FC subframe swap

Whizbang · 09-18-2009, 11:03 PM

Okay i know someone here has experience with this. I want to convert to the nicer and faster rack and pinion but i need to maintian the oem parts factor for replacement reasons, otherwise i would be running the RE Speed kit. But thanks the effects of rallying, i doubt i could afford to be bending those subframes. I recall a few people mentioning it was somewhat "straight forward" less the steering rack. Can anyone add to this?

BigIslandSevens · 09-20-2009, 02:14 PM

One of the local guys here was/is thinking of doing this as well. We have a few donor cars in a junk yard not to far away. I may go grab one just for exploration puposes.

I would guess that you are planning on running a 13B in it yes? What makes you think you would bend the RE-SPEED kit? The rough terrain or something hitting it?

Whizbang · 09-20-2009, 02:46 PM

pretty much correct. Impacts and heavy abuse are my concern. In the event of breakages i would much rather have oem parts availble at the junkyard as well. I plan on running a 13b. probably a turbo engine thanks to the altitudes but that is too be determined. For now, i plan on getting my move out there dealt with then find a good chassis to start with.

-xlr8planet- · 09-20-2009, 06:20 PM

The carbon fiber first gen from norway is rocking one, but he said took a lot of welding and cutting.

The wheels even end up a bit more "out"

Whizbang · 09-20-2009, 08:59 PM

interestingly that is contrary to what i have heard from others. Hmm...pictures would be great of anyone who has done this.

Whizbang · 09-20-2009, 09:53 PM

found a PDF with some information. Doesnt look like as much of a disaster as i was expecting.

bwaits · 09-21-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravity Fed

pretty much correct. Impacts and heavy abuse are my concern.

If you purchased the kit and broke pieces I would be HIGHLY surprised. I grew up in rallying. I know the abuse the cars take.

-billy

Whizbang · 09-21-2009, 03:46 PM

well see how things pan out as far as the budget goes, if it fits in i can put it to the test. Is there any way to power the steering rack?

C. Ludwig · 09-22-2009, 02:49 PM

We did it with this car. http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ead.php?t=8648

It's a pretty easy swap. A steering column will need to be fabricated and that's probably going to be the most difficult part. You need to be able to accurately measure the pickup points to ensure you get the subframe in there square. If it's your first time doing some kind of chassis fabrication you might want to pass but if you are confident in your abilities there are certainly harder projects to undertake.

If you just want the 2nd gen rack and pinion steering the Bill's kit is certainly an easier route. We wanted to utilize some 2nd gen suspension components we also had so that made the swap more appealing to use. Also made the 20B install a simple matter of using the Banzai mounts.

Whizbang · 09-22-2009, 05:26 PM

well the way the budget and the fact im 6' tall is going, i might be opting for a Merkur. But for my next FB project i still might be going this route.

Whizbang · 09-23-2009, 04:11 PM

...then again i wont rule out me taking the less smarter road and still go with the 7

09-18-2009, 11:03 PM	#1
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	FC subframe swap Okay i know someone here has experience with this. I want to convert to the nicer and faster rack and pinion but i need to maintian the oem parts factor for replacement reasons, otherwise i would be running the RE Speed kit. But thanks the effects of rallying, i doubt i could afford to be bending those subframes. I recall a few people mentioning it was somewhat "straight forward" less the steering rack. Can anyone add to this? __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

09-20-2009, 02:46 PM	#3
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	pretty much correct. Impacts and heavy abuse are my concern. In the event of breakages i would much rather have oem parts availble at the junkyard as well. I plan on running a 13b. probably a turbo engine thanks to the altitudes but that is too be determined. For now, i plan on getting my move out there dealt with then find a good chassis to start with. __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

09-20-2009, 06:20 PM	#4
-xlr8planet- RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Posts: 679 Rep Power: 18	The carbon fiber first gen from norway is rocking one, but he said took a lot of welding and cutting. The wheels even end up a bit more "out" __________________ www.rx7club.com.ar RX-7 Forum in Spanish I make custom decals. Yes, you can ask me

09-20-2009, 08:59 PM	#5
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	interestingly that is contrary to what i have heard from others. Hmm...pictures would be great of anyone who has done this. __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

09-20-2009, 09:53 PM	#6
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	found a PDF with some information. Doesnt look like as much of a disaster as i was expecting. __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

09-20-2009, 02:14 PM	#2
BigIslandSevens Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver, NC Posts: 201 Rep Power: 18	One of the local guys here was/is thinking of doing this as well. We have a few donor cars in a junk yard not to far away. I may go grab one just for exploration puposes. I would guess that you are planning on running a 13B in it yes? What makes you think you would bend the RE-SPEED kit? The rough terrain or something hitting it?

09-21-2009, 03:46 PM	#8
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	well see how things pan out as far as the budget goes, if it fits in i can put it to the test. Is there any way to power the steering rack? __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

09-22-2009, 02:49 PM	#9
C. Ludwig Rotary Masochist Join Date: May 2008 Location: Floyds Knobs, IN Posts: 494 Rep Power: 18	We did it with this car. http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ead.php?t=8648 It's a pretty easy swap. A steering column will need to be fabricated and that's probably going to be the most difficult part. You need to be able to accurately measure the pickup points to ensure you get the subframe in there square. If it's your first time doing some kind of chassis fabrication you might want to pass but if you are confident in your abilities there are certainly harder projects to undertake. If you just want the 2nd gen rack and pinion steering the Bill's kit is certainly an easier route. We wanted to utilize some 2nd gen suspension components we also had so that made the swap more appealing to use. Also made the 20B install a simple matter of using the Banzai mounts. __________________ _______________________________________________ *One stop Haltech, AEM, Syvecs shopping. Installation and tuning.* http://www.lms-efi.com *Free support. Drop us an email.* chris@lms-efi.com 502-515-7482 Facebook @LMS-EFI

09-22-2009, 05:26 PM	#10
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	well the way the budget and the fact im 6' tall is going, i might be opting for a Merkur. But for my next FB project i still might be going this route. __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

09-23-2009, 04:11 PM	#11
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	...then again i wont rule out me taking the less smarter road and still go with the 7 __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook