2JZ FD - I Just Couldn't Wait Any Lon ger! ^.^
on the build
10-25-10, 07:29 AM
#27
Pics of the finished modified hood and my spoiler!
- The bottom of the hood is actually extremely flush. Looking at it, I can see how a stock hood could actually fit. The only reason there is a hump is because of how he basically had cut around the vents that were there, kind of like The Joker's "why so serious?" smile, then lifted it up, applied fiberglass to the bottom, then molded it all together.
- I wasn't sure about the little thing in the midddle at first, but I think it adds a little flare to the hood, and goes with the little teeth that are on the '99 front-bumpers. :P I think it'll look pretty cool once installed. :]
I can't wait to install the spoiler now!! Pics of spoiler installed by tomorrow most likely.
- The bottom of the hood is actually extremely flush. Looking at it, I can see how a stock hood could actually fit. The only reason there is a hump is because of how he basically had cut around the vents that were there, kind of like The Joker's "why so serious?" smile, then lifted it up, applied fiberglass to the bottom, then molded it all together.
- I wasn't sure about the little thing in the midddle at first, but I think it adds a little flare to the hood, and goes with the little teeth that are on the '99 front-bumpers. :P I think it'll look pretty cool once installed. :]
I can't wait to install the spoiler now!! Pics of spoiler installed by tomorrow most likely.
10-27-10, 12:13 AM
#28
- Throttle body installed.
- Exhaust piping is complete.
- Wastegate dump-tube complete
- Coolant filler neck modified
- Radiator bracket in progress
- Intercooler piping in progress
- Shifter modified *SIGNIFICANTLY* - It was SUPER tall, so Kyle hacked it down about 4"...LOL Pics to come on that. :P
- Because of the intake manifold, Kyle is going to have to fabricate a new bracket for the Power Steering pump, and A/C is pretty much out of the question right now. We're gonna end up using a Power Steering pump off an Aristo 2JZ also, because the SC300's power steering resevoir is located pretty much right on top of the pump, which would make it impossible to use in this application.
- Long story short....NA-T brings with it new types of problems, in comparison to a straight Aristo or Supra 2JZ-GTE swap. For all those who intend to do this swap in the future, just go with the Aristo GTE....NA-T is rough! I'm just fortunate enough to have a skilled fabricator.
!!! OH, and the VIS Racing replica OEM carbon-fiber spoiler? The bolt holes don't even line up!!!! The carbon-fiber looks good, and the side-pieces required pretty much no prep work...but still, MAJOR disappointment that I had to drill extra holes...Blah! Have to drill an extra hole into the trunk lid too, and possible weld shut the old spoiler holes...BLARRR!! Pics to come on that...
10-27-10, 12:43 AM
#30
We still have some large hurdles to overcome before we can even start the car for the first time.
My brother did finish the wiring harness today with the exception of the gauges. He is waiting on that for the time being.
I do appreciate your input, though. There are just more important things to do first.
10-27-10, 10:11 PM
#32
Completed wastegate dump tube.
Completed 3" exhaust piping.
Rear-differential brace completed/installed.
Completed transmission brace.
Shifter installation 100% complete. Stock R154 shifter chopped down 4-5" for a more reasonable shifter height. lol...it was like a slot machine before! I definitely need a new shift boot though!! XD
Things left to do!
- Few bugs discovered today in the wiring harness. Shouldn't be too difficult to track down.
- Finish radiator brackets
- Install radiator
- Intercooler piping
- Modify throttle body and intercooler piping to allow for installation of MAF sensor
- Finish running coolant lines
- Finish running fuel lines
- Purchase new Brake Master Cylinder
- Bleed the brakes
- Purchase hoses to connect between the two valve covers.
- Fabricate bracket for Aristo 2JZ-GTE power-steering pump, in lieu of SC300 power-steering pump.
- Figure out serpentine belt configuration to make it all work.
- Fluids fluids fluids
- START THE CAR!!! @_@!!!
Taking tomorrow off to spend time with family. We're hoping to finish by Friday night. It's comin' down to the wire, folks!!
Completed 3" exhaust piping.
Rear-differential brace completed/installed.
Completed transmission brace.
Shifter installation 100% complete. Stock R154 shifter chopped down 4-5" for a more reasonable shifter height. lol...it was like a slot machine before! I definitely need a new shift boot though!! XD
Things left to do!
- Few bugs discovered today in the wiring harness. Shouldn't be too difficult to track down.
- Finish radiator brackets
- Install radiator
- Intercooler piping
- Modify throttle body and intercooler piping to allow for installation of MAF sensor
- Finish running coolant lines
- Finish running fuel lines
- Purchase new Brake Master Cylinder
- Bleed the brakes
- Purchase hoses to connect between the two valve covers.
- Fabricate bracket for Aristo 2JZ-GTE power-steering pump, in lieu of SC300 power-steering pump.
