Jesters Collection - Mazda 3MPS/RX8 R3/RX7/MINI Cooper S
Discussion
RX7
So I went away for a week training. Came back and the wife told me we'd had some decent precipitation, so with baited breath I lifted the boot hatch and had.....absolutely no water run down the boot struts. Whisper it quietly.......it may be fixed
So she was dropped off at TPS yesterday for the following work.
Complete rebushing underneath.
New engine mounts.
Diff brace fitting.
Alignment
Removal and refurbishing of the steering rack.
New steering UJ.
Oil + filter
Popping off the wiper arms for sandblasting and refreshing.
So she will be away for a few weeks, the wallet will take a bashing but she should drive like an absolute dream afterwards.
Rocketeer
Called up Bruce for a chat and he said my donor is being stripped and should be heading off as a shell to be dipped very shortly. Am booking to go and visit the workshop hopefully at the beginning of May!
So I went away for a week training. Came back and the wife told me we'd had some decent precipitation, so with baited breath I lifted the boot hatch and had.....absolutely no water run down the boot struts. Whisper it quietly.......it may be fixed
So she was dropped off at TPS yesterday for the following work.
Complete rebushing underneath.
New engine mounts.
Diff brace fitting.
Alignment
Removal and refurbishing of the steering rack.
New steering UJ.
Oil + filter
Popping off the wiper arms for sandblasting and refreshing.
So she will be away for a few weeks, the wallet will take a bashing but she should drive like an absolute dream afterwards.
Rocketeer
Called up Bruce for a chat and he said my donor is being stripped and should be heading off as a shell to be dipped very shortly. Am booking to go and visit the workshop hopefully at the beginning of May!
Updaaaaaaaaaaates!
RX7
Unfortunately TPS have been very busy and work hasn't started just yet. No biggie, hoping to have it done by the end of May. All fingers crossed.
MPS
Got its first clean in a long time, the mucky thing as we were heading to Rocketeer and I needed to blow the cobwebs off. She fired up and performed flawlessly for the 250 odd mile trip.
As luck would have it someone in the MPS groups managed to pop a cylinder pushing for close to 500bhp and decided to break his car and sell off the goodies. I may have secured some OZ Ultraleggera's and 8 pot KSport calipers for an absolute steal, the kind of steal that I felt almost bad for the owner.
The wheels should be the right dimensions to run under stock arches at the aero ride height without rubbing and clear the frankly stupid sized calipers.
Rocketeer
So I managed to pop down to see Bruce at Rocketeer for a chat and to see my shell. It looks like they managed to secure a really good example.
Manged to spend near on 3 hours chatting, putting my vision across for the car and starting to build that relationship. Definitely have a clearer picture of where I want the car to go, while trying to remain remotely objective and within budget. The within budget bit is probably going to be the victim of some insane man maths.
One of the cool things is, it appears my build will only be restomod 5 that Rocketeer have done. So I am in the exclusive single digit club!
We may also still be on for an August/September delivery.
The excitement levels are really beginining to get going.
RX7
Unfortunately TPS have been very busy and work hasn't started just yet. No biggie, hoping to have it done by the end of May. All fingers crossed.
MPS
Got its first clean in a long time, the mucky thing as we were heading to Rocketeer and I needed to blow the cobwebs off. She fired up and performed flawlessly for the 250 odd mile trip.
As luck would have it someone in the MPS groups managed to pop a cylinder pushing for close to 500bhp and decided to break his car and sell off the goodies. I may have secured some OZ Ultraleggera's and 8 pot KSport calipers for an absolute steal, the kind of steal that I felt almost bad for the owner.
The wheels should be the right dimensions to run under stock arches at the aero ride height without rubbing and clear the frankly stupid sized calipers.
Rocketeer
So I managed to pop down to see Bruce at Rocketeer for a chat and to see my shell. It looks like they managed to secure a really good example.
Manged to spend near on 3 hours chatting, putting my vision across for the car and starting to build that relationship. Definitely have a clearer picture of where I want the car to go, while trying to remain remotely objective and within budget. The within budget bit is probably going to be the victim of some insane man maths.
One of the cool things is, it appears my build will only be restomod 5 that Rocketeer have done. So I am in the exclusive single digit club!
We may also still be on for an August/September delivery.
The excitement levels are really beginining to get going.
No huge updates except I went and collected the goodies for the MPS that my good friend picked up for me.
Very happy with what I have managed to snap up.
So some 8 pots....
Featuring some OZ Ultraleggeras
Now at the moment I am in no hurry to refurb the wheels, paint the calipers and fit as I need to keep a lid on spending to throw as much at the Rocketeer as I can. But in my head I'd like to take the OZ's back to a matt bronze and go for a purple on the calipers. Something a little different but in my head will look great.
Very happy with what I have managed to snap up.
So some 8 pots....
Featuring some OZ Ultraleggeras
Now at the moment I am in no hurry to refurb the wheels, paint the calipers and fit as I need to keep a lid on spending to throw as much at the Rocketeer as I can. But in my head I'd like to take the OZ's back to a matt bronze and go for a purple on the calipers. Something a little different but in my head will look great.
Quick update on the RX7
This will just be text but I hope I can convey the emotion of it. Picked her up yesterday from TPS, and the transformation is absolutely incredible.
So just a quick breakdown of work.
