2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

1991 RX7 Turbo II Swap - Completed!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 18, 2010 | 09:12 AM
  #1  
kuro's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
NY 1991 RX7 Turbo II Swap - Completed!

There is kind of a sad story on why I ended up doing this swap. I took my car into an Auto Upholstery Shop to get my driver seat fixed (It had a 6" tear). It was the last thing to be fixed on my RX7. The rest of the car is mint! When I returned to pick my car up, long story short, the Upholstery Shop had blown my engine during a Joy Ride and refused to do anything about it (Yes the engine made good compression before I dropped it off and did not smoke).

I will admit, I took my car to a small shop that has a mechanic that loves Rotary Powered Cars to do this swap. Labor was $1020.55 (Including NYS 8% Tax) to do the complete swap & I bought the parts.

Parts I had to buy...
JDM Turbo II Engine w/ Transmission, intercooler, ecu, turbo, etc...
Turbo II Drive Shaft
Turbo II Throttle Cable
Turbo Inlet Duct
N370 AFM/MAF
TOP SPEED PRO-1 3" Complete Exhaust (Stainless Steel)
Turbo II Carbon Fiber Hood
Radiator
N370 ECU (Just incase the N374 did not work)

Issues
The only main issue we ran into was when the car was running, it would "bounce" between 750rpm to 1,500rpm. After installing the correct AFM/MAF, the issue was still there. Then over the weekend I got a call saying the shop fixed it and that they had to reset the TPS.

Also the N374 ECU worked just fine with the American Wire Harness.

Final Product
It took 3 months to complete the job. Mostly because the engine was delayed in shipping and then held up in customs. Then ordering parts one by one as we realized we needed them.

Overall the car runs great! Good compression, no smoke, and pulls insanely hard! The JDM Engine & Transmission I ordered came with a short throw shifter and a racing clutch (not fun to drive slow). My '91 RX7 NA was fairly docile, now I have a Turbo Beast! Sadly I had to put it away for the winter

What I plan to do in the spring is paint the hood, Turbo II Rear End, Suspension, & Brakes. I just ran out of time & money for this year to complete it all.

Out the door it was a little over $4000 to do the complete swap.

Pictures




Reply
Old Dec 18, 2010 | 10:46 AM
  #2  
Eudaiman's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, Ca
Wow man! That looks nice as hell!

Did your jdm engine came with ecu and intercooler and everything? Mine only had intercooler and oddly, a auto tranny flex plate.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2010 | 10:46 AM
  #3  
beefhole's Avatar
Boosted. I got BLOWN!!!
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (29)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,742
Likes: 1
From: Queens, NY
How did the shop get away with the joy ride?
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2010 | 01:38 PM
  #4  
walken's Avatar
Registered Loser
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,224
Likes: 0
From: Whiterock
WTF is this?!
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2010 | 06:17 PM
  #5  
RotaryRocket88's Avatar
Top Down, Boost Up
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 6
From: San Diego, CA
A piece of junkyard intake duct attached to a black dress sock?
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2010 | 07:00 PM
  #6  
Rob XX 7's Avatar
FC guy
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,714
Likes: 17
From: Long Island, New York
dress sock he said, oh man that killed me, lol

I dont think they left it like that................ did they?
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2010 | 07:58 PM
  #7  
beefhole's Avatar
Boosted. I got BLOWN!!!
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (29)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,742
Likes: 1
From: Queens, NY
It must have been to test if it started. look at it. the hood wouldn't close! It's gotta be temporary...
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2010 | 10:10 PM
  #8  
3vil's Avatar
Mazda Misfit
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
From: Springtuckey
i'd like more clarity on why you didn't *** rape the upholstery shop who killed your car please.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2010 | 10:15 PM
  #9  
thejallenator's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: the dalles
why would you waste the money for a CF hood just to paint it?
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2010 | 06:30 AM
  #10  
Derekcat's Avatar
Rotary Zealot!
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukie, Or
Originally Posted by thejallenator
why would you waste the money for a CF hood just to paint it?
*to paint it a different color than the body? ^_-?
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2010 | 08:33 AM
  #11  
kuro's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
As for the "A piece of junkyard intake duct attached to a black dress sock?", that was temporary to connect the AFM/MAF to the Engine. The real part came in 2 weeks later and the stock airbox was reinstalled. Once I pull the car out of storage (its an hour away at a friends barn), I will take more pictures.

I sued The Upholstery Shop that killed my car for $3,000. I had 2 witnesses and stacks of evidences. The judge rules in favor of the shop saying that I could not prove that the "Joy Ride" actually caused the engine to fail. Needless to say I was pissed and all I can do lately is just bad mouth their buisness locally.

