My own little FD supercar build!
11-24-13, 11:59 AM
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93 FD project in progress
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My own little FD supercar build!
The idea is to build my version of a supercar out of my FD. I want it to be a car that can handle something like Nurburgring and be luxurious enough to take the old lady out in on date night. I am going to take my time and dial it in to what I feel would be perfection all while enjoying it during the summers. Estimated time for this build: FOREVER! My power goal is somewhere around 500hp. Hopefully that satisfies me, lol. I want to dial in all suspension components for a very "BMW-like" tight ride. I want to finish all the interior as close to a new stock look as possible with slight upgraded details and accent pieces. Simple sleek design without big body kits and wings. The overall idea is like if Rousch, Alpina, Mugen or a company like that took the car from the factory in 1993 and made their version of it except I am the company and I am a little bit crazy. At the very end of this I want to save up enough to have this car stripped down to the frame and perfectly put back together piece by piece refurbishing everything to new condition. Lofty goals, but I believe if you are going to aim for something, you gotta aim for the sky. Will I ever complete this? I don't know but it will be fun finding out.
Backstory:
I have always been into cars. It doesn't matter what they are either. Anything with a motor, wheels and goes fast intrigues me. Probably, got this from my Dad. His current toy is a 68 Camaro with a 327 and it is beautiful. He has always pointed out older cool cars, we have always gone to shows, and he has had several toys throughout my life. His pocket is obviously 50's-60's muscle cars. Wouldn't it be yours if you grew up in that era? I grew up in the 80's and 90's and my favorite cars are 90's Pacific muscle. Supra, NSX, RX-7, 300Z, etc.....
I have had and built a few cars in my time as well. Like most in my age group I started with an EG Civic. Then an Eagle Talon Tsi Awd with a 16g and front mount. Afterwards was my largest project. A 96 Acura Integra GSR. Fully built n/a 2.0L GSR and lots of fun. Here are some pics:
I assembled that motor in my kitchen at the time and my girlfriend/wife was ok with it. That's when I knew she was a keeper, lol.
My FD:
I picked up my FD this September from a member here on the forum. I had been looking for a while and this one fit into what I could afford and wanted. It was currently set up for autocross. Precision PT5862 single turbo, Greddy front mount, reliability upgrades, PFC, etc.... The major issue with this vehicle is rust. I know there are cars out there without rust but I decided the overall value was there. My boss is an excellent body man with his own 9 bay shop complete with spray booth all behind his house. I will have to put up a picture of his 70's grand prix at some point. It is sick! Anyways, I consulted with him before I made the purchase and he is going to do all body work with me at his place. Here are some pics of my new baby:
The night I got it home
During the day
Engine bay
The red interior is one of the things that drew me to this vehicle although it is not currently to my taste.
I have already started small projects and will post later today with more pics and what has been done but for now I need to go watch the Bears game. Cya!
Backstory:
I have always been into cars. It doesn't matter what they are either. Anything with a motor, wheels and goes fast intrigues me. Probably, got this from my Dad. His current toy is a 68 Camaro with a 327 and it is beautiful. He has always pointed out older cool cars, we have always gone to shows, and he has had several toys throughout my life. His pocket is obviously 50's-60's muscle cars. Wouldn't it be yours if you grew up in that era? I grew up in the 80's and 90's and my favorite cars are 90's Pacific muscle. Supra, NSX, RX-7, 300Z, etc.....
I have had and built a few cars in my time as well. Like most in my age group I started with an EG Civic. Then an Eagle Talon Tsi Awd with a 16g and front mount. Afterwards was my largest project. A 96 Acura Integra GSR. Fully built n/a 2.0L GSR and lots of fun. Here are some pics:
I assembled that motor in my kitchen at the time and my girlfriend/wife was ok with it. That's when I knew she was a keeper, lol.
My FD:
I picked up my FD this September from a member here on the forum. I had been looking for a while and this one fit into what I could afford and wanted. It was currently set up for autocross. Precision PT5862 single turbo, Greddy front mount, reliability upgrades, PFC, etc.... The major issue with this vehicle is rust. I know there are cars out there without rust but I decided the overall value was there. My boss is an excellent body man with his own 9 bay shop complete with spray booth all behind his house. I will have to put up a picture of his 70's grand prix at some point. It is sick! Anyways, I consulted with him before I made the purchase and he is going to do all body work with me at his place. Here are some pics of my new baby:
The night I got it home
During the day
Engine bay
The red interior is one of the things that drew me to this vehicle although it is not currently to my taste.
I have already started small projects and will post later today with more pics and what has been done but for now I need to go watch the Bears game. Cya!
