DECADE build and my RX-7 ownership diary!!!!!!!
12-06-13, 08:35 PM
#76
Alright last little section before I start the current state/leg of life is going to be the SNOW episodes!
Now living in Chicago we have schizophrenic weather and usually pretty bad weather. I always store the FD for winter but way back when I first got it there was only one open spot in the garage and I had an older brother to compete with. I lost that battle and so for at least one winter my baby sat outside. I never got around to getting a cover...but some of the pictures are fun.
later pictures are after more garage space was gained but the car was caught outside and couldn't make it up the driveway into the garage
Now living in Chicago we have schizophrenic weather and usually pretty bad weather. I always store the FD for winter but way back when I first got it there was only one open spot in the garage and I had an older brother to compete with. I lost that battle and so for at least one winter my baby sat outside. I never got around to getting a cover...but some of the pictures are fun.
later pictures are after more garage space was gained but the car was caught outside and couldn't make it up the driveway into the garage
12-06-13, 09:14 PM
#77
now as if the inland hurricane incident wasn't bad there was actually a time before that that was even WORSE. So because I was at school with the car and pretty far south of Chicago the weather wasn't as hectic. Usually around Thanksgiving break I would return with the car to Chicago and drive back a beater minivan. On this particular year the weather was still like 70 or something like that without any snow in sight. I would be coming back home for winter break in just a couple weeks and decided to leave the FD down at school and hitch a ride home with friends. Then I would just drive the FD back for xmas break and put it away for the winter then.
Well wouldn't YOU KNOW.....we leave Southern Illinois on a nice 60 degree day I believe and begin the normally 6 hour drive up home to Chicago. Just so happens that a last minute freak blizzard decides to hit Chicago.
LOOOONG story short, we had to make like 10 stops because everyone in our caravan's wipers were freezing up and my car was NOT happy. Still on the summer tires I was ALL over the road. My buddy in his Honda accord spun off the highway just missing another car. Maybe 10 mins later once he was back on the road I did a 360 on the highway but managed to save it just ending up on the shoulder. I was probably doing 5 mph for 3 hours straight trying to get home.
The closer we got the worse things got. Traffic started backing up....there must have been 40+ cars that we passed along the way that had skidded off into ditches. As soon as we hit the major traffic jam it was ALL OVER. Once I was stopped I couldn't get the car moving again....just sat there spinning and spinning. Meanwhile it's now pitch black...I'm stuck in the middle of a 3 lane highway with my hazards on in a HORRIBLE blizzard with cars FLYING by me on each side.
I was just waiting for somebody to smash into me.....such a helpless and scarey feeling. By this point I lost all the other cars in the group as they were all trying to get out of the storm. After about a half hour I was able to melt enough snow to get the car moving just enough to get momentum to help keep me going. The plan was to take the first exit and get the hell of the road.
First exit ends up being a long sweeping uphill off ramp. I slowly proceed to exit and as soon as it starts to curve I start heading off the road......steering was a joke at this point even going 10 mph. I managed to stop the car just before it went off the ramp and down into the abyss. I sat there and called a tow truck who with the amount of accidents at the time said it could be up to 4 hours! Great....so here I am just waiting around and by god a guy going to opposite way on the nearby on ramp stopped to help me. Almost at that same time a state trooper pulled up behind me. Within 1/2 mile I could see a hotel and that was my target.
The good Samaritan and the cop got behind the 7 and started pushing as I gently feathered the gas until I could get it moving again in the proper direction. Now this was still an uphill but I was SLOWLY able to get it up until I reached the top where OF COURSE it was a red light.
With a state trooper watching my every move from the distance at this point I just said **** it and coasted on through (i had enough time on approach to obviously make sure no cars were near.....most people were WELL WELL off the roads by this point.
After making it though the intersection it was a nice downhill straight to the hotel parking lot where I ended up. After saying a few prayers I snapped a few pics and headed in for the night.
this is what the conditions were like that night....I still don't know how I made it home unscathed.
