RX5.0 project-Page 2: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Jan. 29, 2012 7:29 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

The front end is done with custom coilovers, Respeed hollow front sway bar custom made to fit the 5.0, Koni inserts, Eibach springs, steering spacers, camber/caster adjusters and more.

The rear end is next, going to rebuild the upper control arms to be equal length to the lowers, box the floor and build a panhard to replace the flawed watts linkage. Haven't decided if I will do rear coilovers as they also require full custom mounts to be built. I will se how it handles and balances out on scales first.

Got the hood installed and cut to fit around the intake today.
Jan. 30, 2012 10:41 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

Here is the dyno reading still on the computer.

The beast on the ramps

A few pulls and a little fun

Here is yesterday's efforts, first some trimming

Check fit

It works

Topped off
Jan. 31, 2012 5:58 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

http://s869.photobucket.com/albums/ab256/aussiesmg/RX50/?action=view&current=M...

http://s869.photobucket.com/albums/ab256/aussiesmg/RX50/?action=view&current=M...

http://s869.photobucket.com/albums/ab256/aussiesmg/RX50/?action=view&current=M...
Jan. 31, 2012 6:33 p.m. Karl La Follette Dork

Awesome effort ! Car looks sweet . Expecting a driveability report soon . Interior piks ?
Jan. 31, 2012 6:43 p.m. pres589 Dork

What mufflers are you using?
Jan. 31, 2012 6:46 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

These ones

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/835/

More on the build

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2845451/1984-mazda-rx-7
Feb. 2, 2012 12:33 a.m. Canute Reader

I have an FC in progress. Except the Bill Mitchell aluminum blocks came down to $4,000, so I did that. They are beautiful and stout and look almost nothing like a 302 block except that there's eight big holes and a distributor hole in the front, so it's a lot more than a 302 cast in aluminum. The scale said 98 pounds. I'm going carbed as it's race/track only. I think this puts the long block at 250, maybe 260. Edelbrock Performer heads weigh 40# complete each with roller rockers, girdles, also including lifters and pushrods.
Feb. 10, 2012 5:21 p.m. Canute Reader

For those obsessed with the "how much does it weigh?" question, I just had my mechanic lift a fully dressed 5.0 Explorer engine with flex plate. He said it came out to 516 pounds.
Feb. 11, 2012 11:12 a.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

http://s869.photobucket.com/albums/ab256/aussiesmg/RX50/?action=view&current=M...
Feb. 11, 2012 11:22 a.m. DoctorBlade Dork

Sounds nice so far.
Feb. 20, 2012 3:41 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

Well I do need a transmission, this T5 leaks, whines and has no 5th gear, I might have to go with a built unit to replace this lame duck.

G-force or Keisler? Opinions welcome with reasoning. I do want a tall overdrive for highway use/
Feb. 20, 2012 4:19 p.m. cwh SuperDork

I have a thing for Tex Racing products. Yeah, a bit pricy, but they do hold up well. Just a random thought. Dropped off a tranny there for freshening when I was doing the IMSA thing. I dare you to find Ether NC.
Feb. 20, 2012 4:41 p.m. Strike_Zero Dork

Canute wrote:

For those obsessed with the "how much does it weigh?" question, I just had my mechanic lift a fully dressed 5.0 Explorer engine with flex plate. He said it came out to 516 pounds.

Awesome information!!
Feb. 20, 2012 4:50 p.m. 1988RedT2 SuperDork

Please take that thing down the dragstrip and report 1/4-mile time!
Feb. 20, 2012 6:09 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

Strike_Zero wrote:

Canute wrote:

For those obsessed with the "how much does it weigh?" question, I just had my mechanic lift a fully dressed 5.0 Explorer engine with flex plate. He said it came out to 516 pounds.

Awesome information!!

You can remove at least 100lbs from that in this case, with the Trick Flow aluminum heads, roller rockers, lightened flywheel, hi torque starter, etc.
Feb. 21, 2012 12:37 a.m. Strike_Zero Dork

I have the lightened flywheel (12lbs). I'm going to rock the GT40Ps that came with it for now. I could get back to finishing the installation only if the heater core magically jumps into the Dakota and replaces the leaky one; and this rebuilt M42 jumps into the 318is without work on my part
Feb. 21, 2012 7:05 a.m. Moving_Target New Reader

The lightened flywheel is something I need to consider as a later upgrade for my build.

I still haven't heard back from the machine shop on the status of my 5.0.
Feb. 27, 2012 5:48 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

Well the T5 in the car is a lame duck, leaks, whines and 5th is a handful of neutral.

I searched around and found a seemingly good deal and took the plunge on a z-box Tremec T5, never installed for a final cash price of $800,not much more than a stock T5 goes for so it's worth the try. 2.95 1st gear and 0.63 overdrive.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/tremec-t5/46144/page1/

If this fails a TKO500 will be in the future.
Feb. 28, 2012 11:10 p.m. Canute Reader

aussiesmg wrote:

Strike_Zero wrote:

Canute wrote:

For those obsessed with the "how much does it weigh?" question, I just had my mechanic lift a fully dressed 5.0 Explorer engine with flex plate. He said it came out to 516 pounds.

Awesome information!!

You can remove at least 100lbs from that in this case, with the Trick Flow aluminum heads, roller rockers, lightened flywheel, hi torque starter, etc.

An aluminum block ($$$$!!!!) will take off another 100. Mine is going to be carbureted, alternator only, with a PowerMaster bracket. I'm dreaming that it's going to be even lighter than the 13B. Aluminum heads, Power Master starter, aluminum flywheel, too. Three hundred, less? Looking forward to getting it back to together.
April 6, 2012 10:06 p.m. aussiesmg PowerDork

Picked up the Tremec and it is now installed, I now have a functioning gearbox sans stench and noises.

Tomorrow it gets new tires.
April 7, 2012 7:18 a.m. chandlerGTi HalfDork

I think you should buy an extra set for the rear, haha.
April 7, 2012 10:20 a.m. Chris_V SuperDork

So cool. I really miss my 5.0 FC. 2720 lbs with ful interior and Autopower roll cage.330HP
April 12, 2012 4:40 p.m. aussiesmg PowerDork

Saturday 10 am

Saturday 12 pm

Mohr tires FTW
April 12, 2012 4:42 p.m. aussiesmg PowerDork

Kumho Ecsta XS, gained width, gearing and clearance.
April 12, 2012 6:08 p.m. Javelin UltimaDork

Man those tires make it look soooo much tougher! Awesome!