Bikedads Constant Rebuild

[bikedad]

Will be watching for updates.
 BTW, Yeah, 1 case of Yuengling already gone.

Ummm, you didn't share with me!

You have to drive here to share. 

[screamin88]

Will be watching for updates.
 BTW, Yeah, 1 case of Yuengling already gone.

Ummm, you didn't share with me!

You have to drive here to share. 

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOME IN STOCK FOR KOTS SPRING NEXT YEAR! WHY AM I YELLING!??

[N0$0up4u]

Don I'll likely be back out that way for some Solo events in the future. I'll let you know. I've played beer mule many a time. Being an enabler has its perks 

[Supe]

Well hello hello everyone!

I figured I would dig Don's thread up to provide an update: I am the new owner of Roxy and could not be happier about it! Don and I spoke for several weeks leading up to the sale and will remain in touch as I continue his gorgeous build.

I have not decided whether I would like to continue this thread or start a new build thread at this time, but either way I'll be documenting her evolution as we move forward! I actually sold my LS swapped FC to a good friend and fellow RX7 lover so that I could make room for Roxy. After a few weeks of ownership and driving her I believe I made the right decision. This build will continue at a gradual pace, continuing in the direction Don was taking the car: Street animal and track worthy when called upon.

The long term goal with this car is to drive to and from SCCA Solo Nationals, competing in XP. I do not care if the car is not competitive against some of the stripped monsters that live in the class. The satisfaction of driving to and from such a large competition will be enough to hold me over until the bug bites and we strip  / cage the car. I am an avid autocrosser and SCCA member in the Finger Lakes Region.

Some of the plans:

I will be working with either Motion Control Suspension or Flatout Suspension systems to develop a double adjustable remote reservoir coilover solution for Roxy. I have made contact with both organizations at this point. We'll make a decision on which one to go with this coming winter.

She will be receiving a Ronin widebody this coming winter. It will be paint matched to the car's gorgeous sapphire blue exterior. The widebody will be necessary to fit 315's at all four corners.

We'll be installing an electric power steering system and converting back to PS from a manual rack. As much as I'd like to keep the manual steering, 315's just aren't going to work for me. Wheels will be 18x11.5 all around.

More to come.

Keep us posted!  I'm very interested in both the double adjustable shocks/struts and the EPS conversion.  Manual steering +275's on tight hills and big bumps was a motherf*cker...

[N0$0up4u]

I'll be following the template laid out in this previous thread: http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=9817.30

Its especially relevant since we are both working with a Ganny's subframe. Whether or not the one  in Roxy was set up for power steering is another question, but we'll make it work. There is plenty of material to be clearanced if need be. Don can probably answer that question.

[screamin88]

Don I'll likely be back out that way for some Solo events in the future. I'll let you know. I've played beer mule many a time. Being an enabler has its perks 

Great! I see Roxy is in good hands.

On a serious note, congrats on the car! My old FC and Roxy have seen a lot of miles together over the years and it's nice to see someone get it that wants to keep the constant build going.

[N0$0up4u]

Its too nice and too close to being a real animal to stop here. And the way I figure, this car is as nice as it is, because of Don's constant tinkering and improvements. I think it would be an insult to let her sit unattended with no intention of going after her true potential. Akina's build in particular is telling of what can be done with a clean FC chassis and enough time / patience.

[bikedad]

I'll be following the template laid out in this previous thread: http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=9817.30

Its especially relevant since we are both working with a Ganny's subframe. Whether or not the one  in Roxy was set up for power steering is another question, but we'll make it work. There is plenty of material to be clearanced if need be. Don can probably answer that question.

The car originally had a power steering rack in it. That sub frame has the cutouts for the lines. I removed them a few years ago.

[bikedad]

Its too nice and too close to being a real animal to stop here. And the way I figure, this car is as nice as it is, because of Don's constant tinkering and improvements. I think it would be an insult to let her sit unattended with no intention of going after her true potential. Akina's build in particular is telling of what can be done with a clean FC chassis and enough time / patience.

Roxy is a very pretty girl right now that likes to have fun. Akina has a hot fox that knows how to move and make you drool.

[N0$0up4u]

I'd love to keep the manual steering. The 315's would love to see me struggle, I'm sure  . I am hoping to have a friend  (who happens to be an electrical engineer) help me with either a variable speed controller for the EPAS pump or to find a way to set up the speed sensing function from an SW20 MR2 when we swap back to power steering.

 Being able to adjust assist on the fly would be awesome

[Cobranut]

I've thought about going back to PS on my FD, but I'd need a new rack to start with.
If I do go that route, I'm interested in using an electric pump with a speed sensitive controller as well.   
I'll have to keep tabs on this thread. 

[N0$0up4u]

My thought process is that if the system was already set up for variable assist reading off the module that read wheel speed, we should be able to hijack that function with a simple potentiometer. That would be especially true if I can run the system off switched 12v power. That previous thread ran their system right off the battery cable with a switch, relay and fuse in line.

[N0$0up4u]

If that isn't a viable option I can just run a step down valve on the lines themselves and run the pump at a constant speed / voltage. Something like the valve from turnone that can be installed in line. Less ideal than being able to adjust on the fly, but I can live with that if it means i get some degree of control over steering effort.

[N2v8fcs]

nice to see this car in good hands, again

[N0$0up4u]

Today's rainy day (skipped autoX) update: The KYB's are back in the car in the rear for now. The rear sway bar is now out of the car. Was not a fan of the rear axle on turn in. Felt like the back of the car was trying to lead the front. I have always preferred my miatas without the rear sway bar and thus far I like the way the FC feels sans rear sway as well.

This feels like a more cohesive, predictable set up. I will likely run a rear sway once the car is on wider wheels and tires, but for now I'm pleased.

We also made a major upgrade to the brakes: I had a 929 master cylinder sitting ready to go for my old V8 FC, so we swapped that in along with Hawk HP+ pads all around. The car now stops like its hitting a concrete wall. So much so that I'll need a proportioning valve once we get wheels and tires swapped. Bedding these in was...interesting. Tires are now the limiting factor getting the car hauled down from speed. Really loving the pedal feel as well. Still has some of the FC dead spot at the top of its travel, but the pedal is much more progressive than before.

I'll have to get better about actually taking pictures in the future. Then again...most of you know what FC guts look like.