Danvh

Greetings all. New as a member although been lurking for quite some time. I've been a long time member of the Supra community and multiple supra owner and have done just about every mod multiple times.

Just bought a '93 R1 and it is bone stock and wanting to do a few basic mods. Hoping someone can help me with a few basic questions:

My Phase 1 plans are to do coilovers, exhaust, downpipe, and wheels.

1) Is there a tech resource for the 3rd gens equivalent to MKIV.com for Supras?

2) I bought HKS Hypermax coilovers and am installing them tomorrow. I've put coilovers on Supras about 1/2 dozen times. It appears to be an easier install on the back and tougher on the fronts. Anything tricky I need to know about the install?

3) I put the RX7 in my lift and looked at the exhaust--seems pretty restrictive and involved. I'm wanting to install a downpipe and catback exhaust. If these are the only mods I go with, is there any need for a BCC or FCD as on the supras? Someone also told me that to run a downpipe you have to port the wastegate--Is this true and if so how/why?

4) I bought a Greddy SP catback exhaust due to not wanting to make this car loud and my experience with the Surpas has been this is one of the quietest exhausts. I'm now looking for a down pipe and would prefer one with a high flow cat. Are there any companies such as random technologies offering such a downpipe that includes a high flow cat and bolts from the exhaust manifold to the catback?

5) I noticed this downpipe for sale: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=68156 but it has been listed 3 times and wondering why nobody is interested when he keeps lowering the price? Is there something about this downpipe I am not seeing? Would this 2-piece downpipe along with my catback be everything I need to replace the entire stock exhaust system?

6) The R1 is great and I'm loving it. Very different car from the Supra. I've only noticed one problem, which is a hesitation around 3000 RPM's. I've heard this is a common issue??

Thanks in advance for any assistance that can be provided!

yuichiror

iTrader: (1)

1) Umm, this is the FD community resource. What exactly are you looking for?
Read the FAQ at the top of this forum.
3) If you install a dp and cb, you may experience boost spikes. Install a boost gauge
and boost controller. If you boost too high ( > 10psi ) you MIGHT lean out and
blow an apex seal. That would require a rebuild to fix. If enough of the
seal goes out the exhaust, then you'll need new turbos. Porting the wastegate is generally need when the main cat is replaced with a midpipe.

4) Most people agree the Racing Beat dual or single catbacks are the quietest.

5) Bad link.

6) It's a common issue. Most commonly fixed with installing an Apexi PFC ECU.
It's a grounding problem and it effecting the stock ECU. Some have circumvented
this issue with cleaning the engine ground points and adding new ones

Danvh

Thanks for the response and warm welcome!
(1) Umm, okay--So you are suggesting that this site is the equivalent technical resource for FD's? I'll read the FAQ's before I respond... just in case I'm missing something.
(3) Sounds like I'll stay away from the entire DP issue as it just seems too involved and engine rebuilds are too easily the result.
(4) I appreciate it, I'll check those out.
(5) Here it is, but guess it doesn't matter now....https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=681563
(6) I'll check into this--Thanks!

7_rocket

iTrader: (6)

Are those all your cars in your signature?

7_rocket

iTrader: (6)

Be careful with replacing your entire exhaust system without any supporting mods.. Such as a pfc. If you replace the cat with a midpipe you car will most def boost spike and boom, there goes your engine.

Danvh

Yes they are--I'd be a lunitic to put them in my sig and not own them--LOL!

Actually there are others, but not they are european and domestics that don't apply to this forum as much...

Danvh

Thank you! I've decided to leave the downpipe alone based on the advice I'm receiving!!

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Welcome!

Sure Congrats on the purchase btw!

Sounds good.

You're in it 3rd Gen section is money. We go back as far as '96, and the archives still access up to '01 (due to a forum hack all earlier data was lost). Also make sure to check out the 3rd Gen FAQ (https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=68640), as although it's long, if you really read it all the way through, you'll find that you very rarely need to ask questions...and the questions you may still have 99% of which are prob already answered on the forum, easily found by searching (hint hint: this forum is brutal to those who don't search lol).

