My projects progress! 9 Months *story+photos*
#26
Roll to Heaven in a RX-7
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: New Westminster, B.C - Canada
Posts: 790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dan_s_young
awesome car, I know exactly what your talking about though... When I got my rx7 I knew absolutley nothing about vehicles... Now next year im going to college to be a mechanic, I must say my car has changed my life. But I am really jealous, I can't wait till I can get my 7 out to do some mountain driving.
is there actually mountains in Alberta man, i know there is here but there isnt it all flat like Saskatawan, well you can drive here and hit that mountains here ill come 2
#27
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The World
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by z-beater
Man this one must have slipped by me. Goregous car. What grade tint is on that.
Can't tell u exactly what the tint is, it came with the car when I got it..
Cheers,
Paul.
#28
Turbo widebody FB
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by rxtory
is there actually mountains in Alberta man, i know there is here but there isnt it all flat like Saskatawan, well you can drive here and hit that mountains here ill come 2
Man that sucks about your car, like others have said, life has its ups and downs. You will get your car fixed and you will be back on the road one day...
#29
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The World
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UPDATE: Crash Repairs
Hey Guys, it has been a long time since posting. I had the car repaired after the accident - it took 3 months but its so good to have the car back Nearly had the car 2 years now..
Since getting her back I have again been working hard on her
- front wheel bearings
- headlight aim tweaking
- tightening loose stuff / stopped rattles in engine bay
- tightened steering box
- soldered some wiring i found that was just twisted together!
- replaced an injector o ring which was not sealing
- new LIM gasket
- fixed seal for brake booster connection - was leaking
- fixed central locking (repairer messed it up)
- FIXED GEARBOX OIL LEAK! The driveshaft yolk surface was pretty rough so i used some fine sandpaper + WD40 and gave it a good sand. Filled the back of my gearbox with grease and no more leak!! Used to leak over the CAT and smoke everything out when I turned the car off
- Been working on testing and troubleshooting the Transistor Trick Direct-Fire ignition mod. Now working and running the car's leading plugs from this setup. Much stronger top end compared to stock ignition.
- Overhauled the dizzy, completely cleaned out and lubricated for smooth advance
- Have been doing a little ECU tuning every now and then - CAR RUNS PERFECTLY NOW WITH HEADLIGHTS AND HEATER ON had been running too lean with the extra load (now runs a bit rich but its worth it to be able to drive at night )
- Fixed drivers seat rail - broke off. rewelded mount to track.
I think that is about it I have learned a heap about the whole ignition side of things in the past 4 months! Many thanks to Kent(gslse_addict) & Rob(quail_squasher) for their support with the projects, and for 'Stuie' from ausrotary forums who allowed myself and Rob to use his rotary workshop for a few hours for dyno testing, for no charge!
Just a few pictures:
dizzy overhaul
oil leak fix
testing the TT Direct Fire ignition mod
some vanity shots at the local bunnings warehouse
Rob and I just went for a blast in the hills last night, was fantastic!
Since getting her back I have again been working hard on her
- front wheel bearings
- headlight aim tweaking
- tightening loose stuff / stopped rattles in engine bay
- tightened steering box
- soldered some wiring i found that was just twisted together!
- replaced an injector o ring which was not sealing
- new LIM gasket
- fixed seal for brake booster connection - was leaking
- fixed central locking (repairer messed it up)
- FIXED GEARBOX OIL LEAK! The driveshaft yolk surface was pretty rough so i used some fine sandpaper + WD40 and gave it a good sand. Filled the back of my gearbox with grease and no more leak!! Used to leak over the CAT and smoke everything out when I turned the car off
- Been working on testing and troubleshooting the Transistor Trick Direct-Fire ignition mod. Now working and running the car's leading plugs from this setup. Much stronger top end compared to stock ignition.
- Overhauled the dizzy, completely cleaned out and lubricated for smooth advance
- Have been doing a little ECU tuning every now and then - CAR RUNS PERFECTLY NOW WITH HEADLIGHTS AND HEATER ON had been running too lean with the extra load (now runs a bit rich but its worth it to be able to drive at night )
- Fixed drivers seat rail - broke off. rewelded mount to track.
I think that is about it I have learned a heap about the whole ignition side of things in the past 4 months! Many thanks to Kent(gslse_addict) & Rob(quail_squasher) for their support with the projects, and for 'Stuie' from ausrotary forums who allowed myself and Rob to use his rotary workshop for a few hours for dyno testing, for no charge!
