Corvette Powered 2nd Gen RX7

[JaxVette]

My son Zach and a buddy of his have just put a Corvette LS1 with a 6 speed into an '88 RX7. Should be done and on the road in a month or two. Their plan is to bring it to some HPDE's for instruction. Who's going to be their first instructor!!

Check out the pics below:

http://jmcafee.photosite.com/Album2/100_0414.html

http://jmcafee.photosite.com/Album2/100_0416.html

http://jmcafee.photosite.com/Album2/100_0415.html

[urtoslo]

That ought to be interesting... Wouldn't the V8 make it nose heavy?

[JaxVette]

They told me the LS 1 is 40 lbs heavier than the rotary that came out of it. I can tell you from experience (way too many rotary rebuilds) that those little motors have a lot of iron in them. Very heavy for their size.

[Black396]

Who's going to be their first instructor!!



No problem! BUT they have to give me the details on computer, wiring harness, clutch, flywheel and tranny.

Maybe even help with the install into the '86. Your garage big enough to hold another corvette for a couple of weeks Jack? [:))]

[wazzzup]

Very Interesting indeed! How did they cram that thing in there? [:))]

[Black396]

There's more room there then in a miata and thats been done too [:))]

[JaxVette]

The actual physical install was no problem. The motor dropped right in and the Corvette 6 speed bolted up with stock flywheel and clutch. They got a transmission adaptor that is nothing more than a mounting arm and support that goes from the left side to the right side of the frame. And had to use an aftermarket radiator.

It even uses a standard C4 drive shaft to hook up the rear to the tranny.

The computer has been flashed and all the crap that isn't required in a build like this has been eliminated from the computer, to make life easy. But, the real work was in wiring up the engine to computer and making sure all the sensors worked correctly. Which a few didn't and made life a little painful while trying to figure out what was what.

I'll get the particulars on the computer, harness, etc, etc and get it up to you Mike.

[CHJ]

What type of rear end and brakes are they using on this beast ? Looks like a vette wheel on the front in one of the pictures. Getting all that new power to the ground will be the problem I think.

[JaxVette]

They've got an RX7 rear end in it and the standard 2 piston calipers with five lug wheels. The brakes on the RX7's with five lug wheels are pretty good stoppers.

The Turbo II rear end and brakes will handle HP up to 400 RWHP out of a rotary engine. We've got one here in the driveway. The mechanics of the car are fine, it's the drivers that are the problem!!!!

That LS1 engine in the car now is stock, so what's there now should handle it fine. It's when they start throwing big cams in there with a turbo or 2 that you'll see some rear end pieces laying on the ground behind it!!!

[JaxVette]

The RX-7/Corvette is on the road. Needs a paint job and interior work, but for the first time on the road, she's SMOKIN!!!
I drove it yesterday and at half throttle, she's smok'in the tires in 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th gears. Amazingly quick & fast. Gonna need some big, fat tires to hold that baby on the road. Talk about being smooth on the gas.........................

Anyway, here's a link to see a couple of pics of the completed unit in my driveway yesterday.................................Once you get to the photosite, just hit view slideshow and you'll see all the pics.

http://JMcAfee.photosite.com/Album2/000_0021.html

[Black396]

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!


True Hot Rodding! [:D]

[TomFree]

Daddy like. Daddy like a lot. That is badass.

This is a swapped car I'd love to own. I've been reading about FC's with SBC's for years now. A couple of folks are making front and rear fender flare kits for the FC, and with the tire you're gonna need to keep that thing going in a straight line, they'd be mighty helpful.

A good buddy of mine in NC is dropping a SBF into a 1st gen RX-7. I'll be going down to help him wrench for a weekend in August. Go here for the details: http://www.v8mongrel.com

I'm the webmaster, so no complaining about the crappy layout [:))]

[Black396]

The RX-7s and the Miata with SB V8s really sparks my interest. I'd love to see what these things end up corner weighted at.

Even better, I'd love the chance to get one on a track for a couple of laps. [:D]

[TomFree]

When the V8Mongrel is running, I'll see what I can do about getting you some time behind the wheel. As webmaster, I get to time trial the car next year at a Tarheel SCC event or two. I know Rich (car owner) will be instructing at some NASA events at VIR next year, so you should cross paths. I have a feeling that he would trade you for time behind the wheel of the Z06. [:)]

[Black396]

Kool! I'll have to see about hooking up with him.