Careful...which one didja get? Cuz the older models were pretty darn stiff...really mess up the ride quality. R suspension is amazing; I'd stick w/ it unless you need something a bit stiffer for road racing - in which case you should be aiming for about 10 f and 8 r for the best balance in streetability and performance handling.

Just a word btw...one product may work wonderfully with one car, but not so much w/ another. So while I applaud your experience, be careful of trying to cross over that experience to a totally different car. For example, for us, some of the best quality coilovers you can get (for the money) are Zeal/Stance coilovers. Tein Flex's are the best on the low end, and high end you have say, Ohlins & Aragostas.

INCREDIBLY restrictive. You can gain a LOT of hp simply by doing intake and full exhaust. More than you'd imagine.

If you keep a highflow cat, no, you'll be fine. We don't use FCDs. EBCs are only necessary when you're running a midpipe, because many often see boost creep.

This is another example of where things may be car-specific. Certain EBCs are made to work w/ the FD sequential setup only, and others are better if you're running a single turbo. So keep a head's up on that.

On that note, however, the most tried and true EBC across the board for FDs is the Greddy Profec B (old school) or Profec Type-S (NOT the Type II, which has reports of glitches and problems hold/setting boost).

No. Only if you're running a MIDpipe and are seeing creep, at which point you'd need to port the wastegate on the stock turbos - because it's internal.

I'm sure there are, but they're not real popular. Plus, there's no one company that makes the best combo. If you want top of the line quality, I'd go with a Pettit Racing downpipe and a Bonez Hi Flow Cat. Careful, cuz some stuff out there is indeed cheaper, but either has quality and/or fitment issues. Being that you're a former Supra owner, I'll assume that you're not a cheapskate and will do it the right way the first time around Lemme tell you this...mistakes on an FD are INCREDIBLY expensive - to the tune of replacing your motor expensive. So careful...and read up.

Have no idea; the link is dead.

Incredibly different. Both are great in their own ways. I hope when you come to choose wheels, you choose LIGHT wheels, as one of the biggest differences b/w the Supra and the FD is the FD's nimbleness. 19" rims or excessively heavy rims really diminish that nimbleness.

Oh WOW...you have a VERY nice FD my friend!!! That's one of those factory "annoyances" that's really only there if you have a truly unmolested FD haha. I remember that hesitation a WHILE back...lost it soo long ago... So yea, don't worry. Rather, ENJOY! hehe. You did good my friend

My pleasure

If I may add a few quick things...

1) Unlike the Supra, the FD has the 3-mod rule. Any three high flow mods (intake, downpipe, exhaust for example), and you NEED an aftermarket ECU, or you'll run lean and detonate. The ECU of choice on FDs is the Apexi Power FC.

2) Tuning is NOT the same on FDs as Supras. FD's are incredibly sensitive to knock and running lean. Don't meddle w/ her on your own. Pay the money and get her professionally tuned, and she'll run strong. A lot of ppl complain about the cars being unreliable, but if you look closely, most of 'em are self-proclaimed mechanics, and then blame the problems on the cars Many of us have run around for YEARS w/o problems, making *significant* power from our cars. Reason is simple: we get it done right the first time. And believe me, it's always CHEAPER in the long run that way

3) The FD is a completely different beast when it comes to handling. It's VERY dangerous in inexperienced hands, and STILL dangerous in very experienced hands. This isn't a car you can push to the limits easily. In fact, even the most experienced of us roadracers still don't push her past the 7/10 or 8/10 mark, b/c at the limit, it's VERY scary and VERY hard to handle. So careful. And that's assuming she's track ready on dry surface w/ good tires lol. So I can't even BEGIN to tell ya what happens on regular streets around turns or in rain etc. In fact, if I may, here's my $0.02 regarding the car's handling characteristics: https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...59&postcount=2 Hope that helps some

Lastly, here's my shameless plug: if I can help ya w/ getting any parts etc, be they OEM, aftermarket, or rare JDM, please don't hesitate to let me know!