Just a few pictures:
dizzy overhaul
oil leak fix
testing the TT Direct Fire ignition mod
some vanity shots at the local bunnings warehouse
Rob and I just went for a blast in the hills last night, was fantastic!
#31
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The World
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Nicholas P.
rear hatch rust.
might be the drain holes. mine is rusted up because they were plugged.
use an air compressor blow them out. in the sunroof too.
might be the drain holes. mine is rusted up because they were plugged.
use an air compressor blow them out. in the sunroof too.
smoothed out the putty so that the lowest point of the rear hatch is at the drain holes - with the original design water could easily sit in the corners if you parked on a slight angle.
Have since helped rob redo the hatch in his car too - we completely stripped it out and built it all up with fibreglass for a tough long-lasting solution
If only mazda could have thought of this about 20 yrs ago
#32
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The World
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It has been a while since an update... progress is always happening though IT has only been a year since my last update lol..
- Rebuilt both rear brake callipers
- Had a few fuel leaks that I've fixed
- Finally afforded some tyres so I now have 4 matching wheels and tyres on
- Rewired dodgy headlight wiring
- Alternator completely reconditioned, pretty much brand new, everything internal replaced and casing sandblasted (didnt cost anything either, they made a mistake and had to replace it all as it burnt out)
- New radiator hoses
- Replaced hatch struts Yay the hatch holds itself up!!!
- Respray of the front end and doors - colour better matching now.. panels better alligned too
Now for the fun stuff... I bought a MegaSquirt ECU a while ago and it was sitting complete for a few months. I was going to make up an MS loom and wire that in but leave the microtech loom as well so I could switch, but I thought screw it. I got out the clippers and just started cutting out all the microtech loom neatened up all the wiring in the engine bay then made up the MS loom.
hey its a lot better than it was :P
and woo it started first go, although wasnt running too well until i had fiddled with the mixture..
Having installed megasquirt I was planning just to take the car up to Stuie (http://rotor.rxperformance.com.au/) to get it tuned and also get one of his complete exhausts fitted... but then I thought well hey, the engine is like the last thing on this car I havent touched, and theres no point tuning and getting an exhaust if the engine is ****, so I asked him to take it out and put something else in...
So, Stuie pulled out my old engine and tore it down and here is what it was like inside
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~stura...liconbad17.jpg
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~stura...iliconbad5.jpg
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~stura...liconbad11.jpg
Whoever had built the engine used way too much silicone and it was everywhere.. even where the seals were, and this had screwed them. The oil pickup was full of silicone too. Front and rear bearing casing nearly worn thru, rust on the plates from a previous life. The chrome around the edges was all chipped off and the housing surface was not smooth, it was wavy So it is lucky that I got that out of there...
Coming up (All in progress- car is with Stuie now):
- 13B Extend Port (intake and exhaust ports - from all new parts)
- New lower intake manifold, portmatched to the engine
- New flywheel (old one not suitable for my clutch lol - plus had ruined threads)
- Injection perfection throttlebody setup - see image below
- Full custom exhaust (tuned for best performance/legal balance, hours of dyno tuning and modification on the design by stuie)
- 298mm front brake rotors from VT-VZ commodore, to be used with S4 RX7 4pot calipers
TB:
I can't wait to get the car back, i'm getting really bored without it.. I went away over christmas, and only drove the car 3 times since early December 2006!!!!
What do rotor fanatics do when their cars are away?????
Cheers
Paul.
- Rebuilt both rear brake callipers
- Had a few fuel leaks that I've fixed
- Finally afforded some tyres so I now have 4 matching wheels and tyres on
- Rewired dodgy headlight wiring
- Alternator completely reconditioned, pretty much brand new, everything internal replaced and casing sandblasted (didnt cost anything either, they made a mistake and had to replace it all as it burnt out)
- New radiator hoses
- Replaced hatch struts Yay the hatch holds itself up!!!
- Respray of the front end and doors - colour better matching now.. panels better alligned too
Now for the fun stuff... I bought a MegaSquirt ECU a while ago and it was sitting complete for a few months. I was going to make up an MS loom and wire that in but leave the microtech loom as well so I could switch, but I thought screw it. I got out the clippers and just started cutting out all the microtech loom neatened up all the wiring in the engine bay then made up the MS loom.
hey its a lot better than it was :P
and woo it started first go, although wasnt running too well until i had fiddled with the mixture..
