magnumP5's RX-7 Build Thread

[magnumP5]

I may have to take out the b-pillar trim but I don't want to leave it out permanently at the moment. I have no problem trimming it, but Mark at Kirk Racing told me it should slide past. What I'm thinking is the bar was designed for an S4 model. Those don't have the automatic seatbelts so the a- and p-pillar trim is a little narrower. I didn't want to have to totally gut the interior for this...

 

[magnumP5]

Looks like everything would go better with the B pillar trim out?

That's what I was thinking, but it's hard to tell without being there. Good luck with the phone call.

Well, it isn't the b-pillars. I took the bar apart and laid it down so I could pull it past the b-pillar trim and auto seatbelt motors. The main hoop is now as far back as it can go but the rear legs still aren't in the right place. It really looks like the plates are ~3 inches too far forward and ~1.5 inches too narrow. Called Kirk Racing when I told them I would and no one answered. I'm now confident there's no way this will fit without serious modification. Starting to get annoyed...

 

[PrinceValorum]

Do you have the resources to make it fit if it came to that?

 

[magnumP5]

Do you have the resources to make it fit if it came to that?

I really don't (no MIG and no tubing) and I don't want to pay someone to do it for me. I talked them again today. He still seems amazed (not sure if that's the best word) that it isn't fitting, but he also hasn't seen the pictures I took last night. Fortunately it seems they have an FC on site so he's going to see how everything lines up there. In the meantime I'm going to take more pictures and takes some measurements to see what kind of modifications would be required to the rear legs to make everything bolt up. I can't change the angle of the rear legs but I can adjust the length and the angle of the plate so it should still be workable.

 

[magnumP5]

Worked on the rollbar quite a bit over the weekend. I actually got it to fit reasonably well and now the bar isn't touching any trim. I ended up chiseling some of the sound deadening material from the floorpan and that bought me about .125-.1875" extra room. I still wasn't happy with the right rear leg but fortunately Mark was able to get some work done over the weekend as well and they are going to send me some new rear legs. Hopefully everything will be installed this weekend. Currently the rollbar is black/unpainted; any suggestions on a final color?

I may have found a means to mount the coils. I just need some 1/8" or 1/4" steel flat stock to make the bracket(s).

 

[Lewis7789]

Jon, your build is how I want to do my build, man. You're measuring 3 times and cutting once (if at all). Patience and research and quality parts. You're my hero. (No homo)

I say keep the roll bar black, semi-gloss. Then again, are you still thinking about painting the body?

 

[fishdonotbounce]

Should be painted neon orange or neon green. Make sure to use plenty of neon zip ties while you're at it. And maybe you can put some neons in too. No LED's, just neons. I heard they're faster. Oh and make sure to put an illest sticker on both bumpers. Did I mention neons?

 

[PrinceValorum]

VHT Roll Bar and Chassis paint. I'd go with the thinner metal for the coil bracket. 1/4" sounds like overkill, and extra weight.

 

[hat1018]

I will cast my vote for the heavier material. Less vibes for the coils. Could help them last longer? Just spit-ballin.

 

[magnumP5]

Yeah, the coils themselves are pretty heavy. I'm mounting them all in a bundle (think two rows of two) so the bracket has to support the weight of two coils cantilevered off of it. I think 1/8" steel will work; maybe 1/4" if I use aluminum. I just don't want this thing bending over and breaking one me. I'm going to try to use some rubber spacers to help with the vibrations.

I figured I'd just go with a satin/flat black powder coat for the rollbar. I just wanted to see if anyone had a unique suggestion I could try. I kind of want to something off-the-wall for this car, but I haven't found anything yet.

 

[PrinceValorum]

Alternating hot pink and lime green rotor and intermediate housings?

 

[hat1018]

I have heard that neon colored paint and zip ties are all the rage. lol

 

[Lewis7789]

I just can't see Jon rocking anything neon...

 

[hat1018]

I know, I just thought that Ivans post was funny. Seriously though, depending on the exterior color or combo of colors I would suggest a complimenting color for the roll bar. Something like Bill Bres has done to his MSP.

 

[magnumP5]

I just can't see Jon rocking anything neon...

I know, right? Everything I've done in the past has been pretty conservative and since this is becoming more and more a track car build I figured I needed something a bit wild.

I know, I just thought that Ivans post was funny. Seriously though, depending on the exterior color or combo of colors I would suggest a complimenting color for the roll bar. Something like Bill Bres has done to his MSP.

This is what I was getting at. The light blue looks good with the Titanium Grey on his MSP. I'm keeping the car red but I'll likely go with the newer True Red versus the old Blaze Red. With red I feel I'm more limited with color combinations: can't do red/green (Christmas), can't do red/yellow (McDonald's), etc.

Anyhow, I got a "failure to delivery" tag from USPS for a package from "Global" yesterday. I do think that means my throttle body has arrived! I should also be getting the new rear legs for the rollbar and as well a little dress up for the exterior of the car...

 

[RenesisKing]

It might flow nicer if you have the roll bar painted the same color as your interior or keep it the same color as the exterior. Black looks nice, but it might not match the car as a whole. Then again, I'm all about tying all the colors together so that it flows and fits nicely together as a theme. I have been reading this thread for a long time and you are certainly giving me ideas about my own car. Keep it up man!

 

[hat1018]

Red, white, and black. Depending how you lay it all out those 3 colors look great together.

 

[Lewis7789]

^^^ Good call! That would look sweet. Or red, black and silver to match your wheels. Maybe a silver roll bar?

Did you get your TB?

 

[PrinceValorum]

Chrome it

 

[Lewis7789]

Yuck. I hate chrome. Haaaaate chrome. I don't think I have a single piece of chrome on my car.

Anyway, Jon does all this work, takes pics, posts long informative posts and the only thing I can contribute is what color to paint the rollbar. I feel like a dame... haha. Wish I knew more about rotories, mate!