NoRotors.com - RX7 Engine Swap Forum
Technical Information => Build Threads => Topic started by: Badbird_96 on June 16, 2013, 11:19:26 PM
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So im ready to start my build thread. I will be removing the wankel and 5spd this week. Just got a lsx harness and pcm. Should have a ls6 cam and springs lined up as well. So far this is my spendings.
Purchase price - $350
Transport - $60
Battery - $130
Chilton manual - $20
LS harness and pcm - $50
Truck airbox - $0
LS6 cam and springs - ?
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/9epagyry.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/a9e9ujup.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/e9ega6a4.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/e9e2ygen.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/u8edy4ad.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/ada4ajy3.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/qupyryqu.jpg)
Used the chilton manual to fix my wiring issue. Now my headlights and everything works except the engine lmao. Even the in dash clock and all the gauges, blinkers, high beams etc. Will post pics when i start disassembly.
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Good luck! I still cant believe how clean this car is for its age...Might as well figure on moving that battery.
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It's my twin! Looks really clean for $300, Good find! :cheers:
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Good luck! I still cant believe how clean this car is for its age...Might as well figure on moving that battery.
Thanks. So the battery will have to be relocated. Where are they typically moved to?
It's my twin! Looks really clean for $300, Good find! :cheers:
Thanks. I think i did pretty good for the money lol.
Edit - oh i read that the vin numbers started on 500000. If thats true my car was the 42,524 car because the vin is 542524. Pretty cool i thought.
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I don't know if it HAS to be relocated but will clean the engine bay up a good bit and give you more room to work. Depends on if your car has storage bins,no bins or seats in the back. Most people like to put them behind the passenger seat for better weight transfer. I didn't think about that when I moved mine (I was thinking easier access)and I even went up through the passenger bin with the cable...I can always change it later IF I want though...big IF. ::)
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Lol mine doesnt have bins. Started disassembly today. All thats left is the trans, starter wire, oil cooler, motor mounts and exhaust. Frame rails look great. Drivers has a little surface rust pass side doesnt even have that.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/19/yre6adun.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/19/e5araset.jpg)
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Scratch that motor mounts are done. Stopping for the day though. Too wet to get under the car and take that stuff loose
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Due to current job situation the 7 is on hold. My company maybe kicked off the jobsite. We may get to roll over to the new company but its not for certain so before i get to dumping alot of money i will put it on hiatus until after the 4th. Im stopping on removing the current drivetrain in case i have to move the car.
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That sucks. You were just getting warmed up...Good luck on the work situation man.
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Thanks and its just a minor set back. Stock engine and trans are on craigslist. Surely someone needs a 5spd for a rotary lol. Still doing the wiring just not ordering anything else until this has blown past.
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Ok so i was looking at the respeed big brake kit as its called for the sa. It says i need the 84-85 gsle spindles. What else would i need to get? It looks like it converts the car to fc 5 lug. If so i will get the grannys 8.8 with the 5 lug pattern. Im basically just concerned with an easy way to get 5 lug on the front so my wheels will match. Like i stated before the cost isnt the issue its that where im working out of town i have no way to fab stuff thats why im trying to find bolt in solutions. Im a little ocd about things only problem is im new to this platform lol.
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I have the Re-Speed stuff on our Lemons/Chumpcar. It is quality stuff however it appears that RE-Speed customer service has gone downhill. Search over on the rx7club for them. Some people haven't received their stuff several months after order.
Your best bet is likely going to be going the FC front subframe as seen in Grr's build. I plan on doing it this way and am using Ronin style pedestal mounts.
http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=16201.0 (http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=16201.0)
Again you can find more detailed info on the FC subframe swap on rx7club. Going this way allows you to use F-Body oil pan and you avoid having to cut and weld a pan or modify your steering linkage. It also frees up room for headers by eliminating the steering box.
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Ah ok i will look into it more. Guess i will be investing in a fab setup for here lol
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The FC swap is the best way to go in my opinion. Cheap and pretty easy depending on how you do it. I welded mine in so I could cut the brace crossing in front of the radiator out for more cooling but I've seen a lot of guys bolt them in. It also gives you the upgraded brakes. I bought 4 piston turbo calipers off ebay for 50 bucks. There are 4 lug or 5 lug hubs available for the FC as well that match the GSL-SE. Keep in mind it is wider than the FB front end. Good luck!
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How much wider is it? The pics arent working for some reason, maybe i need to update tapatalk.
Side note - back in motion. Pulled the motor and trans this afternoon. Exhaust is next.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/u8utabyb.jpg)
Hands covered in grease and the one pic of the motor i get coming out is blurry smdh.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/seberysu.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/evezyzug.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/uhadubu8.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/redy6avu.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/umupa4er.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/pedy9ery.jpg)
Actually a couple pics were blurry. My bad i will do better tomorrow lol.
