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Thrilled to be back. Please help me to clean her up.

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Old 06-13-15, 10:50 PM
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Thrilled to be back. Please help me to clean her up.

Well I picked up another fd after a 5 yr hiatus. That sucked. But the good news is that's behind me now.

Suspension - Man I forgot how raw these cars are. I just did a 7 hour trek from va back to ct. I am not sure if it's the 18 inch rims or the zeal coilovers but this car is nutty on imperfections/bumps in the road. While the car drives perfectly straight and hugs the road like no other I am getting some vibration in the steering wheel. Not horrible. But some. I am hoping a wheel balancing will fix that. Any thoughts there? Perhaps an alignment too even though it drives straight and feels properly aligned? I am gonna do all the bushings soon. Should I wait for an alignment until this is complete?

Engine - I picked up a clean low mileage fd that's street ported with bnrs. The car just completed the break in of the new motor and is now ready for a tune. Idle seems a little choppy and partial throttle is in dire need of a tune. I am hoping for some good power. It also has water/meth injection. I was never a fan of this but I am thinking if I tune for 18-20psi for a high setting it should be ok on occasion with the help of the meth. I am thinking of 14-15 psi as a low setting. I will probably drive the car 1-2000 miles a year. So I am not worried about a "real" low setting. I think the bnrs feel different than the twins. I am not sure I feel a transition or even a secondary really coming on strong. Right now it's only 9-10psi. I think I read that you need to crank these babies to really experience the benefit. Anyone agree or have thoughts?

Exhaust - right now the car has full exhaust that's nicey done. I am thinking of replacing the mp with a resonated mp to reduce the droning when cruising at hwy speeds. Anyone ever do this switch? Did u notice a difference

Random - is anyone pre mixing? The previous owner was. I never did. Seems like it can't hurt. Agree?
Looking to pick up a short throw shifter. Which is the best brand now a days?
This car has an audio system. Is it ok to do a small battery when there are things like amps sucking power? Which small battery is the go to now a days? I have the smaller battery tray.

Thanks for the help. Looking forward to seeing some of u again.









Btw I can't believe how cool this car runs in today's humidity and heat. I wonder if the IRP engine has something to do with that. I believe the the engine has the coolant work performed
Old 06-14-15, 09:01 AM
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Congrats. Better post some pics.

Do the suspension work before alignment. No reason not to balance the tires now.

Get the tune. 18-20 psi sounds pretty high to me. The resonated pipe will help. Your neighbors will thank you.

Post some pics. Do it now!!!
Old 06-14-15, 01:03 PM
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Just snapped a pic. I will get more soon. It's in amazing shape. The engine bay is a work of art.
Attached Thumbnails Thrilled to be back. Please help me to clean her up.-image.jpg  

Last edited by matty; 06-14-15 at 02:56 PM.
Old 06-14-15, 01:33 PM
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Looks clean. Congrats. Sure, a resonated mp will keep sound levels noticeably lower. With OMP on, I guess you can still premix but not sure how effective that would be. Mine doesn't have an OMP and I premix 1 oz for 1 gallon.
Old 06-14-15, 03:25 PM
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Looks really clean, I can't wait to see the progress. More pictures!
Old 06-14-15, 03:28 PM
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Getting tuned a week from Monday. Then into the garage she goes. Haha. No she will get some use.
Old 06-14-15, 03:29 PM
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Nice!
Originally Posted by matty
...Random - is anyone pre mixing?
FWIW I do both. Pre-mix at about 1/2 rate and run the stock OMP. I also installed a simple AI system currently running just water.

Last edited by Sgtblue; 06-14-15 at 03:33 PM.
Old 06-14-15, 06:07 PM
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Jesus. This thing is awesome.
Old 06-14-15, 06:10 PM
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My daughter just asked if its smelly or loud? Answer is both
Old 06-15-15, 09:39 AM
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Congrats!!!

idle and light throttle should be fine with a PFC base map

what seals are in the engine?

personally I'd have no worries boosting to 10 psi

if you need some nice black door panels etc... let me know

PS steering wheel shaking is typically wheel balance or bent rim. Sometimes a tire that's damaged from sitting but that usually works it's way out after a 1/2 hour of driving.
Old 06-15-15, 10:36 AM
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yeah i wasnt thrilled with the idle and vacuum. in fact i am worried on it. It runs so strong elsewhere though. The engine has 1500 miles on it. The seals are RXParts 2mm.

Let me be clear. The idle will be 1500rpms sometimes but as it comes to rest its 900ish and not completely clean. Almost has a brap brap of a bport but definitely not a full pulse. but some.

Meanwhile the vacuum is shakey and low at 14ish and oscillates a maybe 1ish so call it 13.5-14.50. I think if compression is real low it bounces even more? I know this is a bad sign though. But she doesnt smoke and pulls great. Maybe compression is low or maybe its a very aggressive port. My previous FD was stock twins stock motor. This is my first ported rotary in fact. Maybe thats what I am picking up on? Low compression is certainly going thru my mind though due to the low and not steady vacuum not so much the idle. IF the idle is up before it comes to rest the vacuum is 19-20 and steady.

I will likely take u up on those door panels...any handy in black for a 93?I can paypal u now if they are perfect.

I will have to disagree with the partial throttle being smooth comment though. I think when running a completely open exhaust/pport setup on bigger injectors it probably needs to be tuned to be clean on partial and on/off throttle. At least in my experience.

Last edited by matty; 06-15-15 at 11:20 AM.
Old 06-15-15, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by matty
yeah i wasnt thrilled with the idle and vacuum. in fact i am worried on it. It runs so strong elsewhere though. The engine has 1500 miles on it. The seals are RXParts 2mm.

