What did you do to your FB today?
#4301
'84 5-letter
iTrader: (5)
Be warned: the 3-row alu radiator I got off ebay DOES NOT FIT my car in any way shape or form, even though it specifically advertised for 84-85 gsl-se 13b mazda.
Just make super sure. The shorter radiator will require custom or modified lower radiator hose as well.
To get my radiator to work here is what will need to be done:
Custom coolant sensor for top hole (hole not right gauge)
Cut and re-weld lower radiator hose connector to better match the angle to /maybe/ fit a custom hose on there to hook up to my FC water pump
Purchase and install two 10" E-fans as the radiator (excluding tanks) is only 11" tall, radiator is thicker, and there are no provisions to bolt on the radiator shroud other than the one that is top and center.
Basically I paid $120 so that I can spend another $200 in fans, wiring, custom fabricating to get it to fit. Needless to say I'm a little frustrated at the whole experience.
Just make super sure. The shorter radiator will require custom or modified lower radiator hose as well.
To get my radiator to work here is what will need to be done:
Custom coolant sensor for top hole (hole not right gauge)
Cut and re-weld lower radiator hose connector to better match the angle to /maybe/ fit a custom hose on there to hook up to my FC water pump
Purchase and install two 10" E-fans as the radiator (excluding tanks) is only 11" tall, radiator is thicker, and there are no provisions to bolt on the radiator shroud other than the one that is top and center.
Basically I paid $120 so that I can spend another $200 in fans, wiring, custom fabricating to get it to fit. Needless to say I'm a little frustrated at the whole experience.
#4302
Senior Member
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Damn ioTus! That sounds like a lot of frustration. Why didn't you send it back when you realized it wouldn't fit? Now that you gave me the warning about the radiator I'm going to open the package and test fit it tonight. If it gives the same problems I'm sending it right back!
#4305
Lapping = Fapping
iTrader: (13)
I'm glad aluminum just doesn't do it for me. I bought a couple of stock radiators recently. They fit the cars perfectly. Tall 83-85 copper/brass or whatever it is, painted black. A little more expensive, but in the end it costs less. Weird how that works, huh.
Don't worry ioTus, we'll learn yah yet.
Don't worry ioTus, we'll learn yah yet.
#4306
down, but not out
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Santa Barbara, California
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I bought a 3 row Champion aluminum radiator (tall for an 85) off of ebay a while back before JCCS after seeing a few of them in some very nice builds on Jay Leno's Garage.
The radiator arrived about 36 hours after I placed my order, nicely packaged and protected.
Installation took maybe 20 minutes, using factory bracket points. I was even able to retain my stock fan setup.
I couldn't be happier with its looks and performance (for 200$) ;the temperature gauge doesn't ever move past the 1/4 mark.
The radiator arrived about 36 hours after I placed my order, nicely packaged and protected.
Installation took maybe 20 minutes, using factory bracket points. I was even able to retain my stock fan setup.
I couldn't be happier with its looks and performance (for 200$) ;the temperature gauge doesn't ever move past the 1/4 mark.
Last edited by RxTex; 02-12-14 at 10:41 AM.
#4310
down, but not out
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Honestly, I noticed quite a difference with my current setup. (Stock 12a with full rb exhaust)
That drilled air cleaner lid came on my spec 7 car, so I tossed it on my street car one day out of curiosity.
It makes a noticeable difference at the top end (where I spend my time), where it seems to pull harder and certainly climbs more quickly through the revs.
#4311
'85 12a
iTrader: (10)
Honestly, I noticed quite a difference with my current setup. (Stock 12a with full rb exhaust) That drilled air cleaner lid came on my spec 7 car, so I tossed it on my street car one day out of curiosity. It makes a noticeable difference at the top end (where I spend my time), where it seems to pull harder and certainly climbs more quickly through the revs.
I don't use it much because of the added noise, but it does work.
#4314
Lapping = Fapping
iTrader: (13)
Originally Posted by RxTex
Honestly, I noticed quite a difference with my current setup. (Stock 12a with full rb exhaust)
That drilled air cleaner lid came on my spec 7 car, so I tossed it on my street car one day out of curiosity.
It makes a noticeable difference at the top end (where I spend my time), where it seems to pull harder and certainly climbs more quickly through the revs.
That drilled air cleaner lid came on my spec 7 car, so I tossed it on my street car one day out of curiosity.
It makes a noticeable difference at the top end (where I spend my time), where it seems to pull harder and certainly climbs more quickly through the revs.
#4316
'84 5-letter
iTrader: (5)
Yeah I would have tried to return it - however I have this horrible tendency of buying lots of parts and having a stockpile of projects waiting to be done. I bought the radiator like 4 months ago and only now am getting to putting it in.
Most e-bay stores have like a 72 hour return policy from the time you hit "buy now" and its expired by the time it gets to your door an exaggeration but yeah - I took to long to test fit it, and now i pay the price.
I'm not sure what I'll do about the radiator situation, I'm already 2 projects deep with the wire tuck (nearly done) and the Megasquirt install (just beginning). I was hoping it was going to be a quick install - as its supposed to be - not another f*$ing fab job.
Most e-bay stores have like a 72 hour return policy from the time you hit "buy now" and its expired by the time it gets to your door an exaggeration but yeah - I took to long to test fit it, and now i pay the price.