- Figure out serpentine belt configuration to make it all work.
- Fluids fluids fluids
- START THE CAR!!! @_@!!!
Taking tomorrow off to spend time with family. We're hoping to finish by Friday night. It's comin' down to the wire, folks!!
10-28-10, 04:15 PM
#34
That's a creative way to brace your rear end by cannibalizing your factory PPF, I like it. I wonder how much abuse it can take, or if the factory pumpkin would fail before the brace anyway?
10-29-10, 05:39 PM
#38
Yeah, I wouldn't be as worried about the DOM tubing as much as the factory diff case. They've been known to split in half under high load. I may have to borrow your idea for a temporary brace for my diff until I install an 8.8 diff.
10-29-10, 11:52 PM
#39
Installed the spoiler today!
MAN what a pain in the $!@#!%....I am EXTREMELY disappointed in VIS's workmanship. The bolts that come with the spoiler don't even match up to the threads well enough to hold it in place. I had to use my own bolts. On top of that, we had to bore out the holes to make the center-piece actually line up properly on both sides....and G-d, I butchered my trunk with holes...LOL, that's my own noob-ish fault though. :P Gonna get some serious body-work overhauling down within the next year...widebody kit install, new paint, etc...so I'm not sweatin' the small stuff. :P
We worked out some bugs in the wiring today and got all the electronics to work and the car to crank using the key, etc.....
BUT....we discovered that the distributor itself was not firing properly, and needs to be replaced. We ran out of time today to get one from a friend who has an extra, so early tomorrow we're gonna try replacing it and try to get the car to turnover.
UNFORTUNATELY.....this is where I get super sad face
(((((
The metal fabricator had other obligations to other cars and there's about a 90% chance that even before he left the shop tonight after my brother and I, that he finished what needed to be done.
The 2JZ-GE radiator/coolant piping is different than a GTE and in order to use my FD's Fluidyne radiator some MAJOR modifications are necessary....including cutting 4" of length and relocating the actual necks and end-tanks of the radiator.
He also still needs to finish fabricating radiator brackets, as well as intercooler piping and somehow installing the MAF into the intercooler piping.
On top of that, over the months, the passenger-side brace that holds the swaybar in position and bolts to the frame was misplaced....and the local Mazda dealer was supposed to have it yesterday, but their inventory was incorrect and now it won't even show up till Monday after I've left to go back home to San Diego. :/
Even if the metal fabricator finished ALL the radiator modification, brackets, and intercooler piping...we would still need at least a few more days to clean it all up, work out all the bugs, and tune it before it would really even be road-worthy.
It's VERY close, I won't lie. If we had just a couple more days, we could do it..but we don't. :/
What's gonna end up happening is the metal fabricator will finish his part, then my brother is coming back up to Georgia for New Years and he can get it driveable then, take it back down to Florida with him...work out ALL the kinks, maybe even tweak it a little...and then when I come back from my deployment in June/July-ish the car should finally be 100% done. *crosses fingers*
So, besides maybe a few more progress pics, this is pretty much it for now guys!
/sad facee
MAN what a pain in the $!@#!%....I am EXTREMELY disappointed in VIS's workmanship. The bolts that come with the spoiler don't even match up to the threads well enough to hold it in place. I had to use my own bolts. On top of that, we had to bore out the holes to make the center-piece actually line up properly on both sides....and G-d, I butchered my trunk with holes...LOL, that's my own noob-ish fault though. :P Gonna get some serious body-work overhauling down within the next year...widebody kit install, new paint, etc...so I'm not sweatin' the small stuff. :P
We worked out some bugs in the wiring today and got all the electronics to work and the car to crank using the key, etc.....
BUT....we discovered that the distributor itself was not firing properly, and needs to be replaced. We ran out of time today to get one from a friend who has an extra, so early tomorrow we're gonna try replacing it and try to get the car to turnover.
UNFORTUNATELY.....this is where I get super sad face
(((((The metal fabricator had other obligations to other cars and there's about a 90% chance that even before he left the shop tonight after my brother and I, that he finished what needed to be done.
The 2JZ-GE radiator/coolant piping is different than a GTE and in order to use my FD's Fluidyne radiator some MAJOR modifications are necessary....including cutting 4" of length and relocating the actual necks and end-tanks of the radiator.
He also still needs to finish fabricating radiator brackets, as well as intercooler piping and somehow installing the MAF into the intercooler piping.
On top of that, over the months, the passenger-side brace that holds the swaybar in position and bolts to the frame was misplaced....and the local Mazda dealer was supposed to have it yesterday, but their inventory was incorrect and now it won't even show up till Monday after I've left to go back home to San Diego. :/
Even if the metal fabricator finished ALL the radiator modification, brackets, and intercooler piping...we would still need at least a few more days to clean it all up, work out all the bugs, and tune it before it would really even be road-worthy.
