Thanks John.

Nope, I was referring to the Porsche Club event out at Heartland Park next weekend. Unfortunately I don't think I'm going to make it. We'll see. There is one more event, hopefully, before the end of the month out there which is the Wednesday Touring event on October 24. I'm hoping they won't cancel it.

 

Hopefully they won't cancel the event, unless of course it rains like it did today. Then everyone would get washed away. Well, I was hoping to get to see your car in person but maybe one day I will see you at one of the local events.

Once again good luck with everything, and most importantly, good luck with your back!


John

 

No updates in 3 months... everything OK?

 

Not much has happened. I ran into issues with the Knightsport Headlight kit and the Mocal oil cooler I mounted. It seems the KS kit needs an extra inch or so clearance as it lowers over the stock lights. I would have figured the opposite or I would have installed the KS lights before doing the custom oil cooler. So, I had to redo all the oil cooler crap yet again. I remounted the oil cooler and completed the KS lights install:

http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/FD...s/DSCF1561.JPG
http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/FD...s/DSCF1562.JPG

I also bought and installed a Garfinkle ETB just before Christmas. I've had little time to spend in the garage, but I hope to finish up the oil lines this weekend. I already have all the new fittings I require for the new configuration. It's just getting out there to do the measurements, creating the lines, and then mounting the oil thermostat in a decent place.

The other motor is still sitting on my desk in the garage. I have a buddy who can mill the apex groove for proper clearance, I just need to get the rotor to him. Once that's done, it's ready to go back together. Once I get the car running, I'll go ahead and get the spare motor put back together.

 

Mahjik, where did you get your JDM engine from? Were you able to determine the year/mileage of the FD it came from (info sent when purchased) ? What was the compression on it?

You mentioned parts were broken on it, other than the engine harness that was cut off, what other parts were broken?

I've tried to read more to find others who have put them in, so I thought most had a usable wiring harness that it came with? I know it might be from a series 7 or 8, but if the jdm engine were to be a 93-95, then the wiring harness should be usable with some adjustment to the harness connectors...

Did you have any problems hooking up your new US wiring harness with the engine and your petite ecu ?

 

The engine was purchased from Japan2LA here on the forum. I haven't cranked it, but it at least pasted the manual crank test so it's building "some" compression. I've only read of one incident with Japan2LA on this forum, so I don't have any worries that the engine won't have decent compression.

As far as what was broken, most of the turbo control system was broken. Nipples were broken on many of the components (pressure chamber, solenoids, etc). The wiring harness was cut where it penetrates the firewall, but the engine side of it had about 60% of the connectors damaged or completely broken. Now, I'm not saying that every JDM motor is going to come this way, this is just what I received. Again, it didn't matter to me as I just needed the core. Most of the stock parts are going to end up in a dumpster aside from a few pieces which I want to keep as backups.

Keep in mind that most people getting these engines are typically using their components and just looking for a cheap core. I personally would not just "get one and use everything on it as is" unless I was quickly selling my car and just needed something that "worked". Even then, my conscience would probably get the best of me and not allow me to do that.

Since you have no real idea how many miles are on the engine and components, it's a good idea to replace a lot things (i.e. gaskets, use freshly cleaned and balanced injectors, new crush washers, etc). Not doing those kind of things might make your "new to you" motor be a dead one quickly.

 

I also got mine from Japan2LA and It seems to be fine so far. I'm finishing the install and trouble shooting now. I think the injectors are leaking but the motor sounds really strong.

 

Awesome thread, great read. I haven't been on the forum much since I finished my car a while back, but I am now thinking about buying a blown motor to start a rebuild and take my time, just for future use. . .and knowledge.

How's your back? I am a physical therapist with 4 clinics in central florida, we have been using IDD therapy to treat herniated discs for the past 5 years with great results. I just went to the manufacturer's website (www.adagen.com) and they are currently having some trouble. It might be worth a look to see if somebody in your area offers the treatment.

By the way, the McKenzie exercises are very good for disc problems, extension of the back is very important (especially after being bent over a hood for a while!). Just make sure symptoms in the leg (or both) don't get worse when you're doing them. . .otherwise you're just irritating symptoms. Application of a cold pack following a long day in the garage can help reduce sciatic pain also.

With all the advice you give us. . .I hope that can help you a bit.

 

Just a couple pics...

 

Honestly all this agony and pain (also have back problems) is making wish I had another rx7..I truly miss the frustration of owning one of these cars... (seriously im not being sarcastic)


keep it up man...

