94 CW Resurrection
 

This is more of a report on my Journey so far on my first FD purchase and build experience.

So I purchased the 94 CW (actually custom Pearl White now) from this forum after months of looking for my first FD. My first choice of color was Chaste White, which "seems" like the most sought after during my search. Then I came across the one from Ken. Everything about it seemed right for me, tastily modded with some engine work and fuel mods, then Super Rocket... Well not so fast...

I live in Los Angeles, seller is in Minnesota, Car is in Chicago at Elite Rotary, Engine builder Howard Coleman is in Wisconsin...

The CAR
Condition of the car was somewhat known before my purchase but nothing specific. Engine needed rebuilding, fuel system needed replacement. Until the engine is removed and parts inspected, exact conditions were unknown. But as the engine came out, things started to look bad.
The Wiring was all over the place, cut and spliced everywhere, which caused concern when it comes to connecting all the wires back. So New Wiring Harness was highly recommended.
Turbo turbines were scratching the housing, so Turbo was out of wack. Replacement Turbo needed.
Many other issues that will have to be looked into…

The PROFESSIONALS

Howard Coleman Racing
Engine was handed over to Howard for him to do his magic. After finally tearing it down, and getting some parts looked at to see what can and cannot be used, news was not so good. Long story short, many more parts were replaced to make sure I don’t run into engine trouble in the near future. Howard did his magic and the engine is now fully built to handle 600+ whp.

Elite Rotary
The car was sent to Elite Rotary in Chicago by the previous owner, highly recommended by Howard Coleman. Sal at Elite Rotary is the name you want to remember. Call him up if you need to get your car back in groove.
Sal just started working on it (long line of cars waiting his services) and hoping to see the car soon...

The PLAN
Haltech Elite 1500 with Flying Lead Harness
1,000cc Primary and 2,200 Secondary
Walbro 440 x 2
Borg Warner S300 SXE 66
And other parts that were already on the car (hopefully functioning…)

Can’t wait to get this car some time in January…

Will keep yall posted as I get updates from Sal.

Looks awesome. Sounds like its a gonna be a beast! Looking forward to seeing it in LA.

I recall this car . Good to see it back

very cool

What a shame. That car looked pretty decent and had a high price tag when it was posted for sale. Hopefully you got a good deal on it though. I would've expected well built and pretty much turn key from what I saw in the add if I'm remembering correctly.

Good luck with it though.

Ya, it looked really nice, but once it was Cracked open, things had to get replaced. Biggest thing was that the engine was not really rebuilt as advertised, more like "took apart and put back together", so many engine parts had to be replaced.

Since the car still had lots of potential, especially with a nice paint and body, I decided to spend a little... ECU upgrade, new wiring harness, new turbo later, things got out of hand. Hopefully the final build cost will not hurt me too much.

I will have to sort through replaced parts and sell them to sew up the hole in my wallet, once I get the car that is.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Wheel Preference
 

Sadly, nothing to report from the shop. I guess they are not doing much due to holidays.

This FD is currently riding on Volks LE37K, 17x8.5 and 17x9.5 with 245-40-17 and 275-40-17.
I think this is classy with the 90's Gen FD.

However I was wondering what others thought about my other choices. Maybe if the LE37Ks are more valuable than these, I will sell and make some money back...

A. Shelby GT500 wheels, gray wheels, 5 spike design, 18" so I might have a better luck fitting them on my FD with similar tire size

B. Mustang GT Performance Package wheels, Black, 19" so might be hard to fit on my FD if going w stock tires, 255/40/19 and 275/40/19.

Any thoughts?https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...03da6fd8ea.pngCW with Volks LE37Ks
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...002f6115fe.jpgMustang GT Performance Package
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...aebdc637f8.jpgShelby GT500

meh on both of those mustang wheels.

Not a fan of those two, IMO you need some kinda lip on the rims.

Perhaps I'm better off with my LE37Ks... For now :)https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e23638ce66.jpg

Definitely better than the Mustang wheels.

I got the SE37k and I say keep them! These wheels are long discontinued and are very hard to find on FD sizes and offsets. Had to go through yahoo auction japan to get my hands on a set.

If you want that all blacked out look on the mustang you should just paint them or plastidip them. I actually think your wheels in black will look very good as well.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...578bca5994.jpg

Our cars would be almost twins. Ya, maybe I will play w the plastidip or just keep it as is.

Yay, shipping scheduled, hopefully no surprises and car will be completed for Monday shipping.

It would be nice to post up pictures and videos of the work done by the Rotary Magicians at Elite Rotary soon...

Finally Home in LA, next to a stable mate, Z32 2+2 TT Swap
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e8bbbce8ea.jpg

All wiring gremlins extinguished, engine running like a Champ (thanks to Howard Coleman and Elite Rotary) and sounding beautiful... No Boost yet, until after break-in, but resonator to straight pipe sounds amazing
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...46db8a94fd.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...3f119e7102.jpg

Few more items to take care of;
Replace Diff Mount Bushing (going w Superpro ordered from J-Auto)
​Replace Coilovers, rusted, front looks too low...
Swap in a new head unit, old Kenwood head unit feels like from the early 2000s, only plays CD.
Connect tablet to Haltech Elite to display OBD2 info via Bluetooth OBD2 dongle
Install rear diffuser which didn't make it from the shop

Just got done forcing out multiple Wheel Locks since previous owner never had the key. I used 3/4" 12 pt socket, jam it over the luck nut.
For a Hex type wheel lock, shoved a 3/8" socket extension. Nothing physical bruteness can't handle...

Didn't realize how different FDs are compared to others, awesome car. Can't wait to fill up my 1,000 break in miles and start Boosting. Looking to make only about 400 whp, then maybe upto 600 whp it was built for. Maybe 600 whp is an overkill... But exciting times to be had w new to me FD.
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congrats! looking forward to seeing it in my neighborhood!

This was Eric Cheatham's old car wasn't it?

BTW- Good call on not getting the mustang wheels

Looking forward to meeting some of Socal members soon. Once I get the Diff mount bushings swapped out this weekend, I will be able to drive it around more, although only during the night. Summer heat is getting brutal without AC during the day.

Yes, I don't know how long he owned it and did all the previous work, but I believe the previous owner bought it from him. Let's just say it was quite a bit of work getting this bad boy up and running. And the work is still continuing...

Thanks for confirming that it was Eric's old car. IIRC that car was in good shape when he sold it but who knows :dunno:

Make sure you make it to sevenstock!

Look up the SCAR meet, it's the last Saturday of every month. Pretty good turn outs every month. I'll most likely go this month.

Finally got to roll out to the Angeles Highway. At Mt. Wilson entrance.
Still waiting on my front lip and rear diffuser to finish up the exterior.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4ce1f411ea.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...19922f76ec.jpg

Yep. That was my old car. It was in great condition when I sold it.