....Exhaust / Throttle Cable / Accessories....
EXHAUST...
Option #1- stock exhaust manifolds...Stock exhaust manifolds will fit, as long as they exit down and to the rear.
Option #2- Headers... JTR (Jags-That-Run) currently sells a full length header set specifically designed for a T-56 equipped FD/LS1. Our dual exhaust style transmission crossmember option is recommended.
...The rest of the exhaust system is best left to the professional. The best underbody exit path that maintains maximum ground clearance is down along the passenger side of the transmission tunnel. A good smog legal plan would route the driver's side 2-1/2" pipe in front of the oil pan sump (like stock Camaro), joining the passenger side 2-1/2" pipe in a "Y" in the starter/bellhousing area. The exit of the "Y" would be a single 3-1/2" pipe thru a single hi-flo catalytic converter (uses existing RX-7 heat shields), which is then sent back to a muffler in the stock RX-7 position. Beware of chambered mufflers w/o packing, as they can cause a bit if resonance inside the passenger compartment at highway speeds.
THROTTLE CABLE...
...Use the throttle cable from a Camaro/Firebird, which can be easily adapted to the RX-7 firewall / throttle pedal using a short spacer.
ACCESSORIES...
Power Steering- using the LS1 Power Steering Pump... the RX-7 steering rack can be plumbed to the Chevy pump using custom hoses. The Mazda rack had 3 hoses going to the pump/valve body assembly, and can be plumbed into the Chevy pump as follows...
..."A"- small pressure hose- this is a high pressure return line that went from the RX-7 rack to the return metering valve that was mounted on the side of the RX-7 pump.
A stepper motor controlled the needle shaped valve to control the volume of fluid that was bled off to vary the amount of power assist. The stepper was controlled by the RX-7's "power steering control unit", a computer located under the dash to the left of the steering column.
This hose should be connected to a "T" installed in the low pressure return line "C", allowing excess pressure from the rack to bleed off, returning fluid to the pump's resevoir.
..."B"- larger pressure hose- this is the pressure line from the pump to the rack. Plumb this hose directly to the Chevy pump's pressure fitting using a custom fabricated hi-pressure hose.
..."C"- large low pressure return hose- this is the return line to the resevoir. This hose should have a "T" installed with the open leg of the T connected to hose "A".
Plumbing the PS system as noted above will possibly result in a reduced amount of power assist, perfect for high speed driving.
Steering effort at low speeds will be reduced to about 1/2 the assist provided by the stock RX-7 power steering. Drivers not familiar with the RX-7 rarely detect that the power steering assist has been reduced.
In the event that your steering effort is too low and overly sensitive, assist can easily be reduced by changing or trimmimg your LS1 pump's bypass spring (easily accessed by removing the pump's pressure outlet fitting).
AC Compressor...plumb in your LS1's existing AC compressor using custom hoses. The fittings should be salvaged from your old hoses, and assembled using new longer hoses. Be sure to assemble and test fit the new hoses on the car before final crimping of the hose ends to insure proper length, fitting twist, and fit.
2....Considerations & Requirements....
4....Engine / Transmission Installation....
5....Exhaust / Throttle Cable / Accessory Drive / Pulleys....
6....Cooling / Fuel Systems....
7....RX-7 Wiring Harness Connector ID and Circuit Locations....
8....Electrical System Modifications By Circuit....
9....Start-up / Troubleshooting....