Thanks,
~Ramy
FDNewbie Imports

FDTT19

A downpipe is one of the best mods you can do, simple as that. Air flow is greatly improved and its considered a "reliability" mod, the midpipe replacing the stock cat is what causes issues.

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Please don't misunderstand; it is important/necessary/imperative/essential/mandatory that you replace your downpipe!!! (assuming it is a stock DP). The stock downpipe has a precat in it, that is prone to clogging (if it isn't clogged already). That leads to backpressure and heat, preignition, and next thing you know, you're $8K or so in the hole for a new motor, pull, and install. So the downpipe MUST be changed. In fact, it's a RELIABILITY mod (read more about that in the FAQ's...and make SURE to read 'em, cuz other *essential* upgrades must be done to keep the car reliable, like replacing the stock plastic AST which is prone to cracking and leaving ya w/ a nice puddle of coolant on the ground (if you're lucky and it's not while driving) with an aluminum one. So yea...make sure to comb thru the FAQs.

~Ramy

Danvh

Hi Ramy,
You seem like a hell of a guy and I REALLY appreciate warm welcome the in depth response! I'll heed your words and just do the coilovers, wheels, and catback exhaust to prevent issues...

I ordered Fikse wheels, but they take 10 weeks to have custom build so have been eyeing a set of Enkei Racing RP03's, which are immediately available. Won't go larger than 18".

Thanks again!

Daniel

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Oh stop it... (no really...keep going) LOL

My pleasure man. I was one "the noob" myself A nice headstart don't hurt none, right?

Do the downpipe as well...that's essential (see post #10). Do all the reliability mods. And if the stock cat isn't clogged, I guess you can live w/ it a bit. But if it is clogged, a high-flow cat's the way to go (unless you wanna go all out w/ a MP, which is a +3 in power, but a -3 in reliability haha).

Wooowee! Stick w/ the Fikse's! Now THOSE are some wheels my friend. I like the Enkei, I really do. But they're a bit played out (being that they're on virtually every Japanese FD lol). Fikse's are yummy. Or, if they're 18" FM5s, buy the Enkei's and sell the Fikse's to me!

NP

~Ramy

Danvh

THANKS, I'm going to read them right now!

Wierd! So let me see if I have this correct - it is a MUST to replace the downpipe, but a HUGE "no-no" to replace the midpipe! (without the other supporting mods) I can tell this learning curve on this car is going to be a bit tough...LOL!

So would this be an appropriate downpipe?

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=681563

7_rocket

iTrader: (6)

Its a huge no no to replace the stock cat with a midpipe without an aftermarket ECU.. And IMO a downpipe is a downpipe, as long as its stainless steel

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Np

Correct. MP = not reliable, requires an ECU (or an EBC to run stock/low boost, which makes it pretty useless lol), but it sure gives you TONS of power!

Haha. It's a love/hate relationship. You'll see...haha

Can't say I'm honestly familiar w/ Random Tech Racing, and having a cat in the DP is a bit weird, given we have the cat between the DP and catback. So now you're kinda lost in the mix...would you still run the stock cat, or would you run a MP? Would the cat clog or would the MP creep? I dunno lol. Kinda weird. Not the type of setup we're used to... Point is to get RID of the precat in the DP. Prob why it hasn't sold yet, even though it looks like it's great quality.

Danvh

Thanks again for everything Ramy, if I can ever reciprocate as a Supra "resource" let me know--LOL!

By the way, with over 11k posts, it would seem you've "outgrown" your user name

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Daniel, plz re-read my last post; I took another look @ the DP, and edited my post.

And thanks...I'll be sure to come your way if I have any questions

~Ramy

PS: Don't let the post count fool ya...I dunno wut I'm talkin about half the time

Danvh

I read the FAQ's initially for the general forum, but will admit that I had not for the 3rd Gen section.

Just read them and it is very impressive and a lot of good information.

My reference to MKIV.com was to an extensive technical library site where not only does it provide extensive "faq" type information, but step by step installation instructions with photos for every conceivable maintenance and performance modification. The faq section here is in no way a comparison from what I read...

oo7arkman

iTrader: (2)

Just wanted to say welcome to the club! Ramy has given you great information and don't let him fool you with his above post. He is a good resource for information not to mention all the IMPOSSIBLE rare parts to find that are only available overseas...

