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When your friend gives you the chance to buy one of your teenage dream cars, you don't say no.

(http://i.imgur.com/R39ISkR.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/MHMSeRI.jpg?1)

:wub:

aw hell yea :rockon:

Needs window louvers

Great success

Oh hell yea dude, I love the 80s plates too. Congrats

Nice! Which engine?

What the heck, man. I thought you were getting a scooter. :rage:

How long before this is gutted and turned into a nearly unstreetable track machine?

Congratulations!  These are such great looking cars! 

Quote from: CALL_911 on November 24, 2016, 12:34:52 AM
Oh hell yea dude, I love the 80s plates too. Congrats

What's an 80's plate?

Quote from: veeman on November 24, 2016, 08:35:20 AM
What's an 80's plate?

License plate. California lets you use any year plate you want, so most people keep the original plate from the year the car was made.

Quote from: CaminoRacer on November 24, 2016, 08:41:10 AM
License plate. California lets you use any year plate you want, so most people keep the original plate from the year the car was made.

Oh.  OK.  Never noticed that up in the Midwest or Northeast.  Cars usually rust away around 15 - 20 years. 

Oh wow. Awesome. This is a surprise buy that's not a motorcycle and really cool. Good job Rags :clap:

It's fun to own childhood dream cars. The S2000 was totally on my list in high school. Total nostalgic feel every time I get in.

I've always wondered if an NA drivetrain could be fitted to this first gen RX-7 without much fuss.  :hmm:

Quote from: Rockraven on November 24, 2016, 10:21:14 AM
I've always wondered if an NA drivetrain could be fitted to this first gen RX-7 without much fuss.  :hmm:

That is a silly idea. Why would you got through all that trouble to get rid of spinning triangles to end up with the same amount of power? V8 swap or turbo.

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on November 24, 2016, 10:28:06 AM
That is a silly idea. Why would you got through all that trouble to get rid of spinning triangles to end up with the same amount of power? V8 swap or turbo.

Not silly at all. Lightweight and reliable Miata coupe. V8 swap is not the answer to everything.

NICE!!

Thanks guys! :)

Some details:

- 1985 GSL-SE (yes, it's got a fuel-injected 13B, not the carbureted 12A)
- 178k
- Fully stock, other than a dope Bluetooth head unit

It is a project, though (expected of a 31 year old car). So far the known issues are:

- Needs new control arm bushings (going to replace the entire control arms since it's cheaper than getting bushings pressed out/in at a shop)
- New tie rods
- New idler arm (will probably get an upgraded one)
- Clutch is very soft (will replace the master/slave clutch cylinders)
- Fuel gauge doesn't work
- Gauge lights like to flicker at night (although to be fair, that only happened because I poked the light dimmer switch, before that it was fine :lol: )
- Rear defroster doesn't work
- Wipers don't work (front and rear)
- Power steering is on the fritz (going to just remove the pump and lines and go manual)

All in all though, it drives fine as is and the engine is very strong. It passed CA smog a few weeks ago and pulls hard all the way till redline, and you get that sweet  buzzer to remind you to upshift. All lights work (other than the instrument cluster lights on the fritz) and a lot of the issues are small. Going to focus on the front end and clutch first before addressing the smaller stuff. Parts are pretty damn cheap, and I have a car lift at my new place, so it's a great fit for a project IMO.

It did sit in Pacifica for a few years, which is by the ocean, so it has some small surface rust. No holes or anything, though, and I think the rust gives it a cool patina.

Quote from: CALL_911 on November 24, 2016, 12:34:52 AM
Oh hell yea dude, I love the 80s plates too. Congrats

Thanks man, I'm a big sucker for original plates. I was so excited to see this one kept its plates.

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on November 24, 2016, 04:20:32 AM
What the heck, man. I thought you were getting a scooter. :rage:

Who needs a scooter when you've got 9000 RPM? :lol:

Quote from: MX793 on November 24, 2016, 07:29:39 AM
How long before this is gutted and turned into a nearly unstreetable track machine?

Never. :huh:

It's too old for me to trust it as a track machine, and I have the NC for that. I'm keeping this one stock and just going to enjoy cruising around in it.

There's something so rewarding about driving it. I can't tell if it's just rose colored glasses or nostalgia or what, but the way it communicates and makes noises is beautiful. New cars are so disconnected (even the NC is too new for my tastes), and having something where it's only you and the car and acres of glass is so nice. The steering is weighty, the view out is amazing (sad this has now become a luxury), and it's a car that you can drive to just have fun. The NC has gotten to a point that I drive like a douche all the time since it just goads you into driving faster and faster. This car lets me slow down and just have fun.

I couldn't wipe the grin off my face at all last night. As Mike said, it's so rewarding to finally get your hands on a childhood dream car.

Quote from: Rockraven on November 24, 2016, 10:37:53 AM
Not silly at all. Lightweight and reliable Miata coupe. V8 swap is not the answer to everything.

13B's run forever if you're not stupid and keep up with maintenance and don't add boost.

(https://mkwrthy.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/dream_a_little_bigger_02_by_hikari129.jpg)

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 24, 2016, 10:53:55 AM
13B's run forever if you're not stupid and keep up with maintenance and don't add boost.

178,000 miles certainly backs that up.

Quote from: MX793 on November 24, 2016, 07:29:39 AM
How long before this is gutted and turned into a nearly unstreetable track machine?

No way. This is going to be his daily driver. 13 MPG at Cali prices  :rockon:

Congrats Ragz, that thing should be a blast.

Eh, daily driver is still my 55 mpg WR250X. I'm not worried about gas prices. :lol:

Oh, it's the GSL-SE! :wub:

Nice! My mom always said she wanted one of those when she was younger. But then I came around 😕

Cruisin' in the whip for Thanksgiving.

(http://i.imgur.com/ni0MjBM.jpg)

I need to get some better pictures. I'll do it tomorrow.

Did you just break out of jail?  :muffin:

 :lol:

Pic looks 40 years old :lol:

I approve

Nice.

Still no pics. :pullover: :nono:

I did loop the lines and pull the PS pump today, though. I might pull the AC too. It's not charged and I can't get R12 refrigerant so not sure if I want it. Plus the bracket it's on (that also held the PS pump) weighs like 20 lb.

I see you are turning it into an unstreetable track machine. As expected.  :lol:

Wow.  That didn't last long :lol:

:rage: :lol:

I already said I was pulling the power steering. What am I supposed to do with AC I can't recharge?

You should be able to still get R12.  Maybe not a do-it-yourself recharge kit, but an AC specialist should be able to recharge the system.  May not be cheap, though.

Quote from: MX793 on November 28, 2016, 09:57:51 AM
You should be able to still get R12.  Maybe not a do-it-yourself recharge kit, but an AC specialist should be able to recharge the system.  May not be cheap, though.

Or just convert to 134a, like a BOSS

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 28, 2016, 09:47:21 AM
:rage: :lol:

I already said I was pulling the power steering. What am I supposed to do with AC I can't recharge?

Restore it to factory spec.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 28, 2016, 09:47:21 AM
:rage: :lol:

I already said I was pulling the power steering. What am I supposed to do with AC I can't recharge?

Don't need AC.  Just open the sunroof.

Quote from: 12,000 RPM on November 25, 2016, 06:23:52 AM
Pic looks 40 years old :lol:

It's to match the cars vintage.

Congrats man!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

AC is not needed in California anyways.

I'm still not going to put in a bucket seat, harnesses, remove the carpet and insulation and radio/speakers, and it's not getting stiff coilovers, giant swaybars or a loud exhaust. All of that is staying stock.

Long term I want to fix the rust. That might not be possible, though.

Oh, also I need to get new door seals. It leaks a lot of air.

I also ordered an upgraded idler arm, new tie rods (inner/outer and center) and master/slave cylinders for the clutch. Cost like $130 for everything.

