FoXrAcEr2569

Hi all, I've been a member of the forums and on Rx8 club for a while now but I don't post much and haven't ever made a build thread, so with the amount of knowledge I've gathered from using the forums I figured its time to give back..

I've been working on a 20b Rx8 project and in the midst of working on that I located a 93 R1 Fd that was involved in an accident and the price was right so.. I had to have it.

It started as a "just fix the damage and drive it" and turned into a "single turbo setup with 450-500rwhp)"

Here's some pictures of the day I got the car.

1993 Rx7 R1

Project88Turbo

iTrader: (22)

Looks like a good starting point. Looking forward to your future posts.

But, you need to let me have those green wheels!

Vince

FoXrAcEr2569

First things first.. I wanted to assess the damage so I removed the front bumper cover the intercooler was trashed, the rad and the condenser were ok. The only major damage was the passenger side frame rail was tweaked. To make it easier on the body shop I removed the engine along with everything in the engine bay. While the engine was out.. Why not rebuild?

I went with a BorgWarner S362 FMW with a .91a/r divided. Anyone have any input on this turbo?

FoXrAcEr2569

Thanks, I might be getting rid of them, it came with an extra set of stock efini chrome plated rims.

FoXrAcEr2569

Little update from a few days ago.. The frame is finally straight with the new fenders, bumper, and hood test fitted. I was impressed with initial fitment. Gaps were pretty tight right off the bat.. they won't need too much adjusting. Now I'm just waiting on the engine bay to be painted (satin black) I should have pictures of that tomorrow.

My Bw S362 FMW came in a while ago. (I won't take it out of the plastic bag because I'll play with it too much like a child.)

Project88Turbo

iTrader: (22)

That hood/bumper combination looks good. Who makes the bumper?

(sorry to clutter your thread)

Vince

FoXrAcEr2569

No need to be sorry bro. That's the reason I made the thread so I can share my experience with everything.

I worked with Ken from Shine Auto Project. It's their replica FEED Version 2. They call it the Spec-GT Full Aero. With it being a replica I was a little worried at first to be honest, but it fits awesome. It still needs fine tuning but, it's a lot better then spending 3x the money. IMO

FoXrAcEr2569

Another Update.. I decided to spray the engine bay satin black. I was talked out of gloss black since it gets dirty easily and shows a lot. I'm pretty happy with the way the satin came out... Shes almost ready to put the motor back in. I'll get some pictures of the port work on the engine soon and the manifold. I'm ready to put it back together.

For a street car what flywheel do you guys recommend? I was told a really light flywheel will have negative effects on the street. Should I stick with the stock one?

Project88Turbo

iTrader: (22)

I prefer the ACT Streetlite flywheel. It still drives about as easy as stock (no stalling/jerking), but it is light enough that it revs up SO MUCH quicker. It is definitely noticeable when you blip the throttle for a downshift.

My buddy has it in his FD, and I had one in my old Turbo II. When the time comes to put a clutch in my FD, I'll be buying another one

As far as a recommendation for a clutch, someone else will have to chime in. I had a XTD "Stage 3" six puck clutch, and it gripped like hell, but it felt like an on/off switch.

Vince

FoXrAcEr2569

Thanks Vince. I'm most likely going to go with the street lite. I've read some discussions about heavier flywheels vs lightened flywheels. The streetlite must be a healthy median.

The clutch in the car is brand new but I don't think it's gonna handle the hp goals I'm aiming for is the ACT 6-Puck Sprung Hub handles around 500ft/lbs or the Street/Strip which handles 403ft/lbs smoother engagement or stronger clamping force?? Decisions decisions..

FoXrAcEr2569

So, things have been pretty busy up here in Jersey with all the snow.. And work, but I've made some progress.

Sandblasted, Primed, Painted and Clear Coated lot of parts that go along the firewall.

Currently awaiting a set of Garfinkle Motor Mounts and my motor to get ported.

Here's some before and After Photos:

Project88Turbo

iTrader: (22)

I'm sure I'm not the only one reading this thread, but your work looks great! It is so clean!

It is like my build, but the detail level is +1 compared to mine. Maybe, after I get the paint, body work and interior done, I will revisit the engine bay and paint it properly

Vince

FoXrAcEr2569

Thanks Vince your compliments are appreciated. It's just a lot of prep time involved, and thanks to my two forced air heaters (125,000 and 65,000Btu) it kept my garage warm enough to paint... Damn polar vortex and this single digit weather.

I've been looking through your thread and your body work looks awesome. Definitely have more talent then I do. I'll have to send you my car when it's gotta get ready for paint. Haha

FoXrAcEr2569

Update, still collecting parts and what not for this build...

