1979 SA RX-7 LS Turbo Build (8.93 @ 153)

[forcefed86]

Plan is to keep it simple I picked up the chassis for 3k. Hoping to cycle junk yard LS motors through this chassis as they blow. I'll use arp head studs and GM MLS HG's. Keep Rpms low and boost high. E85 fuel. Only looking for 600-650 ftlbs. Won't be able to go much faster until I upgrade the cage. 


This is the new chassis.
79 rx7 back half car rolling chassis.
Currie 9 inch with 35 spine moser axles and spool
competition engineering ladder bars and wheelie bars
8 point roll cage
Tires 29x12
Front factory struts with power disk brakes
2840 lbs Race Weight with 200lb driver
Powerglide Trans

Only have a few poor cell phone pics to start with.

Chassis...



Motor mounts done, test fit 5.3 with ls1 pan. Looks like theres room for a turbo or two in there...



Tried all 4 different LSX manifolds. This is the onlyone that would fit on the driver side. And it's pretty tight. Probably end up making my own here. Still looking for some LS3 manifolds to try.

[dream36realms]

Looking good man. There are two other of us 79 owners here and a few 80 owners and even more FB owners here.

This car looks to be a monster.


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[mobythevan]

I used a manifold flipped like that on my drivers side for my first attempt at the build.  It created several issues that I didn't like so I am changing now to the LS3 manifolds both pointing down. 

[forcefed86]

Looking good man. There are two other of us 79 owners here and a few 80 owners and even more FB owners here.

This car looks to be a monster.

As light weight as it is, I hope I don't need a monster under the hood.  I think I could squeak by with a caged squirrel monkey. A good fart down the intake of any of the LS motors should put it in the low 10's... 

I used a manifold flipped like that on my drivers side for my first attempt at the build.  It created several issues that I didn't like so I am changing now to the LS3 manifolds both pointing down.

Any fitment pics on the LS3 manifolds? I was looking at the pacesetter ls3 mild steel headers. They are cheapish (around 230 shipped) and mild steel so I could cut them up if needed. Really wanted to get a test fit before ordering though!   

[mobythevan]

Sorry, forgot to say I am switching to the LS3 manifolds on my FC.  The flipped manifold like pictured above worked for me, just caused issues with plug wire routing, heating of brake booster and a couple other heat issues.

[SSjon]

This car is gonna be a beast! Great buy on the car and kudos pulling the old school 400 and TH350, LS power is the way to go.

I wish I could test fit my LS3 manifolds for you, more so for me lol

[forcefed86]

Little update. For the record neither the LS3 or the C6 manifolds fit well. The ls3 will bolt up but it has little to no clearance and points straight up.



With a torch and hammer the Fbody manifold fits downward and aft facing. It is pretty close to the steering box though. Do you think this is enough clearance?

Looking up from the bottom....



Looking down from top...



Thanks! 

[forcefed86]

Missed a smoking deal on Davids TC76. Can’t wait around on a turbo any longer so I just got off the phone with “Turbodaves”. The BW S475 will be on the way today. Divided T4 1.10 A/R Smaller 83/74 exhaust wheel, 75/100 Comp wheel.

Also ordered crossover materials and flanges. Should be able to start the hotside next week. It will be Mig welded and ugly... 

[cyipher]

what did you pay for the turbo?

[forcefed86]

Didn't end up using dave. After speaking with him it was $749 for the turbo. $149 for the upgraded t4. +tax = $950 + $50 shipping would have been about $1000.   

Literally 2 minutes after I made the above post I found this....craigslist AD. What are the chances!??  So I bought it $700 shipped instead.   

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/pts/2892626514.html

[forcefed86]

Got a little time to cut up and weld the manifolds. Used a mig 309L and tri-gas. Actually welds nice, for me anyway. Played around with the cast steel manifold too. It seemed to weld great.



Turbo arrived! Now I'm having space issues. No place for this thing, it's freekin huge!

[N2v8fcs]

will it all fit under the hood?

[forcefed86]

So far it looks like it will. Not sure once I get the turbo and piping in there. It's going to be tight for sure. 

[forcefed86]

With the back-to-back 100+ degree days progress has been slow. I did manage to cut a BFH in the fender. I think this will be the turbos new home. Was hoping for more room in the fenders, but these mazdas are tiny everywhere. Packaging is going to be the biggest obstacle with this thing. Also brought the harness in the basement to start on it. Should have it finished soon. The AEM EMS unit arrived as well.

I’ll be running E85/E98. Still debating if I have enough room for an intercooler. If I go A/A up front I’m having a hard time finding a core that can flow 800hp worth of air in the limited to a 26x12” space. I suppose I could just deal with the horrible pressure drop across the core. Probably better than no IC at all.  Been looking into W/A units too, but the only place I have room to mount it is in front of the radiator.  I don’t want to block the airflow since I feel I’m already in a bind with only enough room for an 21x20 radiator. So I’m torn.  I really don’t think I’ll need the efficiency of a W/A unit w/ e85.  Not to mention the added hassle of water tanks pumps and lines. Anyone know of a smallish IC that flows 1200cfm or so? I won’t need to take a ton of heat out of the charge with the E-85. I can always add some water/meth injection down the road too.









     

[forcefed86]

Temps here in KS finally dipped below the 100's.

The quick and dirty hotside is pretty much done. Still need to mount WG and I'm waiting on some 4" piping for the DP. I know the "T" style merge isn't the best way to go. It's actually not a direct 90* bend but it's close.  I'll have the WG on the opposite side of the "T". Should work well enough for my goals.   







Wiring harness is done. AEM EMS is here and waiting. Radiator is mocked up and test fit. May need a larger unit. I'm still trying to run a FMIC so I'm strapped for space with my turbo placement. The down pipe will barely fit with teh current radiator.  This ones core is 17x17x4.5" 3 core. It's an odd ball unit I picked up for $80 hoping it would work. If my math is correct on this radiator sizing chart it should work. Using the Taurus "super" fan as well so that should help.