Doing it right. What do you guys think?
 

Alright, after reading here for th past couple months I have seen quite a few things. The most common one however is people trying to leapfrog ahead of the essentials when modifying their cars and popping their engines. My proposal is to start opposite of the way it seems most people take and I was wondering if I could get some input. Now seeing as how I am a full-time college student part-time work, it is going to be tough to get the funds so it may take me a while. Here is my plan to do an FC right:

Before any mod's come in, I am going to do a full tune-up. Replace all my filter's etc. I want the car to be running stock by the time I start modding it. Clean the BAC all the small maintenance things that can be done in order to prevent problems down the road.

The first thing I intend to buy is a standalone setup. I am swaying back and forth between the Power FC's and Microtech, but I know that the first major upgrade I wish to make is going to be this. The main reason is that it seems like the last thing people do usually is go standalone and in result they have gone through about 3-4 motors already. I don't want to cheat myself and use an S-AFC because if I am going to spend 350$ I may as well as spend 1000$ and just have that out of the way.

Second, I want to do fuel modifications. Upgraded pump, preferably the TeamFC3s.org competition pump, but I may just go with a Walboro. Then upgraded injectors. FCD, the whole nine yards. Guages also are going to be a must. I have no plans of leaning out and popping. I want to make sure I have enough fuel for nearly any setup I finally come to rest on.

Third, I am going to remove my A/C and relocate the battery to behind the passenger seat using some sort of vented box.

Fourth, will be a FMIC, Koyo Rad, and E-Fan. My basic plan of attack if you haven't noticed is get every big item out of the way that people tend to put off.

Fifth though it isn't power related it is DEFINITELY a performance enhancement. A new suspension, yet to be decided on, the works as well. Strut bars, sway bars, rear toe eliminators, everything! :)

At this point sixth, I am going to do what most people do as their most primary upgrade. Free up the Exhaust and Intake. With the current modifications there should be no fear of running lean. I am thinking RB back, and HKS power flo intake. I mean I would love a Greddy SP but with all I have already listed I have to try to be just a teeny-bit realistic! :D

Along the course of all these other modifications, I will have hoped to do the Grounding Kit enhancement, and replace my hoses with some nice matching silicon ones ;).

Now is where I am hoping it will get REALLY fun :). At the end I am planning on getting a nice BNR Stage III Turbo Upgrade. After all this I am hoping to have:

NOT: Cheap, and Reliable, but not Fast
NOT: Cheap, and Fast, but Unreliable

but

Fast, and Reliable, but not cheap :D

Hopefully within 2-3 years everything I have listed will be finished. This isn't set in stone or anything but it is a pretty clear idea of what I want. I wanted to hear some input from you guys? I am basically doing the reverse of what most people do it seems in the beginning. I want all the reliability mods before power, so that I know the car can handle the power.

I am still relatively stupid in my ways but this was the setup that I figured to be the most common sense by reading and searching my ass off, on everything FC. I mean, to say it is my setup, or my idea, is kinda messed up, because it is all taken directly from reading others posts. I just compiled it all into my own little list.

So if anything in here is wrong....don't blame me I got these ideas from you guys! lol. But seriously any feedback and if anyone can come up with a better list I would be happy to see it. I want a Fast and Reliable 7, and I want to do it right the first time.

Thanks everyone, all the knowledge I have on 7's is mainly, from reading posts of this and other message boards. And of course tinkering around with my own car! :)

Oh and I forgot! New tires.....yeahhhhh that'd be sweet. lol. Have a great day everyone!

--Fritz

PS. Sorry my post is so dreadfully long. (and I am sure I missed stuff, this was just off the top of my head right now, so please don't get mad if I said anything, or missed anything stupid!)

good plan, glad to see someone pays attention

That's the good thing about our RX-7's.
Fairly reliable, fairly cheap, AND fairly fast - a good mix.
(and a blast to drive)

As you say, they can be made faster with inexpensive mods, if they are well planned.

Usually fuel injectors are replaced at the same time the EMS is installed since you already have the top part of the engine apart. If you don't mind taking the engine apart a couple times, this isn't a problem. If you want to do the job once, replace the injectors when you do the EMS. Also replace the vac lines with silicone hoses at this step. Include in your budget the cost for new intake gaskets.

Also include the throttle body mod to your list of upgrades. This can be done at anytime.

Do you have ABS on this car? Delete it. Your turbo will thank you for the extra breathing room...Your knuckes will LOVE YOU for the lack of cuts!

Drivetrain: With a front mount, EMS, and Stage 3 turbo, the clutch is going to need an upgrade! It won't take the 300+ RWHP you're going to be making

There is a saying.

" You can Do it right.
You can Do it Cheep.
You can do it fast. (time wise)
BUT
You only get 2 out of the 3."

But sounds like you got a plan.

Clutch! Of course how silly I am!! lol! This is exactly why I posted here, so that I could get this kind of input and not forget anything. About the injectors and EMS I am probably going to do the injectors pump and ems all around the same time that's why they are first and second. About the clutch I was thinking the Act 6 Puck as I have heard people say they like it better than S/S what do you think? A lightweight flywheel may be a nice little addition too! :) Throttle body mod will be done early on as well.

Thanks for all the input!!!

--Fritz

plans are one thing =), actually doing it is a different story =)

If you notice that is why I am giving myself such a long amount of time to complete. I think with that amount of time I can do all the things that I have listed without draining myself too much financially. My main goal is to keep my FC's life long and happy, yet still make her pull like a bitch. :) While I realize these goals are mutually exclusive I hope to come as close as I can to reaching both.

--Fritz

I just don't want to be one of those posts that starts: ":( I popped my motor!" I want to do it right the first time.

Any other input on this guys?

:D

--Fritz

i dont know if you had it in mind or not, but you are going to want to port your wastegate, or go with an external so that you can eliminate boost creep, and have an accurate boost control.
other than that, good plans.... i just got my car in the condition that you mentioned, so now b4 i even drive it, im working on all the reliablity issues (fuel system, etc.)
def. a good idea to work "backwards"
good luck!

you will not need a FCD with an aftermarket ECU because you won't have any boost cut when you tune your Aftermarket ECU UP.

The upgraded wastegate was just forgotten in terms of mentioning it would go along with my BNR upgrade.

The FCD is a good point, I told you I was stupid occasionally! :) Thanks for pointing that out!

Anything else missing or screwed up guys?

Thanks for all the input!

--Fritz

As a general rule, you can't run a power fc on a fc. There are a few power fc's that are configured for s5 turbo's, but for the cost of everything you need to run it you could have an e6k, wolf, or lt8 which has a lot more support in the FC community.

I had heard the same thing :( I was hoping I could be one of those exceptions but that is a little unrealistic. And before creating another e6k vs lt8 flame war maybe I will just consider the expensive lt11 and wolf options.... :D Thanks for the good point. Damn I wish the stupid Power FC would actually work on an "FC" what the hell?! It is sooo damn sek'sey too! :P

--Fritz

The only thing I would change with your plan is I would get the front mount IC as your first mod...before the EMS and Fuel mods.

A front mount on a stock engine would be considered a reliability mod. Boost pressure will stay the same but your intake temps will be drastically reduced. (The decrease in temps will make up for any pressure loss due to the pipes) You won't have to worry about heat soak and the engine will run cooler. If you remove the AC at the same time, the radiator and coolant temps will not be effected.

Just a thought...