It's VERY close, I won't lie. If we had just a couple more days, we could do it..but we don't. :/
What's gonna end up happening is the metal fabricator will finish his part, then my brother is coming back up to Georgia for New Years and he can get it driveable then, take it back down to Florida with him...work out ALL the kinks, maybe even tweak it a little...and then when I come back from my deployment in June/July-ish the car should finally be 100% done. *crosses fingers*
So, besides maybe a few more progress pics, this is pretty much it for now guys!
/sad facee
10-31-10, 12:10 AM
#41
Hmmz! I'm using the GE harness from the SC300 that the motor originally came out of...so I don't know if that is really an option for me. I'll have to check up on Club Lexus or Club NA-T forums for more info on that I guess..
11-03-10, 09:18 PM
#42
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The car looks sweet man. Here is a pic of mine, just out of the body shop. Engine was running good but now I have a missfire. I think the epoxy glue on the coils might have taking a crap. Time to save and get new ones
11-07-10, 02:35 AM
#43
So close....
Just a few more days of work and it would have been 100% road-worthy. T_T
Now I have to wait till New Years just for my brother to fly back to Georgia and finish the car. I won't even get to see the car till probably July-ish of next year though! *sob sob*
11-09-10, 05:16 PM
#44
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Do you have any measurements and diagrams of your engine mount brackets? I just really hate the dome shaped hoods and want to keep it clean and keep people guessing. Seeing as you said a normal FD hood will fit, I was wondering if you had what I'm asking for so I can get a friend to weld make them for me.
Thanks!
Thanks!
11-09-10, 06:44 PM
#45
Do you have any measurements and diagrams of your engine mount brackets? I just really hate the dome shaped hoods and want to keep it clean and keep people guessing. Seeing as you said a normal FD hood will fit, I was wondering if you had what I'm asking for so I can get a friend to weld make them for me.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Errr.....Now that I'm back home there's definitely no change of being able to provide you with any kind of exact measurements...everything you see in my pics was all done from scratch.
Sorry! :[
11-09-10, 07:39 PM
#47
Next time I talk to him though, I'll ask.
Kyle's been working on my car on-and-off since about March or so of this year.
Thank you for the compliments.
It's still a bit of a mess, but a little bit of touch up and attention to detail type work and she will be a true beauty. :P
11-10-10, 08:35 PM
#49
Sold it. To Howard Coleman, actually. :P
I had a Part Out thread here on RX-7 Club..
I was able to sell most everything, except for my RE-Amemiya Short-Shifter, my modified/upgraded SPEC clutch, T-4 Turbo Manifold, and a few other random things. I think I still have my distributor w/ wires, throttle body, and now a white OEM wing. lol :P
I had a Part Out thread here on RX-7 Club..
I was able to sell most everything, except for my RE-Amemiya Short-Shifter, my modified/upgraded SPEC clutch, T-4 Turbo Manifold, and a few other random things. I think I still have my distributor w/ wires, throttle body, and now a white OEM wing. lol :P
01-04-11, 12:27 AM
#50
It LIVES!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwqeLK-lVjU&hd=1
Most recent pic:
My brother was able to figure out why it wouldn't start. Turned it out the Igniter needed to be grounded to the chassis was all it was. LAME!!
On a sour note, turns out the R154 transmission I bought off some forum members (Club Lexus or Supra Forums I think) turned out to be crap. 1st and 2nd gear grind even with the clutch fully engaged. *sigh*
So I'm in the market for another R154 tranny as we speak.
Besides that, I think Kyle has a finishing touch or two to do on the now-chopped up Fluidyne radiator.
After that, I'm gonna be shipping the car to Florida for my brother to finish tweaking the car. Wire up the gauges, and check with a local shop about doing a custom power-steering pump setup, cause right now it doesn't have power-steering. >_<
After that, a wheel alignment, and a little street/dyno tuning... the car will be 100% drivable and shipped over here to San Diego ASAP.
Stay tuned for more updates!
:]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwqeLK-lVjU&hd=1
Most recent pic:
My brother was able to figure out why it wouldn't start. Turned it out the Igniter needed to be grounded to the chassis was all it was. LAME!!
On a sour note, turns out the R154 transmission I bought off some forum members (Club Lexus or Supra Forums I think) turned out to be crap. 1st and 2nd gear grind even with the clutch fully engaged. *sigh*
So I'm in the market for another R154 tranny as we speak.
Besides that, I think Kyle has a finishing touch or two to do on the now-chopped up Fluidyne radiator.
After that, I'm gonna be shipping the car to Florida for my brother to finish tweaking the car. Wire up the gauges, and check with a local shop about doing a custom power-steering pump setup, cause right now it doesn't have power-steering. >_<
After that, a wheel alignment, and a little street/dyno tuning... the car will be 100% drivable and shipped over here to San Diego ASAP.
Stay tuned for more updates!
:]