Edit: Oh yeah, I ordered a stainless steel clutch line. So make that $150.

Well on my way to making this thing an unstreetable race car.  :hammerhead: :pee: :lol:

Sweet! I should be getting the clutch parts by Thursday and the idler arm by Friday! The tie rod ends are coming from another site so it'll probably be a while before I get those.

Probably won't have the clutch line by this weekend so I guess I'll just throw the idler arm on there for now. It grinds a lot in second so I really want to get the clutch stuff on there ASAP.

Is the grinding due to the clutch or the synchros?  Generally speaking, if it only grinds going into a single gear, it's worn synchros for that gear.

Change teh gear oilz. Use synthetic like Redline if it is the right GL#.

Quote from: MX793 on November 28, 2016, 01:07:49 PM
Is the grinding due to the clutch or the synchros?  Generally speaking, if it only grinds going into a single gear, it's worn synchros for that gear.

Apparently it was doing the same thing before, and they replaced the transmission, and it still has the same problem. Either both transmissions have bad synchros (possible), or the hydraulics are going out. It's ~$50 to replace the hydraulics so I'm starting there.

I'll do a fluid flush as well when I replace the master/slave. The clutch pedal is ridiculously soft, though. My Miata has a very light clutch and even that feels very stiff compared to the RX7.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 28, 2016, 01:37:21 PM
Apparently it was doing the same thing before, and they replaced the transmission, and it still has the same problem. Either both transmissions have bad synchros (possible), or the hydraulics are going out. It's ~$50 to replace the hydraulics so I'm starting there.

I'll do a fluid flush as well when I replace the master/slave. The clutch pedal is ridiculously soft, though. My Miata has a very light clutch and even that feels very stiff compared to the RX7.

How is it $50 when you've spent $150 just on the line?

(Edit: nevermind. I can't read)

I remember those having a light clutch; but can't say if it's lighter than a Miata or not.

Quote from: Soup DeVille on November 28, 2016, 02:37:16 PM
How is it $50 when you've spent $150 just on the line?

(Edit: nevermind. I can't read)

I remember those having a light clutch; but can't say if it's lighter than a Miata or not.

This feels suspiciously too light. Like pressing on the gas pedal light.

I dunno.  I would expect that if your clutch wasn't fully disengaging, you'd be grinding every gear and have a hell of a time engaging first or reverse from neutral.

+1 if it's not fully disengaged you'll notice immediately when you try to shift into first/reverse

Hmm, it's smooth going into everything else. Worst case it's $60 and an afternoon to swap the cylinders and oil. Hopefully the transmission isn't crunched.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 28, 2016, 04:19:53 PM
Hmm, it's smooth going into everything else. Worst case it's $60 and an afternoon to swap the cylinders and oil. Hopefully the transmission isn't crunched.

I'm really thinking it's a weak 2nd gear syncro.  And the replacement box, which I assume was a used unit out of a scrapyard and not a freshly rebuilt/refurb'ed box, probably also had a weak 2nd gear syncro.  Old RXes apparently have a reputation for weak syncros.

Granny shifting ... not double clutching like you should ... :rolleyes:

Just about to ask; does it grind if you double clutch? Or without the clutch?

I'm not familiar enough with the car to double clutch or without the clutch. Generally, upshifting is fine in 2nd, but it won't want to down shift at all.

It still doesn't explain the extremely soft clutch. Other RX7's I've driven weren't that bad.

Do these have a pedal return spring of any worth? 

If not, I would just suspect a weak pressure plate spring.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 28, 2016, 04:36:11 PM
I'm not familiar enough with the car to double clutch or without the clutch. Generally, upshifting is fine in 2nd, but it won't want to down shift at all.

It still doesn't explain the extremely soft clutch. Other RX7's I've driven weren't that bad.

Will it upshift easily even if you try to rip off a really fast shift, or only if you take it easy?  Generally speaking, upshifting with bad syncros is easier than downshifting since the revs naturally match themselves on an upshift whereas you need to be pretty spot-on with the throttle blip to rev match on a downshift.

I've been taking it easy in 2nd while up shifting. I can try shifting harder into it next time I drive it.

Hmm, an S4 transmission will fit into the FB, after swapping some FB parts over (tail housing, shifter box, etc).

A TII would fit but it needs some modifications. It's the strongest transmission that would work with the car, though.

T-56 swap

T56 would weigh more than the rest of the car. :lol:


First things first - replace the clutch hydraulics and see what to do after that. I should get the clutch line by Friday as well so I will just do that over the weekend.

Powerglide swap.

Keep it as stock as possible, including the trans. 20 lb AC delete is pointless.

Quote from: Rupert on November 28, 2016, 09:28:34 PM
Keep it as stock as possible, including the trans. 20 lb AC delete is pointless.

Non working AC is also pointlesss.

And what good is the trans if it's crunchy? The FC S4 transmission is the same, with just different gearing. It depends on which I can find the cheapest (if the tranmission is truly fucked, which it may be).

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 28, 2016, 02:54:03 PM
This feels suspiciously too light. Like pressing on the gas pedal light.

My FB clutch in the B2200 was the same way

Quote from: 68_427 on November 28, 2016, 10:29:10 PM
My FB clutch in the B2200 was the same way

Brap has a light pressure plate because it makes only about 3 torques.

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on November 28, 2016, 11:24:53 PM
Brap has a light pressure plate because it makes only about 3 torques.

More torx than Versa bro

Quote from: 68_427 on November 28, 2016, 11:34:04 PM
More torx than Versa bro

107. Can you even count that high?

Doesn't matter when wankel will do it for me

Sweet, should have all the parts by this weekend. :rockon:

Plan is to replace the clutch master/slave cylinders Saturday to see if that helps, then put the car on the lift and replace the tie rods and idler arm, as well as replacing the transmission oil on Sunday. I will probably also take some PS fluid out of the box since it's super stiff right now.

Stiff steering is what happens when you disable power steering. :lol:

PS. Don't forget to add that 2 cycle oil to your gas when you fill up.

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on November 29, 2016, 02:11:58 PM
Stiff steering is what happens when you disable power steering. :lol:

PS. Don't forget to add that 2 cycle oil to your gas when you fill up.

From what I've read, you're supposed to drain out most of the PS fluid. A PS pump full of fluid will be much stiffer than a traditional manual rack.

Also, why do I need 2 stroke oil? The car has an OMP. I kind of want to get a stand alone oil injection kit that deletes the OMP and has a separate reservoir with 2 stroke oil mounted in the engine bay.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 29, 2016, 02:18:26 PM
From what I've read, you're supposed to drain out most of the PS fluid. A PS pump full of fluid will be much stiffer than a traditional manual rack.

Also, why do I need 2 stroke oil? The car has an OMP. I kind of want to get a stand alone oil injection kit that deletes the OMP and has a separate reservoir with 2 stroke oil mounted in the engine bay.

Yeah yeah, drain the fluid

The more oil you can burn, the better your apex seals will be. Turn up the oil, or mix extra into the gas. Just make sure it blows some blue smoke. And gut the cat if it has one for Kalifornia emissisns :lol:

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on November 29, 2016, 02:29:59 PM
Yeah yeah, drain the fluid

The more oil you can burn, the better your apex seals will be. Turn up the oil, or mix extra into the gas. Just make sure it blows some blue smoke. And gut the cat if it has one for Kalifornia emissisns :lol:

More oil than necessary = unburned deposits and other shite. The FB and S4 FCs have mechanical OMPs which are supposed to be very reliable. The car has never been premixed before so I'm not going to worry about it.

The only thing is, removing the OMP and going with the 2 stroke reservoir is better since the 2 stroke oil burns cleaner than the dirty engine oil, although rotaries don't have problems with blow-by contaminating the oil...