1. Full suspension rebush - Bushes supplied by me.
2. Steering rack removed and refurbed.
3. Vibratechnics engine mounts installed (this was an addon on the day of drop off, proved to be a good idea as 1 was way perished)
4. Alignment.
5. Oil & filter.
6. Diff brace fitted & diff oil changed.
7. Ball joints on the upper front arms both split when the arms were removed. Replaced.
8. Sandblast & repaint of wiper arms.
I cannot begin to explain how good the car felt on the drive home. No slop in the steering wheel, I had dead travel in the wheel before the work, now completely disappeared and added weight to the steering. All 4 corners of the car feel more....connected to the road. So much more confidence in the way she handles and puts down the power. I can barely notice the change between the turbos now as she pulls hard to redline.
The only negatives so far, is that she feels a touch firmer and the engine mounts have introduced a bit more exhaust resonance into the cabin but it is by no means a dealbreaker as cruising along it isn't an issue. Just when you are getting on it and ripping up through the gears.
The team at TPS Reece, Josh & Kim have been excellent, and even though the work took a bit longer than originally thought I am extremely happy with the end result. She drives how I always thought the RX7 should, and it also goes to show that buying garage queens is never always straightforward. You buy a solid base, then have to spend to bring them up to a proper driving standard.
This will just be text but I hope I can convey the emotion of it. Picked her up yesterday from TPS, and the transformation is absolutely incredible.
So just a quick breakdown of work.
1. Full suspension rebush - Bushes supplied by me.
2. Steering rack removed and refurbed.
3. Vibratechnics engine mounts installed (this was an addon on the day of drop off, proved to be a good idea as 1 was way perished)
4. Alignment.
5. Oil & filter.
6. Diff brace fitted & diff oil changed.
7. Ball joints on the upper front arms both split when the arms were removed. Replaced.
8. Sandblast & repaint of wiper arms.
I cannot begin to explain how good the car felt on the drive home. No slop in the steering wheel, I had dead travel in the wheel before the work, now completely disappeared and added weight to the steering. All 4 corners of the car feel more....connected to the road. So much more confidence in the way she handles and puts down the power. I can barely notice the change between the turbos now as she pulls hard to redline.
The only negatives so far, is that she feels a touch firmer and the engine mounts have introduced a bit more exhaust resonance into the cabin but it is by no means a dealbreaker as cruising along it isn't an issue. Just when you are getting on it and ripping up through the gears.
The team at TPS Reece, Josh & Kim have been excellent, and even though the work took a bit longer than originally thought I am extremely happy with the end result. She drives how I always thought the RX7 should, and it also goes to show that buying garage queens is never always straightforward. You buy a solid base, then have to spend to bring them up to a proper driving standard.
Fantastic, ever since you got the 7 I was hoping you'd get the chance to enjoy it in good order. For me the FD is a 'chassis car' first and foremost, despite the characterful and high-potential engine, the great looks and the cool factors it's the way it dances towards the limit that's special. Just how it rotates around the driver in response to your inputs, so willing and responsive, is very special, and justifies all the expense of getting it there.
samoht said:
Fantastic, ever since you got the 7 I was hoping you'd get the chance to enjoy it in good order. For me the FD is a 'chassis car' first and foremost, despite the characterful and high-potential engine, the great looks and the cool factors it's the way it dances towards the limit that's special. Just how it rotates around the driver in response to your inputs, so willing and responsive, is very special, and justifies all the expense of getting it there.
Thanks samoht! I just had to have some faith in the car and not judge it by the first drive. That and pop some investment into her!Need to get some miles under the belt now to enjoy and bond with her a bit more.
An update I must admit I wasn't expecting to have to make but.
Due to my wife quite suddenly asking for a divorce last week, I have had to call Bruce and cancel the Rocketeer build. Thankfully for me it looks like I will still be able to keep hold of the MPS, 7 and 8. Oh and keep my house, that being the most important thing!
So major projects aside, hopefully I'll still be able to do some tinkering and continuing the journey on the other cars.
Due to my wife quite suddenly asking for a divorce last week, I have had to call Bruce and cancel the Rocketeer build. Thankfully for me it looks like I will still be able to keep hold of the MPS, 7 and 8. Oh and keep my house, that being the most important thing!
So major projects aside, hopefully I'll still be able to do some tinkering and continuing the journey on the other cars.
Jester86 said:
An update I must admit I wasn't expecting to have to make but.
Due to my wife quite suddenly asking for a divorce last week, I have had to call Bruce and cancel the Rocketeer build. Thankfully for me it looks like I will still be able to keep hold of the MPS, 7 and 8. Oh and keep my house, that being the most important thing!
So major projects aside, hopefully I'll still be able to do some tinkering and continuing the journey on the other cars.
Crumbs, that's a bit of a show stopper.Due to my wife quite suddenly asking for a divorce last week, I have had to call Bruce and cancel the Rocketeer build. Thankfully for me it looks like I will still be able to keep hold of the MPS, 7 and 8. Oh and keep my house, that being the most important thing!
So major projects aside, hopefully I'll still be able to do some tinkering and continuing the journey on the other cars.
Best wishes for as positive an outcome as possible given the circumstances.
Edited by trails on Thursday 29th June 11:27
Thanks for the thoughts gents. I do appreciate it, I hope you will still enjoy the journey as I stumble through!
Definitely leaning more towards Enkei RPF1's for being just as iconic as the TE37's at about half the price.
ThomW said:
White TE37's . You know it makes sense! 
I mean TE37's are probably one of the sexiest wheels going, although they are also eye wateringly expensive Definitely leaning more towards Enkei RPF1's for being just as iconic as the TE37's at about half the price.
That car is for sale in Australia. They’ve got it listed at £100,000 though I’ve a feeling that’s AUS$. Bloody hope so!
https://tokyoteahousejdms.com/products/rx7-bathurs...
https://tokyoteahousejdms.com/products/rx7-bathurs...
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