I would like to have a few suggestions on the appropriate reliability mods to make for a 1993 RX TT, base package. For anti-theft, I have already installed a Clifford RS Matrix 2.5 alarm, and for the stereo I have installed a pioneer 8500 MP3/CD head unit.

The engine has 31,450 miles on it and it will be my daily driver. I would like to make a few mods to make the engine more reliable from a longevity perspective. What do you recommend?

 

get a boost gauge, water temp gauge, air seperator tank, and downpipe

make sure the boost doesnt go over 10psi and that the water temps stay near 180ish

every once in a while check the engine bay for cracked hoses or leaks and change the oil every 1500 miles.

I'd change out all the fluids in the car if they are stock. Differential, transmission, fuel filter, coolant.....

you should be fine

 

Ok here it goes. These are the things I have done for reliability. I track my car so it is even more important. I have a Tri Point AST, competition radiator(bigger), new fuel filter (very important), dual oil coolers, down pipe (removes the heat soaked pre cat), Mazdaspeed hood (vented), Supra TT fuel pump (higher flow), an HKS intake and Light weight battery (frees up space behind the radiator to allow the air to vent out the hood), remapped ECU, a boost controller (to keep boost at 10 psi), Water temp, oil temp, boost and fuel pressure gauges, and a bunch of other junk for safety on the track. With these mods I see about 235 degrees on the oil tmep and and 215 on the water temp on 90 degree days on the track. Daily driving I usually see 170 degrees on both.

Now you don’t need all that stuff for daily driving but anything that makes your engine run cooler is important. Also the fuel filter is super important. That and any after market AST are absolute musts.

There are basically two common ways these engines fail. They break an apex seal (detonation is a good way to do that) or a coolant seal starts to leak. Keeping adequate fuel going into the engine and the temperature down are your best defenses against losing the engine.

 

Exactly. And don't forget properly warming up the engine before putting it under load. It's critical that the engine be evenly warmed so that the engine components are thermally expanded equally. Otherwise, the intense heat of boosted combustion will squeak by and fry your seals.

Revsteve - read the stuff on the scuderia ciriani link. It hasn't really changed since it was written. The only item you'll hear about that's new is this anti-detonation mod, which is coming to mass-market shortly. It's a reliability mod that I will invest in once the technology is more available and proven (and I have $900).

Dave