Make sure you use the good stuff.  Interceptor or Dominator FTW.

(https://www.amsoil.com/newsstandres/images/articles/interceptor-dominator.jpg)

I will probably put some Rotella T in there. :lol:

Yamalube.  Ran it in my 2-stroke race bikes, at a fairly rich mixture, and got 2-3x the life between top end rebuilds.

Or.... just Idemitsu, who make actual rotary premix...

http://www.idemitsu-usa.com/h/38/premix.htm

Rotary flavoured? Surely it's just repackaged Supertech.

Klotz premix will make your exhaust smell like peanuts... No joke

(http://i.imgur.com/AjgaB0F.jpg)

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 30, 2016, 01:49:36 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/AjgaB0F.jpg)

I did not expect the RX7 to look so big compared to the NC. 

So cute. They're saying Hi. Like Dodge Neons do.

I never ran anything other than regular oil and gas in the Mazda.  Never burned more than half a quart over 3000 miles either.  :huh:

Quote from: Raza  on November 30, 2016, 02:06:02 PM
I did not expect the RX7 to look so big compared to the NC. 

The facelifted 1st gens (what rags has) actually grew in size, but lost ~150lbs.

Seeing one of those around here would be like seeing an Enzo or Ford GT.

Yeah the RX7 is pretty big, but then again it's kind of a size/class up from the Miata so it's not surprising. It drives much smaller than it looks, though. It's like a damn go kart.

To do list this weekend (hopefully can get to it all):

Master/slave cylinders
Trim PS hose and let some fluid out
Idler arm
Tie rods
Look into the gas gauge not working


I also drove it to my parents' house. My dad knew about the car already but my mom didn't and she wasn't too happy. :lol:

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 30, 2016, 11:39:17 PM
Yeah the RX7 is pretty big,

:confused: You sound like Sporty......

Cars of yesteryear had such small wheels.  Miata is smaller but wheels are noticeably bigger. 

Quote from: Gotta-Qik-C6 on November 30, 2016, 11:56:00 PM
:confused: You sound like Sporty......

It's bigger than an NA Miata but was designed in the '70s. For its time I don't think it was super small or anything. :huh:

Quote from: veeman on December 01, 2016, 10:13:39 AM
Cars of yesteryear had such small wheels.  Miata is smaller but wheels are noticeably bigger. 

Yeah, the Miata is on 16's (I have 17's for it too) but the FB is on 14s.

Is it a 4 seater? It was definitely smaller than its Japanese contemporaries

Nope, it's a 2 seater.

Can I drive it the next time I visit California? I've never driven a rotary before.....

Quote from: Laconian on December 01, 2016, 11:11:02 AM
Can I drive it the next time I visit California? I've never driven a rotary before.....

Just drive your car at about 1/4 throttle, but don't upshift until at least 7000 RPM.

Quote from: Laconian on December 01, 2016, 11:11:02 AM
Can I drive it the next time I visit California? I've never driven a rotary before.....

For sure. Hopefully I'll have it mostly fixed up by then.

Just ordered a trunk hatch release button. :rockon:

The current one works but the button is missing so you have to poke it with a key or something, which is a pain in the butt. The copied key doesn't open the trunk, either (or the passenger door) so the button is the only way to get into the hatch. Original key works in the hatch lock so maybe the copy needs to be worn down some more.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on November 30, 2016, 11:39:17 PM
Yeah the RX7 is pretty big, but then again it's kind of a size/class up from the Miata so it's not surprising. It drives much smaller than it looks, though. It's like a damn go kart.

To do list this weekend (hopefully can get to it all):

Master/slave cylinders
Trim PS hose and let some fluid out
Idler arm
Tie rods
Look into the gas gauge not working


I also drove it to my parents' house. My dad knew about the car already but my mom didn't and she wasn't too happy. :lol:

Why does she care so much? It's not like you traded the rice cooker for it.

Quote from: Raza  on December 01, 2016, 01:40:16 PM
Why does she care so much? It's not like you traded the rice cooker for it.

I think that's it's new name...

Quote from: Raza  on December 01, 2016, 01:40:16 PM
Why does she care so much? It's not like you traded the rice cooker for it.

:lol: :clap:

Quote from: Soup DeVille on December 01, 2016, 02:28:06 PM
I think that's it's new name...

NC is the real rice cooker. This thing is still mostly stock.

Quote from: Raza  on December 01, 2016, 01:40:16 PM
Why does she care so much? It's not like you traded the rice cooker for it.

ROOFL

Because she knows her son will "waste" his time on fixing up this old car and which will leave him stranded on the highway at 2:00 am :lol:

My parents rolled their eyes when I bought the MG and expressed disappointment, but once they saw that I could afford it, I took care of it, and it was so much fun, they got over it and now support my car hobby such as it is anymore (support /= money, come on ;) ).

When I was 17, my mother watched me sawzall the roof off of a Beetle in her driveway. Nothing I've done with cars since has caused her to so much as raise an eyebrow.

Quote from: Soup DeVille on December 01, 2016, 08:53:08 PM
When I was 17, my mother watched me sawzall the roof off of a Beetle in her driveway. Nothing I've done with cars since has caused her to so much as raise an eyebrow.

My parents were very anti-tinkering.  Fucking shame, because that's all I wanted/liked to do.

Quote from: Raza  on December 01, 2016, 01:40:16 PM
Why does she care so much? It's not like you traded the rice cooker for it.

:lol: :golfclap:

Cool. I've always like the '70s Japanese sports cars - including the Z.

Dammit. UPS is delaying my tie rods and now I can't replace them this weekend. :cry:

Still, I can do the rest of the things. Might try and bleed brakes too if my friend comes over.

Hatch release button should be here Tuesday so I can throw that in too.

Let some fluid out of the PS lines yesterday and swapped the idler arm out.

Then I tried to do the clutch hydraulics. Got the slave cylinder out but couldn't get the damn hose off the hard lime. The fluid looks like muddy water too, so rather than fuck with the old hard line I just ordered a new one. I'll just put the car back together today and bleed it, then replace everything next weekend anyways.

Idler arms are for trucks, bro.  :devil:

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 03, 2016, 11:11:23 AM
Idler arms are for trucks, bro.  :devil:

RX7 also has a solid rear axle. RX7 = truck.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 03, 2016, 11:14:30 AM
RX7 also has a solid rear axle. RX7 = truck.

Install trailer hitch. Tow Miata to track.

Threw the slave cylinder back in. Clutch still feels terrible.

The steering though. OMG. :wub:

There is still some play in it but it feels amazing now with the new idler arm. I can't wait to put the tie rods in next weekend. Should eliminate most of the rest of the play.

There was supposed to be rubber between the two metal pieces... :mask: :pullover:

(http://i.imgur.com/DVow6i1.jpg)

So put a rubber on it.  :huh:

It's more fun without the rubber on

Is that the slave?

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 03, 2016, 11:33:01 AM
Install trailer hitch. Tow Miata to track.

:lol:

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 03, 2016, 04:31:56 PM
Is that the slave?

Quote from: r0tor on December 03, 2016, 04:30:20 PM
It's more fun without the rubber on

Some slaves like rubber. :huh:

Lawl

I prefer leather.

Is this your grocery getter now? Instead of a scooter

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 03, 2016, 04:31:56 PM
Is that the slave?

No it's the idler arm.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 03, 2016, 06:42:14 PM
No it's the idler arm.

Also known as the slave arm.

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 03, 2016, 06:43:24 PM
Also known as the slave arm.

In Texas, the Migrant Worker Arm.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 03, 2016, 06:42:14 PM
No it's the idler arm.

