Rocketeerbandit's Rx-7 : The Never Satisfied and Relentless
#1
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
Rocketeerbandit's Rx-7 : The Never Satisfied and Relentless
Starting a Build thread as I have done some things to the car to share you all with.
I bought my dream vehicle after owning two other Mazdas. First being a 2002 protege which was a complete nightmare. Second and most recent is the 99 Mx-5 miata.
I bought this prestine, one owner, 1993 Montego blue touring edition back in September.
DSC02481 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC02459 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC02554 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Well, The car was professionally waxed, clayed, and sealed to bring out the 21 years of paint underneath. It still looks amazing right now. So I continued to daily drive the car and parade her around.
Rocketeer by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I have already done some maintenance like the fluids in the transmission and differential. Replaced all the shifter bushings, collars, and boots with oem parts.
20140930_074513 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20140930_082657 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I bought my dream vehicle after owning two other Mazdas. First being a 2002 protege which was a complete nightmare. Second and most recent is the 99 Mx-5 miata.
I bought this prestine, one owner, 1993 Montego blue touring edition back in September.
DSC02481 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC02459 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC02554 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Well, The car was professionally waxed, clayed, and sealed to bring out the 21 years of paint underneath. It still looks amazing right now. So I continued to daily drive the car and parade her around.
Rocketeer by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I have already done some maintenance like the fluids in the transmission and differential. Replaced all the shifter bushings, collars, and boots with oem parts.
20140930_074513 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20140930_082657 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
#2
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
I took the car back to the mechanic that rebuilt the motor with fresh new everything because of a seal that failed on the oil pressure sending unit causing a major oil leak that was unnoticeable. Lowes Automotive in Sarasota honored the warranty even being the second owner of the vehicle after there rebuild which was a relief to find out.
So after a 4 hour drive back home one of the fans stopped working.
The Fan blade was borrowed through from the motor rotating inside of it and caused a nasty plastic burning smell which alerted me along with the a/c not working properly and the temp gauge creeping up.
Good thing I caught on quickly where nothing happened. I ordered new parts from mazda like two new fan motors, fan blades and hardware to put everything back in nicely. I also purchased new bushings for the intercooler since they were in pretty bad shape shifting around.
20141011_103236 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20141011_103248 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20141011_121124 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20141011_133118 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20141015_112411 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20141014_192519_Richtone(HDR) by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
The hardware was rusted and had to be dremeled off. What a Pain.
So after a 4 hour drive back home one of the fans stopped working.
The Fan blade was borrowed through from the motor rotating inside of it and caused a nasty plastic burning smell which alerted me along with the a/c not working properly and the temp gauge creeping up.
Good thing I caught on quickly where nothing happened. I ordered new parts from mazda like two new fan motors, fan blades and hardware to put everything back in nicely. I also purchased new bushings for the intercooler since they were in pretty bad shape shifting around.
20141011_103236 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20141011_103248 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20141011_121124 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20141011_133118 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20141015_112411 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20141014_192519_Richtone(HDR) by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
The hardware was rusted and had to be dremeled off. What a Pain.
#3
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
I had also purchased from pettit racing their aluminum ast, a used air pump lower miles, and their premix.
IMG_20140925_113004 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I found out that the car has a Megan racing downpipe to eliviate engine temperatures and better flowing exhaust. The car also has a koyo racing radiator.
The interior was a little rough for my taste and I keep getting told that its mint as is but there are things that bother me like the center console and the door panels with the plastics. This will be a long venture trying to buy replacements.
As of now I found brand new mazda door panels off a member here that has been storing them. Mazda doesn't make tan door panels or plastics. Found that out. But I also purchased a brand new center console and Ac Panel.
2014-09-22_10-32-14 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
IMG_20140925_091341 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC02705 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
IMG_20140925_113004 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I found out that the car has a Megan racing downpipe to eliviate engine temperatures and better flowing exhaust. The car also has a koyo racing radiator.
