Ok so pretty much I'm just making this post to try and not step on anyone's toes here. Namely AzEKnightz's because he is the person currently making and selling a kit that accomplishes a similar thing. Slight difference, I am only replacing the three port solenoids, so the two port turbo control valve stays factory, though it wouldn't be hard to change out the pressure regulator valve to work as this instead, and I may include that info in a tutorial if I do go ahead and make one.

Anyway, I'm kind of torn here because the information is available on the forums, it's just not organized well and is a bit difficult to find. And I really don't see an issue of just putting that together into a nice tutorial. But the fact is that AzEKnightz is making money off of what he has worked hard to put together into a nice kit for people to install. And I don't want to step on toes. But in the same token I know a lot of people here, including myself are very DIY oriented and would rather make it on their own instead of spending the amount that it would cost to purchase the kit from the GB.

Obviously in a perfect world the only people that would use this tutorial are people that wouldn't have spent the money on the GB kit anyway, but obviously there is no way of knowing or making that happen.

I don't want to divulge too much information yet, but the cost of DIY is a fair bit cheaper. Though of course you have to do all the work yourself, and chances are it may not look quite as nice as his kit.

So I'd like some input as to what I should do. Either way I'm doing all this work, and will be documenting my progress as it is for a project, it's really just a question of is it appropriate for me to compile this into a tutorial for others that could potentially cut into another forum member's profits.

And just in case it comes up, I have ZERO intentions of building and selling this to other people even if I made no profit off of it, it would be strictly DIY, source your own parts etc, I would just tell you where to get the parts and what you need to do.

 

I am always down for good reading material and learning experiences

 

I dont think you should be worried about cutting into his profits. There are many companies on here that offer similar products and compete for buisness and theres not a problem with that. The for sale section is full of similar parts that different people are selling and no one has a problem with that either. I am sure that there will be drawbacks and advantages to your system versus the others out there. Plus if the knowledge and ideas arent shared there will be no competition and no incentive to come out with a better product or design. By introducing your idea and sharing you could actually help azeknightz by giving him new ideas or he may see your design and be able to improve his own.

 

In my opinion, it's far from inappropriate, as you're sharing knowledge as you said that is available, just not organized. It would be a benefit to the community as a whole to learn how the solenoids work and, if needed, to replace them. Lots of info on here is shared to help save people money, and do things on their own that others are charging for. So, it's completely ok.

 

I think you should go ahead and do it if you are so inclined. It will help some other owners here. And after seeing the scope of the work it may drive others to the aforementioned kits.

Go for it. I look forward to reading it and learning something new about the system.

 

you can do the same thing for less than half the cost.
save yourself the dough and order the solenoids on your own.
there is a thread with part numbers and sales rep information.
i recently went through peterpaul electronics and built my own rack for $287

NOTE: if you get solenoids on a rack or manifold, it will look the same as all previously sold kits.

Assembly is bonehead easy.
if you assemble a DIY kit and it "doesn't look as good" as any of there other kits available, i guarantee it will not work like them either.

 

I am all for DYI if you ask me. However I need to alert you on make sure your vacuum diagram is clear otherwise you'll have a nightmare trying to fix vacuum leaks and will not have a working/running car for a while.

There are information here, but you wont be able to get them easily as they are not complete and require a lot of time researching and knowing how the sequential system works.

If I were not selling these kits, I wouldve more than happy to help you out. Therefore all I can say is good luck with the project.

-EZ

 

Well thanks for the input guys, glad to see AzEKnightz even responded, I hadn't gotten around to PM'ing you yet about this. Everyone has been in favor and I'm already pretty far into the project. Assembly is going to start just as soon as my fittings get here. I'll work on making a hopefully clear tutorial as I do this install. Install should be completed by this weekend, tutorial hopefully within the next week after that depending on how my schedule goes.