That would explain why the pushrod is so short and fat. :lol:

14.9 mpg first tank. :mask: :lol:

Also, I filled up and the gas gauge started working. I have a feeling once the level gets below a certain point it will stop working.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 04, 2016, 10:00:48 PM
14.9 mpg first tank. :mask: :lol:

Also, I filled up and the gas gauge started working. I have a feeling once the level gets below a certain point it will stop working.

Happened on my truck too.  And nice MPG.  You must drive like a pussy

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 04, 2016, 10:00:48 PM
14.9 mpg first tank. :mask: :lol:

Also, I filled up and the gas gauge started working. I have a feeling once the level gets below a certain point it will stop working.

:lol:

Can someone asplain to me why door seals are so freaking expensive?

I've been looking into them and they are eye-wateringly expensive. I need to see exactly which seals I need but I think I'm going to just replace all of them.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 05, 2016, 11:19:23 AM
Can someone asplain to me why door seals are so freaking expensive?

I've been looking into them and they are eye-wateringly expensive. I need to see exactly which seals I need but I think I'm going to just replace all of them.

They are expensive because you need them.

How much are they? I think mine are $30/door. I need a new one but have been too lazy and cheap

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 05, 2016, 12:45:48 PM
How much are they? I think mine are $30/door. I need a new one but have been too lazy and cheap

About $40/ea for the piece that goes on the door around the window and $50/ea for the piece that sits on the body of the car.

Wow. I can't complain then. :lol:

I mean, there are cheaper options, but one of the previous owners cheaped out and got some shitty seal and it just flops off the door every time I open it because it fits like shit.

Fuckkkk. Adjustable control arms are cheaper than OEM.

wat do?

OEM!!!

Why do you need control arms?

Bushings are shot. Rather than pull the arms out and get the bushing pressed out at a shop I'd rather just replace them.

Plus they come with ball joints.

IDK maybe I'll just get them pressed out and replaced.

Ball joints press in too? Not uncommon that those are one-n-done.

Yeah, ball joints would have to be pressed in, too. It's about $150 in parts and at least $100 in labor, plus having to take the car apart and let it sit while I get the parts to a shop.

The upgraded arms come with spherical bearings. Would be nice to not have to worry about those again.

Ball joint press is like $50 at Harbor Freight

I would go OEM unless the aftermarket is someone like Racing Beat who makes a quality product... Most shit aftermarket suspension components lack things like dust boots and bearing retainers needed keep a street car running safely long term.

Quote from: r0tor on December 06, 2016, 05:43:55 AM
I would go OEM unless the aftermarket is someone like Racing Beat who makes a quality product... Most shit aftermarket suspension components lack things like dust boots and bearing retainers needed keep a street car running safely long term.

+1
although, a quality sphereical bearing is very nice

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 06, 2016, 05:07:12 AM
Ball joint press is like $50 at Harbor Freight

Problem is it's not uncommon that the press-in portion of the control arm is a one-n-done affair - popping out the factory ball joint buggers the press-in interface such that it won't hold a new ball joint. One doesn't know that till it's tried, after the replacement parts (bushings, ball joint, etc.) have been purchased...

https://technotoytuning.com/mazda/fb/front-lower-control-arms-sa-and-fb-rx7

Those are the ones I'm looking at.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 06, 2016, 09:07:21 AM
https://technotoytuning.com/mazda/fb/front-lower-control-arms-sa-and-fb-rx7

Those are the ones I'm looking at.

I don't know anything about that company, but those appear to be quality parts. The steel is pretty thick looking.

That unsealed bearing will be knocking in a couple months of driving and blow out in a couple years

Compare it to racing beats adjustable one which will hold up as well as an OEM part in actual street use
(http://www.racingbeat.com/images/items/350x280/14006.jpg)

Quote from: r0tor on December 06, 2016, 10:44:38 AM
That unsealed bearing will be knocking in a couple months of driving and blow out in a couple years

Compare it to racing beats adjustable one which will hold up as well as an OEM part in actual street use
(http://www.racingbeat.com/images/items/350x280/14006.jpg)

Yeah, get those

Those are $700.

I'm just going to go OEM.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 06, 2016, 11:54:22 AM
Those are $700.

I'm just going to go OEM.

Good choice

Or you can reuse the old control arms and just make new bushings by squirting windshield adhesive in the hole.

Fuck me. Looks like the Mazda dealership can't get control arms and even if they could it's $601 each. :wtf:

Mazdaspeed/Mazda Comp only sells parts going back to 1986.

I'm just going to buy some Moog ball joints and bushings and torch out the old bushings and try to press the new ones in. Roommate is down to buy an HF full size press for the garage so I can hopefully get it done by myself (or with some friends).

They wouldn't sell replacement ball joints if the control arms were a one-and-done deal. $120 in parts is a lot better than $700 for the Racing Beats or $400 for the T3 arms.

Do it. That's all you need. You can do anythin with a BFH and a press, and/or a torch.

I'll 3D print you some out of corn-based plastic. Just don't take any bumps.

Quote from: Laconian on December 08, 2016, 04:08:02 PM
I'll 3D print you some out of corn-based plastic. Just don't take any bumps.

Weight reduction, yo. :rockon:

Quote from: Laconian on December 08, 2016, 04:08:02 PM
I'll 3D print you some out of corn-based plastic. Just don't take any bumps.

Why can't you just buy a reel of aluminum for your printer?

Extruder works at 230 deg C, not 660.

Quote from: Laconian on December 08, 2016, 04:20:44 PM
Extruder works at 230 deg C, not 660.

Turn it up! :huh:

Tim Allen grunt

FMFL.

Clutch hard line shows delivered. No package.

Hopefully it'll turn up tomorrow or else I'm not doing anything to the car this weekend. :facepalm:

UPS man went ahead and installed it for you :ohyeah:

Fuck. USPS said it wasn't delivered but it would be today. Mail came today. No package still.

Can't do anything to the car this weekend. FML.

I can't do anything to my car, either. Haven't decided on rimz.

Charged up the Miata's old battery that's actually fairly new and was only replaced because I got a fancy racing battery for it and threw it in the RX7. It's smaller than the stock battery size so the hold down doesn't work too well but as long as I don't take turns too quickly I think it'll be OK.

:mask: :lol:

Autozone/wherever has those J-hook clamps. They work decently well for that situation. I used them for a bit before ponying up for a full box mount.

Fill the battery compartment with cement to ensure the new battery doesn't move. 

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 16, 2016, 06:01:09 PM
Charged up the Miata's old battery that's actually fairly new and was only replaced because I got a fancy racing battery for it and threw it in the RX7. It's smaller than the stock battery size so the hold down doesn't work too well but as long as I don't take turns too quickly I think it'll be OK.

:mask: :lol:

I had no hold down in the B2200 which rode on the front bump stops.  You'll be fine.


I mean literally the shocks were welded at the bumpstops.

Quote from: 68_427 on December 17, 2016, 01:15:25 PM
I had no hold down in the B2200 which rode on the front bump stops.  You'll be fine.


I mean literally the shocks were welded at the bumpstops.

No wonder you got rid of it

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 17, 2016, 01:41:01 PM
No wonder you got rid of it

would destroy versa at auto-x.  245 extreme contacts and 1/2 ton fron discs all the way around.  race truck

Quote from: 68_427 on December 17, 2016, 01:47:07 PM
would destroy versa at auto-x.  245 extreme contacts and 1/2 ton fron discs all the way around.  race truck

pffffffff... versa s has esc

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 17, 2016, 01:59:04 PM
pffffffff... versa s has esc

Emergency Shitting Container?

Quote from: r0tor on December 17, 2016, 03:02:35 PM
Emergency Shitting Container?

Exrtra Slow Convusions

(http://imgur.com/mVegCa3.jpg)

Nice 'rage
What the fuck man

Dertberk! Hongda!

Seriously wtf so jelly

Yeah man, you're gonna have to explain this garage.

