RX7 Hillclimber Build Thread

All rebuilt and rejetted

Fuel cell should be done this weekend, which will allow me to frame in the combined radiator and fuel cell support.

My aluminum tubing for the cooling system came in. Next up is spending entirely too much money on hose fittings.

those suckers add up fast, too. a couple summit couplers, a couple 90s, a 45, and BAM! $200 gone from the wallet.

yeah. The coolant system is all -16AN, which are really pricey. The fuel system is -06AN so that's a little more gentle.

And I got to pick up my fuel cell tonight

That engine bay is looking sexy! Even the heat shield looks cool (no pun intended).

Thanks, the heat shield isn't quite finished. I want to polish it hahaha

Let the wiring shenanigans begin

In reply to DaveEstey:

That pic borked with my head for a second. I thought 'why has he mounted gauges on his fridge', then I processed it correctly!

In reply to Adrian_Thompson:

You don't keep tabs on your fridge?

DaveEstey wrote: In reply to Adrian_Thompson: You don't keep tabs on your fridge?

Yup.open fridge, remove beer, note beer level and re-fill as needed.

While notching the frame to make the fuel cell fit I finally got mad and decided the frame rails are getting lopped off tonight. No more dicking around trying to make things fit within confines that don't need to exist.

I think I did more than bite the bullet

I love it when this thread gets updates. But I have to ask...

Why did you custom-build a custom sized cell that doesn't fit between the frame rails?

Maybe I am missing something.

The idea was always to notch the frame for a really solid mount.

I should have gone tube from the beginning, which would have allowed a larger cell. Win some lose some learn some.

So if one looked up Racetek on the internet and contacted them with fuel cell dimensions they'd just make you one in exchange for money?
Are you happy with the cell?

Rick at Racetek did a great job on the cell. Very high quality welds and fabrication. I don't see why he wouldn't do another cell.

This is his site: http://www.raceteknh.com/

You can tell him I sent you as well if you decide to go that route.

DaveEstey wrote: I think I did more than bite the bullet

BTW, congrats on being featured on GRM's Facebook!

So whens planned maiden voyage?

May 3rd autocross as shakedown. May 15th is the first hillclimb.

Last night I did this:

And then a lot of this:

I also helped my buddy do this: That's an early 13B bridge port with a Kennedy adapter and built Beetle transmission. This is going in his 73 Super Beetle Baja.

By early, do you mean like 1970's early or like FB 13B early?

1970's early.

Cool!

There are several small differences (water outlet, egr etc) between his and my later TII engine, but a surprising amount of stuff carried right through.

Strut housings came! Justice struts, ASSEMBLE!

Way more satisfying than wiring.

With those housings do you need to brake open your brake lines to change springs?

Can you cut the ears off a normal strut and weld them to the new housings to get this ability?