My old 12 second 1/4 mile RX-2

[Glenn Butcher]

Hi all,

Thought I would post this up.

Here is my 1971 RX-2 that was my first car. I eventually ran a best time of 12.9 @ 105mph (Eastern Creek) with a Webber fed bridgeport and slicks.

[db2boy]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm :)

[Fish]

Oh no, Ants getting ideas!!!! :flamed

Dan

[Jonrms]

WOW
that must have been fun.
car looks nice too.

[Glenn Butcher]

Just thinking about the ol' girl...have any of you guys launched REALLY hard on a set of slicks? i.e. 1.7-1.8 0-60ft times?

It is an amazing feeling, the night I ran the 12.9, I ran about 4 very low 13's before-hand.

On the last run of the night, I left the line at 10,500rpm and flat changed all the way down the track.

I can clearly remember the feeling of leaving the line that hard, it is almost like you black out temporarily then before you know it you have to pull second gear.

Ant - do your driveline first, you won't regret it. It was my cars eventual downfall in the end, as I had a custom centre in the diff. with ford 9inch axels (can't remember the car they were from) but I had really bad vibrations through the rear end. Cost me quite a bit, and had to be in and out of the car a number of times. Before that I think in total I went through around 15 standard Mazda RX-2 axels (some being changed at the track) 4 diff centres - locked ones also. And I snapped a propshaft at around 70mph.

Once it is done right, you can just forget about it. So work out how fast you want to go, will it need tubs etc. and will it need a £1000 or a £4000 rear end. RX-2's will run comfortable 10's with a non-tubbed set-up, see here: http://www.mymazdarotary.com/mazda_rotary_events/drag_racing/drag_racing_videos/sydney_12-2001_videos/red_rx-2_02.mpg

[Carl]

looks nice Glenn.
Hopefully I will be joining you soon in the 12's in my RX3,since my terminal was 108 mph it should be in there.
Regards
Carl:cool

[Glenn Butcher]

Hi mate! yep - with the right strength rear end, right gearing and tyres, that is easily a 12 second car.

Come on mate :)

[richrx]

what power were you running?

what i find amusing is the spectatots hair styles:rollin :rollin :rollin :wave :D

[maximtaylor]

How long ago was the photo taken Glenn?

Having not been in the club that long, I don't really know your history, so to speak!

I think I'm going to have to go for an early rotary as well, perhaps as a third car ;)

I need a bigger garage......and really have the bug for rotors :))

Regards

Max

[Glenn Butcher]

:rollin

I owned the car from around 1990 - 1996, some info. here on my personal website:
http://www.mymazdarotary.com/mazda_rotary/rx-2/rx-2_photos/rx-2_photos.htm

There is also a short video:
http://www.mymazdarotary.com/mazda_rotary/rx-2/rx-2_videos/rx-2_videos.htm

Mullet's everywhere then! glad to say I never had one :)

That 12 second engine (13B Webber fed Bridgeport) probably had around 250-260FWHP, but the car started with a 12A Bridgeport, to a 13B mild port (with a standard carby), to a Webber and Electronic ignition, to a 13B bridgeport, to a 13B turbo engine, to a 13B mild port turbo engine (both the turbo engines controlled by a Microtech ECU). I never got the most out of the turbo engine because of one engine failure, and the engine not being legal in the car, (and the problems I had with the diff/axels).

The older Mazda's really are great, as they are light - therefore bloody quick when you put reasonable power in them.

The funny thing is that 10 years down the track and a 12 second car here in the UK would still be very quick :) if only I still had it!

.ps Max - I have been here around 5 years now (from Sydney originally).

[richrx]

really jellous mate the rx-2 looks really good condition, i hope it went to a good home.

[Glenn Butcher]

Yeah, she did for a while - but was eventually written off unfortunately but the second guy who owned it after me.

Was a good car :) many memories.

.ps Another thing I rememer from the drags, I was a bit of a burnout king :) I use to put it in 3rd gear, rev it to 8000rpm drop the clutch and just sit with the foot on the brake (did great burnouts!)

.pps Maybe she is resting in peace eh! :)

[db2boy]

Getting ideas? Been having ideas for a long time :) I hear you on the driveline, and along with the constant pro's and con's of NA vs Turbo going on in my head (oh and NA is winning at the moment btw!) driveline is probably the other main area of thought. In fact I just replaced the gearbox in the FD today (5th synchro being notchy not good to sell it on) and whilst supping my tea realised I would no longer question the monies of running a twin-plate - and came back to the arse end of what to do in the project car..........

I have been looking into the whole 9" scene, whilst tested and proven, Im also pondering a few other alternatives a little more available on our island and not as costly as 9" stuff - damn hot rodders ;)

Whilst having the project-X car sitting and ready to go (once FD has gone), I unfortunately missed a nice RX-3 GT in Japan this week, complete with lots of nice stuff including a 48 IDA setup :( Then again the 3 110's I have been offered are a little more tempting :)

Rgds

Ant

[Fish]

Originally posted by gbutcher
.ps Another thing I rememer from the drags, I was a bit of a burnout king :) I use to put it in 3rd gear, rev it to 8000rpm drop the clutch and just sit with the foot on the brake (did great burnouts!)


All I have to say is, BMW at the Pod!!!! ;)

Dan :rollin

[richrx]

"I unfortunately missed a nice RX-3 GT in Japan this week"

hey got any site's for the auctions you search for the rx-3's, im contenplating importing one. Any info would be appreciated;)

[Fish]

Rich, best drop Miguel a mail at NewEra Imports. He knows what he's looking out for.

Dan

[db2boy]

No sorry, I just have a few contacts out in Japan that keep an eye out for parts, books, goodies, cars - anything I ask them to. Most of the auction stuff in Japan the sellers dont ship internationally, like with Ebay, so you need to have good friends out in Japan to do the work for you!

Rgds

Ant


Originally posted by richrx
"I unfortunately missed a nice RX-3 GT in Japan this week"

hey got any site's for the auctions you search for the rx-3's, im contenplating importing one. Any info would be appreciated;)

[richrx]

cheers guys

[EScalade]

wow id be happy to get my 75 616 13B J-port with weber down in the 12's:bandit

[Carl]

Hi Escalade,
What diff ratio are you running?If you had a 5/1 in it you may get into the 12's if you launch really hard.
Kind regards
Carl

[re10]

http://list1.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/2084048065-category-leaf.html?&f=&at=true&alocale=0jp&escrow=0

This has a few Savanna's from time to time... but like someone else metioned, you need a local to help out...

:cool

[EScalade]

Originally posted by Carl
Hi Escalade,
What diff ratio are you running?If you had a 5/1 in it you may get into the 12's if you launch really hard.
Kind regards
Carl

Im running stock 3.9 ratio locked center.
Gearbox is S5 RX-7 Turbo.
Thinking of swapping to Hilux LSD with 4.11 or similar soon.