This is not a garage thread. This is RX7 thread. :nono:

I replaced the master cylinder, hard line, hose and slave cylinder. Clutch still feels the same but it feels like maybe it shifts a little easier. Second gear is still crunchy though so tomorrow morning I'll be replacing the fluid with some Royal Purple. Hopefully it'll shift better after that or else it'll be transmission swap time.

Oh, I also installed a new (used) trunk hatch switch. :wub:

Quote from: giant_mtb on December 17, 2016, 07:59:47 PM
Dertberk! Hongda!

Not pictured are 3 street bikes (my POS CBR, YZF600, GSXR750 track bike) and 3 more Honda dirtbikes (CR250 and two CRF450Rs that my roommates took dirtbiking while I was wrenching on the RX7).

Fucking transmission fill plug is welded on there. :rage:

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 18, 2016, 12:28:38 PM
Fucking transmission fill plug is welded on there. :rage:

Unweld it :huh:

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 18, 2016, 12:58:37 PM
Unweld it :huh:

So that's what the +/- switch on the welder does!

Quote from: Soup DeVille on December 18, 2016, 01:03:48 PM
So that's what the +/- switch on the welder does!

Yours has a switch? I have to open mine up and reverse the wires. :lockedup:

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 18, 2016, 12:28:38 PM
Fucking transmission fill plug is welded on there. :rage:

Factory sealed transmission.

I'm not sure I would go with a racing battery with a rotary engine... Some starts tend to take a little long if it's feeling grumpy that day

Quote from: r0tor on December 18, 2016, 03:51:22 PM
I'm not sure I would go with a racing battery with a rotary engine... Some starts tend to take a little long if it's feeling grumpy that day

No, racing battery was for Miata so I put the Miata's battery in the RX7.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 18, 2016, 06:07:31 PM
No, racing battery was for Miata so I put the Miata's battery in the RX7.

So ... RX-7 is racecar now?

dunno how I missed this thread,

CONGRATS!!   :lol:

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 18, 2016, 06:56:01 PM
So ... RX-7 is racecar now?

RX-7 is always race car.

I'm going to put it on the lift next weekend and get that plug off somehow. I'll probably just buy a new plug from the stealership.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on December 19, 2016, 09:25:01 AM
dunno how I missed this thread,

CONGRATS!!   :lol:

Thanks! :praise:

(http://i.imgur.com/osmOA4s.jpg)

This transmission is getting new oil whether it likes it or not. :rage:

Fuck yes. Got both the fill and drain plugs loose. :rockon:

Oil is changed. I am scare.

The stuff that came out was pretty gross and the plug had a lot of shavings, so we'll see how it drives...

Quote from: Cookie Monster on December 20, 2016, 05:06:27 PM
Oil is changed. I am scare.

The stuff that came out was pretty gross and the plug had a lot of shavings, so we'll see how it drives...

The shavings are the remains of your non-functional 2nd gear synchro ring.  Or bits of cogs that have been ground off because your synchros are shot.

Have you driven it? S2000's transmission oil looked pretty bad when I changed it. Flushed really well, and it feels 100% better. Big difference.

Quote from: MX793 on December 20, 2016, 05:20:47 PM
The shavings are the remains of your non-functional 2nd gear synchro ring.  Or bits of cogs that have been ground off because your synchros are shot.

Thanks for the confidence. :wanker: :cry:

:lol:

There's supposed to be some shavings... it's metal on metal action and that's why there's a magnet on the drain plug...

My 40 year old transmission had practically no shavings in it last time I opened it. Gears look good as new, too. :devil:

My tramishin has 1400 miles on it, and I have not missed a single shift, yet.

All other gears feel good. 2nd gear is still borked though.

Time to go transmission shopping. :banghead:

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on December 20, 2016, 06:08:25 PM
My tramishin has 1400 miles on it, and I have not missed a single shift, yet.

My Audi transmission felt wonderful even after me learning on it.  Including horrible shifts and clutch burning.

There's a free FB parts car with a 5 speed locally. I could get AAA to tow it back to my house, pull the trans and then junk the rest of the car. Unfortunately I don't know if the parts car transmission is any better...

(http://i.imgur.com/0C6IS7U.jpg)

:wub:

Aaanddd RX7 got broken into. They stole the headunit, cut the wires behind it (how I'm going to fix that I have no clue) and destroyed a lot of the center stack/console getting the stereo out.

They also rummaged through the rest of the car.

Fuck my life.

Was the head unit nice enough to be worth stealing?

Quote from: MX793 on January 06, 2017, 11:31:57 AM
Was the head unit nice enough to be worth stealing?

Yeah, it was a nice bluetooth touchscreen one. I'm not as mad about the headunit being stolen as I am that they smashed their way to it and then cut the wires. My interior was in good shape so finding parts in that condition might be hard.

Then again, no thief has ever gone through the trouble to properly dismantle a dashboard to steal anything so I'm not sure why I'm mad. :lol:

Bummer dude. Hopefully you have comprehensive insurance? Though it may not be worth the deductible + potential rate increase.

Yeah, definitely wouldn't put a nice stereo in an older Japanese car.  They are notoriously easy to break into (there's a reason why early 90s Accords sat at the top of the most stolen car list for a long time) and thieves have little regard for preserving your dash or center console.

Quote from: MX793 on January 06, 2017, 11:48:35 AM
Yeah, definitely wouldn't put a nice stereo in an older Japanese car.  They are notoriously easy to break into (there's a reason why early 90s Accords sat at the top of the most stolen car list for a long time) and thieves have little regard for preserving your dash or center console.

Yeah I wouldn't have put it in there myself but it came with the car. I'm happy they at least didn't smash the windows. I'm scared the NC is also a target but at least that doesn't have a stereo...

Quote from: BimmerM3 on January 06, 2017, 11:46:37 AM
Bummer dude. Hopefully you have comprehensive insurance? Though it may not be worth the deductible + potential rate increase.

I do have comprehensive on it but as you said it's not really worth it.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on January 06, 2017, 11:25:15 AM
Aaanddd RX7 got broken into. They stole the headunit, cut the wires behind it (how I'm going to fix that I have no clue) and destroyed a lot of the center stack/console getting the stereo out.

They also rummaged through the rest of the car.

Fuck my life.

Fucke people. Strip the interioure, turn it into a race car, hook a killswitch to a wireless remote solenoid.

Sorry man. 

I hope it didn't happen in your driveway or street where you live.  That would really really piss me off and make me suspicious of my neighbors' kids and their friends. 

That sucks dude.

Quote from: veeman on January 06, 2017, 12:03:55 PM
Sorry man. 

I hope it didn't happen in your driveway or street where you live.  That would really really piss me off and make me suspicious of my neighbors' kids and their friends. 

It was outside my house.

That sucks.

Finding good interior pieces on older cars is a PITA.

Quote from: Soup DeVille on January 06, 2017, 06:58:48 PM
That sucks.

Finding good interior pieces on older cars is a PITA.

Yeah, eBay doesn't have any parts and the junkyard generally has shit... Not sure what to do since the interior was pretty clean...

Quote from: Cookie Monster on January 06, 2017, 07:02:52 PM
Yeah, eBay doesn't have any parts and the junkyard generally has shit... Not sure what to do since the interior was pretty clean...

Man, I don't know. Problem is that everybody breaks the same pieces, so finding good ones becomes a problem. All my older cars have had a few stupid little things that you could never find anywhere. On the Cadillac it was the bezel that goes around the antenna. On the wagon, it's the piece that covers the spare tire and the right rear corner trim (find dozens of lefts, no rights).

RX-7s are sure to have a decent online community though, which can help a lot.

This should be a crime with a death penalty associated with it  :lockedup:

Quote from: Cookie Monster on January 06, 2017, 07:02:52 PM
Yeah, eBay doesn't have any parts and the junkyard generally has shit... Not sure what to do since the interior was pretty clean...