This site has so much information on it, it is incredible. I find myself really never having to ask that many questions. If I search enough I generally find the answer that I am looking for. But if you need an answer there are many on here that know the rotary inside and out.

The rotary motor is an amazing motor to work with. Unfortuneately it is what makes alot of things with other cars, like your supras, not applicable to your FD.

Again welcome to the club and I hope that you grow to love your FD!!

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

If you do decide to get the PFC then you need to buy Chuck Westbrooks tuning notes. NOT that you'd want to tune it all by yourself... but there are some things you can do after much reading. His screen name is cewrx7r1

I think they are a must own for any PFC owner.


clubrx.org has a lot of how tos. they did a suspension install that might help you.

Danvh

Grimple1/oo7arkman:

Thank you for the information and welcome! I appreciate it.



Ramy:
As far as wheels: I was going to go with FM5 Fikse's, but decided to go with the ARO's, which are what were on a Supra I used to own (photo below). I'm thinking these same wheels would look better on the RX7. For some reason thin 5-spokes don't seem to look as good.... Just one opinion...

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Bah. Get glasses my friend They're nice, but I think the FM5's are beauuutiful

In fact, I'm gonna one-up ya here haha. Here's a pic of FM5s on an FD (see links below) which are not my current wheels, but the wheels I used to own hehe (I'm serious too). Only reason I sold 'em? They were 17s, and I want 18s. All in good time...



I agree. But that's why I love the FM5's. They're THICK 5-spokes. I def. don't like thin 5-spokes. That's why I currently have DUAL thin 5 spokes



~Ramy

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

In a nutshell, yes.

The challenge is that the stock boost controller and wastegate are sized for the restrictive stock exhaust and intake. If you open the flow up, the boost controller won't keep boost regulated well (boost spikes, elevated boost levels), and even more flow will cause the wastegate to choke and produce boost creep. The real problem is the stock fuel map quits at 12psi. This is why the boost gauge is generally considered the first priority.

For most people, an intake, downpipe, and cat-back with a stock main cat is a great reliability and power boost as long as the boost is at 10psi and not spiking. Adding a midpipe to that will almost always bring boost creep, and if not already, boost spikes.

So the simplest approach as I see it is to have the supporting mods in place. After 2 flow mods (intake, downpipe) I suggest an EBC. Then when you get to full exhaust, port the wastegate.

Sure, you can put an aftermarket ECU on right away and have it tuned for higher boost levels, but that's truly a band-aid covering poor boost control. The aftermarket ECU has plenty of justification of its own.

Read through the faq, use the links to the big resource sites, and search through this forum for old posts.

Dave

SLOASFK

iTrader: (5)

I think www.fd3s.net and http://www.robrobinette.com/ will be helpful for you to also read in addition to the FAQ.

They put a lot of effort into developing the FAQ to be a searchable(using edit->Find) one stop resource for the FD. It's great for getting your feet wet and will answer almost any question you have about the car. You'll also notice that fd3s.net and robrobinette.com are refferenced in the top of the FAQ as links to sites run by people who "know their ****", for lack of a better phrase.


Also, if I may chip in my .02 on rims...Check out the OEM BBS rims that were availible on Type RZ RX-7s(in Japan). They are very popular, but very expencive. IMO, they are the best looking rims for a stock bodied FD, they are light weight, and they fit without rolling the fenders. I'd tell you where you can find them, to atleast look at pics, but I don't want to make it seem like we're pushing you to buy from a particular FD owning Newbie who happens to also be a vendor on this site...



.com

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

He speaks!!! hehe

Hey Dave Haven't seen you in a minute man! I hope all's well

Oh man...that was a good one haha. Geez...are you on my payroll and I just don't know it? hehehe. Thanks for the help man.

Oh and btw, I'm always willing to negotiate on price, ya know... So if there's somethin you really want, ask away. It can never hurt...

~Ramy
(not posting is sig/banner, as that would be a bit too much haha)