Jeff's getting pretty far along in the re-installation process...looks fantastic!

It's looking really good, as you can see from these pics...

The difference in contrast is quite amazing...


Before...


The engine being re-assembled....


The new lines installed...

Polished Efini Y-Pipe...

Polished Upper Intake Manifold, and Throttlebody...


Please enjoy the pics as much as I am....I'm getting really excited...pics of the PowerFC and catback exhaust are coming soon...

We're shooting for for running status by the weekend!

 

The polishing looks amazing and congrats on the engine.
What work was done to the engine if any?

 

Thanks...I wish I was the one doing it all but at least I'm learning from Jeff.

Anyways..

The engine and tranny were rebuilt.

The engine has been streetported with new rotor housings, OEM 2mm seals, Stage 2 oil mods which include Windage Tray / Pan Baffling, -10 oil lines, Increased Oil Pressure, 17mm Oil Pump, and a Oil Pump Cavity Port.

Jeff is doing the silicone rat's nest job, along with replacement of most of the other vital hoses replaced. Pretty much everything is getting replaced as far as the tubes go, along with a new fuel filter, oil-p gauge, water pump, etc...Also..a Power FC w/ Commander and Racing Beat Dual Exhaust is coming.

It's gonna be practically like new, which is the whole point. Do it right, or don't do it all....that works for me.

Thanks again...

 

Damn that's really nice man. Did you do all that with just the help of your friend?

 

Shiat....I didn't do any of it..lol. I'm just paying for it.

I would have LOVED to help Jeff put it back together...but the distance inbetween us makes it impossible to do. I'm in WA, he's in OR. It kinda makes me feel bad when I think about the fact that I'm paying someone else to do it, but at least this way, I got to learn how everything works together, and fits, and how it's taken apart.

After seeing him do it, I'm really confident about the whole idea of ripping out an engine. It's not hard, as long as you take your time, go step by step, and don't forget anything. :gap:

I can manage all that except for the forgetting part.

Once it's running, I'm setting up a date with Xcessive to dyno-tune it. I have no real idea how fast it will be, although I'm sure someone will fill me in. It's all guess-timating.

It's fun....either way..one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had in a long while.

 

Thats a realy good idea to have Ralph tune on it. Ralph is awesome. CJ

 

Yes..just one look at the Xcess FD3S just gives me chills...that thing is a work of art.

I'm going to go ahead and call as soon as she's running. I have to break her in first..but as soon as she's broken in..she's going to get some decent tuning.

I don't have a SMIC just yet..but I'm saving up for one...that and an intake will be the next mods. I just gotta put some more cash together.

 

Very nice...I just bought a polished UIM. And am buying a throttle body that I will have polished. It looks so much better polished!!!!

 

Thanks, I wasn't going to get it polished at first, but I got a great deal on it.

I want some rimsm though. Jeff's car makes me drool with those Fikse rims of his.

I've never bought rims before..but I'd like to get some really nice ones..that show off an agressive stance.
I love the stock looks currently, and with an engine to match...rims would be really nice.

Your car makes me jealous. How much power are you putting down? It looks fantastic man...

 

Last time the car ws dynoed it put down 341 to the wheels at 12 lbs of boost. I hope to dyno the car later this month. I am waiting on my datalogit. It gets here tomorrow. I think the car should be around 360 at 15lbs.

 

I bet if you got a catback..your HP would improve quite a bit, man...let it FLOW!

Nice numbers!!!

 

how much did you pay to get it polished?

 

Actually, Jeff supplied the polished UIM, he had my throttle body polished and I purchased the polished Y-pipe from the RX-7 store for $299.

I don't the exact figures just yet..just that it's allocated within the limit of budget I have set forth.

Gotta have a budget......otherwise the wife goes ballistic..heheh.

 

Your photographer still needs training.

I've got the rats nest, coils, alt, etc all on tonight. Tomorrow the turbos, y-pipe and airpump. I'll drop it in on Thursday if everything goes right.

I have my stock wheels with R-compound 245/45/16 tires on my car right now, it makes the car look so whimpy compared to the 10" Fikses. I did weigh them though, the stock wheels with 245/45/16 Kuhmos weigh ~8-9lbs less EACH than the Fikses with street tires.