Are you familiar with http://www.mazmart.com ?  Excellent resource

Finally got around to buying door seals. Dropped $$$ for the OEM ones.

Hopefully the interior of the car will survive all the leakage from the rain but at least this will make the leaks stop.

So... I drove the RX7 two weeks ago. Haven't been driving it because I'm busy as fuck on the weekends with busy season.

Apparently the nosy ass neighbors thought it was stolen and were going to have it towed. My roommate said I can't have it around my place anymore. What the fuck.

I need to move to a new place.

What the fuck? What does your lease say?
You can park it at my place for as long as you want.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on February 09, 2017, 04:47:59 PM
So... I drove the RX7 two weeks ago. Haven't been driving it because I'm busy as fuck on the weekends with busy season.

Apparently the nosy ass neighbors thought it was stolen and were going to have it towed. My roommate said I can't have it around my place anymore. What the fuck.

I need to move to a new place.

IT'S NOT LIKE THE CAR IS SOME POS THAT LOOKS ABANDONED!

Quote from: Cookie Monster on February 09, 2017, 04:47:59 PM
So... I drove the RX7 two weeks ago. Haven't been driving it because I'm busy as fuck on the weekends with busy season.

Apparently the nosy ass neighbors thought it was stolen and were going to have it towed. My roommate said I can't have it around my place anymore. What the fuck.

I need to move to a new place.

Bruh, what?

If you're parking it on the street, your roommate shouldn't have anything to say about it.

The "neighborhood watch" or whatever the fuck thought it was stolen and abandoned (since it's old probably :facepalm: ) and called the landlord about it, who called my roommate, who said I can't have it anymore.


The really shitty part is it says I can park my car in the driveway on my lease, and he said I could have one of the driveway spots when I was checking the place out, but after I moved in he said I had to street park both cars. There's 4 off street parking spots in the driveway and he's parked cars in all of them.

Oh, you "can't" have it anymore? What are they going to do about it? Nothing, except act like assholes.

Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on February 09, 2017, 05:13:53 PM
Oh, you "can't" have it anymore? What are they going to do about it? Nothing, except act like assholes.

Right! Long as it's registered how can they tell him where to park the damn car!

Quote from: Cookie Monster on February 09, 2017, 05:03:50 PM
The "neighborhood watch" or whatever the fuck thought it was stolen and abandoned (since it's old probably :facepalm: ) and called the landlord about it, who called my roommate, who said I can't have it anymore.


The really shitty part is it says I can park my car in the driveway on my lease, and he said I could have one of the driveway spots when I was checking the place out, but after I moved in he said I had to street park both cars. There's 4 off street parking spots in the driveway and he's parked cars in all of them.

Tell him to start treating you decent.

BTW; no storage at that sweet garage you posted before?

Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 09, 2017, 06:00:26 PM
Tell him to start treating you decent.

BTW; no storage at that sweet garage you posted before?

Not allowed to put cars in this sweet garage. :rolleyes:

I'm looking for places to move anyways.

I would write an email to the neighborhood watch group, and cc the landlord and your roommate, that they cannot dictate what type of car you have and to please provide documentation to you indicating where it states your type of car and the condition it is in is illegal to have in the development bylaws.  I would then add a paragraph that if they continue to harass you about your vehicle or have it towed, that you will file a lawsuit.   

Quote from: veeman on February 09, 2017, 09:40:11 PM
I would write an email to the neighborhood watch group, and cc the landlord and your roommate, that they cannot dictate what type of car you have and to please provide documentation to you indicating where it states your type of car and the condition it is in is illegal to have in the development bylaws.  I would then add a paragraph that if they continue to harass you about your vehicle or have it towed, that you will file a lawsuit.   

+1

The thing is, I don't even know who's in this neighborhood watch group. I don't live in an neighborhood with an HOA. It's just an open street with open parking. The landlord just called my roommate and said they were getting complaints about it.

Honestly, this neighborhood watch just sounds like a bunch of morons. Didn't do jack shit to stop my car from getting broken into, but now they are all butthurt that it's sitting on the street. :facepalm:



I'll hopefully get the window and door seals tomorrow so I can install them at a friend's house this weekend. I'll just leave the car at his place till I can sort out my living situation.  According to the lease I'm paying for a driveway spot. I should be able to park there too.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on February 10, 2017, 12:21:03 AM
The thing is, I don't even know who's in this neighborhood watch group. I don't live in an neighborhood with an HOA. It's just an open street with open parking. The landlord just called my roommate and said they were getting complaints about it.

Honestly, this neighborhood watch just sounds like a bunch of morons. Didn't do jack shit to stop my car from getting broken into, but now they are all butthurt that it's sitting on the street. :facepalm:



I'll hopefully get the window and door seals tomorrow so I can install them at a friend's house this weekend. I'll just leave the car at his place till I can sort out my living situation.  According to the lease I'm paying for a driveway spot. I should be able to park there too.

I hear you.  I hear you.  They are screwing you over though, very likely illegally, and you should call them out on it in written or email form.  A single letter/email to your landlord and roommate indicating they are in breech of their contract by not providing you with a driveway spot and that your car is legally registered to you in the state of California will get them to STFU.  For your next monthly rent, subtract the amount it costs for you to rent a nearby parking spot in a garage and only pay that amount.  For example, if your rent costs 1200 a month and a monthly parking spot costs 200, only give them 1000 and explain why.  Then include a copy of your lease with the appropriate section highlighted.  Wait for them to respond.  You live in California.  The land of freeloaders.  They're screwing with you, so screw them back.

Never live somewhere with a HOA... just a bunch of glory seeking twats

Sounds like you don't get a long with your roommate.  I can't imagine any of my buddies just be liking F you, you have to sell your car.

Quote from: r0tor on February 10, 2017, 07:22:21 AM
Never live somewhere with a HOA... just a bunch of glory seeking twats

I've heard horror stories, but not all of them are bad.  I've never had any issues with my HOA.  My situation is different from many in that my condo is a townhouse rather than a stand-alone structure, so I went in knowing that I'd be restricted to what color my siding and exterior doors were allowed to be, and I'm fine with that.  But as far as stuff like parking, as long as you're not blocking other people's driveways or the street in general, nobody cares.  They're cool with people parking their trailers, campers, or boats in driveways or on the street for a few days.  As long as it's registered and driveable, nobody cares what you park in your driveway.  All of the lawn/yard is technically common-space, so the HOA maintains it.

Also, you can have a neighborhood watch without an HOA.  My brother's neighborhood has a watch group but no HOA, as did the neighborhood I lived in when I was in college.  And if it's just a matter of a watch without an HOA, they really have no legal enforcement ability.  They can complain all they want, but as long as you're not violating any city ordinances, that's all they can do.  Find it hard to believe a legally registered and driveable vehicle parked legally on the street would be considered an ordinance/code violation anywhere.

Quote from: MrH on February 10, 2017, 07:40:51 AM
Sounds like you don't get a long with your roommate.  I can't imagine any of my buddies just be liking F you, you have to sell your car.

I actually do get along with him - we want to go dirt biking and track days and in general he's really cool about letting me use the garage for motorcycle related purposes, but anything to do with the car he's pretty anal, even though he kept his E36 on the lift for like 3 weeks doing the headgasket...

Tell your roommate to kiss your ass and do what veeman said. Fuck that

Srsly.

As best as I can tell, you're not doing anything wrong. Seems silly to move just to avoid a conversation about parking spaces.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on February 10, 2017, 12:21:03 AM
The thing is, I don't even know who's in this neighborhood watch group.

That is by design.

You should find out when + where the meetings are and address the issue in person. People in neighborhood watch groups love anonymity and passive aggression so actually showing up will throw them for a loop.

