stickmantijuana

iTrader: (1)

lot of us are in the same category. Everytime the car's running perfectly, I take it apart to add back all the oem amenities such as accessible filter locations, easy clutch, reasonably quiet cabin, slightly softer suspension, and now the a/c and who knows what else tomorrow. Everytime I take it apart, I seem to spend 1-5k on it lol. oh well, if it isn't this, it's probably something else.

papsmagu

iTrader: (19)

David, congrats on getting the car back. i have found out, thru the glorious years of owning rotary's, that they are never complete/done. If they were complete, what we would we do with ourselves? most rotary owners are people that like to "tinker" and this is why we are attacked to these cars. if there was nothing to "fix", ""replace", or "upgrade" we would not own them! Glad you got the car back and enjoy working out the few little bugs that it has. Dont be too quick to fix them, because then you will be like me and get into another project.

Again, congrats on getting the car back.

Snook

iTrader: (12)

The formula for success on the FD is different for each owner, but always a long and perplexing one. If one is to ever resolve the equation it's Blitz, err bliss...

Valkyrie

I just finally got my single turbo running with full boost today.... and it's the fastest thing I've owned or driven since my CBR600. I couldn't even rev it all the way with full boost since it's rolling on old snow tires.

I can't even image how fast a tuned 3-rotor is.

Monsterbox

iTrader: (6)

Great to see how much of an improvement getting the intercooler out of the way makes for the coolant temps!

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

Thanks! The v-mount is the solution for rotary temps. I think mine will be even better with proper ducting which is on my to do list.

Took the car out for a spin today in stop and go traffic and the water temps did not budge. Oil temps hovered around 200F, higher than the 180 on the highway, but still just fine.

I did too and that disappoints me. Guess it gives me something to do and yes, we are both obsessed.

Just need to get to the point where it runs perfectly, which it doesn't right now. Pain during startup as the warmup table needs fuel added to it and then holes exist throughout the rpm band.

Thanks! Had I known back in the day what path this would send me on, I never would have started. Hopefully it becomes worth it.

How's the truck?

Too funny. You are right about the rotary path being a long one. Could launch into a soap box conversation on why this isn't right but won't.

Congrats on your success. A well-tuned rotary is really fun and I've found around 400 WHP to be the sweetsop for me on a 2 rotor. Ton of fun on the track.

The 3 rotor is a blast but I've only felt comfortable driving around/tracking at low boost or around 575 WHP. Higher than that is too much car for me to handle and just bragging rights.

It's crazy right? That's the key, let the air in and good things happen.

And a few pics of the car during glazing and before we put it back together:







Shiny!!

RedDream

iTrader: (1)

David, I don't personally know you but I have seen your car in person and it is incredible how much has been done to your car. It was my first time in Florida and I stopped at kilo's to talk rotary. As he let me look around ,the first car that caught my eye was yours. Did not realize it was yours until he mentioned your name..congrats on an amazing car! Let me just say that seeing this car in person inspired me to get the ball rolling with mine..

Rxmfn7

iTrader: (4)

Glad you have it back David, but pretty sure if after all this time it is still having some drivability issues, I would have either lit in on fire or started swinging on someone haha.

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for the story. That is pretty cool. I should have posted a thread for those going to Kilo so I could get pics of the car.

Glad the car inspired you and if you'd ever like to chat, should me a pm with your telephone number.

Believe me, I thought about it. :grin: All is good and I'll get the issues fixed.

stickmantijuana

iTrader: (1)

hi David, have you tried to fix the tune by yourself? I understand there is a huge concern of screwing it up, but honestly it's really not hard. I say don't mess with the timing in the beginning, but try to fix the fuel boxes with the wideband as you're driving it around. You can hammer all your issues out in one afternoon. I started tuning my microtech only a few months ago and the car never ran better. Before I ever hooked up my laptop to it, I was scared to change any settings because of false concern I may make it worse. Only the driver can tune the car right. Try it. Chances are your "spots" are lean spots. Add some fuel on those cells.

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

^ Thanks for the info. Yes, I do plan on doing some tuning myself and have done if before when I had a Haltech E8 (how many pages ago was that in this thread?). For me, the Haltech (versus Microtech) is more intuitive and easy to use.

When I had the Haltech E8, I also had a standalone data logger, so I'd do a series of runs on the street (some under boost and some just driving around), and then I'd review the data logger and use to adjust the maps. Worked well. My changes were for fuel only (or compensation maps for startup).

I want to do the same here as you are very correct, most of my issues are lean cells. Can easily see it on the wideband. I do a have a bunch of "too rich" cells as well to fix.

My biggest issue is I am a Mac guy and have to borrow a buddy's Windows laptop to load the PS2000 software. I guess I could partition off my Mac to load Windows but really don't want to do that.

In any event, I will do some simple street tuning as I am confident I can do this.

Haraise

If your setup has a good VE analyzer and a fast wideband, you should be able to set it up to autotune the lean and rich spots in the map.

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

I don't think the PS2000 has autotune capabilities like that, but I could be wrong. I know you can set closed loop, but that is not the same thing. Any PS2000 users lurking around?

