13b Swapped SA22C 1980 Rx7

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ThatRotaxCar
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13b Swapped SA22C 1980 Rx7

Post by ThatRotaxCar »

Got a request to show off my car... how can I refuse?

I revived this in 2017, and have been daily driving this since late 2019. Started off as a 1980 mazda rx7, but has the drive train of a 1985 fuel injected FB rx7. Mechanically it's great and it's given m3 next to no issues since I've been dailying it, although it really hates the cold up here in Canada.

It's a blast to drive... basically a go-kart. Five-speed manual, no airbags, abs, or power steering, so driving this with any amount of show on the ground was a bit scary (I have a set of snow tires and an LSD which helps). I have the 6 port 13b variety, so it drives decent at lower rpms but really comes alive at higher revs.

Upgrades
- bigger fuel injected 13b rotary engine swapped in (I originally rebuilt the stock 12a carbureted engine before jumping at the chance to upgrade)
- bigger brakes from an FB car
- LSD
- full exhaust
- maintenance: bushings, control arms, sprints/shocks, sway bars, fuel tank, brake bits, wheel bearings, radiator, water pump etc. One of everything

Todo
- speedometer doesnt work - cable got lost at some point in the multiple engine swaps
- turbocharge it?
- turn it into a hybrid (think F1 not Prius - more of a long term thing and partially why I joined this forum)?
- FC front subframe swap?
- keep it from breaking
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Fred
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Re: 13b Swapped SA22C 1980 Rx7

Post by Fred »

Neat car! Does 6 port mean renesis? Or is it an FC/FD engine or some sort?

I vote against the FC subframe swap, but hey, this vote means nothing. Intent: keep the car mostly original in the tin and structure - it's an appreciating classic :-)

Hilarious that you drive it around in the snow :-D
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ThatRotaxCar
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Re: 13b Swapped SA22C 1980 Rx7

Post by ThatRotaxCar »

The 6 port is from a '85 GSL-SE fb rx7 - basically has actuators that open two more intake ports above a certain rpm.

Yeah I've thought about that, and it is a hard choice... but the FC subframe means rack/pinion steering which is supposed to get rid of a lot of the slop in the stock wheel.
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Fred
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Re: 13b Swapped SA22C 1980 Rx7

Post by Fred »

Well, if you can do it without cutting/chopping/destroying then go right ahead - that's my general approach to all classic car mods :-)
DIYEFI.org - where Open Source means Open Source, and Free means Freedom
FreeEMS.org - the open source engine management system
FreeEMS dev diary and its comments thread and my turbo truck!
n00bs, do NOT PM or email tech questions! Use the forum!
The ever growing list of FreeEMS success stories!
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