i know that azeknight made that kit to replace the solenoid rack but is there any reason why we cant just use a bunch of mac valves to replace them?

 

I'm no expert but I suspect we could perform the same tests on Mac valves as suggested in this thread: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...-stuff-802060/ . Then connect hoses using the simplified sequential routing diagrams and I suspect it should work well.

 

I think there's a how-to on making your own kit with similar valves as the one Azeknight uses.

 

Yeah they'll work fine. The main issue is the space these take up, the one good thing about the oem solenoids is they are compact!

 

Is it not easier (probably a bit more expensive) to just to buy the OEM ones that fit and plug right in? Replace them as a set just like you replace your brake pads or your tires. See my thread on the topic:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...noids-1115249/

 

Mac valves are pretty low profile themselves, its the fittings that give them the larger foot print. Using push lock hoses i think it would be a pretty clean set up. They run about 30$ each and you could probably find them cheaper if you look hard enough. Being that its a 2 pin plug just the same as stock, I don't see a great level of difficulty or inconvenience with installing them. The hardest part would be just making sure you have the ports correct for the solenoid its replacing. I'm going to try it out. Just need to come up with a clean solution for mounting them.

I'm going to be working on a simplified seq set up with a set of bnr twins. I'd like to not reuse any of the oem parts as far as operation goes. Solenoids and actuators to be replaced with Mac valves and turbosmart. I forget who it was some time ago he experimented with using them on the twins. Of course theres no real need to do any of this because the stock parts work fine but the same logic can be applied to a lot of other things too.

 

Also FYI DriftinJim has a full solenoid replacement kit on Ebay that's super clean and easy hook up.

I've had the same stock solenoids on my car forever, I think most are original with 135,000 miles. I had one turbo control solenoid get lazy, besides that they are fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If one does act up it's easy enough to pull the UIM and replace one.

Dale

 

I just recently had a weird situation where my Turbo Control Solenoid "E" failed after two years and maybe 2000 miles. It wouldn't even click with a 9v battery and would intermittently hold no pressure. You absolutely can arrange the Mac valves in a way to replace the OEM Solenoids but also consider that while they work very well, they are not rated by the manufacturer for high heat environments. That said I think Mac Valves probably would work better than OEM solenoids, but they do take up a lot of room once you start installing the barb fittings for them. The 35 series Mac valve will support up to 120PSI @ a max of 120F according to MAC, I think we've all seen this work fine under the hood in higher temps.


DriftinJim is using industrial solenoids rated for higher heat, reach out to him if you're interested, I've seen them on his car and it's pretty clean. Bit outta my price range though.