 

Crap, all 17 pages in one sitting and it came down to this? I'm frustrated over this, reminds me of my college days coding Assembly language…

 

wow, 17 pages.....it certainly was a rollercoaster and im just the reader. Well first off Mahjik thank you so much for keeping this going for so long, I happened about it when I did a search for rebuild posts and it drew me in...that was earlier maybe around 8-9pm and its now 3am. this forum is really so helpful and its great how guys get together and help one another out. I just picked up a 93 touring with bad seals and im attempting to do what you did (minus the bling due to a college kids budget haha) and i really appreciate the detail you went to and letting all of us learn from what you went through. I hope everything is up and running and you have the DIY motor all ready to drop in whenever its needed and also i hope your back is doing better. thanks for the inspiration

 

Mahjik, is your car running yet? We have very nice sunny days here in MO...

 

Yes, it's running and was taken around the neighborhood a few weeks back. However, I had back surgery so I'm unable to drive at the moment or finish working on the car. There are a few things that that need to be tidied up so it can drive on the streets. However, there are MANY things I need to install; they just aren't required to start driving it around.

I'll be on restrictive activity for the next few months so it probably won't be until July when I can start finishing up the installs. I'm hoping to be able to do some track days in August if the recovery goes well.

 

Sorry to hear about that. I really do wish you to get well and leave those back problems behind.

 

Don't be sorry. If things go well, I will be on my way to being pain free again. I've lived with pain for so many years, I don't even remember what it was like not to have it.

 

inspiring rebuild... wish i have that kind of money when it happens to me :S

 

My turn. What's your current situation? I've read all the pages, aside from the clearance problem you had a super clean build. I hope the JDM motor's working out well for you. Although that shouldn't keep you from leaving your built motor alone I doubt I could talk anyone into building a motor this time of year, especially with a family. Come the new year I expect "Mr. Links" own motor to have a comeback!

 

Just read this thread .And wow,That is some excellent work there mahjik.Hope your backs ok.Rix

 

The JDM motor is "doing its job". I've had some issues but it hasn't been the engine itself that has been the cause of the issues. The car has been drivable and there were several days this fall I did drive it to work (or on some errands). Actually, the M3 spent several days in the shop so I had the FD on full duty for a while. Unfortunately I've taken on a different roll at work which leaves me little time for working on the car. I'm hoping things will slow down after the new year and I get can a few things done.

I have not fixed the seal clearance issue yet or ordered replacement coolant o-rings to be able to reassemble the motor. I was actually just thinking about it the other day so I'll probably go ahead and get the coolant seals ordered so I can get that done.

I still have a lot of little things to do on the car. I had planned to start work over the Christmas holiday, but I won't able to take a much time off as I normally do. I'm hoping to take a week or two off early in 2009 when I can knock most of it out.

Thanks. Unfortunately the back hasn't been healing as much as I would like. Right now it's pretty doubtful I'll be able to hit the track next year. I'm still hopeful, but my back is definitely not up to the beating it takes out there just yet. Semi-long trips of normal driving, let alone spirited driving, brings me severe discomfort for a few days. But as I mentioned, I'm still hopeful to get out there and hit some tracks next year.

 

Have you tried something like this:

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pro...asp?RecID=3124

 

Right now it won't make a difference. My body just can't take a seated position for too long. It puts all the weight and stress right where the surgery took place (and all the healing is suppose to be happening). I do have a better chance of tracking in my FD than I do in my M3 because of the harness. The harness will hold me in position rather than my muscles working to keep my body in driving position with a normal seat & seat belt.

 

Really a bummer, back problems run in my family don't wanna see what happens to me down the line. Hope you get better.

 

Thanks. Well, I was told it would be about 2 years before I would be back to normal activity. So shooting for hitting the track in 2009 may be a little too optimistic. It was the worst case scenario when the doctors performed the surgery. For whatever reason, I never have the 'easy scenario'. I know several people who have had back surgery and were only down for a few weeks if that. It could be worse, so I'm thankful for what I do have.

The good thing is that the stock FD seats actually feel good on my back. So even if I can't get to the track, I can at least enjoy driving the car around town. With the M3, I have use some towels to do basically what that stuff you linked to does. Hopefully, I'll be able to handle my Momo Start seat soon so I can get that put into the car. I did a test fit a few month back and couldn't sit in it for longer than 2 minutes.

 

Hey Kyle,

How do you like the Rotary Aviation Rebuild Kit? I'm still deciding between the Atkins master rebuild kit and the RA master rebuild kit.

Do you honestly think that the Rotary Aviation Super Seals will seal better?