Let me be clear. The idle will be 1500rpms sometimes but as it comes to rest its 900ish and not completely clean. Almost has a brap brap of a bport but definitely not a full pulse. but some.

Meanwhile the vacuum is shakey and low at 14ish and oscillates a maybe 1ish so call it 13.5-14.50. I think if compression is real low it bounces even more? I know this is a bad sign though. But she doesnt smoke and pulls great. Maybe compression is low or maybe its a very aggressive port. My previous FD was stock twins stock motor. This is my first ported rotary in fact. Maybe thats what I am picking up on? Low compression is certainly going thru my mind though due to the low and not steady vacuum not so much the idle. IF the idle is up before it comes to rest the vacuum is 19-20 and steady.

I will likely take u up on those door panels...any handy in black for a 93?I can paypal u now if they are perfect.

I will have to disagree with the partial throttle being smooth comment though. I think when running a completely open exhaust/pport setup on bigger injectors it probably needs to be tuned to be clean on partial and on/off throttle. At least in my experience.
Sorry didn't realize it had a p port that car is desperately in need of a tune.

Also thought it had stock primaries OOPS!

Anywho glad you found a nice one

Passenger side door panel is nice will check on drivers side when I get home today and let you know.
Old 06-15-15, 01:17 PM
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i will take both if they are mint. if u can think of anything else i need i will take that too. lol.

no seriously i am thinking of what else i could replace/upgrade. most everything has been done for me probably better than i could even done.

But if u come across cool items ping me.
Old 06-16-15, 04:57 PM
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welcome back! nice car buddy.
Old 06-16-15, 07:26 PM
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Thanks Wankel. I remember you

Here are some pics. I still havent taken good ones of the outside.
Attached Thumbnails Thrilled to be back. Please help me to clean her up.-img_1557.jpg   Thrilled to be back. Please help me to clean her up.-img_1559.jpg   Thrilled to be back. Please help me to clean her up.-img_1558.jpg   Thrilled to be back. Please help me to clean her up.-img_1560.jpg   Thrilled to be back. Please help me to clean her up.-img_1562.jpg  

Old 06-17-15, 11:25 AM
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Hey Matt. I built that car a little while ago. It has my stage 3 aggressive street ported motor and RX Parts 2mm seals. It must be premixed if you want the motor to last. In fact I believe all rotaries should be premixed for longivity. I run at least 10-12 oz per tank of gas. 1:1 when racing or on the dyno. This is with a working oil metering pump. Vacuum isn't really a great indicator of anything in my opinion as it can change with the porting, tune, load, and temperature. The idle was set high for break-in. My ported motors are usually comfortable around 900-950. Water/meth injection is great for these cars. I use it as a reliability mod more than anything, especially with a stock mount intercooler which just heat soaks on the street. The car was on a base tune when it left my shop and the previous owner never had a chance to bring it back. Shoot me your email and I can send you a complete list of everything that was done to the car in my shop.
Old 06-17-15, 12:13 PM
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thanks for chiming in./ that is very nice of you. I love the car.

can you explain this?"run at least 10-12 oz per tank of gas. 1:1 when racing or on the dyno."

what does 1:1 mean?
Old 06-17-15, 12:16 PM
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btw, this car runs so darn cool. i cant believe it actually. then again its only running 9-10pounds
Old 06-17-15, 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by matty
thanks for chiming in./ that is very nice of you. I love the car.

can you explain this?"run at least 10-12 oz per tank of gas. 1:1 when racing or on the dyno."

what does 1:1 mean?
Gas tank is about 15 gallons or so.

He mixes 10-12oz per tank.

Or if he is racing or on the dyno he does a 1:1
Pretty much 1oz of oil per 1 gallon of gas.
So 15oz for 15 gallons of gas.
Old 06-17-15, 01:29 PM
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128:1 represents 1 gallon to 1 oz. 1:1 may be the preferred nomenclature, dude.
Old 06-18-15, 07:26 AM
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The gas tank is 20 gallons, the most I've ever seen out of a fill up is almost 19 gallons.

Along with Ihor I helped to port and build this engine and it runs very strong, just needs a nice tune

Mike spared no expense on the build of this car, all high end parts and he listened to all of our recommendations. A breath of fresh air nowadays

Matty, give me a shout to follow up and we'll get ya set up
Old 06-18-15, 01:21 PM
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thanks Richard\
Old 06-22-15, 06:56 PM
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Painful. As it turns outy suspicions were right. Engine has low compression. The engine is a new reman with 1500 miles. The compression was an even 75psi across the board, very uniform, so we are hoping it's an easy fix like faulty springs. We are pulling the motor tomorrow. So I should know more on Wednesday.
Any other thoughts on what it could be?
Old 06-23-15, 07:39 AM
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Yeah as I slept on this my anger level has risen sharply. My other suspicion is that something is wrong with the bnr turbos as the primary spools like a big single.

I guess what has me angry is that the previous owner spent serious money accumulating the best parts money can buy over a decade. Fact is I realy don't care what it costs to make it right. Money is just money. What has me angry is that my suspicion also is that money won't be the problem. It's going to be the frustration, stress, and logistics of chasing down problems and ultimately it's just never right. I want to play nice in the sandbox but we shall see where this goes.

Maybe I am panicking now. But this is what my gut is telling me with 20 yrs of rotary ownership under my belt.

When I drove the car I knew something was up. But I looked at the parts list, condition, miles on a new reman etc and made the judgement that hey it's untuned as the car is meticulously well sorted.
Old 06-23-15, 07:50 AM
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Looks sexy. Good luck!


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