Lots of interesting stuff going on in that engine bay

What's the redline on this engine?

 

Thanks Rich Yep engine bay is pretty unique. IMO it's still very rough around the edges. No offense meant to Logan/defined for any of the work, but for my tastes a lot of things will need just slightly tweaked / cleaned up to look more finished or oem-ish. Rev limiter is set at 8950rpm.

 

Still no drive. Been stupid busy. Wanted to put this whole weekend aside to get it all back together and go for a maiden voyage, but unfortunately that didnt pan out as planned. I did get a chance to work on it a bit today, just wanted to give a quick update. First was the battery. There was an Odyssey PC925 previously. While it was ok for initial crank, if it didnt fire quickly I found you pretty much didnt have much of a second chance. Small batteries are nice and all, but Ill take a slight weight penalty to just not have to worry about the car starting. So I am now using an optima 51 series yellowtop. Im not sure how most mount the battery when relocating to the bin, but Ive seen alot of FDs with the battery just placed in there, or just secured to the plastic bin. That didnt sit well with me, as I dont want a battery flying around the car in the case of an accident. So I had welded in a plate in the bottom of he rear bin area for a flat mounting surface. I then bolted a nice billet battery tray in there, and the battery sits nice and snug. I also am running a 200A breaker (mounted in other bin), and a seperate fuse panel for any accessories I feel like feeding off it.






Redid wiring to fuel pump relay:

 

So my biggest thing ( I dont know why I cant leave things well enough alone..) is I decided to run an electric waterpump. I spent a ton of time researching pumps, and while a few of the aftermarket pumps seems do-able, I decided on an oem pump from a later model BMW. Its a CWA-400, and they use it on the twin turbo 3.5 6cyl cars. I figure if they are reliable enough for an OEM they should be good for me. It makes some of the aftermarket pumps look like toys. So I have the pump mounted, and am in the process of mocking up the piping. Shouldnt take too much longer



Also had to add an idler pulley for correct belt wrap on the alt since I no longer have the waterpump pulley.



Sorry Gordon mustve missed your question. I am running goopy seals.

 

I have had wonderfull success with this battery here.
http://www.braillebattery.com/index.php/braille/product_batteries/b3121

If has plenty of power for multiple cranks. 1380 pulse cranking amps and 1hr 15 mins of reserve capacity. It also only weighs 22lbs. If you wanna hear a start video, check the rx8 upgraded starter thread in the 3rd gen section.

 

What controller are you using for that EWP?

Do you still need the pinout?

 

I'll most likely be using a tecomotive tinycwa, or a Davies Craig pump controller just to get it up and running. I have the dc unit laying around , but I believe my ecu can run it , that'll be the longer term solution. And thanks, I got the pin out and ordered the plugs from the dealer.
I do have a quick question for you if you don't mind, I'll shoot you a pm.

 

Lenny, I recommend using bmw blue coolant with that water pump. In my experience, those water pumps do not like the normal green coolant. They tend to freeze up for some reason. I've personally used the bmw coolant in my rotaries for 4 years now and haven't had any problems with it.

Sincerely,
Other Lenny

 

Lenny, looking good. May I ask for the specifics on your billet battery tray? I've got a homemade solution that is okay but your tray looks so much better.

 

Thanks for the heads up, Ill look into it. I know at first there seemed to be some reliability issues with the BMW pumps, but by now I havent heard many people having too many problems with them. But Ill for sure consider the coolant switch.


Thanks David. I purchased the battery tray here:
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS | Product Categories | Eddie Motorsports
Its definitely a nice piece.

 

Any updates? Get to drive the car yet?

 

No drive yet. A lot of progress in other areas and car is just about complete and all back together. I actually took the car back to Defined today, just got back from dropping it off. Just getting some more time spent on street tuning and making sure she's dead reliable. Will be picking it up in 2 weeks and then hopefully lots of pictures and immature videos to follow
I will say I'm in love with the way the car looks. The wheels suit it well and imo the interior turned out awesome. Will update as soon as I get her back.

 

Quick picture of interior with gauges installed (minus fuel pressure, had a bad gauge and had to send back to speedhut). I think it turned out well. Ill get better pics and everything once I get it back and get it all cleaned up

 

No kidding! Your not going anywhere in those seats.

 

Seats are really nice, I love them. They are an FIA certified seat, so they are a "real" racing seat, just dressed up a bit They are snug though. Im not a big guy, about 5'9 and 175lbs, 32" waist and I'm tight. Any bigger and you aren't going to fit. At least not with any level of comfort.

 

yes i love the status seats. those and cobras are my favorites. just too damn expensive. i bought a used sparco evo. ballin on a budget, as they say.

 

I've been thinking about getting a Status seat for my FC, and you're almost exactly the same size as me. Glad to know that I'd fit!

 

That's good to know because I would never fit that seat. I'm 6' 230lbs 36" waist and barely fit my Corbeau RRB seats.

 

Let's just say that Trey's a SOLID guy who likes his food . The only person I've met who can eat an appetizer, then polish off a large Slater's 50-50 burger

 

Oh the good times!

 

Dropped my FC off at Defined today and look what I found! Absolutely gorgeous car man, I gawked for a solid solid minute. Wish I could have heard it run.

I promise I didn't slip Logan a few bills to swap your motor into my car, as well as one of those seats but if they're missing I don't know what to tell you lol

 

Haha, nice! Thanks for the compliments. I'll let you drive it if you bring it back to me. I don't feel like driving back out there again.. I'll buy you a bus ticket home

 

You drive a hard bargain

 

Was planning on bringing the car home this weekend. Drove out to Defined to pick up, apparently the car saw me coming and **** itself. Appears to be having some sort of fuel related issue all of a sudden. Will report back when resolved.

 

Didn't get to drive it. We're replacing the fuel pump and going from there.