The interior was a little rough for my taste and I keep getting told that its mint as is but there are things that bother me like the center console and the door panels with the plastics. This will be a long venture trying to buy replacements.
As of now I found brand new mazda door panels off a member here that has been storing them. Mazda doesn't make tan door panels or plastics. Found that out. But I also purchased a brand new center console and Ac Panel.
2014-09-22_10-32-14 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
IMG_20140925_091341 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC02705 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
#4
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
So I am battling what I want to do with the car v.s. what other's opinions are and advice given.
I added an R1 lip to give it an aggressive look like the RX7 I've known to have. But its not taking away from the stock factor and its originality.
DSC03087 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
RxSunset2 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I autocrossed the Miata and loved how it handled for all the work and parts I had installed on it like tein flex, flyin miata's turbo 2 kit, sway bars, stiffer bushings, Works cr01's 15x9 flared with and aggressive stance. Made s2k's cry.
So I autocrossed the Rx7 since the handling and suspension seemed to be coincide with the miata's. Though bushings are blown and shocks need to be replaced, I couldn't resist a two day local event given 12 runs each day.
DSC03299 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03287 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03269 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03267 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03263 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03255 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I added an R1 lip to give it an aggressive look like the RX7 I've known to have. But its not taking away from the stock factor and its originality.
DSC03087 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
RxSunset2 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I autocrossed the Miata and loved how it handled for all the work and parts I had installed on it like tein flex, flyin miata's turbo 2 kit, sway bars, stiffer bushings, Works cr01's 15x9 flared with and aggressive stance. Made s2k's cry.
So I autocrossed the Rx7 since the handling and suspension seemed to be coincide with the miata's. Though bushings are blown and shocks need to be replaced, I couldn't resist a two day local event given 12 runs each day.
DSC03299 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03287 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03269 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03267 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03263 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03255 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
#5
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
At the end of the Autocross this past weekend that CKCC held {corvette club}
I was leaking Power Steering fluid. Not sure why. Maybe because the cap or the slushing around hard turns, or the heat.
Well I cleaned everything up real good and put some dye in the reservoir to see if its a hose or a crack in the reservoir which was still full and odd. Ill get an update on that issue in the next couple of days.
DSC03512 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Here are some pictures that I took of the autocross...
DSC03486 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03415 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03442 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03363 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03366 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03384 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I was leaking Power Steering fluid. Not sure why. Maybe because the cap or the slushing around hard turns, or the heat.
Well I cleaned everything up real good and put some dye in the reservoir to see if its a hose or a crack in the reservoir which was still full and odd. Ill get an update on that issue in the next couple of days.
DSC03512 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Here are some pictures that I took of the autocross...
DSC03486 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03415 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03442 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03363 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03366 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03384 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
#6
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
I have some issues I need to clear up like Why am I keeping my hand on the shifter for so long? Why am I not having both hands on the steering wheel like I should be doing instead swagging it out one handed on the course?
Need to work on that. Also the video is my best time. 49.813
I was getting 50.2- 50.7 all day long. So I was enthusiastic about breaking under 50
Need to work on that. Also the video is my best time. 49.813
I was getting 50.2- 50.7 all day long. So I was enthusiastic about breaking under 50
Trending Topics
#11
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
Thanks guys. I just purchased better conditioned door panels. I'm on the hunt for the door plastics on the drivers side and will pay pretty pennies for a good set.
And the car is still sequential turbo setup as Mazda made it. The engine bay still is pretty much untouched minus the koyo aluminum radiator, pettits ast, and Megan racing dp.
#14
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
Thanks mark... I have a couple pictures of your car I'd like to share with ya... your car sounded beast.
Digi by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03906 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Digi by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
DSC03906 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
#16
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
Today the car is getting the front windshield pulled to replace the moulding and stripping around the perimeter. It's curling and exposing what's underneath. I don't want a future problem with rust where water seeps in little pockets of the old adhesive. I was told that the previous owner also quite possibly tried to add a adhesive himself to fix the issue. So I'm going in there with oem seals getting the job done right.