I'm not sure what I'll do about the radiator situation, I'm already 2 projects deep with the wire tuck (nearly done) and the Megasquirt install (just beginning). I was hoping it was going to be a quick install - as its supposed to be - not another f*$ing fab job.
#4317
1985 GSL-SE: Removed the rear wiper arm because the splines are all stripped out. Not sure how to fix this.
1985 GSL-EV: Drove it to work the last two days. The last few times I drove it the batteries were so cold it didn't do well. Today I did a short burnout just because I could. Also punched it up to 90 on a road that shall remain unnamed. Planning on working on the front battery box lid this evening.
General: Ordered some silicone material for mold making. Ordered a vacuum chamber to degas resin. Still looking for the right vacuum pump.
1985 GSL-EV: Drove it to work the last two days. The last few times I drove it the batteries were so cold it didn't do well. Today I did a short burnout just because I could. Also punched it up to 90 on a road that shall remain unnamed. Planning on working on the front battery box lid this evening.
General: Ordered some silicone material for mold making. Ordered a vacuum chamber to degas resin. Still looking for the right vacuum pump.
#4318
FB=OS Giken LSD
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Join Date: Apr 2001
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Did some sliding around during the ice storm in Atlanta today
12a with MindTrain exhaust, a bit too loud for me
RX-7 In Atlanta Ice Storm - YouTube
12a with MindTrain exhaust, a bit too loud for me
RX-7 In Atlanta Ice Storm - YouTube
Even my wife's fwd Lexus was not going anywhere. We carpooled in the X5:
#4319
Senior Member
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Received the radiator today
My aluminum 3 row radiator and 16" 2200cfm electric fan arrived in the mail today. I bought these items from a company based in Calgary that also sells on eBay. Here's what the products look like.
Will test fit the radiator tomorrow and give a full review. At first glance the quality of the radiator seems pretty good. Nice welds and construction.
Will test fit the radiator tomorrow and give a full review. At first glance the quality of the radiator seems pretty good. Nice welds and construction.
#4321
Been fairly nice all week but today was first chance I got to mess with the GSL-SE. It had flooded out on start a couple of weeks ago and I had not gotten back to it. Was going to stick a charger on it this morning but decided what the heck lets see if it will start and it started! Was running rough on one rotor for a few seconds and then the other caught. Took it for a drive long enough to get her warmed up. I have had plugs since last summer but never seemed to get to changing them. Did that this afternoon and found that the ones the PO had put in were not correct. They used BR9EQ-14's instead of the BR8EQ-14 plugs. If I am not mistaken the 9's are a hotter plug. They didn't look bad but the gap was wide. Seems to run better, idles a little slow now.
Took the GSL-EV for a drive to lunch and the supermarket. I was practicing burnouts with it yesterday and got my worst economy ever (63.5 MPGe.) The EV conversion makes burnouts so easy. Left foot on brake, apply throttle in first gear. If it starts to move add more brake, add more throttle until the wheels start spinning. Moderate your speed with the brake. I could probably make parallel lines until the brake rotors overheated or the tires wore out.
Doug
Took the GSL-EV for a drive to lunch and the supermarket. I was practicing burnouts with it yesterday and got my worst economy ever (63.5 MPGe.) The EV conversion makes burnouts so easy. Left foot on brake, apply throttle in first gear. If it starts to move add more brake, add more throttle until the wheels start spinning. Moderate your speed with the brake. I could probably make parallel lines until the brake rotors overheated or the tires wore out.
Doug
#4322
Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2013
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Replaced the worn idler arm on my 83 GSL with a Moog idler arm. Great improvement in construction. Got a proper alignment done and she runs in a dead straight line now with no hands on the wheel. I'm a happy camper once again cause I don't have to correct a constant pull to the right. Next project is to change out my radiator for the 3 row aluminum one that I just got. Test fit it today and it was almost perfect. There's one bolt hole missing on the right hand side. Easy fix though.
#4324
1st-Class Engine Janitor
iTrader: (15)
Replaced plugs, cap, rotor with OEM parts. Got out the timing light, and discovered that my trailing was firing like 90% of the time on the leading signal. Wrote a long thread post about it in the process answered my own question.
Swapped out the ignitor control box to my spare - problem seems to have gone away.
Also gone is my long-standing idle instability (burble/sneeze) I've been chasing for years.
Timing's locked on now. Not sure if I'm gonna fiddle with the mix at all; Idle's right at 800rpm and it smells clean.
Now, to decide; get smog check as is, or swap in blaster coils under premise of maybe a bit better combustion.
Plugs looked pretty good, coming out after 2 years:
Swapped out the ignitor control box to my spare - problem seems to have gone away.
Also gone is my long-standing idle instability (burble/sneeze) I've been chasing for years.
Timing's locked on now. Not sure if I'm gonna fiddle with the mix at all; Idle's right at 800rpm and it smells clean.
Now, to decide; get smog check as is, or swap in blaster coils under premise of maybe a bit better combustion.
Plugs looked pretty good, coming out after 2 years:
#4325
Interesting. I just assumed the BR8's were the stock recommendations since that is what Mazdatrix shows for the 84-85 13B. In my case it could be running better simply because the gap is correct.