LOL funny Phil.

Yea, my schedule ain't so bad at all nowadays. Really can't complain.

Still got the FD, STILL workin on my build lol but actually making some serious progress over the past few months. So we're gettin there...

Re: the event next year, I'd love to finally come out. Who knows...maybe I might actually be able to drive something to there too haha.

 

OH NO....Ramy + caravan = angry truckers. I have memories of Ramy getting forced onto the grass median burned into my brain.

 

Man those were some good times Dan!

Don't worry, I've toned it down a bit since then (plus workin on gettin lights & sirens on my whip haha )

 

^holy crap...didnt know u were still alive lol.

-Austin

 

gonna do a better job running your business?

 

Not lookin to really run a business. Wanna unload a bunch of the stuff I have, and maybe help a few members here & there along the way. Never really meant to do this as a full-time gig, but that's what quickly became an expectation. Was merely a hobby/passion for me. I have a full-time job as it is

 

Ramy, Help me with rare OEM/Mazdaspeed goodies

And good to see you alive and succeeding in life!! Definitely come to next year's DGRR... as IT MIGHT BE the last

 

Phil, I've ALWAYS been willin to help ya. You just never bought anythin from me! You always got it from someone else lol.

Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully I'll see ya soon buddy!

 

WHAT!!! BS!!! I bought few stuff.. Also, you been MIA... PM me what you got that's rare OEM and Mazdaspeed

 

Some small updates

Removed the turbo system for 'maintenance' after the last two years of track duty. Found that my heat-sleeved coolant lines were on the verge of splitting and if not for the zero pressure Evans certainly would have. Also, my T4 divided turbine gasket had basically disintegrated, leading to a massive exhaust leak at the worst possible spot. I knew the car felt laggy and down on power and this was the likely cause.

The turbine housing also had a very bad crack at the weld, likely the result of smacking a speed bump the day before working on the car. I could hear the massive exhaust leak, which was muffled by the turbo blanket. This was one of the things that prompted the 'maintenance'

Turbo itself seems to be holding up great, but I found a hairline crack on the tubular manifold. Couple this with the DP hanging too low for my tastes, and I ended up sending the entire shootin' match back to Sean at A-Spec for some refurbishing.

I'm tossing around the idea of moving to a new system with a Billet compressor and SS v-band turbine housing. Sean also has a real trick V-mount system he's been fabricating in-house and although it's a limited production run I may be able to talk him into making one for me over the winter

I also picked up an Attain high-capacity pan for my new OS Giken trans to help keep those forged internals cool. After all the cash dumped into this trans what's another 500 right ?

 

Rich,
I love hearing about your updates. Sorry to hear about the turbo troubles. Is Sean standing by his 'lifetime guarantee" on the manifold? Also I switched to braided SS coolant lines because of the hose issues you speak about. Even such I am expected the SS hoses to be degrading also. Ever consider fabbing hard line extensions?
Do you have a source for the Attain trans pan? I currently have an aftermarekt "cooling plate" on my trans but am always looking for a good upgrade.

Regards,
Crispy

 

Hard coolant lines for the 35r type turbos is a must.

In 6 years I've been through 3 turbo manifolds, 2 down pipes and 1 exhaust manifold. Currently I'm adding a new t04e oil cooled only turbo which might be a big mistake but we'll see along with replacing the split dp (how does that happen).

Talk about lag and low boost; I had PFS replace the t04e (57 wheel) housing with a t04s (probably a 60 wheel) housing which created a big gap on the back side wheel and it also starting leaning to one side, now couple that with a 6 inch long split in the DP you have some boost issues Can't wait to get it back with the new DP and new turbo (1st ever new turbo hehe)

 

Nice update Rich! I had a similar situation with my T78 on my silver FD... trouble keeping a turbo to dp gasket from leaking, cracked exhaust manifold, and cooked cooling lines. Look forward to seeing how everything progresses. Are you, by chance, running a transmission temp gauge? No one ever does, but we have alot of track related transmission failures. I'd be curious to see just how hot they get. It would also be interesting to quanitify how much of a difference the new pan makes. I know that's not possible since you probably weren't running one before though. Regardless, I'd say your transmission should be as bullet proof as they come.

 

Based upon my left leg riding in the passenger seat they get HOT!!!

I was riding with Joe Zimmerlin a few years ago and my feet were literally burning and coincidentally enough his trans gave up that weekend.

If Werkstatt has time I'll have a trans cooler (may as well hook it up to the diff as well) added over the winter but the way things are currently progressing that may not happen lol.

