The windshield was removed yesterday so it could be replaced and they found some rust that needs to be repaired before the new one is put in. He also worked some more on the front cowl and did some welding on the front. The car is now on the lift so he can weld underneath.

On saturday I replaced the throwout bearing and also installed the highflow cat. The project turned from a 2 hour job to an entire day because the tranny jack died. We ended up having to rebuild it. This was one of those tranny jacks for the lift.

The High Flow Cat:

This just came in the mail:

http://www.re-speed.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=56&virtuemart_category_id=22&Itemid=18

Energy Suspension, HYPER-FLEX SYSTEM graphite impregnated black bushings Complete Master Bushing Set.

Kit includes:

• Front control arm bushing kit.
• Front sway bar end links.
• Front sway bar mounting bushing kit.
• Front stay rod bushing kit.
• Rear control arm bushing kit.
• Watts linkage kit.
• Rear sway bar end links.
• Rear sway bar mounting bushing kit.

Installing all the fasteners on the black front was a lot harder than planned. There are 4 nuts that needed to be added to the ’83 front so the airbox could be mounted. These nuts were welded from the inside of the framerails.

pre welded fitment pictures:

Welded Pictures:

So when I was cleaning things up last night I found out is is definitely a remanufactured motor. I found a plaque on the motor with a serial number, build number and a date of 5/01.

The front is cut off the car. I went over last night after work to help a little. I cleaned the radiator and helped with sanding and taping. The first layer of primer was laid last night after I left.

Saved the best for last:

• Column Cover Upper Brown
• Column Cover Lower Brown
• Door Seal Left
• Door Seal Right
• Window Seal Outer 2
• Window Seal Inner 2
• Channel, Glass 2
• Rear Hatch to Body Seal
• Sunroof Seal
• Emblem Front
• Emblem Rear
• Emblem Side RX-7/Logo 2
• Emblem (GSL-SE) Rear
• Emblem Retainer Clips 11
• Nozzle (L), Washer-Front
• Nozzle (R), Washer-Front
• Gasket Key Cylinder 3
• Gasket (R), Mirror
• Gasket (L), Mirror
• Screw, Mirror 2
• Screw, Mirror 2
• Screw, Mirror 2
• Windshield Wiper Washer, Cup 2
• Windshield Wiper Cap, Seal 2
• Windshield Wiper Bushing, Outer 2
• Windshield Washer Hose
• Clamp, Hose 4
• Clamp, Hose 6
• Hose, Water Upper
• Hose, Water Lower

Total cost just shy of $800 (time to pass out now)

I also completed my collection of stickers to be installed on the car.

I received the Bönez Performance Converter System in the mail last week.  I plan to install it while it’s in the shop along with the throwout bearing.  It looks exactly like the photo on Rotary Performance’s website.  I will give an update as soon at the part is installed.

I an able to get the paint done on the car sooner than originally planned.  The car went into the shop on February 18th.  I’m having rust and dent repair, front subframe repaired, paint, wheels refinished, new seals, emblems, and decals.

We had hoped that the front end was just slightly damaged and could be straightened.  After the bumper, front cowl, head lights, and fenders were removed, the damage was severe in front of the shock towers.  I cut the front of my old RX-7 off at the shock towers a number of months ago anticipating that we would use some of the parts. I never thought we would end up using basically the entire section.  The painting of the car should take less than a month to get done.

I’m actually helping with the painting proccess.  Over the weekend I pulled everything out of the front of the engine compartment.  Parts that I removed  included the radiator, radiator support, battery tray, air box, a/c condenser, oil cooler, etc. I also moved things like the wiring harness out of the way.

Here is the car before we stripped the engine compartment:

Here is what the car looked like when we were finished:

I did get most of my little projects done last weekend and this week. I did my oil change, rebuild OMP (oil metering pump), fix door jamb switch, took apart and cleaned dash switches, and fixed wiper/washer switch. The antenna booster is installed. I also pulled and cleaned the power window switches and fixed the center console lid spring.

Rebuilding the OMP fixed my slight oil leak so I’m happy about that.  I used the Pineapple Racing rebuild kit. http://www.pineappleracing.com/mechanicalompkitanddvd.aspx

I don’t really hear any improvement in the antenna booster so I’m disappointed in that.

I installed an RX-7 S5 (1989-91) fog light switch on Friday. The total install took about 5 to 10 minutes and the switch snapped right in. It fits in just like it was meant for the car.