My car is an 87 n/a, mostly stock except for below:

Today I'll be getting a new RP catback and K&N cone filter. I already have the bonez superflo kit on, so I think this should complete my exhaust and intake work (the basics, anyway).

Except for the intake and exhaust, everything else on the car is stock.

My questions:

1) With the better intake and exhaust, do I need to adjust the a/f mixture to keep from running lean, or am I just being paraniod?

2) What's next in the upgrade chain? I've been thinking about the throttlebody mod, but honestly, I'm too chicken-**** to try it. This is my daily driver, and I'm screwed if I jack something up.

Thanks for any and all advice!

- Jim

 

To my knowledge you should be fine with the better intake and exhaust without causing any harm to your system. I didn't adjust mine when i modied it, and
I think it is fine, Its good. Lates Matt22

 

is to check your plugs after a few thousand miles, they will tell you if your leaning out or running

next mod hmmmm, what about an aluminum flywheel. it will get you some better acceleration.

 

what are the signs of running lean when checking the plugs? wierd colored deposits? I noticed the leading plug on the trailing rotor had some greenish-colored crap on it. Not sure what that is (coolant? but mine isn't using any that I can tell).

I'll think about the alum. flywheel. Might do that the next time the clutch goes (do that along with a clutch upgrade).

I'm also toying with the idea of an elec. fan and upgraded radiator for better cooling. Any one know of a site that sells a fan kit for our FC's?

 

You can either get a Black Magic fan at www.summitracing.com (although I am not sure the size) or a fan out of a 86 Pontiac Fiero is also an acceptable replacement. Do a search. It will reveal volumes...

 

When modifying, a little paranoia can save you $$$ With these mild mods the ECU will just register the extra airflow and react accordingly. Shouldn't be any problem at all, but checking your plugs was a good suggestion

Are you prepared to lose your cold-start idle-up on a daily driver? I'm not, which is why I haven't done it. If you are, it's a good mod, just follow the directions carefully and you should be sweet.

 

Well Im getting my motor rebuilt and plan on going with this one...
http://www.absoluteradiator.com/cgi-...e8b+1014942250

 

I wouldn't say your being paranoid, just careful. This is of course always a good thing to be with these rotary engines. It will definitely save you money because you won't need to rebuild your engine from being stupid.

 

Or you could show up at the Chuckanut run that's going to be on the 23rd of March. Check out the NW Section if you already haven't. When you do get the clutch, you should definitely get the lighweight flywheel. I've had the 9.5# for five months now. Nothing but praise for it. It really makes the engine come alive. Another thing you could do is be proactice and change out your ol cooler line for some SS braided lines. If the hoses have already been replaced, then nevermind. If you suspect that they are as old as the car, then change them out and save yourself some troubles down the road. They will go sooner or later so get them before they do.

jerk_racer@hotmail.com

 

Thanks to everyone for the input.

I think next will be the oil cooler lines (thanx Jerk Racer - damn good idea.),

The upgraded radiator and elec. fan.

The RB engine brace.

The better clutch and lightened flywheel are more and more sounding like a good way to go, but that's gonna wait till my current one goes. No sense in throwing away good stock parts.

Also, LSD from the GXL (I think) and 4.30 gears..

....Damn.. I thought I was getting done dumpin' money into this thing... ****!..

Then it's on to suspension...

Chuckanut Run, hm? I'm in.. any chance to meet up with some other Rx enthusiasts. Maybe by then cruser will have his s/t FD broke in.

Thanks again!

- Jim

 

Bear in mind the 9.5# flywheel is good for hard driving, but not drag racing at all. Changing the tranny fluid to Redline 75W90 or MT-90 fluid will make your tranny's life easier. Plus shifting will feel better. Some people like different weights and brands but I dig Redline 75W90. Man, you'll never be done dumping money in your car unless you put a definite limit to what you want. Building a car for a certain SCCA class is a good example as to how to limit your parts spending after a while. It's simple, get too much and your in a whole other class.

 

I'm not really into drag racing, but I still wanna feel the rush of mashing it every now and then, yet still be reliable enough to put 250K+ on a motor without killing it. I like the lightened flywheel idea, so that's on the list.

I checked the oil cooler lines today. They're already braided lines and in great conditon.

Doing the performance upgrades hand-in-hand with reliability upgrades has paid off well so far... 191,000 miles and no real problems (at least none I haven't been able to figure out)..

- Jim