Click the image above for more pics of our rubbish racer.
"So you're really going to do this, huh?" We've lost count as to how many times we've heard that line over the course of the last two months. After covering the event live this past July, we came away from the 24 Hours of LeMons with dreams of surviving the crap-car enduro the next time it came around, and now it's official. We've been accepted, we've got a car and now, the unfortunate task of getting ready for the event begins.
We've secured a 1988 Mazda FC RX-7 for the "race", and by all outward appearances, it looks like a perfect contender. Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, plenty of space between the bumper and the engine to fit a V-mounted radiator when the inevitable front-end collisions occur – it's all there, well kind of. We still have to install a radiator, fit a new rear end, rip out the interior, make a cage and install all the required safety equipment. Oh, and the brakes aren't working. But that's all little stuff easily solved during the endless late nights we plan on putting into the build. And naturally, we'll be covering it all between now and the weekend of October 20 and 21.
Our friends at Modacar are helping with the build and are supplying us with a few hot shoes in the form of Casey Horner, Jay Juane, Brad Wood and Ken Falconitin, not to mention yours truly.
In the meantime, watch this space for ongoing updates, and although we've already got a temporary team name, we're open to your suggestions. Because just like everything else with LeMons, it's all about constant improvisation.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Paul Y @ Aug 24th 2007 8:17PM
Good luck to Autoblog on this ridiculous endeavor.
Honestly, if the opportunity arose, I'd enter the 24 Hours of LeMons in a heartbeat (being on the other side of the country, and not having the few grand it would take to even show up sorta puts me out of the running). Still, this is one of the cooler motorsport events out there, even if only because no one's managed to screw it up with corporate crap yet.
Bizzle @ Aug 24th 2007 8:26PM
Awesome, good luck and make that car look nice :)
SPG @ Aug 24th 2007 8:29PM
Fine 80's cars never get the respect they deserve.
I'm a little sad to know this RX-7's going to go out like this really.
However I love LeMons.
FC RX7 Driver @ Aug 24th 2007 8:36PM
Great choice! I have a N/A S4 FC as well. I love this car! Rotary engines can run hot, so make sure your running FULL synthetics everywhere! And throw some Royal Purple ICE into the radiator as well. Keep the temp down! If you can accomplish that (and your engine is in good running condition) you'll do great.
Rotary engines can Rev for days. 24hour race in a Rotary shouldn't be a problem, if anything that gives you an advantage. BTW if you open the exhaust system you could gain 25hp in there. Also consider switching to the newer VDI intake system from the 89+ cars that's another 12-15whp. Good luck, have fun, and represent the rotary!
Vexorg @ Aug 25th 2007 4:02AM
Synthetic fluids would probably be a bit of a stretch on a $500 budget. Not to mention the fact you'd probably earn BSF points for using them anyway.
Oh yeah, and the rules also say you can't run anything but plain old water in the radiator for safety reasons.
giantcircle @ Aug 25th 2007 11:44AM
rotary engines are designed to burn oil as a mechanism to lubricate/cool the apex seal. Thus, I would not recommend using synthetic oil. Instead, use the money to make sure she is running reliably + change out items like hoses & brakes & etc.
FC RX7 Driver @ Aug 24th 2007 8:41PM
Oh just looked at the pictures, looks like someone already fitted an S5 manifold onto you S4, you have a VDI dynamic chamber! Focus on the exhaust then.
Barney @ Aug 24th 2007 8:52PM
May there be enough parts left running, to say you won. Good luck on this esteemed endevour.
Alex @ Aug 24th 2007 9:22PM
ha, this should be the funnest endeavor ever.
best of luck, hope that thing survives. it's an iconic car by my standards.
Carlos @ Aug 24th 2007 9:29PM
Did you seriously get that RX-7 for under the price cap??
Damon Lavrinc @ Aug 24th 2007 11:24PM
Yeah, we got it for an out the door price of FREE.
catgirlshyla @ Aug 26th 2007 1:38AM
I call BSF on that claim!!
British_Rover @ Aug 24th 2007 10:11PM
Ehh temperamental high mileage rotary motor ehh I don't think it will last that long. All the room under the hood is a big plus though so if you add enough cooling too it plus use synthetics that will help. Not sure if it will be enough.
ckm @ Aug 24th 2007 10:19PM
The biggest things about high-mileage RX7's is that the rotor tips leak making for hard starts (pull the fuel injection fuse so you can crank it without soaking the plugs and be ready to take the plugs out so you can clear the excess fuel...) and lots of oil burning.
Also, if it has ABS brakes, the pump probably leaks like a sieve. You can replace it with a bunch of brake plumbing as a new one costs $3k, if it's still available.
Finally, get some calipers from a Turbo II or a GTU. They weight much less than the stock cast iron ones...
Chris.
Patrick @ Aug 25th 2007 3:25AM
Is That A Lotus Parked Next To The Rx7? Just Curious
Damon Lavrinc @ Aug 25th 2007 12:43PM
It is. Specifically, it's the Forced Fed turbo Elise, with what I think is the shop's "340" package.
dougefresh @ Aug 25th 2007 10:47AM
Team name: LeMons Pubis
FC RX7 Driver @ Aug 25th 2007 1:31PM
I know that, but that's why I recommend high quality synthetics like redline and royal purple. Even Mazda's 3 and 4 rotor enginges run synthetics. Read up on the topic:
http://www.royalpurple.com/techa/faqsa.html
http://www.royalpurple.com/techa/faqsa.html#re0
Aetius @ Aug 25th 2007 12:55PM
Team Autoflog
Autoblog Apricots (because ur nuts to enter in this haha).
Brett @ Aug 25th 2007 12:59PM
Oh yeah, that's going to be awesome. I look at that engine department and see all the lightness that can be added there. Axe the AC, PS, and air/smog pump. A double pulley will be needed to keep enough enough tension on the water pump at high revs if you do this though. If it truly is a S4 motor then exhaust back pressure is used to power the VDI valving system. This could get tricky to make work if you open up the exhaust. The intake looks like it is a S5, and in that case, the air/smog pump generates the needed pressure, so if you remove the air/smog pump, you need another source of pressurized air. The pump is pretty heavy and a waste of revs and hp, so working around it could be worth it. You might want to put in plug in place of the eccentric shaft oil bypass valve to make sure you have oil flow to the rotors at all time. The plug is real cheap, and not too hard to get to if you have a 3/4" drive impact wrench and the radiator out. Oh yeah, keep an eye on your oil cooler lines, lose one of those and the engine is done.
Good luck,
Brett