So im about to begin my restoration project on my FD. I purchased it in March for $1500 (Didn't start, plus owner didnt realise what they had) now is the time im going to start ordering parts to begin to bring this baby back to life next month. My dad and I have set the goal to be anywhere between 350-400 HP.

Is anyone getting that kind of power on the stock twins that can help me with selecting decent parts?

Also, we're doing the rebuild ourselfs. My dad has over 35 years experience building motors of all sizes, but this will be his first rotary. But it should be good.

Thanks for your help guys

 

Are you looking for that number to be flywheel HP or wheel HP?

 

Wheel. Sorry i didnt mention that.

 

Making 350rwhp isn't that difficult. With a nice street port and all the bolt-on's, you'll make that. Getting closer to 400rwhp starts taking some money and really good tuning. IMO, I would set your sights on getting a working car first. After that, start chasing your HP dreams.

 

I understand what you mean by the working car first, To my understanding it had minimal to no compression (dad ran the test, but i dont believe he told me the numbers) So to our knowledge, thats the only problem. So we were just going to get it running and get the numbers we're looking for in one attempt.

He said he was going to do some porting on his own, It would be nice to know what the street and bridge specs are though so he could have an exact amount to go to though.

 

Keep in mind that regardless of the engine state, probably of a lot of components around it either need refreshening or replacing (not to mention brakes, suspension, etc).

Well, 400rwhp has been done before on stock ports with stock twins. However, pushing the car that hard definitely takes a toll on the parts. If you want something that's going to be fun and not a headache, set the car up and run around 12-13 PSI on the stock or 99 spec twins. That will put you around 330rwhp and won't have it in the garage every other weekend.

 

^Quoted for the truth. JUST LOOK AT HIS POSTS, IT HAS TO BE TRUE!!!

Back on topic. Just go with a single turbo set up if you want 400whp. You're going to have to spend a lot of money though. Not to mention a whole new fuel system and ECU and all that other nice stuff!!!

 

yeah even with the stock twins and 330 hp you're looking at a new ecu. The PFC is popular, thats what i run. If you're looking for 350-400+ you will probably want a wideband o2 sensor/controller and if you decide to run the PFC a datalogit.

 

Yeah i've been looking into the PFC and my dad thought it would be pretty handy as well. Can anyone give me some details about all the stuff that the commander can do for me?

 

You can find the instructions for the PFC online, that'll tell you all you need to know.

Has your dad ever ported or worked on a rotary before? Porting can be a steep learning curve.

 

My dads been building prostock drag motors since he was my age(17). But this will be the first rotary. We're gonna order the rebuild video and go alongside that as well. I talked to him about the porting and he said he could do some just by looking and judging, but i dont think it will be anything extreme.

 

Well more than one beginner's rotary port job has resulted in a ruined iron. With his experience, and a set of templates, it's probably not a big deal. With all the work you have in front of you, you may get a lot more bang for your buck by buying ported irons, especially if your old ones are damaged.

As Mahjik alluded, I would make this a 2-step build. First, rebuild the engine and do the porting/etc that gets sealed up into the block. Port the turbo wastegate. Install the PFC and get it running. Replace all kinds of maintenance items during the rebuild - coolant hoses, motor mounts, emissions harness if yours is crispy, oil metering lines, FPD, fuel lines, radiator, AST, downpipe, clutch. Get the car running well making a minimum number of performance changes. Install the PFC and run the base map at 10psi.

The second step is to add the bolt-ons that will give you more power. Boost controller, hose job and injector upgrades, convert to non-sequential if you want, cat-back, midpipe or hiflow, intercooler, intake, water injection. Now push up the boost and re-tune accordingly.

Don't forget to check things like the drivetrain bracing, suspension bushings, suspension.