashiled rally seat is pretty comfy and can be fit on the stock sliders with some slight modification. That is what we have in our 2nd Gen RX7 Lemons / Chump car.

Also, this steering wheel is pretty well crafted AND the price is right!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301072611894?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

I would also take the engine and trans out together anytime you are taking the engine out. It is SOOOO mcuh easier to get them both out and get them both back in together.

I almost forgot, we tried a G Force quick release for the steering wheel. It sucks. It developed play in about 5 minutes.

Holy crap... I just looked at the price listed for that wheel. It IS noce, but I don't think it is that nice.

I paid $50.00 on ebay for that exact wheel 1 month ago. It is now up to $150.00 somehow.

Rob R.

The drivetrain won't be going back in the car again so I decided to split it up now rather than later.

New drivetrain will consist of bridgeport 4-port 13B and TurboII transmission. Differential will stay in for now. Ford 8.8 IRS with 5.12 gears will go in later in the season.

Is that knockoff Momo really $150? I had a leather Momo Monte Carlo in my CRX Si that I really liked. I've heard good things about the Ultrashield Rally seat, especially for tall people. Reasonably priced as well. If you have it on sliders how do you brace the back?

Apparently that knock off really is $150.00 now. I paid $50.00 for it. It IS really nice (maybe not $150.00 nice).

The seat has a back brace that has a pin that can be moved to different holes depending on where the seat is. We only need to pin ours in the furthest forward position. When it is back, even a little, it is close enough to the cage that a brace is not required.

What clutch and flywheel are you running? What starter will work with that combo?

Cool build!

P.S. Why not go turbo instead of bridgeport?

I'm running an ACT 9.8 pound steel flywheel and counterweight off an automatic RX7. Turbo starter will work.

I didn't go turbo because it would place me in an uncompetitive class for hillclimbing, which is based on displacement with multipliers. Turbocharged engines get a 2x multiplier and rotaries have a 1.3x multiplier. I'd have to make 400 horsepower just to be in the mix with a turbo.

With a bridgeport I'm in a class (<2.5 liters) where I'll be among the most powerful.

Thinking this for D/C hub: http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IPRS&Product_Code=L56605&Category_Code=IOPP

Maybe this wheel (depending on how dedicated I am with light weight): http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=L56833&Category_Code=SWE

For harnesses:

http://www.jegs.com/i/G-FORCE/471/6000BK/10002/-1

Gotta love the circle track guys

Already have a harness. 6pt to save my man parts.

Engine builder says I got the wrong counterweight.... Figures.

Ordered a brandy-new counterweight from Atkins, along with a clutch disk, pressure plate, throwout bearing and front and rear transmission seals. Figured I might as well get that stuff out of the way.

DaveEstey wrote: 6pt to save my man parts.

Priorities....

In reply to Cool_Hand_Luke: Damn right!

Time to start spending cash. Ugh. Anybody have experience with these: http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=L44528&Category_Code=GPT

Going to pick up an Ultrashield Rally Sport seat.

Brown Santa wants a signature - looks like I'm waiting until Saturday to get my goodies.

My bank account is practically smoking now. I just bought a used C&R NASCAR dual pass radiator from Roush Yates racing. Shouldn't have any cooling issues now that's for sure.

Do you have an undertray on this car? If not, get one or make one! It is massively important for cooling!

Rob R.

Radiator is going in the back. I have a Davies Craig electric water pump and CPU. Will make side scoops to run fresh air to the rad. 10" diameter flexible hose is cheaper than I thought it would be.

DaveEstey wrote: In reply to Cool_Hand_Luke: Damn right! Time to start spending cash. Ugh. Anybody have experience with these: http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=L44528&Category_Code=GPT Going to pick up an Ultrashield Rally Sport seat.

I need to sit in one of these to see if they want to wreck my back just like every other seat out there. The price is just too damn attractive to ignore.

Brown Santa came!

In reply to beans:

I'm told if you want to drive long distance in them that it can help if you get a thigh pillow.

wvumtnbkr wrote: Do you have an undertray on this car? If not, get one or make one! It is massively important for cooling! Rob R.

Sorry noob question: What's an undertray?

This build is really heating up, I'm excited

the under tray is the plastic tray that bolts up under the front of the car. It greatly helps the RX7 keep cool - moreso than most cars.

Build is heating up and so is my bank account.

I have a spreadsheet to make prioritizing and sourcing parts I've found easier since some of them aren't all that common and the prices are laid out. The total is a little daunting.

Thanks brown santa!

Roush was very prompt with their shipping. Rad is in awesome condition.

Car is a rolling chassis right now - I can pick up the front end. Sunday it's heading to the other shop for cage work.

1.50 x .090 DOM going in and starting to create a tube frame so I can cut out more stock metal. The car will likely be mostly tube frame for the 2015 season.