RX 7 Rear end option

[MCS]

Hello,
I think some one made the comment that once you start modifying your car it is a slippery slope. I must agree, all though I do enjoy the end results.

In the last two month I have broke two half shafts, the one I broke today was heck to get out, it was twisted and jammed in the diff. It took me 4 hours to get the axle out so I could then take the rest apart. I have some spare axles but at this rate I am going to run out quickly. Spoke to Rob at Winners Circle, they make a very tough axle, he says there the strongest axle you will ever buy. One problem he wont have any for another 1-2 months.

My car has aprox 100 hp and I love to spritely drive it, it is my hot rod, no Grandma driving for me, so being easy on it, is not an option.
Did some google searches today and what I am seeing is that the 1984- 85 RX 7 rear-end with the the LSD and rear disc brakes is the best option. Big project, but may be cheaper then just the axles.
I would just wait for the Winners Circle axles but Rob told me I may break them if I beat on them to hard.
Has anyone on the BCF done this, any info would be helpful.
Cheers Phil

 

[texas_bugeye]

There is a guy in the Bay area that has that setup. there is a writeup on his web page. email him he has been involved in a few of these mods.


https://pages.sbcglobal.net/jbcarey/NewJCarey/news.html

 

[Guest]

I would recommend you go that route. I think you'll be happy with it. A new strong diff and disc brakes for about the price of a set of good axles.

I was under the impression at one point in time they came in 3.26 or 3.55, but I was mistaken. ratios run b/w 3.90 and 4.10.

Going to look at a '79 RX with fresh paint tommorrow. Looks like a good deal. My buddy stole it out from under me before and now he wants to get rid of it. He can't get it to crank, but I know I can !!!! 84K original. It's a nice little car.

 

[JPSmit]

is there paint on the car Phil?

where you been?

 

[ChrisS]

Are you breaking them at the splined end or the flanged end? I have double bearing hubs and WC axles in one car, petty simple swap, A friend is using the same setup on a 120 HP at the rear wheels car (4AGE swap) with no issues. I haven't done the rear end swap but have heard about it. Seems overkill to me even at 100 hp. Do you have a open diff or is it welded? Remember that if it is welded you need to change both axles if you break on because you will overstress the other and it will break soon after.

 

[Guest]

Seems overkill to me .

Is there such a thing?

overkill = never have to worrry again.

Sounds good to me.

 

[MCS]

Thanks for the link Chris, very helpful

Paint, million dollar question, more fun not having to worry about where I park it


std diff, not welded ,the shafts break at the spline. I have the Winners Circle double hubs, would have purchased the shafts at the same time but out of stock


Going to think about the conversion, I wanted rear disc brakes, so this might be the best route. Over kill , no, just my hot rod, makes me happy when I sit on my garage stool and look it at my sprite. As long as it looks mostly stock on the outside I am happy.

thanks for the help
Phil

off today, one axle to go, then off to parts store for diff oil should be driving before the rain, going to keep my foot of the gas for now.

 

[glemon]

I have heard the uprated axles are better, but you can still break them, but it sure would be a lot less blood sweat and tears than installing a new rear end.

Your story brought back memories of me fishing the broken stub out of my old '67 sprite with its 65 hp, which I liked to drive "spritely" back in the day too.

As I recall I used a broomstick or some other long stick to poke it out from the other side of the diff.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

If you swap to an RX7 with limited slip, then it might be worth the trouble.
I'm considering this myself, but to date I have not broken an axle. Most likely I can thank my clutch slippage for that.

 

[mightymidget]

https://www.british-cars.net/mg-midget-sp...22592115822.htm

something eles to read over

 

[aeronca65t]

https://the-mite.com/mite22.htm

 

[MCS]

the mite site is very helpful, thanks

I emailed John Carey, (https://pages.sbcglobal.net/jbcarey/NewJCarey/news.html) we had a good phone conversation very easy guy to talk too, I learned lots.
, lots of good information on his site.

I am now trying to source a RX7 rear end, not to many local. Called 20 wreckers, nothing around. I have found four cars and going to look at one Friday night. Really hate to bring a car home and park it in my drive, while I rip the rear end out.

Phil

 

[JPSmit]

Phil, look around a bit - saw this at the RX7 club - looks like you could find what you need

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=877096

 

[MCS]

Hey Jp

thanks for the site.

I think I have one. It is the correct car for my project. I can take it away for 400.00, she wanted 8, the car has been siting in a garage since 2002, does not run. Now I wonder how much a tow cost, 35 km distance. Then what do I do with a RX 7 with out back legs, my neighbors will love me.

As a side note, been a couple of months since I have taken the engine out. So yesterday I took it out, trying to catch up to Jack, took me 4 hours. The datsun trans slows me down very tight fit. I still have a driveline vibration and decided I needed to look at the trans. Found the front seal housing release bearing guide broken off. Had to order one from Japan. Also found the driveshaft snout has some play in it. Not sure why, it is brand new from rivergate. Looks like the u joint does not fit properly in the machined snout. I have a good driveline shop looking at the problem . Looks like I will be 3-4 weeks with out my LBC
Cheers Phil

 

[jlaird]

Jack will happly give up the title. No more engine pulls for me this year, I hope. I am ready to drive and show and clean and such.

 

[MCS]

Hey Jack how many times in the last year have you had the motor out. I have lost count, for me at least 4 times, I think if I can get past the 6 month mark I will celebrate, take her a part and paint it for JP. So JP prey for me, maybe we can get 6 months this year.

Phil

Rx 7 should be in my drive by late Sunday, more fun- it was so easy when stock

 

[jlaird]

Last year and a half it has been 7 times. But I am done now, no leaks and tranny is great.

 

[JPSmit]

Hey Jack how many times in the last year have you had the motor out. I have lost count, for me at least 4 times, I think if I can get past the 6 month mark I will celebrate, take her a part and paint it for JP. So JP prey for me, maybe we can get 6 months this year.

Phil

Rx 7 should be in my drive by late Sunday, more fun- it was so easy when stock

cool! you around Sunday PM? I might be able to squeeze in a drive.

 

[MCS]

I missed your post JP, I was in the garage, sorry

I now have a RX 7 on my lift, the rear end is out and on the floor. So now I must decide what to do with the car. I noticed my neighbor one street over has a RX 7 parked in his drive, the car looked the same, same blue, same model. I often see him out in his TR6 but have never had a chance to speak to him. So today I did the neighborly thing and went for a visit. Under the hood of the identical RX 7 he has a 383 V8, my eyes dropped out of my head. Over 400 hp and all using the stock rear end. He takes it to the drag strip and gives it a beating, so looks like- yes over kill for my hotrod at maybe 100 hp, but big smile , no more broken half shafts. His RX 7 is very clean, nice sleeper, looks stock inside and outside.
He said he may take a few bits. Good day in the garage.

Hey Jack, are you sure there is oil in that thing, must drip a little. Going to be in Fort Lauderdale 3 times this week, so close but so far.

Cheers Phil

 

[jlaird]

Has been no oil on floor for almost two weeks now and she has been run maybe 20 miles at this point.

Think I will sneak out to the garage and just check again, I can't beleive it either.

UPDATE: Hehe, no oil leak and she had been out for a good run today as I got the bonnett back on her, my neighbors are getting good at that.