Bringing one back from the dead
 

So this may end up being rather long so be prepared. I purchased this car years ago from a friend, it was at the time and currently a "dream car".
I quickly found an engine and got the car running rather quickly at the time, everything stock but car had been sitting for probably close to a decade.
Changed the fuel filter and installed a new fuel pump at the time, and took it for a drive on the country roads around my house. Everything seemed fine, had good boost pattern and transitioned without issue, ran cool etc. Well during one of my what I consider light pulls on the 2-3 shift the engine failed, 10psi no audible "pop or ping" and had no wideband at the time because thought i was safe on stock boost and ecu. Car was stored for a few years and now I have brought it back out to get it back running. The engine was professionally built then reinstalled. This time with a wideband, cleaned and tested injectors(still stock) ported wastegate and new fuel pump. Its running again now but I am a bit gun-shy so I am taking my time with getting all the systems brought back around. It still has a long road ahead to get it where it deserves to be. Anyhow take a look and any suggestions will be appreciated.




https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4d136f68be.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...7111d25540.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...903549d526.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...f51c8e8a1d.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a59b6902a.jpeg

Good basis from a preservation refurb. Good luck with that.

Congrats on getting it running again. Can definitely understand being gun shy. Seems like you took the right steps with cleaned injectors, new fuel pump and wideband this second time around.

Any engine / airflow mods like exhaust?

Seems like you just need to ease into it and keep an eye on AFR to ensure there aren't any fueling issues.

What does the engine bay look like with the new motor in? How much of the old has been made new?

Are you relying on 30 year sensors, solenoids, vac lines?

30 year old ecu?

Did you check inside the ecu for long tern condensation damage?

Are you getting any codes, or check engine light warnings?

I have a stock ecu and a power fc, it runs and starts on both. I replaced all the vacuum lines and tested all the solenoids. Car has stock air box and exhaust. Currently I'm just getting all the systems back running again and flushing all the brake lines. I had already done the fuel system. I am in no real rush to drive it on the street so taking my time is no big deal. The plan is to use the stock stuff until the car is sorted then possibly do a single swap down the road, still undecided if even want to do that.

Redbul, both ECUs show no damage and were stored indoors.
No check engine light with stock ecu and it does come on with key cycle.

Would be nice if you can preserve the twin sequential.

Not many are able to do that, but many regret giving it up.

I had the car running before on this set with a perfect stock boost and transition, I am hoping it will be the same once I get it out on the road. The goal is to have a reliable stockish setup when I am done

I've also bringing an SSM touring back from the dead and yours looks a lot better than mine. Same plan, running with stock ecu until sorted and then will swap in the PFC.

You probably already did cooling since you've put a new engine in. Mine cooled fine and had no leaks but when I looked closely my radiator was starting to crumble and there were rust patches in the hard coolant lines that were about to go. Sway bar brackets were bent up. You did brakes already of course. Fuel, solenoids, check valves, vacuum lines (I found numerous things that were wrong and was glad I went through the exercise - but if the engine was professionally installed then presumably this is all good).

Err, is the water pump running backwards in that photo? Looks like it needed an idler pulley but hopefully that's been sorted with the new engine.

Weird cutout in the IC duct.

I just realized about the water pump, thanks for pointing that out. It runs cool so thats kinda odd, ill have to get some sort of idler in there. Still working on the brakes and I also need a radiator, it works fine but is very likely the original one. I actually did the install and replaced all the lines and check valves, I didnt replace all the solinoids but did check them all for condition and function. No idea about the IC duct, I thought it was stock. Probably still be a while before its street ready due to all the issues needing addressed but it will get there eventually.

I strongly agree with this. A sequential FD really is a special experience.

~ GW

The "cut-out" in the plenum normally feeds air up into the crossover plenum to the airbox.

On Series 8 cars, this hole is covered over as the airbox is ducted separately. One reason the S8 bumper has a bump for the licence plate holder.

The earlier set up allowed hot air to back up from the intercooler into the airbox.