When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hey gang,
Just picked up a 1993 SS on red Touring Auto w/ 80k miles this past weekend from Las Vegas. Long story short, the engine has over heated twice now running poorly. Because the engine is basically shot, I was able to get it for a killer price. All things considered, the car was in good shape. This color combo has been my dream car since I saw one in 1995. Now dream car is a reality. The seller even had a 5 Spd. trans and driveshaft as part of the deal.
My plan in now to have the engine rebuilt just to get it up and running. After I can get it working, I'll start doing the trans swap. The previous owner installed an FC filler neck, a Meagan downpipe, apexi intake and apexi catback (I hate it). He also added an upgraded radiator but since it wasn't designed to work with an auto, he added an aftermarket trans oil cooler, placed in the front opening. Mechanical stuff aside, the only aesthetic change made was the 18" wheels...which I'm not a big fan of, but I can live with them for now. I have other purchases to make =) I'll post pictures when I'm not at work on my break
I already started a shopping list and due to Facebook, and eBay, I've been able to save a lot of money.
Plans Phase 1:
Engine rebuild - Purchased (in progress) - 3mm Apex seal, Polished rotors, Coolant mod, Upgraded water seal
Pettit intake - Purchased
Pettit cool charge III intercooler kit - Purchased
LIM heat shield
Apexi Power FC + Commander - Purchased
New Hoses (Vacuum and fluid)
New water pump
Battery Relocation
Intake elbow
Racing Beat PP twin tip exhaust catback
Lower temp sensor and Thermostat
Metal AST
Gauges (boost, temp etc.)
Dream car update:
Since picking up my 93' SS/Red touring FD, I've been buying parts like crazy. Some new, some used:
-Battery relocation kit
-pettit racing intake
-pettit cool charge III intercooler
-greddy intake elbow
-silicon hoses
-Stage 2 rebuild + goodies (Rx7world.com) should be done in a month.
-power fc + commander
-block off plates
-metal ast
Still need to get it running...
New waterpump
Various gaskets
Fluids
Looking good! Too bad you have to do a bunch of wrenching in the hot AZ summer months. I am in the same boat. Hopefully I'll run into you some time at a car meet.
So... I have most of the parts to do the manual swap, minus the flywheel, clutch, mast and slave cylinder and starter. I am not worried about those parts as I can get them with ease. I am curious about the clutch lines... are they hard lines on manual cars or are they rubber lines? Any information would be very helpful!
Huge thanks to Tomsn16 for helping me source parts for my trans swap. I've been collecting various parts left and right. It feels like every day I get something in the mail... almost like Xmas every day! It's been a few weeks since I ordered my engine. Gonna reach out to them today for any updates. Aside from the engine, I'm waiting on a shipment of various things from Pettit. The one thing that is holding the order up is the new AST. They were out and I didn't mind waiting for my order considering I don't have my new engine yet. My goal is to do the engine swap over the course of 3 days. (Friday after work, Saturday, and Sunday) Is this a reasonable amount of time? I'm not doing the trans swap till after I know the engine is good and have enjoyed it for a while (after the break-in period). Any thoughts, concerns, well-wishes are appreciated!
So... I did a dumb thing... my rx7 has been sitting a while (waiting for my new engine) and usually, I start it once a week and let it run a while so it doesn't go dead(er). This time I'm like.. I need to roll it around and move the tires so I don't get flat spots. Well, despite the high idle at 3k, things were looking good! So I figured, what the heck, I'll drive it around the block. Things were going good. Figured I'd drive it to the end of the street... barely pressed the throttle and away I went. Turbo 1 started to spool at 2k like normal and the temp started to go up more than I would like (part of the reason it needs a rebuild). Got it home safe and didn't touch it till today (5 days later)
I also noticed that when the engine got hot, the fans never turned on. So, today I took the time to check the relays. All seemed to be ok. Even used a jumper wire to turn on the fan. Never could get the 2nd fan to kick on.
I then disconnected the battery to use a jumper for the diagnostic box, and read the blinks. Pretty sure I had 3 long blinks and 4 fast, which means IACV has gone bad and is the cause for my 3k idle. Been reading that if I clean it. Chances are, it'll work. Thoughts?
now my problem is, my airbag light is on and my odo and tach aren't working whereas they were previously. Been reading a lot of posts and seems like there is no constant answer to fix the problem. Looking for advice please!
Hey Gang, I've been really busy the past couple weeks. I received my new rebuild, and pulled the old engine out of the car.
I started to take parts off the engine (carefully) but despite my cautious removal of items, some things still broke. I finally got the engine torn down and ultimately, I ended up loosing a couple solenoids, the oil metering lines and couple of sensors who's plastic was so brittle they practically crumbled. I also discovered that I was actually missing the solenoid that connects to the ACV and that it was previously plumbed directly into the manifold rather than through the solenoid. In addition to the new gaskets and new silicone vacuum lines (rx7.com) I had to wait a few days to get my replacements parts in the mail (Atkinsrotary.com). Although I have had an 86' FC before, I am definitely learning a lot in tearing down my FD engine. I also discovered that the not only was one of the downpipe studs sheared in the turbo, but because of that, the aftermarket gasket was missing a large chunk.
So, new gaskets, hoses, water pump, thermostat, sensors, washers and lines... I think that I have my bases covered to put it all back together. There isn't much left I haven't cleaned, replaced, or upgraded. I'm being very careful to make sure that my rats nest is plumbed correctly as well. So fingers crossed for me this weekend and that it runs and I can start breaking in the new engine and ultimately enjoying my dream car.
Last edited by Lokiman; Aug 3, 2018 at 11:41 AM.
Reason: Adding photos
Great news! Completed the install a couple weeks ago and have been breaking in the new engine as well as chasing down a few gremlins here and there. As part of the new engine going in, I added a Power FC and commander, Pettit racing intake, as well as downpipe, and Racing Beat mid pipe and cat-back. Boost comes on nicely for the primary but I'm not sure if the secondary turbo is being transitioned to.. or if it is, the boost might be low. I've already installed a water temp gauge, and will be installing an air/fuel and boost gauges. I was going to install the Pettit intercooler setup but aside from the battery re-location kit, it did not say that the air pump needed to be removed as well. So, I had to install the old intercooler for now. It's okay, I was planning on getting rid of it anyways and since my car now qualifies as a collector car in the state of AZ, I no longer need to worry about passing emission testing. My brakes are also due for being replaced, so my new pads and rotors arrive tomorrow, and from the sound of it while driving around, it sounds like my suspension is tired as well. As much a I would like to get a set of coilovers, I don't have the money at this point in time. My guess is that the bushings are tired as well. Either way, I'm happy to drive around my dream car, even if it is only a few days a week... and with no AC.
.
