Akpilot's Roadster

[Akpilot]

Worked on the steering last weekend, sure is nice rolling the car around the shop with steering once again.

Ak

[empera]

This is simply amazing...hats off to ya!

[Akpilot]

Thanks Empera...just hoping I know where it's going

Now that the steering and down pipe is pretty much done I can see where the rear engine mount goes. Been thinking of just leaving it off and not cluster that tight area anymore than necessary but yep can't leave it alone so I made one arm so far.

Ak

[mraitch]

Serious roadster porn

[Akpilot]

Not much photogenic progress to report but I have been moving wires Seems that every wire that is on the left side needs to be on the right and visa versa. Oh well hopefully it still runs after I'm through. Also put in a little time on the shifting linkage, just need to figure out how to get my foot down there to shift it

Akpilot

[RCMike]

This is going to be sequential, right? Can't wait to hear this run..

[Akpilot]

RCMike

Yes it will use the sequential 6 speed of the Bikes transmission, there will be a linkage from the stock location to the OEM shift lever. I'll tap and thread holes along the shift lever to get the throw I'm looking for.
On another note I just located a RX7 rear end and unfortunately the lowest gear ratio I can find is 4.77, I would like to be in the 5 to 1 ratio but from my sand rail specialists they think the Busa should pull that with no problem. I was thinking I read somewhere that they did make a 5.12:1 or something like that. The only other option is to go to a heavier axle like a 8.8 or 9" to get the lower gears.

Ak

[Alvin]

amazing work. I'm really keen on your solution to the shift linkage

[Akpilot]

Long time no post... I finally located a RX7 rear end and had it shipped from Colorado, with that found I went ahead and purchased the rims. I went with the Rota RB's and got them in the staggered 16"x7" and 8" for the rear. They both have a offset of +10. Now for the wheels. It is really hard to find 16" tires, in hindsight maybe should have gone with something different but oh well. Here is what I've got so far.

Ak

[RCMike]

Unless you seriously firm that up, the axle will move significantly from side to side. Sounds like you have some plans.. Looking forward to hearing your solutions.

[pebbles]

I like it! love it actually.

[Alvin]

why no RB-R???

[Akpilot]

Unless you seriously firm that up, the axle will move significantly from side to side. Sounds like you have some plans.. Looking forward to hearing your solutions.

Yes Mike I have some plans.... I originally was thinking of a triangulated 4 link rear with the RX7 axle. Packaging would have been great, no pan hard bar or watts link behind rear axle, easy over the axle exhaust, simple right? After some research yes it would work but roll center is much higher than what's current (roll center on a leaf spring is where springs meet the axle tube). So now I'm leaning towards the Pan hard Bar as the roll center is in the middle of the pan hard bar. Watts link I think is nicer but more complicated and heavier and is it that much better on a limited suspension stroke. So yea thinking 4 link with pan hard bar.

Thanks Pebbles, hopefully the Busa can turn the rear meats.

Alvin, what's the difference in RB and RB-R's

Ak

[RCMike]

I like! Can't wait for more pictures!!

RB look like Panasports. RB-R look like Watanabes..

Just a different shaped spoke

[Alvin]

I like! Can't wait for more pictures!!

RB look like Panasports. RB-R look like Watanabes..

Just a different shaped spoke

Actually the "RKR" is their Watanabe replica:



The RB-R has thinner, more concave spokes when compared to the flat face/banana spoke of the RB:



The 16x8 RB-R would have looked sick, especially since you are running super wide tires. But the standard RB is great for that sleeper effect!