Lesson learned and NEVER AGAIN! All in all I was still about 1 1/2 hours away from home by the time I got off the road. Total travel time until that point was over 9 hours.....9 hours in HELL!
scariest and wildest driving experience of my life
Well wouldn't YOU KNOW.....we leave Southern Illinois on a nice 60 degree day I believe and begin the normally 6 hour drive up home to Chicago. Just so happens that a last minute freak blizzard decides to hit Chicago.
LOOOONG story short, we had to make like 10 stops because everyone in our caravan's wipers were freezing up and my car was NOT happy. Still on the summer tires I was ALL over the road. My buddy in his Honda accord spun off the highway just missing another car. Maybe 10 mins later once he was back on the road I did a 360 on the highway but managed to save it just ending up on the shoulder. I was probably doing 5 mph for 3 hours straight trying to get home.
The closer we got the worse things got. Traffic started backing up....there must have been 40+ cars that we passed along the way that had skidded off into ditches. As soon as we hit the major traffic jam it was ALL OVER. Once I was stopped I couldn't get the car moving again....just sat there spinning and spinning. Meanwhile it's now pitch black...I'm stuck in the middle of a 3 lane highway with my hazards on in a HORRIBLE blizzard with cars FLYING by me on each side.
I was just waiting for somebody to smash into me.....such a helpless and scarey feeling. By this point I lost all the other cars in the group as they were all trying to get out of the storm. After about a half hour I was able to melt enough snow to get the car moving just enough to get momentum to help keep me going. The plan was to take the first exit and get the hell of the road.
First exit ends up being a long sweeping uphill off ramp. I slowly proceed to exit and as soon as it starts to curve I start heading off the road......steering was a joke at this point even going 10 mph. I managed to stop the car just before it went off the ramp and down into the abyss. I sat there and called a tow truck who with the amount of accidents at the time said it could be up to 4 hours! Great....so here I am just waiting around and by god a guy going to opposite way on the nearby on ramp stopped to help me. Almost at that same time a state trooper pulled up behind me. Within 1/2 mile I could see a hotel and that was my target.
The good Samaritan and the cop got behind the 7 and started pushing as I gently feathered the gas until I could get it moving again in the proper direction. Now this was still an uphill but I was SLOWLY able to get it up until I reached the top where OF COURSE it was a red light.
With a state trooper watching my every move from the distance at this point I just said **** it and coasted on through (i had enough time on approach to obviously make sure no cars were near.....most people were WELL WELL off the roads by this point.
After making it though the intersection it was a nice downhill straight to the hotel parking lot where I ended up. After saying a few prayers I snapped a few pics and headed in for the night.
this is what the conditions were like that night....I still don't know how I made it home unscathed.
Lesson learned and NEVER AGAIN! All in all I was still about 1 1/2 hours away from home by the time I got off the road. Total travel time until that point was over 9 hours.....9 hours in HELL!
scariest and wildest driving experience of my life
12-06-13, 11:45 PM
#78
Alright now is where the current stage begins. So through the past ten years with all the coolant mishaps the car finally started showing signs of having a bad coolant seal. I was adding coolant pretty much every start although the car didn't really smoke bad. It seemed that the coolant would seep in mostly after the car was warmed up and then turned off. Plugs were fouling but I wasn't ready for it so I actually did drive it for a little while until I got a game plan together.
Sometime over the summer there was a dyno event at a local shop and having never dyno'd the car I decided now was the time. The car seemed to still pull strong even though it has the bad o-ring issue.
