Project "Rally 7" - 84 GSL-SE
 

EDIT: I've been putting a new motor and getting it ready for race season for a few months now, I just never remember to post pics or info. Updates on page 3 and 4.

DOUBLE EDIT: My new motor blew before I could drive it. End of the Rally7? Stay tuned.


Action shots: page 1
SCCA Rallycross Nationals: page 3
The Beast gets a new heart: page 3
Replacing random things: page 4
Disaster strikes: page 5

This thread is dedicated to my two-tone abombination from Alabama. It's something a little bit different than what most people on here go for ... but I'll share anyway.

Well for some background I wanted to build a car for rally and race events. My last car was an 87 base model. Unfortunately the car was too nice to treat like this:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5705/oldcarmr9.jpg

I sold that rx-7 and picked up a first gen instead. I currently autocross and rallycross this car with the SCCA. One day I hope to build the car to proper specs to enter stage rally. No hurry though.

It looked something like this when I got it (aka before I ruined it.)

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/894/originalzc6.jpg

I painted it Spring of 2008. I swapped doors for ones with manual locks/windows, and also swapped a wiperless rear hatch. We filled in the emblem holes, some rust holes, and the antenna hole. I like my paint scheme but no one else seems to :D. It's got to look good while crashing into a tree!

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/774/sanding1if5.jpg

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/827/sanding2wa3.jpg

Here's some action shots of the car.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7961/rx7wj6.jpg


http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/4...llclimbdi1.jpg


http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/8787/autox2kw3.jpg


http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/6050/autox1qx7.jpg


http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/4981/rx72kh8.jpg


http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/7859/fisheyeme0.jpg


If you are a sensitive viewer, turn away now. Here's some dirt action.


http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/4...carallyes5.jpg

i want to get in to rally cross, any tips on what i need ie gear, and car setup. i own a sa rx7 with a re-speed front and rear coil over kit, front sway bar.

depends on the place you run at. My friend Pete runs an FB and he has some interesting suspension modifications done, then again he runs modified two wheel (M2) and hangs with the M4 cars.

well if you have any tips let me know. guess i need to learn new lingo .

the biggest thing is low end power and as good of (rally) tires as your class allows. Everything else is based on many factors from the style of the course to the course conditions themselves (rough, smooth, etc)

well i plan on putting a turbo on my car this winter, do you think that would be a bad idea if i do do rally cross now and then.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7961/rx7wj6.jpg
^^^Nice pic. Is it ok for the tires to flex like that? Look at the inside of the, driver's side, tires.

that pic is not that bad.... iam 99% sure its due to tire pressure.

not sure how to explain / type this.
my uncles 914-6 race car had a weird suspension problem in the rear. the body and suspension flexed so much that the he was eating thru the side walls of his tiers.
it has a irs out back, say he was turing hard to the right the rear drivers side tire was trying to go under his car, ie towrds the left hand side of the car. in stead od the weight shifting and compressing the shock. the shock would be fully uncompressed and the tire would twist counter clock wise....... i know none of that make sense its hard for me to explain.

I have to run in M2 because the car has no interior. This leaves the car open to basically any modifications. I'm just going to go crazy. Your best bet is to run stock class and work on your driving until you get comfortable.

Honestly I wouldn't put money into much else than tires and suspension for a rallycross car. Making power isn't a big priority because you only have so much traction. A set of rally or snow tires will do wonders for the car.

As far as car setup, run as much negative camber as possible. I have also heard recommendations on removing the rear swaybar for the rx-7s. I will be doing this the next event to feel the difference. I have an old british book on tuning rally suspension but most of it goes above my head :D. Personally I like the solid rear axle and loose rear end. Getting some extra rotation definitely helps set up for the turns.

The guy who is setting up the course for this year's SCCA rallycross nationals runs a 1st gen rx-7 in our division. His car kicks ass, I'll try and find some pictures.

I think a small turbo will do fine, keep a broad power-band. If its something that takes 3K rpms to spool and then hits like a ton of bricks, thats probably a bad idea. Of course if you have a boost controller, just tune it down for low-traction conditions.

yeah, a turbo is slightly unpredictable (at least for me) It's easy to give it too much gas and then POW rear end slides. It wouldn't be too fun off road (unless you're a pro).

rallycrossing, as SOON as you even start to see boost, your turning again. The insta-boost subaru turbos have it bad, im sure a turbo II would almost never see a fully spooled turbo.

With a street port and something small like a GT30R with a good EBC you'd see boost very quickly.

That's a nice project! I am considering getting a Scooby coupe to stage rally some time in the future!

PS: http://www.optionimports.com/garrettgt30r.html

/\ Yum! :D