Having installed megasquirt I was planning just to take the car up to Stuie (http://rotor.rxperformance.com.au/) to get it tuned and also get one of his complete exhausts fitted... but then I thought well hey, the engine is like the last thing on this car I havent touched, and theres no point tuning and getting an exhaust if the engine is ****, so I asked him to take it out and put something else in...
So, Stuie pulled out my old engine and tore it down and here is what it was like inside
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~stura...liconbad17.jpg
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~stura...iliconbad5.jpg
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~stura...liconbad11.jpg
Whoever had built the engine used way too much silicone and it was everywhere.. even where the seals were, and this had screwed them. The oil pickup was full of silicone too. Front and rear bearing casing nearly worn thru, rust on the plates from a previous life. The chrome around the edges was all chipped off and the housing surface was not smooth, it was wavy So it is lucky that I got that out of there...
Coming up (All in progress- car is with Stuie now):
- 13B Extend Port (intake and exhaust ports - from all new parts)
- New lower intake manifold, portmatched to the engine
- New flywheel (old one not suitable for my clutch lol - plus had ruined threads)
- Injection perfection throttlebody setup - see image below
- Full custom exhaust (tuned for best performance/legal balance, hours of dyno tuning and modification on the design by stuie)
- 298mm front brake rotors from VT-VZ commodore, to be used with S4 RX7 4pot calipers
TB:
I can't wait to get the car back, i'm getting really bored without it.. I went away over christmas, and only drove the car 3 times since early December 2006!!!!
What do rotor fanatics do when their cars are away?????
Cheers
Paul.
#33
Senior Member
geez, hate to own that shitbox that doesnt drive and is too loud and has rusted out windows...
oh **** thats my car
nice work, will be awesome with the new engine and decent injection.
oh **** thats my car
nice work, will be awesome with the new engine and decent injection.
#36
WTF is a Piston?..Anyone?
man that is one bad *** car. You put alot of sweat and blood into that car and thats what owning thes cars is all about u just inspired meto go backout to the garage and get my *** back in gear on my 85 se thankyou very much oo and im totaly jelious
#40
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The World
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dj55b-
Yeah they are straight 50mm TB's- I was hoping to find some 55 tapered to 50mm but couldn't find any, and a sweet deal came up on this unit, so I had to grab it
Injectors... not sure- I have got 4x550cc and 4 others that came with the intake which im not sure what size they are.. Probably going to go 2 that are smaller and 2 larger, then set them up to come in later, otherwise low rpm is not gonna be very fuel efficient.
twinkletoes-
Thanks! Wheels are Starcorp Concept 5 from tempetyres.com.au - cheap cheap! car feels so much better on 16s with more tyre than 17s with hardly any. steering is a lot more confidence inspiring too, as with the low profile tyres before it would follow any tracks in the road.
rx-7 obsessed-
it has been an everlasting project, and probably always will be, but the second you get back in the drivers seat it is always worth it good luck with yours!!
REVHED-
changed to megasquirt as i was using a 10 year old microtech which lacked some fundamentals such as voltage drop compensation... eg. turn on headlights and run lean. I also wanted to learn more about the whole ignition and injection thing.. if i wanted the car to just work first go, no dramas, i would have got a new microtech or something.. the other thing is I haven't heard of many people running these on rotaries so it would be cool to give it a shot and perhaps it will turn out as a cost effective choice :P
SWAY BAR! ok if you have really low profile tyres - say 205/40/17 and drive around the corner in the wet, with the sway bar its so much easier to lose traction... also in the dry you will get better traction in corners... but this is with low profile tyres.. I believe as you put more rubber on smaller rims this is less of a problem. The sway bar basically stiffens the rear end... as does low profile tyres as there is hardly any sidewall to allow movement. It was recommended to me by a place called rank rotary (www.rankrotary.com.au) and immediately in corners i felt the rear of the car sticking more and felt much better..
I'll keep you guys updated. cheers,
Paul.
Yeah they are straight 50mm TB's- I was hoping to find some 55 tapered to 50mm but couldn't find any, and a sweet deal came up on this unit, so I had to grab it
Injectors... not sure- I have got 4x550cc and 4 others that came with the intake which im not sure what size they are.. Probably going to go 2 that are smaller and 2 larger, then set them up to come in later, otherwise low rpm is not gonna be very fuel efficient.
twinkletoes-
Thanks! Wheels are Starcorp Concept 5 from tempetyres.com.au - cheap cheap! car feels so much better on 16s with more tyre than 17s with hardly any. steering is a lot more confidence inspiring too, as with the low profile tyres before it would follow any tracks in the road.
rx-7 obsessed-
it has been an everlasting project, and probably always will be, but the second you get back in the drivers seat it is always worth it good luck with yours!!
REVHED-
changed to megasquirt as i was using a 10 year old microtech which lacked some fundamentals such as voltage drop compensation... eg. turn on headlights and run lean. I also wanted to learn more about the whole ignition and injection thing.. if i wanted the car to just work first go, no dramas, i would have got a new microtech or something.. the other thing is I haven't heard of many people running these on rotaries so it would be cool to give it a shot and perhaps it will turn out as a cost effective choice :P
SWAY BAR! ok if you have really low profile tyres - say 205/40/17 and drive around the corner in the wet, with the sway bar its so much easier to lose traction... also in the dry you will get better traction in corners... but this is with low profile tyres.. I believe as you put more rubber on smaller rims this is less of a problem. The sway bar basically stiffens the rear end... as does low profile tyres as there is hardly any sidewall to allow movement. It was recommended to me by a place called rank rotary (www.rankrotary.com.au) and immediately in corners i felt the rear of the car sticking more and felt much better..
I'll keep you guys updated. cheers,
Paul.
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Amarillo, Texas
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hope you bought your doctor a whole box of cigars when he delivered that baby! I bet that 3rd trimester was killer on your back :P
Good looking car...I love the color
Good looking car...I love the color
#43
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The World
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Update :)
or should i say MEGAUPDATE
Brakes are done. 298mm VT commodore rotors, FC 4 pot calipers.
13B EP is done.. brand new housings, quality build!!!
Exhaust is done! Long primaries, each with a hotdog, join just before axle thru another hotdog, overaxle into muffler up nice and high, looking quite stock..
MEGASQUIRT!!!!
We have spent the last 2 days troubleshooting.. first rpm signal from leading coil was noisy... new dizzy solved that. 2nd the TPS was also noisy... was jumping around all over the place and accel enrichment was kicking in non stop... new tps today... butterflies were not sealing evenly.... took that back to the people who made them and that was fixed up nice and easy so we are dyno tuning tomorrow!!!!! At last
Now if someone would kindly build me an interesting race track nearby.... everything will be sweet
Thanks to Stuie at RX Performance for doing the brakes, engine and exhaust... those things are beyond me at this stage...
Brakes are done. 298mm VT commodore rotors, FC 4 pot calipers.
13B EP is done.. brand new housings, quality build!!!
Exhaust is done! Long primaries, each with a hotdog, join just before axle thru another hotdog, overaxle into muffler up nice and high, looking quite stock..
MEGASQUIRT!!!!
We have spent the last 2 days troubleshooting.. first rpm signal from leading coil was noisy... new dizzy solved that. 2nd the TPS was also noisy... was jumping around all over the place and accel enrichment was kicking in non stop... new tps today... butterflies were not sealing evenly.... took that back to the people who made them and that was fixed up nice and easy so we are dyno tuning tomorrow!!!!! At last
Now if someone would kindly build me an interesting race track nearby.... everything will be sweet
Thanks to Stuie at RX Performance for doing the brakes, engine and exhaust... those things are beyond me at this stage...
#45
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The World
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There wasnt really much more to it than the pics above... Scraped all the rust off with a screwdriver and other hard edged tools and rotary wire brush, then painted on a rust-converter liquid, then a base coat of paint, then used filler and some wire mesh to then fill it in... on my mates car instead of using filler, we used fibreglass... which was quite messy but has proven to be a nicer more robust finish!
#47
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The World
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
its an 'EFI Hardware' one (efihardware.com)... i think commonly referred to as "injection perfection" and yes IDA style TB.. its 50mm non tapered
#50
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The World
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks!! it hasn't all been good, i have screwed up my fair share of things anywayyy we are now runing on megasquirt!!!!!!
Dyno Run after lots of tuning...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ70OXdikEo
View of the power gauge on stuies dyno...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jPcUUgyfVY
First drive on a real road ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk6kryHxUUg
for full details, see my ausrotary thread:
http://www.ausrotary.com/viewtopic.p...698833#1698833
Cheers,
Paul.
Dyno Run after lots of tuning...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ70OXdikEo
View of the power gauge on stuies dyno...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jPcUUgyfVY
First drive on a real road ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk6kryHxUUg
for full details, see my ausrotary thread:
http://www.ausrotary.com/viewtopic.p...698833#1698833
Cheers,
Paul.