Going in to the dyno day the mod list stood like this:
9-10 psi
Small streetport
DP
magnaflow resonated midpipe
racing beat dual catback
ported wastegate
medium SMIC
hot air intake
emissions delete
supra pump
9.5lb act flywheel
act street/strip clutch disc and HD pressure plate
stock ecu
stock injectors
stock ignition
greddy profec B boost controller
greddy type S bov on greddy elbow
that's basically it and with the bad coolant seal it put down ~270 whp (mustang dyno). Temps were in the upper 80s that day as well. I was pleasantly surprised and just wanted an idea of what kind of power I had been making through all my experiences with the car over the last 10 years
I brought some friends with to film and they had some funny reactions to my car haha
This is a good shot of how the bay looked on that day
Sometime over the summer there was a dyno event at a local shop and having never dyno'd the car I decided now was the time. The car seemed to still pull strong even though it has the bad o-ring issue.
Going in to the dyno day the mod list stood like this:
9-10 psi
Small streetport
DP
magnaflow resonated midpipe
racing beat dual catback
ported wastegate
medium SMIC
hot air intake
emissions delete
supra pump
9.5lb act flywheel
act street/strip clutch disc and HD pressure plate
stock ecu
stock injectors
stock ignition
greddy profec B boost controller
greddy type S bov on greddy elbow
that's basically it and with the bad coolant seal it put down ~270 whp (mustang dyno). Temps were in the upper 80s that day as well. I was pleasantly surprised and just wanted an idea of what kind of power I had been making through all my experiences with the car over the last 10 years
I brought some friends with to film and they had some funny reactions to my car haha
This is a good shot of how the bay looked on that day
12-07-13, 12:04 AM
#79
Now it just so happened that while leaving the dyno for a spirited run with some bikes, sti, and some other cars over to another meet the car would bite the dust.
While on the highway I notice the oil temps climbing and by the time I slowed down I noticed a nice vibration from the engine. It then died while in motion. Upon starting it up (still in motion) I could hear a faint knocking noise. We were very close to the car meet so I limped it there and shut her down in a parking lot. That would be the last time she would move.
This was the first time I had the car back out with a group of people since the radiator hose incident and sure enough she decides to get pissy, heh.
I knew enough not to try and drive it anywhere as I didn't want to risk any damage. The only thing I could see before I shut her down was a LOT of wobble in the main pulley and the noticeable knock. So I just let her sit and tried to enjoy to car show but couldn't stop thinking about her. Eventually called a tow truck to get her a ride back home where I could further diagnose.
While on the highway I notice the oil temps climbing and by the time I slowed down I noticed a nice vibration from the engine. It then died while in motion. Upon starting it up (still in motion) I could hear a faint knocking noise. We were very close to the car meet so I limped it there and shut her down in a parking lot. That would be the last time she would move.
This was the first time I had the car back out with a group of people since the radiator hose incident and sure enough she decides to get pissy, heh.
I knew enough not to try and drive it anywhere as I didn't want to risk any damage. The only thing I could see before I shut her down was a LOT of wobble in the main pulley and the noticeable knock. So I just let her sit and tried to enjoy to car show but couldn't stop thinking about her. Eventually called a tow truck to get her a ride back home where I could further diagnose.
12-07-13, 12:26 AM
#80
So by now I have come LEAPS and bounds farther in my wrenching skills than I had when I first bought the car. After the ten years of forced repair labor on the car lol and all my college automotive experience (ASE master certified) I had amassed quite the tool collection and vowed to never pay a dime ever again to have someone work on my car.
I knew the motor had to come out but it was still unknown exactly what the problem was. In any case I decided that I was going to try my hand at fixing it. I had really never even seen the complete insides of a rotary engine up until this point so it was a pretty gutsy decision on my part. I had built a few engines at school but they all had those piston things.
I decided to get all the engine build dvds (atkins, bruce, diy, ect ect) and print out a handy dandy service manual to help me along. Borrowed a engine lift from a friend and thus the project I had been anticipating since I bought the car 10 years ago would begin.
This Started ~ July of this summer.
I knew the motor had to come out but it was still unknown exactly what the problem was. In any case I decided that I was going to try my hand at fixing it. I had really never even seen the complete insides of a rotary engine up until this point so it was a pretty gutsy decision on my part. I had built a few engines at school but they all had those piston things.
