Project FD RX-7

[JPolen01]

What's the OEM wheel look like? No airbag?

[Goodspeed]

I love it, except for one thing.  All these new OEM parts an restoring back to its original beauty...and you’re going to put a ‘04/‘05 Miata steering wheel in it? Just seems....wrong. Why not keep the whole interior OEM? I understand the intake, but a steering wheel is much more noticeable.

What's the OEM wheel look like? No airbag?

So the plan for the car has expanded a bit, from pure-(USDM) stock appearing, since the decision to go '99+ with the exterior.  One of the only major interior differences between the earlier and '99+ FDs in Japan was the updating of the steering wheel, and they used essentially the exact same wheel as the NB Miata.  I'll then be "updating" the interior in kind, and I think it's a great looking wheel, with no goofy huge early 90's airbag.  Another large benefit is that the USDM wheel is a rather large 380mm, and the '99+/Miata wheel is 365mm.  The difference that makes gets rave reviews:

I am absolutely giddy driving my FD now, I was always a little disappointed about the feedback received from the OEM FD steering wheel. I find that to be the biggest difference with the '99 spec wheel. Being smaller in diameter and thicker in rim, the change in steering feel is NIGHT AND DAY different. I have driven a good number of performance cars, and the only one that I think has better steering feel is the E46 M3 - and now, it's only winning by a hair!

vs.

[Jake]

I like the NB wheel, put one on my NA and they look good/are thick enough. Should be a nice update and the fact that some RX7's came with it still keeps it correct-ish.

[Steve85]

Yeah, that wheel looks more at home than the factory wheel. No way I would have picked that out as not being the factory wheel.

Hopefully that guy works out for you. Nothing like all that experience to make sure corners aren't cut and little things like mounting tabs and alignment pins aren't broken off and so on.

[Jake]

So am I towing this thing up to Dirty Jerz in the enclosed? I recall discussing that service in exchange for some Range Rover detailing luv.

[.RJ]

In for shenanigans

[JPolen01]

Yes keep going with the Miata wheel. Why is anyone doubting Goodspeed's taste at this point?

[Ryan T]

Just keeping him honest. I didn't know until his reply that they used essentially the same wheel on later model RX-7s. I don't need him throwing some rando piece of interior in there and ruining my wet dream.

[Goodspeed]

So am I towing this thing up to Dirty Jerz in the enclosed? I recall discussing that service in exchange for some Range Rover detailing luv.

Yes please   Still going to northern NJ, sometime after March, so spring/early summer most likely.  I'll have a better idea of exactly when as we get closer, but once again you're my hero for offering and I'll do your Range so right for the favor.  Your trailer is a 20-footer, is that right?  The car is 14' so I think there will be enough room if we get creative to fit all the parts in there.

Just keeping him honest. I didn't know until his reply that they used essentially the same wheel on later model RX-7s. I don't need him throwing some rando piece of interior in there and ruining my wet dream.

Appreciated, as Steve said it looks more factory than what actually was for the US, it'll fit in really well I think.

In other news I just got the call today that the '99 bumper arrived in Silver Spring from the bay area in CA, after a month with Greyhound.  Going to go pick that up this weekend - planning on Uhauling it, but if anyone with a pickup in the area who doesn't have plans wants to help me get it to Vienna that'd be rather awesome

*Ninja edit: Pending confirmation of XJ interior space with the seat down, I got a ride : )

[davej]

Don't you get 60/40 seats in the Lexus? Shoulda maybe got a sportcross.

[Jake]

Yep, trailer is 20' and the E36 is about the same length as the RX7, so you'll have some space up front to leave parts.

[SlimKlim]

Guessing it wouldn't fit in a GTI with the back seats down? I'm free this weekend

[ScottyB]

that tale of how you somehow managed to get your FD into Rich's hands is amazing. it sounds like your car is meant to become something special.

i remember Ryan's FB very well. driving behind it on 33 cruises made me almost vomit from the catless rotary fumes. they're super cool old sports cars though.

[Senor_Taylor]

I mean if you want to go on Sunday, that doesn't sound like a bad time. The 4runner has space and we can fold a seat down and still fit 3 so Joey can ride along.

Edit: Sounds like you've got it covered.

[.RJ]

I got a wagon, too.

[Goodspeed]

Oh you guys < 3. I think I've got it covered, pending measurements (box is 5 ft long, 2ft wide & tall) - my brother has a XJ that's been down recently with a dead alternator, but he got it fixed and we're going to try to head out there early on Saturday before the rain hits. If that falls through for any reason I'll be sure to hit one of you up!

[Goodspeed]

So one of the major issues these cars face as they age are electrical gremlins - true of any car, but the rotary can and will absolutely bake the main engine harness into a total hair-pulling mess.  After 2+ decades, mine had visibly seen better days, so to be safe rather than sorry I ordered a new OEM harness that will be wrapped in DEI Fire Sleeve to ensure there'll be no gremlins in this car's future for a long, long time:







The plan is to pair this with a suite of new relays, solenoids, ignition coils, battery wiring, etc...basically whatever I can get my hands on, to bring as much of the rest of electrical system up to code as well.

I also snagged new vacuum pressure chambers for the twin turbo system, and a new main relay box to fill with those new relays.  This box and the larger of the two chambers are discontinued and I received the last new ones available.  Mazda rebooted their parts program for the NA Miata and I'm hoping they do the same for the 7's, but until then, I'm hoping to catch as much as I can while I can...

[ViPER1313]

I’m starting to think it may have been cheaper to just build the car from a catalog You are totally insane in a good way. I have looked at replacing the harness in the DSM for the same reasons, looked at the cost, laughed and slapped some more electrical tape on it.

[Goodspeed]

I’m starting to think it may have been cheaper to just build the car from a catalog You are totally insane in a good way. I have looked at replacing the harness in the DSM for the same reasons, looked at the cost, laughed and slapped some more electrical tape on it.

Like I said to someone recently, I kinda lost my mind and decided I wanted a 2018 RX-7 

Retrieved the bumper earlier today with just enough room to spare, so here's a terrible pic for now - also got a new '99+ undertray delivered yesterday.  I have an OEM 99+ air guide, Pettit Racing IC duct, and new badges in the mail, still need the OEM '99+ bumper support, lip, and brake cooling ducts.

[ScottyB]

I received the last new ones available

this seems to be a theme and i don't know how you're doing it, but i love it