Later,
Jeff

 

As long as the photog knows how to put an engine back together, it's okay, Jeff.

Sounds great, Man...I'll be coming down Saturday to help you finish up. Can't wait.

Why'd you switch tires? Plan on doing some racing?

Thanks for the pics....

 

Did you have the engine rebuilt at Pineapple? Setup sounds familiar. Very many congratualtions.

 

Yepz...sure did. Thanks...we'll see how she does when she's all fired up for the first time.

 

Update on the engine..

Jeff has the rat's nest installed along with the rest of the hoses...bla bla.

 

make sure you get jeff to do some little trick so that you have no boost or maybe 3 psi so you can break in the motor. this way you don't have to try to hold yourself back all of the time. Also if you have a pfc maybe set the rev limiter to 4000 or something for the 1000 mile or more breakin.
It would be such a frigen shame to not get the full potential out of all that new machinery and plus you would ruin all the hard work that was done on your car. Plus all the money you paid. You have such a nice fd and I think the best setup ever possible so take care of it and appreciate it. I would be in heaven driving your car and knowing what motor is in it and how it was installed by a pro and everything is new under that hood!!!!

everyones fd looks pretty much the same in and out and handles the same it's how the motor is setup that sets them apart!! I think a perfect reliable setup is what every owner wants

hope you get it this weekend!!

 

Well I can pull the pills so he'll only get 7psi, or wire open the wastegate. But I don't know of any trick that'll give NO boost. I also don't think running a little boost will hurt anything. Running it WOT, to redline, etc isn't the ideal break-in either.

Think about it, when these cars were new nothing held them back from making boost. Same goes for TIIs. It isn't that hard to hold yourself back for 500-1000 miles, especially when the trip home will be 200-300 miles.

Drive several FDs, you'll realize that they don't all handle the same, not even close. Tires, alignment, shocks and springs (in that order) make the biggest difference. Many guys will be out there in a FD that handles like a wheelchair because some or all of the above a screwed up...

This car is gonna be so sweeeet when it is back together. This is the way everyone should do a rebuild, I'm happy to do it for a guy that just wants it done the right way.

Do it right, do it once!

 

WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO

Those polished parts look sweet dude. Man you gotta post here the tools you use and any special techniques you have. Well done dude.

DAVE

 

Truely amazing word of art you are doing there there jeff. I love everythin about it Arch. I hope you fill us in this weekend and provide some engine bay pics with it installed. Congrats!

 

Thanks, all...

Jeff is right on the money. I plan on babying the car. No way in heck I'm going to get on it without having it broken in and dyno-tuned. That's be extremely idiotic.

It'll be enough of a treat just hearing the engine rev to life...without the "old engine" sound. I want to feel that power there...ready..potent..just waiting to be released. It might be tough, but it's just like any break-in period for a new car.

Jeff has really worked hard on this whole project, and he enjoys this stuff so much. At first, I had no idea what to expect. I mean..I don't know him, hell, he doesn't know me...but in taking a chance, I've found a guy who cares alot about the quality of work he does on a car. That's really important to me, and the fact that's he's a great guy, who's willing to share his time and knowledge, has made it even better.

I don't think I could have gotten anywhere NEAR the quality, personalization, and care that Jeff has put into my car from any of the tuner shops in my area.

He's literally saved me time, money, and a helluva lotta headaches.

I can't wait to see all the hard work come to fruition. I've got a huge album of pics, all the stages that my 7 has been through and is going through. It's a real treat...

 

looks so clean. nice polished pices. you are doing it the right way

 

Welps...

I figure it's a USED car...I have no idea how it was treated, although it did look in decent condition. But it had low compression, and I just DON'T want to take the chance of blowing something up...even after the reliability mods were done.

I figure, the only way to do it reliably, and to do it right..is to replace practically everything, and roll from there.

The only thing that is questionable on my engine now...are my turbos, which will be either upgraded to twins or singles sometime soon down the road. I also plan on getting a better intrercooler and intake...and I'll be happy with that for awhile. After that's done..I'm going to put a nice, clean (not outlandish) bodykit on it, such as the 99 J-Spec. Of course..this is all down the road a bit.

I've spent enough money for now.

I hope to keep it clean...as well...as much as I baby my cars..this one's going to be special.