I decided to get all the engine build dvds (atkins, bruce, diy, ect ect) and print out a handy dandy service manual to help me along. Borrowed a engine lift from a friend and thus the project I had been anticipating since I bought the car 10 years ago would begin.
This Started ~ July of this summer.
12-07-13, 12:45 AM
#84
this was also interesting. My oil pickup had shaving on it but under the shavings on the actual screen was a bunch of gunked up silicone. I can't say for sure but I think it may have contributed to some sort of oil starvation which led to some overheating/bearing damage.
12-07-13, 12:59 AM
#85
now to dig in to the block and get dirty. This was a very fun process actually getting into something I had been obsessed with for so many years but never got to see up close. Almost like unwrapping a present....a broken expensive present that is.
I took my time during this process documenting the condition of everything to help aid in failure diagnosis in the future in case I missed something. All of the apex, side, and corner seals were in perfect shape. Housings were undamaged with just some carbon buildup. Rotors were perfectly fine. Irons showed step wear typical of 60K miles but were unscathed other than that. I want to think that my immediate action the minute the knocking was heard helped save a lot of further damage to the rotors, housings, and irons.
I carefully marked everything and bagged up all the hard seals. The car had 3 piece apex seals that I can only assume were there since the previous owner purchased the reman.
I took my time during this process documenting the condition of everything to help aid in failure diagnosis in the future in case I missed something. All of the apex, side, and corner seals were in perfect shape. Housings were undamaged with just some carbon buildup. Rotors were perfectly fine. Irons showed step wear typical of 60K miles but were unscathed other than that. I want to think that my immediate action the minute the knocking was heard helped save a lot of further damage to the rotors, housings, and irons.
I carefully marked everything and bagged up all the hard seals. The car had 3 piece apex seals that I can only assume were there since the previous owner purchased the reman.
12-07-13, 01:13 AM
#87
here's a close up of the coolant o-ring failure that led up to the rebuild. Front rotor...spark plug side. Assume it has to due with the common lack of cooling in that area...and one of the many close call/overheating incidents over the years
12-07-13, 01:18 AM
#88
all the bearing material in the oil pan was from the front counter gear. It was pretty bad and scored up the e-shaft bearing journal surface pretty good. Again....the car ran for maybe one or two minutes as soon as this happened and the knocking started. Glad I shut her down when I did as things could have been MUCH worse. Front endplay spacer also had a nice groove worn into it from the front bearing plate caused from to much play by the worn gear bearing.
These were the only damaged parts from the whole tear down.
These were the only damaged parts from the whole tear down.
12-07-13, 01:41 AM
#91
so the next few months was spent raising money for build parts by selling a lot of my old twin parts and overstock parts that had accumulated of the years. I also took the opportunity to go through my wiring harness and simplify and re-wrap it. What a PROCESS that was...weird that I couldn't find any finished shots...
I did have a spare engine harness from when I did the manual conversion so I kinda borrowed the best connectors from both for the finished product.
I did have a spare engine harness from when I did the manual conversion so I kinda borrowed the best connectors from both for the finished product.
12-07-13, 01:52 AM
#92
would have liked to go v-mount but for now just to get the car started I went with a Greddy front mount that I picked up for cheap.
Quite a bit of work to get this thing fitted. Trimmed the bumper reinforcement.....trimmed the inside of the bumper...relocated passenger side horn...and then relocated the radiator.
Quite a bit of work to get this thing fitted. Trimmed the bumper reinforcement.....trimmed the inside of the bumper...relocated passenger side horn...and then relocated the radiator.
12-07-13, 02:05 AM
#94
since the car was originally an automatic it had a trans cooler in the passenger side. I wanted to add the second cooler so I actually picked up quite a few coolers and line assemblies locally. I basically made a hybrid setup as some of the factory dual cooler lines weren't in the best of shape.
I basically utilized the factory hard lines for the feed and return cooler lines and made my own line that would connect the two coolers. Bought some fittings and took care of things.
