1970 1600 in Northern California

[wick24]

Hello all! My name is Nick, I live in Santa Rosa, CA and I Purchased my 1970 1600 Roadster this Sunday. I owned a 1965 1600 probably 6-7 years ago and loved it for the month I was able to drive it. Unfortunately the transmission grenaded and I was forced to sell it. Recently I have been fantasizing about getting another roadster and found a great deal locally for a total of $550 delivered to my garage! It's going to be a massive project, but this car has definitely found the right home. I still need to give it a proper inspection this week and I will take more pictures. Plans are to separate the body from the chassis, remove all the rust, replace the fenders that have been eaten away by rust and give her some fresh paint. The driver's side (and maybe the passenger) floor pan will need to be cut out and replaced. I will likely go the sr20det route with rx7 gsl-se LSD rear end and other modifications will be determined as I progress. I look forward to getting to know you guys!

P.S. Sorry about the terrible phone picture. Better quality pictures will come soon!

[notoptoy]

Welcome! This looks like an ambitious plan. Taking the whole bite versus getting there in steps is a big leap. Any chance to get it running and driving before going in whole hog? Regardless of your approach, I wish you the best and rest assured that all the help you could possible need is available or accessible right here on this forum!

[S Allen]

Welcome. Looks like a good project. Look forward to reading about your progress.

Steve

[Mackn367]

Excited to see another Cali Roadster! See you on the road soon

[2mAn]

Is that a clownshoe in the garage with it?

[wick24]

Is that a clownshoe in the garage with it?

Close. It's a z3 roadster. Apparently I have a thing for roadsters haha.

[wick24]

Welcome! This looks like an ambitious plan. Taking the whole bite versus getting there in steps is a big leap. Any chance to get it running and driving before going in whole hog? Regardless of your approach, I wish you the best and rest assured that all the help you could possible need is available or accessible right here on this forum!

I may see if I can get it running and driving before I start a transplant. It all depends on my inspection later today. I haven't had a chance to give it a real good look over yet.

[2mAn]

Is that a clownshoe in the garage with it?

Close. It's a z3 roadster. Apparently I have a thing for roadsters haha.

Please tell me its a 97/98 MY with the M52tu motor?

[wick24]

Please tell me its a 97/98 MY with the M52tu motor?
[/quote]

It's a 97 m52b28 non tu, m3 cams, tuned. Fun car but I'm considering selling/ parting it out to help fund this project.

[2mAn]

I always get them mixed up, but thats the Single Vanos, right? I had that motor in my last E30. M50 intake, S52 cams. 225whp in a 2450# street car, full interior, stereo, etc. Lots of fun...

Must be fun, but that ride height would scare me

SR20DET in this one should be a blast too... what else is in the plans for it?

[mraitch]

Welcome.
Post what you need. You never !

[wick24]

I always get them mixed up, but thats the Single Vanos, right? I had that motor in my last E30. M50 intake, S52 cams. 225whp in a 2450# street car, full interior, stereo, etc. Lots of fun...

Must be fun, but that ride height would scare me

SR20DET in this one should be a blast too... what else is in the plans for it?

Yea, It's a single vanos engine.

For the 1600 think I'm between the sr20det, ca18det and sr20de for the powertrain. I Still have yet to choose my brake upgrades. Suspension wise I don't plan on doing anything quite as extreme as my z3. I was thinking custom rate/length Swift Springs up front with composite Flex-form leafs in the rear, 7/8 or 23mm front sway bar, shocks are tbd, and new rubber bushings or I'll see if i can mold some poly bushings. For the wheels I'll be looking for some classic SSR's or other 2/3 piece wheels in either 14" or 15". I'm not sure what color I'll be painting it yet, but I'm definitely open to suggestions. The interior is absolutely trashed so my girlfriend and I are going to reupholster as much as we can ourselves.

[2mAn]

I see you have love for SSRs also... my E30 has a set of TypeCs that I bought when I got my first E30 back in 2011 (or '12), Ive been through 3 E30s but Ive kept the wheels each time and now even have a full size spare...

If you arent picky on the motor, and havent bought anything yet, I would research the work each one requires as well as your goal for power. Theres a few cars in your neck of the woods, I know Alvin in San Jose has a SR20, not sure who else is out there but it would help to get a ride in swapped cars to give you an idea if a particular motor will be enough or not. Nothing like going through all that work and not liking the completed car

[wick24]

So I (actually my girlfriend) finally got around to taking pictures. Yes I realize it's going to be a very involved project. This last weekend I picked up a Lincoln MIG welder, 2 ton engine hoist, and an rx7 GSL-SE rear axle housing complete with axles, vented rotors, and calipers. The rear end is only missing the rear cover and 3rd member. I plan on sourcing a ring and pinion and torsen unit from a 94+ Miata to complete it. This weekend I'll remove the engine and transmission and remove the body from the frame to see if it's a solid enough platform to work with. Also, is there a good place on here to create a build thread?

[2mAn]

is there a good place on here to create a build thread?

Mine is in the members rides, I think a lot of people also use the swap section, especially in your case.

Good luck! I’ll be in San Jose for thanksgiving, I expect good progress by then