V8 rx7 build for utcc next year...hopefully

Hello everyone. Need some ideas from the hive to help finish my rx7 for an attempt to go to the utcc next year. Don't plan on winning obviously but being upper mid pack would be nice. So here's what it's got and what it needs.

87 rx7

Ls1 with lots of stuff. Heads,cam, ctsvr lifters, sharp roller rockers, forged pistons and rods, etc etc. Heartbreaker dyno says 400 at the wheels on a 100 degree day

Jtr long tubes with electronic cutouts and heavy but quiet MagnaFlow mufflers out back.

Tein coil overs that came in the car.

Complete urethane bushing kit

Front camber plates

Racing seat, harness, and steering wheel installed

Roll and harness bar made by me

Legit ford racing cobra r wheels in 17x8 with 245s on them

So here's what it needs (in my opinion)

Get rid of surprisingly heavy cf hood. Anyone got an aluminum one around perhaps?

Mooor tire! Means wider wheels and possibly some wider sheet metal. At least 275 all the way around. Possibly even staggered if someone talks me into it.

Aero? Front and rear and under. Exhaust blown diffuser would be interesting to attempt

Plug sunroof hole

Get rid of heavy exhaust and cutouts

Fig out sway bar situation. Stock at the moment

Weight reduction...most of the interior is out except dash and passenger seat. Possibly make a rear hatch glass from lexan?

Accusump...because ls1 on sticky tires

Need yalls help for a couple of reasons...even though a good amount of money has been spent on this project already, I have recently started my own business. And I'm getting married in march. And I have a 1.5 year old kid. All if this means I need to get the rest of this done for as little money as possible. I have tools. Tig,mig,plasma. Just need ideas on what I can make my self or buy cheaply to check everything off my list. Figured all you guys with the 20$$ experience could talk me into making something stupidly glorious. Thanks in advance for all your help.

Make it a full roll cage. Then start cutting out unnecessary metal. My 87 weighs 2100lbs wet. It cost me very little to get there.

What diff are you running?

Make a full fiberglass front end? https://youtu.be/GXzR17LktSg?t=3m59s Not necessarily one piece, this video is just one I know of that shows the process of making the molds well.

The front fenders weigh very little. Hoods are heavy unless you find an aluminum one. Front bumper skin is fairly light too.

DaveEstey wrote: Make it a full roll cage. Then start cutting out unnecessary metal. My 87 weighs 2100lbs wet. It cost me very little to get there. What diff are you running?

The cage has crossed my mind. It's a should and I know better. It has the turbo ii diff. Was thinking about the 8.8 conversion before my money intake changed. Ronin makes a nice kit for boookooos of money. Could copy it if I had one I front of me. Not sure if I trust myself getting it right without one to look at though. What all did you cutout? Took a look around and there's some shrouds around the rear shock towers but not sure whatelse could be deemed unnecessary

I'm doing the Ronin setup on mine this offseason to get better ratios without paying $1,700 to Mazda just for gears and still need a rebuilt LSD.

The doors are HEAVY, which is why I said Cage First. Lots of junk around the headlights can be removed. Replace OEM crash structures with tubes and you'll save more.

Also, the OEM wiring harness is HEAVY - this includes the rear harness, which since you had a GXL had a bunch of extra garbage. There's easily 50lbs of wiring with both harnesses.

I would do an over the radiator intake using a stock ls3 or ls7 better bridge. Supposedly good for 10-15 hp and I've picked up one for under $100.

Love the build, hope it comes together cleanly.

I know this combo is potient but to run "upper mid pack" dont you need less than a 2:05? That is moving! Will you be doing any aero modifications as well?