Ralph II - Wide bodied V8 RX7

mph_saab · September 04, 2009, 10:23:10 AM

As I\'m sure most of you know by now my first RX7 had a little accident just before the start of the session which meant I couldn\'t get a licence to compete this year

I only started drifting in August so I welcomed the seat time and have had alot of fun finding the right set up for the car

Unfortunitly my engine recently let go when I was drifting in France and I thought it was about time I stripped the car down and done the job properly.

Since the accident the car has never felt right so I\'ve decided to purchase a new shell from Ross @ Dragon Performance so here comes the birth of Ralph II......

After alot of head scratching and research I finally decided on what engine set-up I wanted to go for. I really wanted to stick with rotary but the prices and parts availability was just getting ridiculous. So with alot of advice and the amazing workmanship of Craig Taylor @ Calsport I\'ve decided to drop an LS V8 in there with a nice T56 gearbox.

I\'ll let the rest of the toys speak for themselves or how about you see what you can find as the build develops :p

Just to give you a little teaser sponsors on board so far are:

www.Calsport.co.uk
www.Tein.co.uk & www.reworx.com
www.Atomicrex.co.uk
www.rarerims.co.uk
www.nicksonmotorsport.co.uk
www.pmuracing.co.uk
www.uses.co.uk
www.pagsheetmetal.co.uk
www.xquisiteautomotive.co.uk

New style solid bruv suspension lol

Some cheeky padi tried to steal my car but didn\'t realise it had no engine so didn\'t get very far :wave

***BIG thank you to the better half - Mrs Choo for all the photo\'s

***

mph_saab · September 04, 2009, 10:34:45 AM

Update

Cage and seem welding is done - Amazing work from Nick @ Nickson Motorsport. The welding and the effort thats gone in to bend all the bars as tight as possible is un-real.

Also just had the engine bay painted ready for all the fabrication for the engine

clive · September 04, 2009, 10:45:24 AM

Real nice work, I know what a pain it is and how long it takes to get a shell to that stage,

I wish you every success with your new car and please keep us updated not only with the build but also when your up n running n out there.

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mph_saab · September 04, 2009, 10:55:42 AM

No worries Clive

cheers for the feedback!!

MARKPRIOR · September 04, 2009, 01:43:10 PM

awesome cant wait to see this develop

slingo · September 04, 2009, 06:05:16 PM

looks like a sweet build up mate ! have you pre fitted the ls before painting the engine bay,or do you use the subframe for the engine mounts ?

gsb876 · September 04, 2009, 06:31:05 PM

looking interesting dude !!

tinker-27 · September 05, 2009, 02:22:50 PM

look like i will need some clean gloves for this one !!! nice cage,

mph_saab · September 14, 2009, 08:53:07 AM

Update

Rubbed all the under side of the car down and resprayed it with under seal.

Fitted the new pedal box, steering column with snap-off and ATL fuel tank from Atomic Rex

and just a little teaser a picture of the engine being stripped down :dw:

James H · September 14, 2009, 05:27:14 PM

Do you think you have a bigger enough v8 lump there

..... looking ace keep up the good work!

chrisJDM · September 14, 2009, 11:35:11 PM

awesome project good luck with it :Thumbsup!

mph_saab · September 17, 2009, 03:19:31 PM

Update

Poly bushed all the front end of the car and the arms were all looking a bit sorry for themselves so I painted them but was after a few drinks so thought it would be a good idea to paint the pink!! lol
Sub frame was also looking a bit tired and also had yellow over spray on so rubbed that down and sprayed it black (sensibleness before beers)
Drove up to Birmingham last night to drop the Car off with Craig Taylor from Calsport to start work on the fabrication for the engine, gearbox and diff getting very excited now!!!!

mph_saab · September 18, 2009, 02:59:21 PM

Mmmmm sexy box of bits turned up today from Thunder Racing!!

mph_saab · September 25, 2009, 05:38:59 PM

Very quick update:

Engine / Gearbox / Diff are now all bolted into the car

Just got to fit the radiator and sort some of the wiring to check the engine starts and runs o.k.

Then off to the bodyshop again to paint the inside and fit the heated windscreen.

Sort out all the other components/wiring then we should be ready for a little shake down, getting very excited now....watch this space :p

Jas · September 26, 2009, 11:51:04 PM

wow !!
it fits
love to see how the rest is going to fit good luck looks like it going to be great car

Ralph II - Wide bodied V8 RX7

MARKPRIOR