 

I can personally vouch for the Azeknightz kit. It is pricy but worth it IMO if you plan to run stage 3 BNRs at high boost OR if you would like reliable sequential operation. I understand a DIY for someone who might want to save a bit of money. I like that Eric did his kit right. Heavy duty solenoids, labeled connections, neatly wrapped wire and the quick disconnect side had high temp wrap as well. Very well thought out. I believe a new sequential vacuum diagram would be in order. I personally deleted a hard line manifold from my rats nest for simplification when I installed his system. I posted pictures in his GB thread

 

a competent person can do all of these things themselves.

AZEKnight's kit is a DIY kit (Eric "did it himself"), done for the customer. and it is a nice example of how someone could do it themselves as well.

"DIY" does not always translate to "looks and works like dogdoo"

 

Actually, it's a DIY because I personally own a shop and have the knowledge of how these system works. I specialized on working on FDs and BMWs as that's my background. For many forum users here, not so much. I guaranteed you.

Heck, go ahead and try reading some of the vacuum diagrams and figure out how the system works will give you a headache.

Not saying people out there are competent, but if they mistaken routed their hoses wrong OR during assembling did not read the flow of vacuum/pressure correctly it will create a hell of a problem.

If it was that easy as a "DIY" many would've approached this problem, but so far I've only seen less than 5 people including myself that actually came up with their own kit and made it work flawlessly.

Sorry to take over the thread, lets get back on subject for the OP.

-AzEKnightz

 

yes you need to have some knowledge of how the Turbo control system works and not just depend on buying one of these custom systems and expecting it to solve your boost issues etc. It can turn out to be other issues instead of the solenoids. I found this out and still have not been able to solve my boost issues.

 

this is a free market and you are more than welcome to make your own version of a solenoid rack

remember that both your versions have to be better than a 20 year old design by a Japanese man

i still think my denso's still have some life left in them, convince me otherwise

 

in addition to FSM, there is more than enough references that have popped up over the last 19 years for those who want to read them. The sequential system is not as complicated as rumors have it to be.

i was intimidated by forum members whining about how complicated it was... until i read the fsm and a few select web pages. turns out its a very "logical" system. (if/then, either/or, and, or, only, etc.)

when i built my rack, the only problem i ran into was running out of hose. no headache there.

*but i digress purposely with the intent of bringing the thread 'back on topic', so i can say what i want without looking rude. "with all due respect......"

perhaps the OP will post the consolidation of said references into a tutorial for the less motivated DIYers.
Sincerely looking forward to seeing Red's approach to an aftermarket control system.

 

Looking forward on this.

 

There is plenty of info regarding the turbo control solenoids and vacuum lines. 90% of what is needed can be found in the Mazda factory service manuals, although it may also be helpful to have an unmolested rat's nest to use as reference. There are a lot of helpful guides posted in the 3rd Gen FAQ list:
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/


Factory Service Manuals (FSM):
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/94-fsms-available-download-449950/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/3rd-generation-fsm-more-984742/
Mobile-friendly:
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/factory-service-manual-downloads-mobile-friendly-979872/


Turbo System troubleshooting (Stock Sequential): (thanks spurvo)
http://www.autosportracetech.com/RX-7/rx7stuff.htm
http://fd3s.net/boost_problems.html
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/how-test-your-solenoids-actuators-other-turbo-stuff-802060/


Testing Solenoids - How to w/ pics
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=802060

[Sequential] Turbo troubleshooting - Testing the vacuum and pressure tanks
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/secondary-boost-troubles-solved-testing-pressure-vacuum-chambers-900195/


The 'testing solenoids' thread is great because it spells out air will flow through each solenoid when the ECU switches it 'on' or 'off'. The info above was helpful when I decided to simplify my sequential turbo control solenoids. All of the original rat's nest hard lines have been removed. I think I posted some simplified vacuum diagrams in the build section of another rotary car club website a few years ago.

 

enough said.

now, Red, show us your rack

 

+2 Flash me! Show me your rack

 

Bump! Can't wait to see your this.

 

I am so interested so still waiting on this?

 

Here's my contribution to the thread: a diagram showing the destination for each port of the sequential-control solenoids. The double-throttle control solenoid doesn't have anything to do with turbo control, but someone once mentioned there may be benefits to activating it based on RPM or boost pressure so I haven't removed mine yet.