So I can now say I have removed nearly every part of an rx8!! I'll be removing the rear subframe next week to make way for the billet aluminium mazdatrix bushings. My friend suggested it, as I am already replacing ALL the other bushings and coilovers. Easy for him, it's my money. Grrr

Had to take the suspension components to the shop for bush fitment as It took me an hr to remove just one!! Helps to have the right tools I guess.

Oh n the new clutch is a work of art!! Courtesy of Direct Clutch Service. Twin plate 5 button HD!! Billet is sexy. Shame we won't see it once it's in.

 

Well after a week of welding research I had another crack at it. Pretty happy this time. Tho I'll wear protective jacket next time, gave my stomach sunburn lol welders flash.
I also welded up a 1/2 inch drilled hole for practice and ground it back. I didn't actually completely fill the hole from back, hence the tiny hole left after grinding.

So I then had a crack at 2mm mild and it all went to *****!! Just couldn't get the settings right grrr

 

Not much goin on in the engine dept yet. Waiting for a friend to weld up the right hand side chassis rail where I cut the lip for clearance. I'm not game to do it yet.
Still busy purchasing parts tho
RB sways
Mazda trix subframe billet bush kit

Hopefully welding will be sorted this sat, then full steam ahead next week.

 

Why billet subframe bushings? Don't they make poly subframe bushings? And what would be the benefit of billet, more rigidity? I'm thinking you'd get alot of noise from the billet bushings.

 

Thats looking pretty good, id still focus on the porosity. Thats whats going to make it weak. You can grind down an ugly weld.

 

If the fit is right, then no noise I'm guessing. It's locking up the rear sub, effectively eliminating subframe bushings. Yes, better rigidity.

 

Final tank design approval. Hopefully will be built/delivered start of dec, sooner I hope

 

I would like to say that this thread is a gold mine. Thank you so much for your documentation.

 

Hey thanks for the kind words.

 

D DAY!! Today my welding buddy is coming over to start the new turbo manifold, weld up the chassis rail where I cut the lip an machine the inlet manifold to accommodate the lpg injectors.
Woohoo!!
Updates coming peeps.

 

Oh yeh I forgot to mention I found a brand new Setrab oil cooler from Merc amg for $95!!
Almost the same as my $600 setrab cooler, so it's gonna be the heat exchanger for water/air intercooler. Bargain.
The one at bottom is $600 one ill use for oil cooling.
What's do u all think is best, the big one for oil or the small one? Which is gonna need to work hardest? Oil or intake air?

 

You could have just bought a few regular 2000cc injectors that support cng, lpg, etc.

 

I bought the injectors as part of a kit. Including convertors, and ecu. These are what profire recommend for vapour injection

 

Chassis rail sorted

Making a bracket now for the AC compressor to top mount. I hope it's ok to run one very large belt???

My 1st butt weld. Pretty happy, makes a difference when an expert sets up the machine for u.

 

So happy to own a welder. Now making a rx8 ac compressor bracket to top mount where the alt used to live.
Beauty is the larger diameter pulley lets the belt clear the -20 fittings.
Hope I can find a belt long enough

 

Frankenstein Steering knuckle. Half rx8 n half rx7.

 

My first aluminium welded bracket for radiator. What a mission

 

Your souposed to show pics before grinding.

It looks pretty good from here.

 

So you're going to use a 4pk belt instead of a 5pk?

 

Haha no way!!
It did penetrate tho. It's like 4mm thick too. So the first weld was real hard, but after that the metal was quite warm n made it easier.

 

Pk?

The stock rx8 belt seems to fit the pulley quite well. No water pump remember. So rx8 ac and alt and crank pulley

 

Just realized I didn't post pics of finished ac brackets
And the agency rear links arrived

I think the lpg tank Is gonna delay the finish time. Grrr.

 

Mounted the oil filter ped on a housing. Not sure if this is a great idea yet but I foresee a shortage of bay space ahead.
Between the lpg convertors, heater hoses to said convertors, oil lines, radiator tank, intercooler water lines, 2 stroke tank, catch can and windscreen washer tank, it's gonna be tricky.

Oh yeh bought these too

 

Where to start, ummm
Well, the lpg kit supplier broke his legs courtesy if a motorbike accident, so the ecu isn't ready.
The suspension shop boss took two weeks holiday in the USA so my bushes aren't unsalted, after two weeks wait.

The lpg tank suppliers haven't given me the final quote or eta either. Grrrr

I used these battery brackets for my radiator install. Looks Better than my brackets lol

Dress up washers n bolts came in handy.

Started relocating the ecu n fuse box, holy FK!! Gotta strip n solder crimp n insulate about 200 wires total. Grrrrr

 

I gotta hand it to you guys that do these swaps. That bundle of wires makes me queasy