I'm working on my own retro-rod right now... a LSx in an '86 vette. My goal is to try and get it down to under 2500lbs.

[Akcelr8]

Zach and his buddy did well! Nice job. What are they building it for, street? track? to terrorize old ladies or the local police?

[JaxVette]

This was built as one of the first street/track Corvette powered 2nd Gens for this group of crazies. Their plan is to put the same track suspension systems Zach and I have put on the other 2nd Gens we've had, go with 275's on the rear and 245's on the front (track tires), bigger brakes, reinstall the interior, get it painted and off to the track for HPDE's it will go. And then build some more.

Once it's all put together, we'll put it on my computerized scale system and see how the weights all shake out. The motor and transmission are 70 lbs heavier than what was taken out. But, the overall weight of the car is less due to the removal of many items in the changeout. So the overall weight won't be any different, but the nose weight will be a little higher.

From my drive on Sunday and all my previous seat time in 2nd Gens, I feel like it will be a good driving car on the track and predictable as to where the chassis wants to go under hard acceleration through corners and stable under hard braking. For people who know how to be smooth with an accelerator pedal and brake pedal, it'll will be a great car to run on the track. For those who don't have the seat of the pants feel for chassis movement and aren't in tune with smoothness on the pedals, it'll put them in the woods inside of 3 minutes!!!!

Now that Zach and Robin have this one out on the road, we're thinking of building a couple more just for the track. We'll wait and see how this one shakes out on the track first. And then go from there. It'd be a helluva of thing to see 4 or 5 Corvette powered 2nd Gens flying around the track together. Could be fun!

[Akcelr8]

Now that Zach and Robin have this one out on the road, we're thinking of building a couple more just for the track. We'll wait and see how this one shakes out on the track first. And then go from there. It'd be a helluva of thing to see 4 or 5 Corvette powered 2nd Gens flying around the track together. Could be fun!

Isn't this kinda like the way Carroll Shelby started? [:D]

[Black396]

Isn't this kinda like the way Carroll Shelby started? [:D]


I can see it now! [:D]


Performance smorgasboard... mix and match components... from a mild-mannered LS1 all the way up to a fire-breathing LS7 [:))]

[urtoslo]

Hey, if they want to experiment with a Miata, I've got one available!

[Black396]

Hey, if they want to experiment with a Miata, I've got one available!

Here you go Andrej. Three options to choose from with everything needed to make it happen. (Well almost everything) All with 6 speeds, PCMs, wiring harness, etc.

http://i6.ebayimg.com/02/i/07/c1/26/e1_1_b.JPG

04 GTO LS1 24K miles (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-GTO-LS1-Engine-w-Manual-Trans-350-Hp-24000-Miles_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQihZ010QQit emZ200010626555)

http://i18.ebayimg.com/03/i/07/a3/b9/cf_1_sbl.JPG

04 GTO LS1 13.5K miles (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-GTO-LS1-Engine-w-Manual-Trans-350-Hp-13500-Miles_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQihZ010QQit emZ200009158724)

http://i16.ebayimg.com/04/i/07/8b/18/5d_1_b.JPG

02 SS Camaro LS1 29K miles (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-Trans-Am-Camaro-LS1-Engine-w-Manual-Transmission-29k_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQihZ009QQitem Z190010797213)

[LilRedCorvette]

Hey, if they want to experiment with a Miata, I've got one available!

Ditto with my '89. I'll even spring for the pizza and beer. [:))]

[firstclass]

Are they going to be able to get the Rx7 through Virginia inspection?

[JaxVette]

Are they going to be able to get the Rx7 through Virginia inspection?


Yep, shouldn't be a problem.

[TomFree]

I don't know if you're looking for any more donor FC's, but this one is not terribly far, and it looks like they already have the Granny's kit for the car. It's a bit expensive, but starting with a GTU does save a few headaches later.

1988 RX7 GTU (basicly the turbo model without power options or the turbo) 5spd black exterior with grey interior, the body is in great shape but needs to be painted and the interior is in pretty good shape. The car runs great but has a small flooding problem.

Parts that are on the car now

KYB AGX shocks
Eibach Pro kit springs
S5 center dash plastic
and a 800 CCA Optima Battery

$2250 OBO will deliver for .50/mile round trip up to 300 miles one way

Will include V8 Mount kit and driveshaft for $300 and stronger Turbo II rearend for $250

Will have pics up later this week.

aim: OneBadFox

803-361-8970

e-mail
joshwhitehead@sc.rr.com
Chapin, SC