CF Hood = Cheap, plus I am not sure if I like the black on red look yet...
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2010 | 05:57 PM
  #12  
lonewolfrx's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas
Damn that sucks they got away wit blowing your motor. I wouldve been pissed as hell if that happend to me.

Is your rear of the exhaust really that low or is it just not on the rubber donuts?
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2010 | 06:56 PM
  #13  
jerd_hambone's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 21
From: Good Ol' Ky
Cars looking good, I'm not a fan of those cans on the back, but the car looks great.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2010 | 07:52 AM
  #14  
87 t-66's Avatar
not a drifter
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (133)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,337
Likes: 6
From: Columbus, Ohio
Originally Posted by RotaryRocket88
A piece of junkyard intake duct attached to a black dress sock?
must be a JDM thing...
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2011 | 08:14 PM
  #15  
ROTAge244's Avatar
rexaholic
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Originally Posted by thejallenator
why would you waste the money for a CF hood just to paint it?
because the epoxy resins used in Carbon Fiber can delaminate when exposed to UV rays, or he is just stealth like a cat.

also doin' the same build and coming to the same head, do I take the time to find a stock TII hood or just get the slick CF version... I think you just made up my mind
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2011 | 05:58 AM
  #16  
theflatlander's Avatar
Dual Wielding DieGrinders
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 720
Likes: 2
From: Elko, NV
Cause the cf hood look never looks good.
Originally Posted by thejallenator
why would you waste the money for a CF hood just to paint it?
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2013 | 08:02 PM
  #17  
Lawson80's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: New Brunswick, Canada
Do you need the turbo II driveshaft from the tranny to the rear end ? Would the stock N/A shaft work ? I have T2 Differential and shafts to wheels
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2013 | 08:44 PM
  #18  
ryan2949's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 2
From: Azilda, Ontario
If you have N/A transmission and T2 rear end then no, you'll need to either buy a T2 transmission which aren't that expensive or buy or get a driveshaft made that goes from N/A trans to T2 rear. But if you have a T2 trans and T2 rear you still need T2 driveshaft.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2013 | 01:35 AM
  #19  
pistolgrip's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: salem OR
Suggestion:

When you paint the hood, have the paint shop "tint"the hood rather than regular paint by mixing red into the clear. That way the car will blend out all one color, but the carbon fiber can still be seen when the sun hits it just right. You also might want to consider some flush mount hood pins to stabilize it.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2013 | 03:14 AM
  #20  
-RotorDemon-'s Avatar
Rotary nut for 15 years.
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 2
From: Gresham, OR
Originally Posted by ROTAge244
because the epoxy resins used in Carbon Fiber can delaminate when exposed to UV rays, or he is just stealth like a cat.

also doin' the same build and coming to the same head, do I take the time to find a stock TII hood or just get the slick CF version... I think you just made up my mind
I'm really debating on getting a CF hood for my TII. However looking at the mesh in the scoop I think it would block a crapload of air to the intercooler. Yes? No? How about the cons without running hood pins.

Oh and to the quote above. If I do go for the hood I have a 100% damage free TII hood. Just needs to be painted.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2013 | 08:23 AM
  #21  
texFCturboII's Avatar
version 2.0
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth, TX
I dont think it would be any more of a restriction than the stock intercooler already is.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2013 | 08:39 AM
  #22  
clokker's Avatar
Cake or Death?
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,249
Likes: 64
From: Mile High
Originally Posted by -RotorDemon-
How about the cons without running hood pins.
I think most composite hood makers recommend hood pins even if they don't specifically require them.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2013 | 10:00 AM
  #23  
philiptompkins's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 0
From: Houston
If I had a CF hood I'd paint it.

And my thoughts on your engine are.... if they blew an n/a motor... it was on it's last leg anyway.

Unless they did something like refill your gas without adding premix if you've disabled the omp.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2013 | 11:43 AM
  #24  
ryan2949's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 2
From: Azilda, Ontario
IMO having a naked carbon hood looks rice. You need a specific looking car to make it look good, like a car that is basically a streetable track car. The carbon fiber hood is incredibly light and they have a lot of different vented carbon fiber hoods out there so I think people buy them more for what they do for heat in the engine bay than actually the fact that it's carbon fiber.
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2013 | 12:20 PM
  #25  
Clubuser's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member: 10 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 415
Likes: 8
From: Treasure coast
Originally Posted by -RotorDemon-
I'm really debating on getting a CF hood for my TII. However looking at the mesh in the scoop I think it would block a crapload of air to the intercooler. Yes? No?.
I've always wondered how effective that inlet really is in cooling the IC. Looking at the car from the side, seems to me most of the air flow is directed over the inlet.

When you think about it, it's a low pressure area. It's probably helping in scavanging heat from the engine bay @ speeds

You want a functional IC? A big front mount is the answer. You'll love it!
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:43 AM.