"KIMI" - The RPM 1st Gen S2 (with bits of S3...)

A7RXY · May 09, 2011, 06:07:36 PM

Now what shoebox did I put that in ................:rollin

Casey · May 13, 2011, 01:35:49 AM

:Party V5C arrrived today! One potential hurdle "jumped"

Still awaiting oil seal from RX-Motors

Have left seal orders with other two suppliers and they haven\'t got back to me yet (but they both have to import the part).

Ah well, been busy with work anyway, so not had much time to do much....

Casey · May 22, 2011, 07:48:11 PM

Some small progress today:
1. Oil seal arrived from RX-Motors :yes, but haven\'t fitted it yet..:o
2. Managed to remove the stubborn diff drain plug with breaker bar - yippee. However, both the fill and drain plugs have seen better days so I\'ll try and source some replacements. Noted also some slight thread damage in the diff housing fill hole though, but think we\'ll get away with it.
3. Removed the viscous fan to check the bi-metal strip and pin operation. I\'ll post up a query on the RX-7-fb forum about what I found.
5. Spent a good few hours cleaning and prepping the rear nearside wheel arch and hub and put on two coats of grey POR15. Not up to "Rexanne" standards, but might slow down the dreaded rust! See before and after pics (click on images for better view).

Will66 · May 22, 2011, 08:17:58 PM

Nice Work Malcom! The wheel arch was wearing well but showing its years before, now it looks factory fresh! Good news on the diff as well! Can\'t wait to work on her some more! Rotorstock is getting ever closer!

seanp · May 22, 2011, 08:18:07 PM

Super job Malcolm!

Ian65 · May 22, 2011, 10:36:58 PM

nice job.... that shell does look very clean.:Thumbs-up

CHC (RIP) · May 23, 2011, 02:39:14 PM

nice work Malcolm - always good to see the undersides being cleaned and painted, a dirty and messy job at the end of the day but at least you know the condition of the bodywork.

shaunwil · May 23, 2011, 05:18:53 PM

I\'m off this week trying to do the same but the weather isn\'t helping !

Looking very nice

Shaun

Steve-A · May 23, 2011, 10:45:29 PM

She\'ll be back on the road in no time, looking good! That grey POR15 works well with the silver body, looks like just the right shade of grey in the photos.

I\'ll be interested to hear your driving impressions. Like myself you guys have bought an FB which you will have put lots of time and love into before you get to take her out on the road and se whats its really like to drive!

shaunwil · May 23, 2011, 11:10:32 PM

You will enjoy it, Amazing to think how far modern cars have come. Brand new stuff doesn\'t give you as much pleasure. Keeps you on your toes !

Shaun

Steve-A · May 23, 2011, 11:13:58 PM

I truly hope so! My Alfa annoys me because it\'s too quiet and comfy

Will66 · May 23, 2011, 11:48:41 PM

No doubt there will be several back-to-back comparisons of the FB and our respective RX8s. Having not driven another RX but having an MX5 at home (the girlfriend\'s car) which does feel like the people at Mazda like their cars to feel a certain way I reckon there will be a common feel to the way the RX7 performs, an honest, straightforward feel to the chassis that encourages spirited driving.

Steve-A · May 23, 2011, 11:56:13 PM

Quote from: Will66;764488an honest, straightforward feel to the chassis that encourages spirited driving.

This sounds like the feeling I loved about the mx5 and I miss from the Alfa so much, and that I am hoping for from the FB.

It makes me wonder if other Mazdas, for example the mx3, have that same feeling or if its reserved for their sports car chassis.

The FB does have a very similar driving position to the mx5, with the same steering wheel switch gear and same gear box and clutch, it will have many similarities. It will be very interesting to compare the suspension and steering differences.

spoddy · May 24, 2011, 12:11:43 AM

jumping between threads here. i think there will be a noticeable difference between the fwd of the mx3 and the rwd of an mx5/rx7 in steering response, early models without all this traction control etc.

on my az3 (mx3) the rear wheel suspension allows the rear wheels to turn slightly as you corner so that you get that driving on rails feeling. the mx3 was based on the mazda 323f pop up light model, same interior, so more of a sports coupe/hatchback.

the rx8 uses the mx5 geabox, so similar short shifter changing. a 1st series mx5 is on my list too lol, easier to get than an fb. but no power steering on early fb\'s so just have to drive them all and see

Will66 · May 24, 2011, 12:16:57 AM

I reckon the big differences will be the ride, the FB is a live axle so when one wheel moves the other one does too so the ride will be less composed on rough surfaces than an MX5 or an RX8 but live axles mean the tyres won\'t end up on edge so you\'ll get progressive breakaway and it ought to be controllable over the limit. I\'m not sure about the steering but I learned to drive in an Old Land Rover so it\'s got to be better than the slightly "democratic" method of choosing the direction of travel that had.