I basically utilized the factory hard lines for the feed and return cooler lines and made my own line that would connect the two coolers. Bought some fittings and took care of things.
12-07-13, 02:22 AM
#95
So i had eventually decided on a setup. Due to some unfortunate circumstances with boosted414 on the forum having his car get flooded, he then purchased a new car. That car came with a plethora of extra parts that the previous owner was planning to use for a build.
I ended up picking up one newish rotor housing even though mine weren't really bad, all new irons which were again basically new, a newer front counterweight, full atkins rebuild kit, a single turbo manifold, and T-66 turbo with a half finished downpipe.
This was pretty much a spur of the moment impulse decision as I originally was planning to reinstall the twins. However, after being around some really nice single turbos over the years and basically wanting more power I decided to do the conversion. I was also happy to get rid of all the seq twins crap under the hood and with EVERYTHING in pieces this was the time to do it.
daydreaming with some mock-ups :-) ohhh if only
I ended up picking up one newish rotor housing even though mine weren't really bad, all new irons which were again basically new, a newer front counterweight, full atkins rebuild kit, a single turbo manifold, and T-66 turbo with a half finished downpipe.
This was pretty much a spur of the moment impulse decision as I originally was planning to reinstall the twins. However, after being around some really nice single turbos over the years and basically wanting more power I decided to do the conversion. I was also happy to get rid of all the seq twins crap under the hood and with EVERYTHING in pieces this was the time to do it.
daydreaming with some mock-ups :-) ohhh if only
12-07-13, 02:40 AM
#97
now the ONLY thing that I wasn't going to attempt to do was the porting. I'm sure I probably could have done it but with some pretty good condition irons I didn't want to chance a screw up with the only set I had. I would eventually sell my old irons that came out of the car in exchange for some RA super seals and some cash to another local forum member.
I also picked up all new rotor and counter gear bearings from Ray and dropped everything off with Sean at A-Spec. He's a busy guy but I know he does good work so after twisting his arm ;-) he was able to give me a nice little port action on the plates to aid with the new setup.
I also picked up all new rotor and counter gear bearings from Ray and dropped everything off with Sean at A-Spec. He's a busy guy but I know he does good work so after twisting his arm ;-) he was able to give me a nice little port action on the plates to aid with the new setup.
12-07-13, 02:50 AM
#98
Getting all my cleaned and new parts in order for a nice smooth assembly process.
Ordered various bits and pieces for the assembly....oil chain, springs, seals, ect
forgot I also picked up a near brand new e-shaft from boosted414...THANKS BUD!
Ordered various bits and pieces for the assembly....oil chain, springs, seals, ect
forgot I also picked up a near brand new e-shaft from boosted414...THANKS BUD!
12-07-13, 03:04 AM
#99
my goal right now wasn't to set any records. I know this turbo will be a huge step up in power from the mostly stock twins setup that I ran for 10 years. I plan to just get used to the setup and save up money until I can upgrade to a nicer newer technology turbo setup.
Fuel setup was put together just to hopefully get the car started so I could break her in (if the car starts and I don't end up screwing the rebuild up).
Kg parts style secondary rail
stock primary rail
500/1680 injectors
fuel lab fuel pressure regulator
after some serious consideration I am now going to try and find some ID 2000 injectors and save myself the headache so that's what I'm looking to source sometime in the future. For the initial startup and break-in the bosche 1680s should be fine.
I also plan to re-wire the supra pump as well to get it more juice.
Fuel setup was put together just to hopefully get the car started so I could break her in (if the car starts and I don't end up screwing the rebuild up).
Kg parts style secondary rail
stock primary rail
500/1680 injectors
fuel lab fuel pressure regulator
after some serious consideration I am now going to try and find some ID 2000 injectors and save myself the headache so that's what I'm looking to source sometime in the future. For the initial startup and break-in the bosche 1680s should be fine.
I also plan to re-wire the supra pump as well to get it more juice.