#17
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
I noticed this buildup around the ac line...
20150104_175513 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20150104_175414 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
not ssure where this mess is coming from...
20150104_175253 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20150104_175513 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
20150104_175414 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
not ssure where this mess is coming from...
20150104_175253 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
#18
Last pic LOOKS like you have a boost leak with a little oil coming out of the turbos
The other two look like you have a leak in that AC valve, BUT it could be from it being regaesed its hard to say.
Also looks like your geting to the point where you really need to keep an eye on all your hoses. There looking old and you racing this car
The other two look like you have a leak in that AC valve, BUT it could be from it being regaesed its hard to say.
Also looks like your geting to the point where you really need to keep an eye on all your hoses. There looking old and you racing this car
#20
Nice stock FD. As the car is 20+ yrs old, the rubber is probably going. You may want to consider replacing all the water and vacuum lines along with suspension bushings and shocks. The turbo may not need to be rebuilt, but the wastegate may need to be ported if you are getting any boost creep. Get a boost and temp gauge to keep an eye on those two crtical vital signs (the stock temp gauge is worthless).
#21
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
@tomu I will get those two gauges but which gauges are most complimented to the cars interior with it not being an eye sore but still looking stock? Also where could I put them so it's clean and not over exposed so everyone sees them?
#22
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
Car is at Pettit racing. I'm lucky they AR an hour and forty five minutes away. Tomorrow the car is getting it's physical done to let me know what cam highly suggests I do and wants to do along the lines of my ideas and reams for the car.
#23
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
I will take is advice on performance grain by grain and I do value the car being stock. So with that being said, a lot of the oem parts will stay unless suggested other wise for reliability like keeping the car cool and reducing heat.
The motor is brand new 6k miles on it. It's going to last me several years to come.
I will define try bring to the threads attention on a sole suggestions for the car before being performed.
The motor is brand new 6k miles on it. It's going to last me several years to come.
I will define try bring to the threads attention on a sole suggestions for the car before being performed.
#24
shoulda pmed me before you brought it to pettit. I got a buddy that worked there for a while and therefore I usually get stuff cheaper and/or the no bs minus what they are making $$ off of what needs to be done.
#25
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 926
Likes: 154
From: St. Louis
I should have pmed you and appreciate that I can ask you for assistance. I'll consider it in the future and hold you to it.
The car is getting a complete sequential system service;
Update the crankcase and turbo vent breather system
by passing the warm up system "Florida is warm already" and fuel regulator switch
Fit sequential control system with HD hose and install over boost safety circuit
calibrating system actuators
tune up: plugs,wires,fuelfilter, servicing ignition system, fuel system, airfilter, tune and adjust for optimum performance and longevity
Install thermostat, fan switch, replace turbo cooling hoses, flushing system, pressure check cooling system, service cooling fan relays, update central system, verify proper operation
185f fan switch
Green engine sensor temp
Cold air induction system with ICD cover kit, dual K&N filters and "V" duct inlet system off road use
Cool power kit, twin turbo 20ft. Woven thermal barrier
fully isolated shifter short stroke
Pulleykit, alternator and water pump belt
The car is getting a complete sequential system service;
Update the crankcase and turbo vent breather system
by passing the warm up system "Florida is warm already" and fuel regulator switch
Fit sequential control system with HD hose and install over boost safety circuit
calibrating system actuators
tune up: plugs,wires,fuelfilter, servicing ignition system, fuel system, airfilter, tune and adjust for optimum performance and longevity
Install thermostat, fan switch, replace turbo cooling hoses, flushing system, pressure check cooling system, service cooling fan relays, update central system, verify proper operation
185f fan switch
Green engine sensor temp
Cold air induction system with ICD cover kit, dual K&N filters and "V" duct inlet system off road use
Cool power kit, twin turbo 20ft. Woven thermal barrier
fully isolated shifter short stroke
Pulleykit, alternator and water pump belt