Unfortunately no one wanted the whole car, so I parted it out, and the shell was carted off for scrap. :(

My $2006 Grassroots Motorsports Magazine Challenge build.

Car: 1985 Rx-7 GSL w/ vg30et swap. T-5 Trans.

Donor: 1986 300zx Turbo

The GRM Challenge is a contest where participants buy, build and race a car having no more than $2006 in it. Competitors will drag race it, autocross it, and be subject to a concours competition.

Find out more about the specifics of the contest at:

http://www.grmotorsports.com/

Update 11-1-06:

The challenge was great, even though I had major problems. Apparently, the Front main seal let go, which let to a low oil level. I then collapsed a lifter and soon after had a rod knock. I completed all five auto-x runs but she was smoking badly and didn't want to start or run.

We thought the oil was coming from the oil pan gasket...so we put a fix on that Saturday night. I also looked for the bad lifter, but didn't find it. If probably filled back up on its own.

But the rod knock and serious oil leak were still there. I staged for the drags, after finally getting it running, but a problem on the track had me waiting too long. I shut it down.

We had to remove about two quarts of oil from my previously installed 'catch pan' fill her back up, and jump her in the staging lanes to get it running again. I took off, staged, launched and made it down the track, rod knocking and smoke pouring the whole time. I hit the nitrous in third gear, after I was sure I could coast to the finish. It didn't matter much anyway, as I ran a 15.4...very slow. It died after I finished but I popped the clutch and it started again. I made it back to the trailer but oil was pouring out and onto the ground by now. I was done and lucky to get it back on the trailer.

But all in all, we were happy to get that one run in.

I placed 30th overall out of 62 cars.

We did get it painted and Im happy with the look, but problems at home the week before the challenge limited the amount of work that could be done on the car. I had to do a lot of baby-sitting. The interior was a mess when we left.

The car is for sale now...

Thanks for looking at my site.

-James

Quick after challenge update: I had major problems but ended up about 30th overall (Out of 60+). Had a great time.

Update 10-6-06:

Two pics before paint. We put some etching primer on the bare metal and will probably prime the car tomorrow, and paint later in the week.

The car is running 'right' and should be ready to go. I'm getting paranoid about doing too much testing before Florida, so I may just test the Nitrous during the challenge.

Here is the budget. It's not complete yet...I'm sure a few changes will have to be made w/ all the parts swapping I've been doing, but it's pretty accurate. I've sold parts from the Rx-7 and Z car in excess of the $1003 limit...so you'd subtract that amount from the items listed (It's part of the rules). My excel list doesn't seem to work right on this site, or more likely, I don't know what I'm doing.

Expense and Sales Description Sales Cost
Rx-7 Car $400.00
300zx Turbo $500.00
Steel for trans x-member $27.13
Fuel pump, bosch $58.87
Pedal set $30.51
KYB rear shocks, new $60.99
Spark Plugs/hose $8.09
Oil Filter, Valve cover gaskets $11.64
Oil pan gasket $14.83
Mustang 10 hole rims + M/T Slicks (2) $125.00
Brake caliper rebuild kit $8.47
FI hose clamps $9.10
H&S parts for fuel line/pump $4.31
Republic Diesel Custom Driveshaft $296.10
Oil $9.00
Clutch Slave repair kit $6.35
Heater hose $10.59
Vac caps, clamps, fuel line, hose $24.14
Brake fluid $6.35
4 Mustang 10 hole rims $100.00
Springs $118.00
1/2-20 Rod $15.92
Ft. Sway bar, Misc from Summitt $177.48
3" exhaust tubing, used $10.00
4 Hoosier Road Race Tires $225.00
Tire mounting $20.00
Wheel spacers, new $17.30
NOS Nitrous kit, used $279.62
Nuts, H and S to back lug studs $3.19
Gear Oil, NAPA, Trans $5.91
Radiator/two fans, antifreeze Pull-a-par$45.08
Semi-Gloss Black spray paint $4.01
Sway Bar end links fuel filter, grease $25.83
Hardware for battery box $3.89
Scrap Steel $20.00
Welding Wire $12.50
Electrical tape and convoluted tubing $8.55
Cone air filter, Pep boys $19.07
Adapters for rad hose H&S $8.03
Wheels/tires, drag fts,, Pull-a-part $25.67
Bondo, 1 Gal, smart shoppers $17.07
Fasteners, pipe components $10.68
4 cans cheap spray paint $4.62
bleeder valve for turbo $2.53
Wrinkle black paint for manifold $5.29
Paint/primer approx $150.00

Update 9-10-06:

Doing body work. Have some more of the engine painted. I want to test the nitrous before I head to Florida, and I have at least one more auto-x.

I'm going to up the boost with a bleeder valve...I'll have to do some testing on that as well. No money left for a boostvalve.

A paint job, details, details, and a bit of tuning and I'll be ready for Florida. Ready being a relative term.

Update 9-2-06:

Have more of the engine painted. I also have the NOS system totally installed. I just need to test it.

Auto-x was a bust. Had another fuel problem, another clogged fuel filter. I really don't want to pull the tank again, so I'll probably bring about 3 fuel filters to the challenge, just to be on the safe side.

It understeers a bunch w/o the rear bar. During my first run I plowed over a cone...just hit it dead on and kept going... that was when the fuel problems started. I barely finished the second run, so I don't know if I'll like it more or less. Certainly the chances of a spin are much less.

October's coming fast.

Update 8-22-06

Trying to get it back together before Sunday's auto-x. I went ahead and started painting some stuff. I don't think I'll be a concours contender at the challenge, but I am making more of an effort than I thought I would. It gets tedious taking stuff off and reinstalling it after the tenth time.

The wrinkle paint looks good IMHO. I was suprised at the outcome. I'm going to leave the intake plate off and just go w/ the stealth look. I'll probably find some stainless cap screws and washers to go in the hole, which should really set it off.

Update 8-18-06:

Hey, how did I get a two-star rating? :)

Turns out I had a collapsed exhaust lifter. It's fixed now. I stripped and painted the valve cover on that side while I had it off. I'm going to start taking stuff off the engine and painting it. October is coming at me faster than I thought it would.

I removed my rear sway bar on the advice of rx-7 experts. It seems to be the consensus that the FB handles better without one. We'll see how this does at the next auto-x.

Haven't done much to the car lately, as we just had our third child.

I did buy a gallon of Bondo and am thinking about paint schemes.

Update 8-10-06:

Last auto-x was bad for me. I thought I was having another fuel system problem, but, as much as I hate to admit it, I think I ran out of gas. Oops. In my defense, the gas gauge doesn't work, and then I realized that putting $10 in every now and then is the same as putting 3 gallons in every now and then.

The rear felt tighter with the sway bar, and I'm happy with it, but I still will reserve judgement until I can have a real comparison.

I drag raced it last night at Ohio Valley Dragway, A 1/8 mile track. It was my first time drag racing it. My best was a 8.969 at 76.38 mph. Best reaction time was .0430 and best 60 ft time was 1.9430. The other times were in the 9's.

I did something bad to the car on my last run. I have a lifter sticking/ticking...some sort of valvetrain noise. I'm going to change the oil and see if it goes away. Then I'll pull the valve cover and see what I've got...

Just pulled the rockers and lifters. I collapsed a lifter on the exhaust side. I guess it could have been worse. On the bright side, it's easier to clean and paint things that have been removed.

Hope to never go deeper than this: