craiggotgame

Hello guys, this is my first post here. Ive been lurking around for about a week checking out info on the fd's. I feel like Im up to the task of owning one. There is one for sale here locally and Im pretty interested in it. It is a 93, montego blue, has 85k miles. The engine was replaced 2 years ago by peter farell's supercars in VA. Along with the engine, the turbo's, a solonoid, silicone hoses, downpipe, and catback exhaust. It also has a petit racing intake and boost gauge.

I got to go drive it and seems to be in good shape. But there are two things that I'm concerned about. It seems to run pretty rich, I can smell the gas fairly easy. I know that these engines need to run more on the rich side due to the cooling effect of the unspent fuel, but should I be able to smell it so easy??

Also the second thing is these mods were done at peter farell's( I have a copy of the reciept), but usually the downpipe, exhaust, and intake, should be done with a remap of the ecu, am I correct?? I dont know if this has been done. Is there any way to check this?? I may think of more, thanks for your help guys, I may have been able to find some of this info here, but she search feature isnt working for me, keeps sending me to a "page not found"

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

running rich is normal, car may just need a tuneup (plugs/wires).

As long as she is running stock boost (10 psi) those mods are safe on stock ecu.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

Take it to a rotary specialty shop, and have them check it out. It will be a good investment.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, search is on the fritz lately and often doesn't work.

By smelling fuel, I hope you're referring to strictly exhaust smell - engine bay fuel leaks are no joking matter on this car. (However, I'll bet PFS did change the FPD which is the most dangerous possible leak point).

Like Rich said, use that boost gauge for a 3rd gear WOT test. If it's willing to spike or rise above 10-11psi, something will need done to control the boost. To run above 11psi you really ought to have an aftermarket ECU.

Dave

danny hahn

I don't think the car should be running particularly rich. It's lightly modded, a stock ecu seems adequate. I would think that checking the sensors that signal the ecu, plugs/wires/coil, asking when were the fuel injectors last cleaned and mapped and has the O2 sensor been changed.

Check out a few other cars.

craiggotgame

It was boosting up to like 12psi. The local mazda dealership supposedly went through it pretty good. They changed the oil sending unit and the belts. And yes the smell is from the exhaust only. So it looks like Ill need an ecu upgrade. With these mods, and an ecu where should I be power wise. Thanks for the reply's guys.

craiggotgame

Also where can I pick up a cheap new or used ecu online???

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

1) The overwhelming majority of Mazda dealerships don't know jack about these cars, so their evaluation means nothing. Get it checked out by a rotary specialist, and one w/ a good rep. Consult the regional forum, and see what rotary specialists are highly recommended in your area. Overall though, it's safe to say cars worked on by PFS are pretty darn solid. So you *should* be in good shape. But check it out anyways. In the meantime, there are things you can do yourself: http://rx7.voodoobox.net/infofaq/bguide3g/bguide3g.html

2) The stock ECU runs really rich. That's 100% normal. Every FD will make your eyes tear, your friends cough, and your clothes smell like exhaust. It's great...you'll love it

3) You DON'T need an ECU upgrade. 12 is kinda pushing it...you can get a boost controller and call it a day. DP is not a "mod"...it's reliability. The intake and exhaust are mods, but you're running the stock cat, so you're fine. If you were running a MP, then you'd need an ECU, or again, just a boost controller.

3) I'm saying don't immediately jump to an ECU because it depends on what you want to do w/ your FD. If you're planning on modifying her down the line, yes an ECU like the PFC (Power FC) would be a gread idea, but if you don't plan on modifying her a lot, then save your money. An ECU needs tuning, and often comes w/ it's little quirks and problems (like idle bounce w/ the PFC, and not being able to pull codes, etc). So you'd wanna stick w/ the stock ECU in such cases. That's also assuming you understand that modifying FD's becomes VERY expensive VERY quickly, maintenance-wise. So if finances aren't your strong point (and I mean being able to drop a few grand in a month on the spot), then maybe mods aren't the best idea for now...

4) For ALL your parts, check the Parts for Sale section for 3rd Gen parts. You'll save a LOT of money by buying stuff there. But BEFORE BUYING, check the Goodguy/Badguy section, to make sure the seller is legit.

5) Lastly, check the regional forum, and see if someone in your area that knows 3rd gens well wouldn't mind checking out the car w/ you. Experienced eyes are priceless. Start a post, and see who volunteers (or offer lunch, etc).

Good luck, and hopefully you'll get a good solid FD, and treat her well.

~Ramy