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Re: '83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 1:58 pm
by economiser
I've been progressing on the rear axle swap, still not ready for pics, but I'll make some ASAP.

Re: '83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:23 pm
by economiser
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superbriteleds provided the bulbs to upgrade the gauges.

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

Re: '83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:29 pm
by economiser
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PCM location again, and heater hoses.

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heater hoses again

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working on accessory belt routing

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trying ideas for third link, note bracket only spot welded

Re: '83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:36 pm
by economiser
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not happy yet

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had to order this to match the HTOB

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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.

Re: '83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:38 pm
by economiser
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Re: '83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:40 pm
by economiser
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Re: '83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:21 pm
by MelloYello
Haha you won't see a tow bar on a RX7 too often - you will have some more low down torque

Re: '83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2015 12:46 am
by 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.

Re: '83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 7:35 pm
by economiser
Now that I have my "new" daily driver all legal and fully functional, I can get back to ye olde '83 RX-7.
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Re: '83 3.8L, 50 MPG, big brakes

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2015 5:01 pm
by economiser
Getting the rear brakes figured out, red shows where I cut to accommodate the larger diameter rotors, welding will be required.
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