magnumP5's RX-7 Build Thread

[Lewis7789]

Good point. No real point in installing the motor and filling it with fluids ($) just to drain everything again... I'm just a nervous nancy and always triple check everything. But you're much better with wiring than I am.

I used high temp engine enamel on both P5's and they both turned out great. As you know, it's all about the prep work. I cleaned everything really well with Purple Power, then used about 5 cans of brake cleaner to make sure everything was grease free. Then about 4 cans of semi-glass spray paint (get yourself one of those spray paint handles). THe paint holds up pretty well to abuse and the silver P5's bay still looks good, I know the girl it was sold to so I see it around at meets every now and then.

You mentioned you were thinking a lighter color to spot leaks easier, right?

 

[THE Phen]

Good point. No real point in installing the motor and filling it with fluids ($) just to drain everything again... I'm just a nervous nancy and always triple check everything. But you're much better with wiring than I am.

I used high temp engine enamel on both P5's and they both turned out great. As you know, it's all about the prep work. I cleaned everything really well with Purple Power, then used about 5 cans of brake cleaner to make sure everything was grease free. Then about 4 cans of semi-glass spray paint (get yourself one of those spray paint handles). THe paint holds up pretty well to abuse and the silver P5's bay still looks good, I know the girl it was sold to so I see it around at meets every now and then.

You mentioned you were thinking a lighter color to spot leaks easier, right?

When the Civic gets further along in its transformation, I'm going to use the same method, but go with a lighter color for that reason. I'll second that Evan's engine bay on the silver one for sure held up well to daily driving and heat, etc.

 

[magnumP5]

Yeah, I like the high-temp engine enamel stuff. I don't think it really holds well on the actual engine or exhaust but elsewhere it seems to work well. What I like about it most is for some reason I can get a much smoother finish with it than I can with normal spray paint. Higher solid content, maybe? So I spent some time today gathering all the information I could find on the wiring for my ECU, gauges, O2 sensor controller, electric fan, fuel pump, etc. I made a giant spreadsheet of wire colors and sizes and their purpose. The point is to come up with a consistent system if/when I decide to redo everything. Stuff like standardizing the color of power, ground, signal, etc. wires to make purchasing easier. I also got a response from the guy with the WI shell. It sounds like it may have been in a minor, offset front-end collision at some point as the hood and passenger's side fender don't align perfectly. I don't care about the hood and fender because I'm replacing them but I'm more concerned about any underlying damage there may be. Other than that there's apparently some rust underneath but I don't know the definition of "some." Hopefully the guy will give me a call and we can discuss in more detail.

 

[hat1018]

Phen's P5 had some rust. "some" might not be a good enough expaination of the extent of the rust. I'm sure I don't have to mention it but, get pictures of said rust before you pull the trigger on the shell. btw, I have changed my mind on you buying the shell. After I made my post I thought to myself "duh, why wouldn't he want a car that doesn't have a bunch of crap he has no use for."

 

[THE Phen]

Dude, my car was rust free.

"In the context of an old BMW or Porsche, the term 'rust free' does not imply a lack of rust -- it merely confirms that all the rust present is included at no extra charge." -- Tony Sims

 

[magnumP5]

No word back on the chassis even though I left my number with the guy. The more I think about it the more I want to pick up the shell if it's in good condition. No sunroof, power windows, power locks, rear wiper, and power seatbelts means so much less wiring. I've been doing some serious thinking about the new wiring harness. I'm committed to it now because I need to make some critical changes in my current setup. I've decided to make my own instrument cluster and get rid of the entire stock instrument/warning system. I'm up to ~$400 in tefzel wire alone and there's probably another $1000 in other materiel.

 

[magnumP5]

More info on the chassis. At least it has a clean title and the brakes are reman'd units. It's gotten my attention enough that I want to check it out. The problem is I don't want to rent a trailer and drive 12 hours (6 up and 6 back) if it's not going to be a sure thing. I'm trying to get a more exact location where the car is anyone going to be in SE WI or know someone in that area that could check out the car for me???

The new wiring project just got bigger. It looks like I'm going to be changing my crank position sensing system from the stock mechanical crank angle sensor to a toothed-wheel and mag sensor. I was told this should help on-off throttle transitions and it reduces the needed-wire count from 4 wires in two shielded cables to 2 wires in one shielded cable. I'm also looking into bulkhead connectors for the firewall so I can remove the entire engine harness with ease if I want to.

 

[magnumP5]

This thread may be coming to a close soon. I'm going to go check out the '86 chassis on 11/8 and if all goes well I'll be returning to Cincinnati with it. If that's the case I'll have this thread closed and start a new one for the silver car.

In the meantime planning, planning, and more planning. Regardless of what happens to the chassis there's going to be a major overhaul of wiring. New plans as follows:

1. Replace the factory through-firewall wiring with bulkhead connectors (Deutsch DT0-20 or 30) and through-panel terminals.
2. Relocated main fuse box from engine bay to bin behind driver's seat.
3. Re-pin factory fuse boxes for new circuits.
4. Separate front harness from engine harness and tuck inside fender.
5. Custom instrument cluster.
6. Delete all remaining circuits not required to legally drive on the road.

If I do pick up the silver car there will also be a number of other body/exterior modifications

 

[magnumP5]

Close thread: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...r-Faster-(RX-7-Build-2)&p=6235397#post6235397

 

[mymmeryloss]

Have you spoken with Chris Ludwig about a harness? He made mine and i have a connection on the firewall for easy removal.