'83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

[economiser]

I've been progressing on the rear axle swap, still not ready for pics, but I'll make some ASAP.

[economiser]

superbriteleds provided the bulbs to upgrade the gauges.


My spring pads are only tacked for now, no shock brackets yet, trailing arm brackets are thoroughly welded, as are the Watt's link stubs. Sway bar mounts from '80s Camaro not snugged yet. That's the '83 RX-7 bar.



PCM location shown, intake ducting and alternator relocation mounting bracket both in progress.

[economiser]

PCM location again, and heater hoses.


heater hoses again


working on accessory belt routing


trying ideas for third link, note bracket only spot welded

[economiser]

not happy yet


had to order this to match the HTOB


I'll splice the center of this to the RX-7 hood to clear the throttle body.
I'll give credit to whomever gave me the idea as soon as I can get it right.

[economiser]

[economiser]

[MelloYello]

Haha you won't see a tow bar on a RX7 too often - you will have some more low down torque

[economiser]

It took me a little bit to learn that getting a load moving isn't the battle, it's staying fast enough to be safe when climbing grades. That's mostly about HP, and it doesn't matter if its 1000 ft-lbs of a turbodiesel at 2000 RPM, or 333 ft-lbs of small block V8 at 6000 RPM. Last summer my 92-horse '87 S-10 towed about 3000# from Eagle, Colorado to Richmond, UT. Getting it moving did require balancing the clutch against the throttle, but on one hill, in a 60 MPH zone, I was down to 28 MPH, full throttle, second gear. Good thing it was 5 A.M. But most of that trip was full throttle, 4th gear, just to maintain 50 MPH.
I have more examples, but that one seems most relevant.

[economiser]

Now that I have my "new" daily driver all legal and fully functional, I can get back to ye olde '83 RX-7.

[economiser]

Getting the rear brakes figured out, red shows where I cut to accommodate the larger diameter rotors, welding will be required.