Part 13: Clearing The Engine Bay - My 76 Mazda RX-5 Cosmo Restoration

[jsupra]

Love the work you do with the Cosmo.Rarities/oddities in the automotive world don't die, they luck out and end up with people like you who bring them back to life and make them better than before.Keep up the good work!! 

[WhatTheHellsAGigawat]

Does the kerosene remove paint and stickers as well?

[aaroncake]

@WhatTheHellsAGigawat It doesn't remove paint (at least not base-clear automotive paint) but it tends to remove most adhesives, so I would assume it would take off stickers.

[WhatTheHellsAGigawat]

Does the kerosene remove paint and stickers as well?

[pqjim]

The RX-5 is a great choice! I really have enjoyed your website. Not only are you very inventive, but you take the time to document every thing so we can share. Thank you, and keep it up! I am an RX-7 guy, but would love to have a clean Cosmo.

[wtfdidusay69]

aaron cake, you my friend are an idol for all rotary enthusiasts.

[TalkinShitOnYouTubb]

I respect the work but why a RX5? I have done this with a 3 coupe. At least its worth somethng at the end of it.

[aaroncake]

@TalkinShitOnYouTubb The RX-5 Cosmo found me, and I liked its weirdness. I could ask the same question though; why an RX-3 coupe? Considering it has a stone age suspension, among other things . ;-)

[TalkinShitOnYouTubb]

@aaroncake Why a 3 coupe? Light, sexiest 70's coupe made. RX3 coupe back quarter panels are sex on wheels. Of course that's a personal opinion but I doubt many will argue the looks of a 3 or a 5. Worst case scenario I know I can sell my 3 in a heartbeat and at least get my money back. RX5.....not so much. Good luck with the build though.

[22ness0hayden]

@TalkinShitOnYouTubb Don't forget the proven motorsport record. I guess they handle even with stone age suspension? Mind you, RX-5 suspension isn't much better... bit like the RX-2 - good on paper but can be easily out-handled by an RX-3 with leaf springs lol

[aaroncake]

@22ness0hayden Not that I have anything against the RX-2, but the Cosmo/RX-5 suspension is much better than the RX-2 and RX-3. For one thing, the Cosmo has a 4 link rear axle, is equipped with LSD and has rear discs. I really don't think that either car is any better than the other, I just have issues when someone asks "Why an RX-5?" and then tells me that it's worth nothing.

[TalkinShitOnYouTubb]

@22ness0hayden Yip, I think that's because the RX3 coupes were the lightest - 884kg (curb weight). I agree the suspension is crap! But hey, some are 40 years old now.

[jefa1234]

When you make another video?

I love seen this videos! Awesome work!

keep Going!

[ProjectCarTV]

@aaroncake - I've been following your RX7 build for many years on your Blog/Website. I can't wait to see what you do with this RX-5. Excellent work!

ProjectCarTV

[clothesonthefloor]

Keep it up man, I'm loving these videos. How much more work before this beauty is finished?

[aaroncake]

@clothesonthefloor Well, considering that you're still seeing videos of teardown work being completed and I haven't even started really on the exterior body, quite a lot. :-) When a person is sitting in an engine bay, it's a sign the car won't be on the road for a while...

[infinite7z]

15:30 vroom vroom..



[dondebest]

Yaaay, A new one:D:D:D:D Love your uploads dude:) It's really helping me getting me to know my car better

[sh3lbot]

two of you? lol? i will post some videos of my rx2 soon. finally have a hd cam :D

[EthansOpinion92]

i love keepin up with your car man keep it up!:)

[Russell042]

and the build continues ;)

[cower16]

few questions, what is your horsepower goal for this project and what kind of suspention setup do you have in mind?

[aaroncake]

@cower16 Absolute HP is not that important, just that it is a nice car to drive. So I'm aiming for around 300 FT-LBs in the midrange with a great idle (900 RPM), smooth powerband and reasonable fuel economy (goal is 30 MPG highway). I'm still working out the specifics of the air suspension as no one really makes stuff for a '76 Cosmo. I'll need to take some measurements and customize. Nice thing is that the rear end design really lends itself to being adapted for air bags.

[R0kket]

Mindfuck at 13:22 o_O

[cower16]

wow man i LOVE your videos, i leterally check my youtube every day for a new one, great job man!

[Mryekim12]

an engine mount up your butt... pause, also thats what she said, hahahaha.

[MN12BIRD]

No rack 'n peanut steering eh? Nice trick shot there I was seeing double the Aarons.

[aaroncake]

@MN12BIRD I'm trying to make the rack-and-peanut vs. steering box decision right now. There are plenty of universal systems so I think basically all I will have to do is weld brackets to the subframe and then figure out what to do with tie rod ends. Column linkage will be easy. It actually was not a trick shot, I just cloned myself so I could get more done. I keep him in a cage and just toss in a bucket of fish heads every few days.

[Sneddz1]

Looking good :D