 

Chris, I'm sourcing the Attain pan from Japan, but the pricing isn't exactly 'good deal' territory

I'm definitely going to move to hard lines for the coolant feed/return on the turbo. That's the plan anyway

Brent, no plans to monitor trans temps but that's not a bad idea. Worth considering, but I already have too many damn gauges

One other thing to report: I'm picking up a set of NRS ceramic apex seals (2mm 1 piece) for my next build..... at the current sale pricing they're hard to say 'no' to

NRS Annual Christmas pricing begins now and will run up until January 17th 2012

1pc seals $750/6
2pc seals $995/6
2mm HF Springs $150/12
3mm HF Springs $130/12

Pay on B of A or Wells Fargo - email for details
Shipping by Xpresspost or UPS - email for details

nrsrotorsports@shaw.ca

 

Rich, i was considering the NRS seals for you guys to build me a new motor with as well.....what do you think? 2pc, 2mm for me?

 

Given your power and boost goals I think those are the hot ticket for you, yup.

I just tore down an engine we built back in 2006 with NRS 1 piece 2mm seals and the rotor housings still look new. Granted only 10k miles use, but I was expecting a little bit of wear

 

Awesome. I'm going to order a set then. It's birthday month! Thanks!

 

Why didn't you tell me about this Rich !!!!




John

 

Ok time for an update as snow falls on the ground here in NJ

The Attain trans pan is on the way along with a box of NGK heat range 10 Race Plugs.

I also snagged a very trick exhaust system from the land of the rising sun, more details on that once it arrives but for now it'll be a secret . My full 4 inch magnaflow/apex'i GT spec system is going to be available for sale.

I'm looking at turbo options, and have settled on three different ones based on my application. Street car running 20ish psi and road race machine running 15ish psi.

I'm considering the Garrett T04Z and the Precision PT6766:

http://www.precisionturbo.net/Street...PT6766-CEA/480

The other contender is something a tad smaller on the compressor side, on the order of a PT6266.

Lots of factors to consider..... water cooled center section vs not. V-band turbine inlet vs 4-bolt T4. Billet wheel vs non.

So many options it's enough to make your head spin

I'm leaning towards the Precision unit to try some of this newfangled technology I keep reading about. This is primarily to gain the new 66mm CEA turbine wheel which should rock the house on the road course. If anyone has any intelligent input feel free to post it up.

I'm definitely going with twin wastegates on the new exhaust manifold, and Sean tells me his new mani's are of a more robust design than his older ones from back when I bought his kit in 2008. I'm moving to a 3.5 inch downpipe off the turbine housing mainly for packaging purposes. One reason for switching up the whole turbo kit is because my current long runner manifold places the turbo in such a way that a V-mount isn't really possible.

I'm super excited about the A-Spec V-mount setup, there are some pictures floating around the forum that I'll see if I can find.

Oh, lastly..... one main reason I'm thinking of moving to the V-hand turbine inlet is for reliability, but also may lose some response vs the T4 divided. I found these bad boys which should stand up to any amount of hard tracking:

http://www.twinsturbo.com/index.php?...emart&Itemid=8

 

Congratulations on finding those gaskets after I told you about them! *hand clap*

I think you are best to go with a watercooled turbo.

Oh, and some pics of this V-mount setup would be nice.



John

 

wow everyones going twin wastegates these days.... guess i gotta make the switch next year... hahaha

sounds like youre doing a complete overhaull....

one question... why would you need 20psi street and 15psi track???? sounds backwards no?

 

Hey, I'm the one who took the time to Google them

THANKS TO JOHNNY AMBROSIO FOR HIS INSANE INSIGHT AND HELPING MAKE MY CAR THE BEAST IT IS!!?!1

one word, heat. Plus big boost isn't needed on the road course. I'm not drag racing, hoss.

 

Get the Precision. A friend on here just got a 6266 for his FD and it should make more power than a 35R to give you an idea. 35r's at 14ish pounds make a little over 400whp and this should make like 450whp I'm told around the same boost level. Another friend also bought the 6766 for his Mr2 and it's also very nice. The CEA wheel tech (billet) should also be mandatory. It's like $100 more than the cast version, and will increase boost reponse and horsepower. With a rotary, water cooled/ball bearing is pretty much mandatory for longevity. I'd agree with the v band inlet and also, it should have the same efficiency as a t4 divided. I talked to the guys at precision about it and that was their stance on it. It does cost a little more but there you go. The v band assembly that you have to buy from precision for the downpipe accepts a 3.5" pipe directly which is nice.

 

I think Rich is also looking for more usable power opposed to peak power.

Looks awesome as always Rich. Hope you guys have a blast at the 24!