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Here are some better pics now that its cleaned up. Very happy with the subframe condition. And my awesome vin SA22C - 542524.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/abavery2.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/hudatatu.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/e9amenu7.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/anu4asav.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/23/eqagabe8.jpg)
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Before buffing.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/24/adage9u6.jpg)
After buffing.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/24/4yzezyza.jpg)
Comparison
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/24/navyrava.jpg)
May do the rest of the car later.
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So as im having no luck with finding a fc subframe. Could i source all the parts aftermarket?
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Why do you want an FC subframe? I didn't think they were even interchangeable?
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To do a 5 lug swap on the front and better brakes and engine clearence etc. I heard it was alot of fab work but a guy above this post said he has seen guys bolt them in so im not really sure how much work it.is yet. I havent located one to see really. I know grannys makes a fc lsx subframe and thats what i was wondering if i could use and get fc parts to go on it
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To do a 5 lug swap on the front and better brakes and engine clearence etc. I heard it was alot of fab work but a guy above this post said he has seen guys bolt them in so im not really sure how much work it.is yet. I havent located one to see really. I know grannys makes a fc lsx subframe and thats what i was wondering if i could use and get fc parts to go on it
Anything can work with enough fab work. But I think you're chasing your tail there. Check the rx7club.com FS section. It has 5 lug FB suspension stuff pop up all the time. If you want the better struts/brakes/5 lug spindles. It will bolt right up.
Fabbing up the current kmember is easier than trying to drop an FC setup in IMO. At least with my swap the kmember wasn't the problem. The total space in the SA/FB engine bay is just much less than the FC. If your not going with a turbo or anything fancy it fits without to much hassle.
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...
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If you have any specific questions on swapping just LMK, I can walk out through the whole thing. Look at car-part.com for a fc parts.
That might not be a bad thing to post. I think you are the first to do it this way with an LSX. Rx7club has a bunch of info but it would be nice to have some on this site.
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Just found a guy selling a grannys lsx fc cradle and trans mount. Sent him an email. Hoping he hasnt sold it yet i have cash in hand for it.
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Agenda for the day.
Rust prevention - sanded what i could and rattle canned to prevent it from getting worse until im ready to media blast, por15, and paint.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/zyzezune.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/yzy4enub.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/qegumyty.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/e4uruheg.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/jazurega.jpg)
Only place that isnt surface rust.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/u8anyzaj.jpg)
The hatch drains were clogged causing the water to back up and over the seal. A previous owner apparently put some house insulation in the taillight panel which held the water and this is the result. Subframe is still perfect just a little sheetmetal replacement. Nothing big.
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Ok so started buffing the car. Here is the front or the before side since i havent done it yet.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/jezujupu.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/u9yju7u9.jpg)
And here is the after. Dont mind the compound on the rubber trim i have to clean it. I also used compound on the glass.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/dyvurehu.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/ahy8eja9.jpg)
Sorry for the piddly crap just doing stuff to keep me entertained until the 4th when i pick up my harness and pcm
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Here is a great before and after to really show the difference.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/8asu3yre.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/beqarusy.jpg)
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(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/7y2u2yna.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/8uvezaqe.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/qa8enaby.jpg)
White diamond metal polish before and after.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/29/y9uragy3.jpg)
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Alright got a response. As long as no one buys it between now and the 4th i will be picking up the grannys cradle, trans mount, and fc steering shaft as well as my wiring, pcm, and airbox.
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Well picked up my wiring, pcm, and airbox. Since the fc stuff didnt work out im going to just get the sa mounts for now and focus on getting the car on the road. Also got the wife a new truck yesterday. 05 Envoy Denali 4wd. Thing is super nice and has the 5.3. Even has a built in air compressor and air line to air the tires up.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/07/e4u7y5ed.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/07/abepe6ys.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/07/y2yge4az.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/07/usemy5eh.jpg)
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Finally got my norotors decals installed. Sorry the car is dirty from the storms lol.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/12/e6uba2ag.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/12/qyhy9ary.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/12/4yzusyha.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/12/sumujuty.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/12/janadupa.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/12/atasy4uj.jpg)
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That makes it official then.You can't bail on it now!!
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The wife says i cant as well haha. Ordering a custom harness week after next. Know a guy that does amazing factory quality work.
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Well pretty sure im about to sell my rx7. I just dont have the time, place, or equipment to fab and swap a 7. Going an easier route that will just be bolt in stuff. So anyone interested in a 79 rx7 let me know.
Nothing was cut when i pulled the engine and trans and i still have all the mounts etc. Only thing not there is the rotary, 5spd, and radiator/oil cooler (fell apart upon removal). Car has a clean open title. Make an offer not looking for much. If its enough i will let the ls harness and pcm go with it.
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to bad your 13 hrs away i would buy it just to have it lol very stupid good deal pretty much free
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Yup lol whats 13 hours haha