Also should deal with the roommate if there is an available space. Unless he/she put in your agreement that they have access to both spaces I concur with the "tell them to kiss your ass" suggestion. Though it does suck to live with someone when there's stupid tension over shit like this.

It's kinda this way with a lot of things - since I'm subletting from him it feels like I'm just paying to live in someone else's house, not my own house. That's why I'm looking to find a place with some friends where it will be split equally.

I'm not even sure if this neighborhood watch is a real formal group.

If you want you can keep your RX-7 in my garage for as long as you want. Just drop it off at my house whenever you are nearby.  :lol:

Quote from: Cookie Monster on February 10, 2017, 11:49:17 AM
It's kinda this way with a lot of things - since I'm subletting from him it feels like I'm just paying to live in someone else's house, not my own house. That's why I'm looking to find a place with some friends where it will be split equally.

I'm not even sure if this neighborhood watch is a real formal group.

So what are the chance that somebody just asked what was up with it, and your roomie is over reacting?

Quote from: SJ_GTI on February 10, 2017, 11:57:09 AM
If you want you can keep your RX-7 in my garage for as long as you want. Just drop it off at my house whenever you are nearby.  :lol:

It would see the snow and then rust to pieces. :lol:

Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 10, 2017, 11:58:20 AM
So what are the chance that somebody just asked what was up with it, and your roomie is over reacting?

Possible... he was against me buying it in the first place, but it's not his fucking decision...

Your roomie sounds like a nutcase. 

Quote from: MrH on February 10, 2017, 01:04:20 PM
Your roomie sounds like a nutcase.

Yeah, total douchebag.

Do you do a lot of work on the car at the house?

Not with my super busy schedule... basically have worked on the car like 3 times.

This past weekend my friend and I installed new door and window seals. I can see why they cost $250+ for OEM stuff. It all fit perfectly and felt so soft and supple. The doors actually pop a little when you open them and the car is much quieter on the highway now.


I also parked the car at my parents' place, dumped about 10 lb of cat litter on the carpets and threw a car cover on it. RX7 is in hibernation now. I'll just keep replacing the cat litter once in a while to dry it up and then steam clean the carpets or something.

A shammie works too. I've had to do that before. Pat it down a few times, wring it out, repeat.

How hard was it to close the doors the first time after you replaced the weatherstripping? I did my driver's door a week or two ago and could barely get it closed. Luckily it crushed down overnight so it's been fine since.

Quote from: CaminoRacer on February 13, 2017, 12:15:42 PM
A shammie works too. I've had to do that before. Pat it down a few times, wring it out, repeat.

How hard was it to close the doors the first time after you replaced the weatherstripping? I did my driver's door a week or two ago and could barely get it closed. Luckily it crushed down overnight so it's been fine since.

I have to be a bit firmer with the push but it's not bad at all.

The windows didn't want to go up all the way since the seals are too tight still. The driver's side works now after some encouragement, but the passenger side gets stuck with about a quarter inch of gap and that has to be forced up by hand. It seals but not on its own so I haven't been using that window.

I need to do a tune up as well. Need some new spark plugs, wires and distributor cap and rotor to start.

What did you do about the stolen radio?

My buddy has a late 80s Corvette that his Dad (who is not a rich cat) bought him when he was 16.  White with red leather.  Slushbox.  He's an only kid and his Dad mostly raised him as his Mom had some mental and other medical problems.  Anyways he's 45 now and he keeps the Corvette in his garage and he drives it a few times in the summer every year.  The car has maybe 5000 miles on it I think.  He disconnects the battery while his car hibernates. 

Quote from: veeman on February 14, 2017, 01:39:09 PM
What did you do about the stolen radio?

My buddy has a late 80s Corvette that his Dad (who is not a rich cat) bought him when he was 16.  White with red leather.  Slushbox.  He's an only kid and his Dad mostly raised him as his Mom had some mental and other medical problems.  Anyways he's 45 now and he keeps the Corvette in his garage and he drives it a few times in the summer every year.  The car has maybe 5000 miles on it I think.  He disconnects the battery while his car hibernates. 

Haven't replaced it yet. Can't find the dash pieces.


Maybe it's time to go full race kor:

(http://i.imgur.com/2YTBdDm.jpg)

Quote from: Cookie Monster on February 15, 2017, 12:49:22 PM

Maybe it's time to go full race kor:

Even though I'm assuming you're joking...

(http://weknowmemes.com/generator/uploads/generated/g1412152186739401755.jpg)

I can see the "those fuckers are gonna love this shit" in your expression.

dat wiiiiiiing :muffin:

What wheels are sitting there? They look pretty.

Wedssport TC105N

(http://wedssport.jp/images/wheel_xl_ws_tc105n_1.jpg)

Quote from: Cookie Monster on February 15, 2017, 12:49:22 PM
Haven't replaced it yet. Can't find the dash pieces.


Maybe it's time to go full race kor:

(http://i.imgur.com/2YTBdDm.jpg)

Sometimes quiet is violent
I find it hard to hide it
My pride is no longer inside
It's on my sleeve
My skin will scream reminding me of
Who I killed inside my dream
I hate this car that I'm driving
There's no hiding for me
I'm forced to deal with what I feel
There is no distraction to mask what is real
I could pull the steering wheel
I have these thoughts, so often I ought
To replace that slot with what I once bought
'Cause somebody stole my car radio
And now I just sit in silence

Quote from: r0tor on February 15, 2017, 01:34:09 PM
Sometimes quiet is violent
I find it hard to hide it
My pride is no longer inside
It's on my sleeve
My skin will scream reminding me of
Who I killed inside my dream
I hate this car that I'm driving
There's no hiding for me
I'm forced to deal with what I feel
There is no distraction to mask what is real
I could pull the steering wheel
I have these thoughts, so often I ought
To replace that slot with what I once bought
'Cause somebody stole my car radio
And now I just sit in silence

:lol:

Good song, and they're awesome live.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on February 15, 2017, 01:29:02 PM
Wedssport TC105N

(http://wedssport.jp/images/wheel_xl_ws_tc105n_1.jpg)

For the Miata?! :wub:

Quote from: MrH on February 15, 2017, 02:27:37 PM
For the Miata?! :wub:

Lol that was at my friend's house. It's his wheels for his RX8.

I have 6ULs for the Miata.

Quote from: BimmerM3 on February 15, 2017, 02:24:20 PM
:lol:

Good song, and they're awesome live.

I absolutely love that song... The ski masks are a bit much though  :mask:

Bump

Since my Miata's registration ran out and the DMV hasn't given me a new sticker (long story) I've resurrected the FB, which had been sitting at my parents' house for the past few months. A new battery, plugs,  wires,  distributor cap and rotor later and it's good to go!

I did have a scare that the alternator was bad because the car was showing less than 12v on the dash,  and the multimeter showed 12.2v across the terminals while running.  The alternator tested out good though, is I just cleaned the ground and terminals and it's reading 13.3v which is still low but better than nothing.

I've put 140 miles on it in the last 3 days and I shit bricks every time I start it up.

(http://i.imgur.com/ZU4RZz6.jpg)

Sweet car!

You shit bricks because you're amazed it can start?

Quote from: Laconian on May 03, 2017, 07:03:31 PM
You shit bricks because you're amazed it can start?

Yeah, I wasn't sure if that was a good brick shit or a bad brick shit. :lol:

Quote from: Laconian on May 03, 2017, 07:03:31 PM
You shit bricks because you're amazed it can start?

I'm scared the doritos are going to explode and leave me stranded.

NAh you'll be good.  I beat the piss outta mine.  And it was JANKY compared to a stock RX7 lol

Quote from: Cookie Monster on May 03, 2017, 07:09:08 PM
I'm scared the doritos are going to explode and leave me stranded.

