New FC coolant temp sensor came in to replace the Pettit switch. I paid someone to install it when they were replacing my coils long ago, figured it would be easy and cheap while the car was already apart. Well...they were lazy and put it on the top since I still have my air pump installed.

Anyways, new sensor in stock location works much better. Had to get creative trying to reuse the stock connector, I got lucky and ended up managing to extend the tiny bit of wire that remained in the back from when it was cut. I'm sure the Pettit sensor works fine when installed in the side location.

This job quickly turned into a mess of problems, the new sensor was the easiest part. Noticed a slight coolant leak which took an additional hose clamp to stop, pretty easy. Next issue, after getting everything back together I come out in the garage early next morning and hear a slight buzzing sound coming from the alternator, unplug negative terminal from the battery and noise stops...realized my battery was probably dead and sure enough it was completely drained.

I had to give the alternator a few good hits with a rubber hammer to get it to set right when reinstalling so maybe this messed something up internally. Hoping to diagnose it further tonight.

Lastly one of the threaded rods the intake elbow attaches to sheared in half on me, looks like I should be able to unscrew what's left of the existing rod and put a new one with matching threads in it's place. Going in the direction of air flow, the top right rod is the one that sheared in half.

Anyone have any input on the alternator or threaded rod?

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I had a small coolant leak so scheduled a pressure test. Test identified three other leaks-waiting -to-happen.

Shop fixed the three potential leaks but forgot to fix the original problem.

Are you going to use the "double nut" technique to remove the broken stud?

Perhaps seek out a junk throttle body to source a replacement stud.

We fortunately have a local shop (Ammo Supply) that specializes in Metric fasteners.

No there isn't enough left exposed to do that, vise grips should hopefully get it done. I've got a few studs that are the same m6 1.0 but I may just cut a bolt to length and forget the stud all together.

I plan to replace all the coolant hoses next time I flush the system so after that's done I may do a pressure test.

Just trying to get it stable enough so I can take it to go get body work done and then I'll dive back into everything again. If it wasn't for the alternator I'd have it ready by now lol

It won't be a 10 footer for much longer

With the stud replaced and electrical issue sorted the car was finally ready to make the trip to the painter. I began stripping the car to get it ready. Removed the antenna + wiper assembly so the holes can be welded shut, also removed the wing and put the stock wheels back on for now. 99 bumper, 99 wing, and new fender vents. A close eye will notice all my pictures are of one side of the car, there's a dent on the bottom of the right fender which will be getting fixed as well.

Picture was taken last Thursday just before I started taking it apart, car was dropped off Friday. Last time it'll ever look like this, can't wait for the changes!

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e00ab8e4b9.jpg

How it looked when it arrived, new headlight covers had to be ordered.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c53c16cc37.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...115c4795bc.jpg
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Some progress pictures from last week

Damaged paint from when gas cap leaked is fixed
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e419ffa07f.jpg

Antenna hole filled and painted over
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...61a78775a4.jpg

Wiper hole & nozzle filled, old holes for 93 wing patched, two new ones for 99 drilled
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...1198d17568.jpg

Fixed fender in background
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c5a850ed39.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...64c81fb3c9.jpg

All that's left is headlight covers need paint and transferring mounting brackets to new front bumper

Very nice!!!!
Can't wait to see it all done!
Will she be ready for Aces rotary meet?

I just got back from picking it up, should be ready to go after tonight so yes for Ace! Here are two quick pictures taken just before driving it back...Garage Alpha turn signals fit and look perfect!

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fbc3472e0a.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c8429264a0.jpg

Message moved

Gorgeous man!

Hey man what's that entertainment system? I've been looking to replace mine with something newer.

It's a Pioneer MVH-1400NEX, apple car play comes in handy because you can just leave the phone in the glove box.

I liked the flush look of this unit, my only complaint is that because the entire unit is touch screen the volume up and down buttons can be tricky to hit in quick situations

Drove the car to Clearwater for mothers day this past weekend, little over 2 hour drive each way, car had zero issues. Got some nice pictures next to my dad's 2015 Cayman S. Hard to imagine the Cayman looking big but that's how it looked next to the rx7!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...96d0b12160.jpg

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So satisfying seeing the fixed fender and deleted wiper / antenna in the last pic

She looks awesome!! Enjoy her 👍

Looks great. You need to procure a set of 17 RS wheels (black or silver) . for '"full OEM look" day.

That's a good idea, I kept the stock 16" wheels my car came with when I bought it, pretty sure they're the lightened versions too but idk. The 16s don't fit the newer look at all, I'd consider the 17s if a set popped up locally.

Aftermarket wheels go such a long way on these cars

Friend has very dark 99 17" RS on his red car. It looks super.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...cc01c5f6ef.jpg


Needs direct light at twilight to really pop.

It looks like your FD is aging better than your pops cayman. Hehe

Cool that your dad has a Cayman... what does he think of the FD?

He enjoys it, he was surprised by the transmission / clutch feel. But he can’t hide the fact he’d take the Cayman over it any day, said he prefers the looks and sound of his over mine. The Cayman beats the FD in a race but the FD feels quicker, both are stock with the exception of my exhaust. Been trying to convince him to upgrade to the new GT4 haha

That's good, sounds like everyone is happy then. Cayman is definitely one of the most appealing modern cars from the perspective of those who like the FD for its light weight and driving feel.

The Cayman is a great car, compared to the FD it’s just easier to drive. The steering is lighter and the car is way more comfortable. The Cayman can feel a little lacking when accelerating hard in a straight line where the FD gets that’s nice hard pull feel when the secondary turbo kicks in. Best of both worlds being able to enjoy both no doubt

Today marks 1 year! Did some burnouts celebrate

Installed some HKS intakes I bought off a friend going single turbo...need to delete the air pump next because that mooing sound is annoying as hell! Lol

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e862295ad.jpeg

Please post up this results to RHD FD Nation. Thanks!

So clean, makes me want to get my R1 on the road ASAP.

Well I'm convinced I need to make it out to DGRR next year.

I've decided to make a list of what the car needs for me to feel comfortable driving it that far, it's not much but these are the last few things bothering me.
- Fix the hatch weather seal. When my car went off to paint they lifted the outer edge of the weather seal and taped it off folded in towards the glass so they could paint the entire hatch. Now the seal lets water in the hatch, I've read on here the rear window needs to come out to properly reseal...bummer if true
- Fix the air conditioning!!! This has been on my list for a while now but wanted to spend the money doing other things with the car. All the components for it to work are there, it just doesn't blow cold air. I have zero experience with AC on cars, not sure what's wrong with it. Not sure if it's been converted to r134 or if it's still r12.
- Boost gauge / water temp gauge so I can keep an eye on things for long drives. Car has been solid on the many long trips it's been on so far but it would be nice to be able to keep an eye on things and know for sure. I would say it's been on 6 trips so far that were over an hour and a half drive each way, never an issue. Car handles normal street driving in Orlando just fine, even in peak summer temps, I get paranoid on the longer drives haha

And that's about it...the plan for this car is to eventually go V mount with an EFR 8374 turbo, I've been contemplating buying a PFC while i have the twins so i can delete the air pump and emissions but I'm not sure it's worth it with how well the car drives on stock ECU. I don't want a PFC controlling a single turbo. The single conversion won't happen for some time, just don't want to buy things twice knowing the setup is changing in the future