In the down time waiting for the final pieces to put the motor back in I decided to make some time to address the creature comforts of the car.

I pulled the transmission out, cleaned the tunnel up, bought some Transmission Tunnel Heat Shield, Installed it and riveted it in to aid the adhesion backing ( just to make sure it didn't fall off) I then re- rubber coated the bare spots all before I re-install the transmission.

Hopefully it helps with heat and road noise. I've heard good things about it and they say it can withstand 1,750 degrees, but we'll see. After I get the engine back together I plan on removing the interior and dynamating the entire thing..

Here's some pictures of the tunnel. In a few pictures you can see the rivets I installed. I also punched out holes to reinstall the factory heat shields for added protection.

silver_7

Looking good man. Engine bay is looking clean. In for the build.

FoXrAcEr2569

Got a lot of parts back from powder coating today. Went on a rampage of things to coat. This stuff is durable as hell so whatever I could get done, I did.

I didn't want the wheel wells to feel left out so I wire wheeled and sanded them. Then coated them with this Duplicolor truck bed coating. It's a rubberized coating I'm sure you all have seen it before but the stuff comes out really nice.

I'm not the best at taking pictures these are all off my phone.

tt7hvn

iTrader: (5)

looking good dude! I've the same philosophy: if it's already apart, clean it up and make it pretty before it goes back in, lol

I love how you didn't give up on this car even with the minor amount of frame damage. with today's tech, they can damn near repair anything....if you got the ball and $$...I should know

I look forward to more updates

FoXrAcEr2569

Thanks! It's been a lot of attention to detail and "we'll I'm this far.. Take that off too."

I just thumbed through your thread! That's incredible what you did to your car, a come-along and a tree would have fixed mine lol I just wanted it right, but you saved that rx7's life.

Anyway, JPR Imports has made some progress with the motor and I should have it this week. I've worked with Jim since I started working on Rotarys in 2007. I asked Jim for a sick street port and.. He didn't let me down. He sent a few pics my way so I will share.

Nice big street port

Project88Turbo

iTrader: (22)

Ok, I've changed my mind. I don't like your build anymore.

I LOVE IT. I wish I had the time/money/option to powercoat things. Everything looks SHOW quality. I'm always worried of making it TOO nice that I'll be afraid to drive it.

Keep up the good work.

Vince

FoXrAcEr2569

Thanks Vince! The price my guy charges me really isn't that bad.. And his turn around is quick. The days I work and can't play with the car he has the parts so it works out nicely. I'm still waiting for you to come up here and start the body work. Haha When is yours getting painted??

I have a little update I dropped off a few more parts to JPR Imports (Garfinkle Oil Pan Brace, Garfinkle Motor Mounts, and my ACT StreetLite Fly Wheel and 6-Puck Sprung Clutch.) and the motor was mainly back together. Hopefully I'll see it back tomorrow and I can put it back in.

lawless

iTrader: (4)

This is coming along nicely!

FoXrAcEr2569

I just can't wait till its running. I'm juggling two projects right now but this FD has most of my attention and funding lol.

This is my first project (20B Rx8 )

FoXrAcEr2569

It's been a long week for this project with not that much time spent in the build, but today the motor is re-united with the Chassis. Today I got a lot done.

First I re-assembled the transmission. After I removed the bell housing I discovered a bunch of nasty 20 year old oil. Looked more like mud then oil. So I cleaned all that out, replaced both main shaft, and tail housing seals, along with the shifter bushings and seals. The boot was ripped so I bought a new one along with a new interior boot. I guess 20 years takes its toll on rubber parts.

The motor didn't drop in so smoothly. At first I thought my Garfinkle Motor Mounts wouldn't fit, but after a little time and effort they went in nicely without scratching the new engine bay paint. Although the mounts seem rather hard and this will be a street car so I'm not sure how long they will be staying for vibration purposes, but I'm going to give them a shot.

Tomorrow I plan on putting the suspension back together, but I made the mistake of installing the super pro bushings backwards.. And getting them out in one piece seems like a nightmare. So I might have to buy new ones.. On the bright side the powder coating came out nice.

Other then that everything went smooth and the car once again has a drivetrain. Now it's up to Full-Race to ship out my turbo (please) so we can get the Downpipe and Intercooler piping finished.

Here's a few pics from today.

ricardo.benin

iTrader: (6)

What apex seals are you using also are you running a stud kit.
Thanks

FoXrAcEr2569

I'm running the RotaryAvation seals without studs. I probably won't make enough horsepower to require studs.