If you want to stop shitting yourself, all of the most common failure modes of your Doritos would give you an abundance of warning by starting a bit harder when the engine is hot before it stops starting all together - at which case you want to do a compression test.  Even a broke ass motor will still run fairly well after it's running

Well, took a leap of faith and ordered a full bushing replacement kit for the car. I already have ball joints and tie rods as well.

The hard part will be trying to install all this stuff.

If it blows up, then you should do a 3dorito swap!

3doritos are preposterously rare. I've seen, like, two of 'em ever.

Mazda only built one street car using the tres dorito motor, and they only sold ~3600 of them and they were Japanese market only.

(http://dinosaurdracula.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/21.jpg)

The Eunos Cool Ranch?

My friend's neighbor had a 20b swapped into a B2000 truck. Total sleeper.

Quote from: MX793 on May 04, 2017, 06:23:57 PM
Mazda only built one street car using the tres dorito motor, and they only sold ~3600 of them and they were Japanese market only.

20b motors are assembled like Legos though... there are a handful of shops that make them out of readily available parts

Quote from: MX793 on May 04, 2017, 06:23:57 PM
Mazda only built one street car using the tres dorito motor, and they only sold ~3600 of them and they were Japanese market only.

Yeah, I've only ever seen a couple Eunos Cosmos with the 3dorito.

Too bad the 20B only came with an automatic in production form.

There is a loud whine coming from the left rear of the car.  I think the fuel pump is going out.

Or maybe it's just noisy when the fuel level drops.  I've got about 1/3 of a tank right now.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on May 05, 2017, 03:42:23 PM
There is a loud whine coming from the left rear of the car.  I think the fuel pump is going out.

Or maybe it's just noisy when the fuel level drops.  I've got about 1/3 of a tank right now.

Wheel bearing?  or does it whine even while standing still?

Quote from: Cookie Monster on May 05, 2017, 03:42:23 PM
There is a loud whine coming from the left rear of the car.  I think the fuel pump is going out.

Or maybe it's just noisy when the fuel level drops.  I've got about 1/3 of a tank right now.

Does it whine for a few seconds if you turn the key to "run" and then stop (don't start the engine)? If so, it's the fuel pump.

Quote from: FoMoJo on May 05, 2017, 04:06:00 PM
Wheel bearing?  or does it whine even while standing still?

Whines while sitting still too.

Quote from: Soup DeVille on May 05, 2017, 04:12:49 PM
Does it whine for a few seconds if you turn the key to "run" and then stop (don't start the engine)? If so, it's the fuel pump.

I haven't tried that. I'll try it tonight when I head home.

Quote from: Soup DeVille on May 05, 2017, 04:12:49 PM
Does it whine for a few seconds if you turn the key to "run" and then stop (don't start the engine)? If so, it's the fuel pump.

That's how you know it's working.

Quote from: CaminoRacer on May 05, 2017, 06:09:11 PM
That's how you know it's working.

Yes, but if it's the same whine he's hearing when driving, and it's louder than it was...

Hmm, it didn't whine when I just turned it to the on position without cranking the car... It also didn't seem as loud as before. Not sure what's going on.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on May 05, 2017, 09:34:01 PM
Hmm, it didn't whine when I just turned it to the on position without cranking the car... It also didn't seem as loud as before. Not sure what's going on.

The fuel line might have already been pressurized?

Quote from: FoMoJo on May 06, 2017, 05:35:56 PM
The fuel line might have already been pressurized?

After sitting all day?



So today I went through the car and threw out a bunch of shit sitting in the car. I found a receipt for the steering wheel hub on the car. $12 for a fucking eBay hub. :facepalm:

I immediately took the wheel off and put the stock one back in. I really don't understand the point of buying a $300 wheel only to bolt it to a $12 hub. My hub in the NC is $250+. I don't fuck around when it comes to safety. I just realized on the way back home that I accidentally threw a spring out that is probably used to make the horn work. I'll have to pull the stock wheel off again tomorrow to put that back in, but that's a quick fix. Bonus part is the OEM wheel is giant so it's a lot easier to turn the wheel now.

I also vacuumed the shit out of the driver's footwell. Cleaned up most of the crusted on cat litter nicely. Other than the busted up center console the interior doesn't look terrible.

(http://i.imgur.com/3kuCpC5.jpg)

Quote from: FoMoJo on May 06, 2017, 05:35:56 PM
The fuel line might have already been pressurized?

It should stay pressurized for quite a while. But, the fuel pump will usually run for a couple seconds at start whether it's pressurized or not.

Except for some cars much much newer than his, the fuel pump doesn't know or care how much pressure is in the line.

Does your car have an electric fan?

Quote from: BimmerM3 on February 15, 2017, 02:24:20 PM
:lol:

Good song, and they're awesome live.

Hmm, I see emo is back.

Quote from: Laconian on May 04, 2017, 06:31:07 PM
(http://dinosaurdracula.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/21.jpg)

The Eunos Cool Ranch?

I miss those. Don't know why, but I liked them.

(http://i.imgur.com/eSfsJzk.jpg)

:wub:

Dope

What'd you do to get that photo?  It looks great.  There's no driver silhouettte.

My friend took it. He just played around in Lightroom to get that effect. I really like it.

He's a great photographer.

Quote from: veeman on May 11, 2017, 07:42:39 AM
What'd you do to get that photo?  It looks great.  There's no driver silhouettte.

Clearly he had a friend driving alongside in a pickup, hopped out of his moving vehicle into the bed of that pickup, snapped the photo, and then jumped back into his car.

Quote from: MX793 on May 11, 2017, 05:17:47 PM
Clearly he had a friend driving alongside in a pickup, hopped out of his moving vehicle into the bed of that pickup, snapped the photo, and then jumped back into his car.

:lol:

OK, I know I'll probably get flamed for this but has anyone ever tried a brake booster delete? Manual brakes seems kind of tempting. My brakes are pretty squishy right now. I'll bleed them eventually but the booster delete would also clean up the engine bay as well.

I'll probably disconnect the vacuum line to the booster and see what it drives like first.

why would you do any of that.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on May 11, 2017, 10:36:52 PM
:lol:

OK, I know I'll probably get flamed for this but has anyone ever tried a brake booster delete? Manual brakes seems kind of tempting. My brakes are pretty squishy right now. I'll bleed them eventually but the booster delete would also clean up the engine bay as well.

I'll probably disconnect the vacuum line to the booster and see what it drives like first.

No.....

Quote from: Cookie Monster on May 11, 2017, 10:36:52 PM
:lol:

OK, I know I'll probably get flamed for this but has anyone ever tried a brake booster delete? Manual brakes seems kind of tempting. My brakes are pretty squishy right now. I'll bleed them eventually but the booster delete would also clean up the engine bay as well.

I'll probably disconnect the vacuum line to the booster and see what it drives like first.

Nothing wrong with unboosted brakes, but disconnecting the vacuum line to the booster will not get you a similar comparison to a car without power assist.

I driven a lot of cars without power assisted brakes and steering, but they were designed for that.

Yeah, you'll have to change the brake pedal ratio and stuff to get enough power.

Quote from: Cookie Monster on May 11, 2017, 10:36:52 PM
:lol:

OK, I know I'll probably get flamed for this but has anyone ever tried a brake booster delete? Manual brakes seems kind of tempting. My brakes are pretty squishy right now. I'll bleed them eventually but the booster delete would also clean up the engine bay as well.

I'll probably disconnect the vacuum line to the booster and see what it drives like first.

The master cylinder is going to be significantly different in diameter than a real manual setup, and there's less mechanical advantage in the pedal linkage.

So it won't be a good test.

If you do a delete, get the right stuff

Damn.

Well I guess if it ain't broke and all that.

I need to get the suspension and transmission problems sorted out first anyways.