Page One

See my other projects on the next five pages. My current project, the Stiletto, is described on pages 5 and 6.

1984 RX-7 GSL with Ford V8, Ford AOD (automatic overdrive) transmission, Precision Industries (small diameter) 2800-3000 rpm torque converter, stock rear axle with limited slip, 1990 RX7 front and rear brakes, 15" BBS alloywheels from 1990 RX-7 convertible, Goodrich GForce tires are 205/50 front, 225/50 rear. Empty weight 2550 pounds. Driven only in nice weather, chassis now has about 85,000 total miles, engine about 22,000 as of June 2008.

Engine - Ford 302/5.0, Edelbrock alum heads, Ford Mustang HO roller cam, Comp Cams roller rockers, KB 9.5 pistons, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, Edelbrock 600 carb, Ford Racing aluminum water pump, MSD ignition. Custom airbox, K&N air filter, Ron Davis aluminum radiator provided by Grannys Speed Shop. Exhaust system by Sean O'Brien, 2 1/2 Y into 3 inch single exhaust, headers ceramic coated inside and out.

The hood would not close over the air intake, so I welded on the hood bulge from a 280Z and did my "Bondo Magic".

The strut brace is custom made from solid aluminum rod with Heim joints. Custom air box with 3 inch cold air tube to K&N conical filter. Stock Mazda alternator and cooling fan with custom made pulleys and brackets.

Next photo shows the air filter, transmission cooler, radiator, custom modified oil pan, crossmember and engine mounts, and custom made fitting to allow use of RX7 oil pressure sensor. Notice the stock oil filter has good clearance. Of course after I did all this the hard way, Grannys Speed Shop started selling kits for this conversion! Second photo shows exhaust Y pipe and 3 inch Cat.

Interior has leather seats, completely stock except for Kenwood stereo/CD player and wooden box that holds 5 CDs. To maintain a stock appearance, the stock Mazda shifter linkage was modified to work with the Ford transmission.

Front brake conversion parts custom fabricated by Tom Chamlee. Equivalent conversion parts are now available from commercial sources. These 4 pot aluminum calipers and 11 inch discs are common to any 5 bolt 2nd generation RX-7. The 5 by 4 1/2 bolt pattern is also common to many Ford, Toyota and other cars. A 1.25 inch spacer adapter was required to provide clearance with these wheels.

RX-7 GSL-SE rear axles redrilled for new bolt pattern. Adapted the 1990 rear caliper, modified the cable connection and lever to use the stock 1984 handbrake cable. Fabrication assistance by Sean O'Brien.