I'll probably get a cheap Windows laptop and go from there. Can't let my Apple products see it or they will revolt.

thewird

iTrader: (8)

David, your car will never run nice until you get off that Microtech. It's not a good street ECU unless you can live with the quirkyness. It's honestly an ECU from the 90's pretending to be a modern ECU. Tuning is everything also ^_^. Why do you have to resort to even having to consider making adjustments yourself? My guess is its tuned in "Normal mode" cause anyone that likes Microtech is because of how stupid easy it is to tune in "normal mode" but the car will never be close to running like a normal car in "normal mode".

Relying on autotune on any ECU is not a good idea.

thewird

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

See the above. I have a Haltech PS 2000. I think you have one too? The plan was for me to take care of the base drivability issues and then have it dyno tuned by a good tuner.

thewird

iTrader: (8)

For some reason I thought you were still on the Microtech but now that you mention it I remember you saying you had a p2000 at the DGRR I brought down my 20b for the first time. But anyway, the tuner should be the one taking care of that cause everything is linked. Power tuning is the easy part, drivability is what takes the time and patience but it all relates so it should all be done by the same person ideally.

And yes, I have a p2000, works beautiful cold or hot (with 2200cc primaries too lol)

thewird

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

^ I thought we both ran the same ECU. Ideally I'd let the tuner do everything but I am thinking on using a big name to tune the car and that might take some time to arrange. In the interim, I am going to try to fix the startup and drivability issues to buy some time and fun.

cabaynes

iTrader: (4)

I'm not trying to be an ***, but this was 4,270 days ago (11.7 years)... Yea, I would have gone with the Aston at this point. And then another new Aston V12 Vantage after that at this rate. Yikes.

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

Yep, that was a long time ago. I don't know if I posted this up back then, but I did go and test drive the Aston Martin AMV8 and did not like it. Underpowered and very poor driving position but nice exhaust sound.

Not saying I shouldn't have gone another route but it wouldn't have been an Aston Martin, even the V12. Honestly, what I like now is the Audi RS5, even though it underwhelms on the track. Solid car with good acceleration and a ton of techno creature comforts. I think I am getting old.

RCCAZ 1

iTrader: (10)

Maserati GranTurismo Sport has one of the meanest sounding exhaust notes on the market (IMO). Of course, they're $150K, but what the heck at this point . The Vantage V12 will never turn heads like your 3 rotor FD.

Narfle

iTrader: (16)

The FD is one of the last pure sports cars, not watered down by driver assists.
But, it is also on the cusp of the current chassis design to the point that it is still track competitive with the right power level but without much chassis work.
It's not an easy feeling to emulate with late model automobiles, probably closer to old supercars like 60's ferraris(I imagine).

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

Quickie update. Been enjoying driving the car and slowly working on getting it up to my standards. This means replacing plastic bits and pieces that broke over the last few years. Most are interior.

Also reaffixed some door trim, replaced the door jamb switches, and rebuilt the Pettit short shifter. Now it's nice and smooth. Pretty much had ground the nylon bushing into dust. Finally, repaired the driver side headlight motor arm. Was a bigger deal than it seems as my arms are shortened. Done though and working.

Also spent some time adjusting the Haltech post enrichment and coolant warmup maps and the the general fuel map. Car now starts reliably and stays started during warmup. Next I will do some tuning of the fuel map under light load to get rid of the lean spots in the map. Then it's on to some real tuning with an expert

Finally I took the car to my mechanic buddy, a Supra owner, to correct the AC staying on all the time. Blows nice and cold but freezes up. Gotta be the thermostat or wiring.

Will post up some pics soon. Really liking the new LED tun signals I designed and built.

stickmantijuana

iTrader: (1)

David, I know how you feel. I probably ended up spending as much money if not more in tools and garage as the car. Nevermind always having to look for a place with a garage as I moved around in my career. but at the end of the day, it's quite satisfying to build your own car. If you have the means, I think it's a great hobby minus occasional health hazard including inhaling gasoline fume often

As you take the car apart to bring it up to your standards, you will notice many things here and there that will make you gasp. You will think of much better ways to route stuff and will end up re doing and upgrading many components.

I just have one advise for the next phase of your build. Don't buy stuff with your head. Buy stuff with your eyes.

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

No big update, just one to say the car is up and running. The Supra mechanic repaired the AC (was wired wrong so it didn't cycle and thus, would freeze up) and the front fender liners are being secured better. The mechanic has made aluminum brackets and is using a Corvette epoxy to affix them to the Shine fenders. He's then going to rivet on the liners so they stay in place. They haven't fallen down yet but it was just a matter of time before the heat got to them so better to fix it now. Will look OEM once all done which should be shortly.

Will be back early next week and then I am going to do some light tuning on the car. Enlisted my buddy to drive the car while I tune. Going for the drivability issues versus boost tuning, and will leave that to someone else. I will also put together a list of small items to order from Ray Crowe (glad he's back in business). Need some windshield cowl screw covers (the little plastic covers - can't remember the part number), headliner clips for the sides of the headliner (if they even exist as I don't see them on the parts diagram) and some other stuff that I will figure once the car comes back).

Also going to replace the interior instrument cluster and HVAC panel LEDs. If anyone has some good recommendations for nice bright LEDs, I am all ears. Remember, my cluster has a white instrument cluster with red lettering.

That's it for now. Have a great July 4th everyone!

rgordon1979

iTrader: (3)

Glad to hear you are making progress, but we need moar pics!! Especially of the engine bay!!

Happy 4th!!