93 FD Build....in Kuwait
03-17-12, 02:33 AM
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93 FD Build....in Kuwait
I took a job in Kuwait last December. When I got here all they had to drive was a bunch of boring fwd automatic econoboxes. About a month after I had been here I met a friend who would then later introduce me to one of the local Kuwaitis. I told my new Kuwaiti friend that I loved rotary cars having built up 2 and owned 4 back home in the states. He told me that most of the people around here drive turbo Nissans, Corvettes, and other American muscle cars to which I was kind of disappointed.
About 2 weeks later we were at a hangout spot and one of his friends told him that some guy was selling his RX-7. I was instantly excited and wanted to know more. They make a couple of phone calls and told me how much it was going cost. I was hooked, then he told me how many there were in all of Kuwait. There is 4 FDs here, he said. He said we would look at it soon.
Fast forward another 2.5 weeks and we are leaving the hangout spot and going to go meet a friend on the way back to my house. We stop alongside the side of the freeway and flash our lights then follow his friend. We get off the freeway and turn down into the neighborhood. We make a right and then a left. Then I heard it, that distinctive brap brap brap, I knew it right away. I look to my friend and I said "No way". We get out of the car and I stand in amazement at seeing something so rare in this place. I was sold instantly. I snap some pictures on my phone even though it was night time and the car was filthy, just to remember it in case it doesn't work out.
Three weeks later my friend sends me a text message, "I'll be at the villa in 10 minutes, you got the cash?” I replied "Yep, I'll see you in a bit". Ten minutes later and he is outside in his friend’s truck. I hop in and we head over to the guys house. He already had it started up and ready to go. I give the car another quick look over and hop in the driver's seat. The odometer was working this time (the only time I've seen it working) and it said 27283 mi. I asked my friend, "Ask the guy if this is the original odometer". After they exchanged some Arabic he says to me "Yes". No way, 6700 miles from home and here I am about to buy the lowest mileage FD I've seen in my entire life in a country that has 4 total. We exchange cash for keys and then depart. So begins the journey of my FD.
What I know so far
93 FD3S R1 imported from the US
~27k miles
PowerFC
Upgraded twin turbos (99 Spec maybe)
Bodykit (Widebody but I don't know which one)
RUFF Racing rims and Nitto NT555 tires
FMIC
Upgraded fuel pump (Said it was from a R35 GTR but it's getting replaced anyway)
Custom suede interior with racing seats and 4 point harness
Some 4" Exhaust with straight pipe
Plans
VMIC kit with new radiator
Silicone vacuum line job (Going to do simplified sequential as there is no emissions testing here)
General engine bay cleanup
Fix up all the hacked wiring
Repaint as the kit has some chips and scratches from the roads here
Replace the headlights (the clear covers are gone for these and I don't like them anyway)
Pictures. These are from right after the guys at the police station washed my car.
About 2 weeks later we were at a hangout spot and one of his friends told him that some guy was selling his RX-7. I was instantly excited and wanted to know more. They make a couple of phone calls and told me how much it was going cost. I was hooked, then he told me how many there were in all of Kuwait. There is 4 FDs here, he said. He said we would look at it soon.
Fast forward another 2.5 weeks and we are leaving the hangout spot and going to go meet a friend on the way back to my house. We stop alongside the side of the freeway and flash our lights then follow his friend. We get off the freeway and turn down into the neighborhood. We make a right and then a left. Then I heard it, that distinctive brap brap brap, I knew it right away. I look to my friend and I said "No way". We get out of the car and I stand in amazement at seeing something so rare in this place. I was sold instantly. I snap some pictures on my phone even though it was night time and the car was filthy, just to remember it in case it doesn't work out.
Three weeks later my friend sends me a text message, "I'll be at the villa in 10 minutes, you got the cash?” I replied "Yep, I'll see you in a bit". Ten minutes later and he is outside in his friend’s truck. I hop in and we head over to the guys house. He already had it started up and ready to go. I give the car another quick look over and hop in the driver's seat. The odometer was working this time (the only time I've seen it working) and it said 27283 mi. I asked my friend, "Ask the guy if this is the original odometer". After they exchanged some Arabic he says to me "Yes". No way, 6700 miles from home and here I am about to buy the lowest mileage FD I've seen in my entire life in a country that has 4 total. We exchange cash for keys and then depart. So begins the journey of my FD.
What I know so far
93 FD3S R1 imported from the US
~27k miles
PowerFC
Upgraded twin turbos (99 Spec maybe)
Bodykit (Widebody but I don't know which one)
RUFF Racing rims and Nitto NT555 tires
FMIC
Upgraded fuel pump (Said it was from a R35 GTR but it's getting replaced anyway)
Custom suede interior with racing seats and 4 point harness
Some 4" Exhaust with straight pipe
Plans
VMIC kit with new radiator
Silicone vacuum line job (Going to do simplified sequential as there is no emissions testing here)
General engine bay cleanup
Fix up all the hacked wiring
Repaint as the kit has some chips and scratches from the roads here
Replace the headlights (the clear covers are gone for these and I don't like them anyway)
Pictures. These are from right after the guys at the police station washed my car.
03-20-12, 10:34 AM
#6
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Yeah the whole interior is wrapped in suede. The center console, headliner, seats, and the hatch divider are quilted. I will post some more interior shots this weekend when I get off work.
I found out where my coolant was going as well. Thankfully my vmic setup is on the way and should be here in a week or two.
I found out where my coolant was going as well. Thankfully my vmic setup is on the way and should be here in a week or two.
03-25-12, 04:14 AM
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Did a little more work on the car this weekend. Fixed the horn because that is the number 1 safety device in Kuwait. Moved the wideband ground and the ecu ground lug to a spot that was actually connected to ground. Adjusted the coilovers to be a little bit softer around the roads here. Going to wash the car and take some interior pictures later today.
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03-26-12, 12:53 AM
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Actually after talking with some more of the locals I am probably going to get it repainted back to the original white. A couple pieces will be left carbon fiber (headlight covers atm) for contrast. I will also probably pull the engine to get the bay repainted as well and clean up the wiring harnesses.
Took some interior shots today and also saw something rather special.
1 of 5 in the world eh? This is the only one in the middle east. I got to meet the owner and asked him if I could drive it but he just smiled.
Took some interior shots today and also saw something rather special.
1 of 5 in the world eh? This is the only one in the middle east. I got to meet the owner and asked him if I could drive it but he just smiled.
03-26-12, 11:29 AM
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Was driving home last night and the instrument cluster lights dropped out. Did some investigating this morning and found the tail fuse was blown. Swapped in another 15 amp fuse turned on the lights and it popped instantly. Checked out the wiring near where I tapped for the horn and swapped in 1 more fuse. Popped again. I knew the wheels were rubbing the fender liners a little bit at full lock in the front but I didn't realize it was pretty bad. On the right front it wore through the big cable to expose some copper and it also lunched a connector that was hanging from the old marker lights. Tucked the wires out of the way and taped up the exposed cable and the destroyed connector. Replaced the fuse and was back in business.
I think when I get new tires for the front I'll drop down to 245/35R18s instead of 40.
I think when I get new tires for the front I'll drop down to 245/35R18s instead of 40.
