fd3sY8S

Get it done, right, I know, right? Work still keeping me busy. Updates coming soon hopefully.

Been looking for SMIC's still. Nice PF. Still no Blitz or PC II or III. Keep on 👀

fd3sY8S

So even though I have not been able to work on the car much lately I have been able to do a bit of shopping for her. I have sourced an upgraded aluminum AST to replace the plastic junk that came with the car originally. I have also been able to find a nicely priced PFC and Commander that is on the way. Now if I can only find the SMIC I am looking for..... what a PIA that has been. More to follow in the upcoming weeks as these parts come in and they go on.

Narfle

iTrader: (16)

Nice ride.

The plastic junk that came with the car lasted for 25+ years
I think another stock AST would last until "we don't need roads"

fd3sY8S

Good point. Still for me the mod is going on and the plastic in the box with the rest of the OEM being upgraded for the build. Guess it's one on the to do list checked half way off...

h_turbo

Did you get the OLED commander or the non OLED? I was in the market for a used PFC but then decided to wait a few more weeks and just get a new one.

fd3sY8S

I went ahead with a non OLED due to feeling I got a good deal from a member here. Still waiting on the unit. Time will tell, can't wait to get my hands on it and find "the" SMIC to pull it all together.

Mazderati

iTrader: (3)

What are you looking for in an intercooler? It looks like Pettit and Greddy still offer standard mount options. I have a new old stock M2 medium purchased years ago when M2 was still around. Haven't found the time to install it in seventeen years so would probably sell it but, again, the Pettit and Greddy options look readily available so not sure if you're after some specific feature.

fd3sY8S

My main focus is to retain the factory battery location and now accommodate the Apexi intakes. Secondly I would appreciate the simplicity of having an intake utilizing the stock duct to be able to keep the stock appearance of everything or it must come with new duct. What are the specs on the M2 medium as far as the above is concerned?

I have been after the Blitz because I understand it to be a true drop in as far as utilizing existing duct and minimal work if any, a true upgrade in performance and retains stock battery (will work with factory air intake and Apexi). I am, however, open to suggestions.

Mazderati

iTrader: (3)

The M2 medium can not be used with the stock air box or pod-style Apexi intake setup so it's not what you want. What's the draw to the Apexi intake setup?

Here's the M2 medium with M2 intake and smaller battery setup.

fd3sY8S

I am sure the M2 is a much more capable setup (HP) than what I am trying to achieve overall. When trying to keep the battery and battery cover in the stock location it really limits the selection. Even the Pettit charge III and GReddy have complications there (not to mention the right arm and leg you give).

Really when you get right down to it, I am the one causing the problem finding a SMIC here. I picture a Blitz dropped in the factory location utilizing factory duct, squeezed in between the battery and my already installed Apexi intakes. Question is, how long do I hold out before I go to plan "B" and consider something like the cxracing SMIC. It will fit, it is an upgrade, it should get me to my HP goal, its new and it doesn't cost and arm and a leg. Just haven't heard much about it.

Anyone have feedback on cxracing SMIC?

Mazderati

iTrader: (3)

You want what you want and I get staying close to stock as possible. The Blitz SMIC looks nice. The Apexi intake setup looks like a downgrade over stock but that's just one person's opinion. Good luck.

fd3sY8S

Thanks to some members here we have some parts arriving. Everything packaged well and should work just fine when the time comes.

Narfle

iTrader: (16)

Patience is key with FD. It's real easy to kill one with bad parts and bad timing.
Just take your time, fix it first (when applicable), don't compromise on quality.

fd3sY8S

Good advice Narfle, I'm drivable now until I pull everything apart to put the PFC in. No use in doing that until the SMIC is found though. So, no rush. Keep on looking and waiting. Keeping my fingers crossed for someone to get tired of looking at a dust collector

Force_Inducted

iTrader: (5)

I just sent you a PM the other day with pics of my ARC. Let me know what you think

fd3sY8S

Ok, well what seems like the norm for the FD journey, as others have pointed out, Thanks to a member here, I have finally sourced the SMIC. A GReddy is on the way! More to follow on this when I get back to town and get the package in hand. It's coming with a 99' spec Efini y pipe and the crossover and GReddy elbow so we have a few other performance bolt ons on top of it all. I think it should complement this build just fine. One step closer to the tuner.

fd3sY8S

Anyone have a suggestion on where to source new silicone couplers (black) and T-clamps for the hard pipes? The ones that are coming with the one I bought are said to be good but are blue and I prefer black. Also the clamps are more hose clamp looking and I would like the T-clamps. Suggestions?

jacobcartmill

iTrader: (6)

UPGR8 on amazon...

fd3sY8S

Appreciate that. Guess I was over thinking it and wanted to be sure I wasn't going to be accused of putting junk on my car after all this effort. Silicone is silicone after all. I guess if I needed it to say GReddy or something other I could fork over some $$'s. I guess this is one area where amazon or eBay will satisfy for most.

fd3sY8S

Just as a follow up, I went with an eBay brand, CR Concepts who had the t-bar clamps and 70mm (2.75") coupler for $7.08 ea. Shipped. You could choose red, blue or black. You could get the "humped" version for a bit more.

fd3sY8S

Still waiting on parts to come in and had noticed last week on a past group buy that turbojeff had built a PFC holder so the replacement ecu can be professionally installed and not velcro'd, zip tied or simply suspended in the air with the wired connections. Great idea but the buy was over. . Fortunately for me Johnny K had ordered an extra and was willing to separate.

Now along with the helpful suggestions, comments and reviews I have to say forum members I have had purchases/exchanges with are straight up people. Example above, PFC holder above sold out but it is being sold and shipped to me for the same price as it was to him. Members taking care of members. Good product and quality people. This post goes out to turbojeff and Jonny k.

Narfle

iTrader: (16)

Good deal. The community is getting smaller over time (fewer and fewer rx7s and more focus on newer platforms). Also, knowledge about the platform after 20+ years is stabilized, so there's less BS and misinformation than there used to be. Most members are here to help and enjoy each other, even the ones you might get in a pissing contest with every once in a while. In order to keep an rx7 you have to be pretty dedicated, or money enough to pay the problems away (and somehow interested DIY efforts. It's a mechanically interesting car that's pretty easy to work on for most things, which I think draws in DIYers. And, everybody tends to go through a similar rx7 learning curve/experience(especially starting from stock to bolt ons).

fd3sY8S

SMIC is in and needs a little love. As with most usd parts it will need a general cleaning, fin straighten and lots of elbow grease. Don't need it too shiney cause the intakes are dull anyway.

fd3sY8S

Inspecting the y pipe it looks like there are grooves in the connection between the two pipes. This is the o-ring connection between the two of them. Not sure if this is good or bad. Anyone have any feedback? Acceptable? I can't imagine what would cause that, there seems to be no rub damage on the other part and the o-ring surely didn't do it.

Any suggestions on an o-ring grease to help fill the gap? Hi-temp maybe.

Narfle

iTrader: (16)

If the fit is tight I wouldn't worry about it