1973 RX3 project

[j_man1100]

Are you familiar with this YouTube build? He's dealing with slightly different components (no transaxle), but it might be useful as you plan your suspension. The entire build is worth watching, and he's doing some incredible work.
https://youtu.be/O0dUbfkHQvk

I’ve not seen that before. I’ll do some watching though. Thanks!

And does anyone know anything about converting the torque tube to a driveshaft? Not much about doing it. A few people seem to have for the diff when running a conventional trans off the motor. Can’t seem to find much on an outright replacement of the torque tube.

[Vimes]

And does anyone know anything about converting the torque tube to a driveshaft? Not much about doing it. A few people seem to have for the diff when running a conventional trans off the motor. Can’t seem to find much on an outright replacement of the torque tube.

Why would you want to do away with the torque tube? I can think of a several reasons to keep it, but not one good reason to get rid of it. Mind you, I'm not one of those who thinks the factory did it right every time, and love seeing people do stuff their own way, but in this case I can't see a benefit.

[dhutton]

So another piece of the crazy puzzle came home today. While it solves some issues, it creates a few more.

I have been working hard to figure out what to do for a transmission. A lot of options were just too big. I could widen the trans tunnel but that would leave very little foot room. So then the brainwave hit. Transaxle. Looked around at a bunch of options but the obvious answer became c5 corvette. Managed to pick one up reasonably cheap and now I have to figure out him to mount it and it may be a complete custom rear subframe. And some more cutting of the floor. But that’s ok. Should be fun. A lot of cutting and measuring to do but I’m sure it will work. And also have to cut down the torque tube. Seems like there’s several shops that do it, any recommendations?

Attachment 181567Attachment 181568Attachment 181569

I had my torque tube lengthened by Gamel Street Rods. Very easy to work with.

https://gamelstreetrods.com/torque-tube-modification

I’m also using Dobbertin adaptors to install full C5 suspension and drivetrain in my 56 Cameo pickup.

https://rick486.wixsite.com/dobbertinperformance

Don

[j_man1100]

Why would you want to do away with the torque tube? I can think of a several reasons to keep it, but not one good reason to get rid of it. Mind you, I'm not one of those who thinks the factory did it right every time, and love seeing people do stuff their own way, but in this case I can't see a benefit.

Well it was meant to be a simplification. As I get looking further into it, that may not be the case. The stock torque tube will need to be shortened quite a bit. And rebuilt to handle the high RPM. I’d thought it might just be easier to convert to driveshaft. And then I don’t need to pull the whole rear end apart to get to the clutch. Was just a thought.

[Vimes]

No worries, "just a thought" is how some of history's greatest inventions came about. I'd think any driveshaft shop could shorten it for you, but if you want a driveshaft in its place I think you're going to have to move the trans to the engine.

I don't think it's going to be that big a deal on the clutch anyway. That transmission looks like it's bolted to the rear diff the same way the trans would bolt to a transfer case, and it looks like the rear suspension is attached to the cradle as well. When it comes to it, it looks like you could just unbolt the rear cradle, then jack the car up enough to roll the whole thing back a bit to get the trans off the torque tube. It might even make it easier to replace the clutch since you'd be able to get full access to it. This is based off looking at the pics you have.

[Boosted Falcon]

What a fun build, keep going.

[noob5,000,000]

Very cool! I'm a rotary guy myself, currently doing a TII swap in my 2nd gen RX-7.

[j_man1100]

Hey Guys

So brief update. The car is mothballed for the winter. I picked up a really nice 1988 rx7 project that I’ll get back on the road as a driver while I work on the rx3 next year. Not to mention the fact that back in July we were able to welcome my son into the world. My wife and I couldn’t be happier with the little guy but it’s certainly lead to a bit less garage time. But not held back any planning. The transaxle fab work will happen next spring and hopefully the 20b will get a rebuild over the winter. But the rx7 is currently out for paint and the plan is to have it road ready come spring. Attached are a few pictures of it coming out of the horse barn it was stored in. Needs to have the interior put back together and obviously a new windshield. Otherwise it’s low miles and rust free.

[andrewb70]

The first LS swap that I did was a FC.

[ryeguy2006a]

Love the way that those 20b motors sound!

[Flintstones]

How's the progress been on the build?

[Senek67RS]

Hey Guys

So brief update. The car is mothballed for the winter. I picked up a really nice 1988 rx7 project that I’ll get back on the road as a driver while I work on the rx3 next year. Not to mention the fact that back in July we were able to welcome my son into the world. My wife and I couldn’t be happier with the little guy but it’s certainly lead to a bit less garage time. But not held back any planning. The transaxle fab work will happen next spring and hopefully the 20b will get a rebuild over the winter. But the rx7 is currently out for paint and the plan is to have it road ready come spring. Attached are a few pictures of it coming out of the horse barn it was stored in. Needs to have the interior put back together and obviously a new windshield. Otherwise it’s low miles and rust free.

Had an 87 NA and 2 88 Turbos. Loved those cars, a lot of fun to drive.