11-24-13, 04:38 PM
#3
93 FD project in progress
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Yes, it will be tough to execute but I will give it my all.
Firstly, I wanted to make sure that my car is sound. I noticed several oil and coolant leaks and other minor issues on my drive home from Ohio to Chicago when i picked it up. This is my first rotary and I want to be very careful with it because I am a complete noob with this. As time passes I am reading as much as possible to learn as much as possible about the world I have dove in to. That being said I wanted to find a skilled mechanic to do all of my drivetrain until I feel comfortable in it myself. For this I turned to Sean at A-spec Tuning. He has graciously agreed to be my go to for this build. As soon as I purchased the vehicle I scheduled a time for him to look over my car and then again to address the more immediate issues. Here is a list of what he did just to make me feel better about driving the car around until the winter comes and I garage it and tear it to pieces:
Change filter pedestal O-rings
Replace copper washers on front cover oil line
Reroute coolant lines to turbo and fix CHRA coolant leaks
Reroute coolant lines and eliminate AST
Reroute heater core hose
Reseal rear block off plate
Refit intercooler pipework with new section
Rework Downpipe
Dump wastegate straight from manifold
Fab new dump tube
Check rear calipers and sdjust cable tension
All of this work was done for a very modest price I might add. I could have done this work all myself but at this point in life I would rather pay an expert to complete it and make sure it is something I don't have to continue tinkering with. I would really suggest anyone in the Chicagoland are see Sean for anything they need. You have to wait a while to get in and get things done but I would never trust a mechanic with an open schedule. Everything was done and I am satisfied with the result.
I have also done a few very small things since I got the car. Picked up Banzai PFC mount, removed all badging and cleaned the car inside and out meticulously.
More pics:
My biggest area of concern is this driver's side rear quarter panel. Rust is all the way through. My boss and I will be cutting this section and welding new sheet metal before I paint this spring.
More rust on both sides of rear wing. This is very superficial. Not a major concern.
Firstly, I wanted to make sure that my car is sound. I noticed several oil and coolant leaks and other minor issues on my drive home from Ohio to Chicago when i picked it up. This is my first rotary and I want to be very careful with it because I am a complete noob with this. As time passes I am reading as much as possible to learn as much as possible about the world I have dove in to. That being said I wanted to find a skilled mechanic to do all of my drivetrain until I feel comfortable in it myself. For this I turned to Sean at A-spec Tuning. He has graciously agreed to be my go to for this build. As soon as I purchased the vehicle I scheduled a time for him to look over my car and then again to address the more immediate issues. Here is a list of what he did just to make me feel better about driving the car around until the winter comes and I garage it and tear it to pieces:
Change filter pedestal O-rings
Replace copper washers on front cover oil line
Reroute coolant lines to turbo and fix CHRA coolant leaks
Reroute coolant lines and eliminate AST
Reroute heater core hose
Reseal rear block off plate
Refit intercooler pipework with new section
Rework Downpipe
Dump wastegate straight from manifold
Fab new dump tube
Check rear calipers and sdjust cable tension
All of this work was done for a very modest price I might add. I could have done this work all myself but at this point in life I would rather pay an expert to complete it and make sure it is something I don't have to continue tinkering with. I would really suggest anyone in the Chicagoland are see Sean for anything they need. You have to wait a while to get in and get things done but I would never trust a mechanic with an open schedule. Everything was done and I am satisfied with the result.
I have also done a few very small things since I got the car. Picked up Banzai PFC mount, removed all badging and cleaned the car inside and out meticulously.
More pics:
My biggest area of concern is this driver's side rear quarter panel. Rust is all the way through. My boss and I will be cutting this section and welding new sheet metal before I paint this spring.
More rust on both sides of rear wing. This is very superficial. Not a major concern.
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11-25-13, 02:29 AM
#11
I think it's a nice idea but it has some flaws. I honestly don't think it's possible with 2 rotors. 500whp is amazing in this platform but it certainly isn't a luxurious take your wife out for a night on the town type of car. Interested to see what you come up with but I think FD's are best loud, fast, raw and unforgiving.
11-25-13, 01:21 PM
#13
It seems everyone I meet on the board is on that side of town. BTW, one of the locals is setting up a dyno tuning session for next spring with Steve Kahn. Check it out if you are interested. We did one last spring.
https://www.rx7club.com/midwest-rx-7...014-a-1050278/
https://www.rx7club.com/midwest-rx-7...014-a-1050278/
11-26-13, 11:45 AM
#16
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I agree that 500 WHP is not a date night car. I am trying to get my car basically to the same place as yours, but with a 300-350 WHP power goal.
I know you have owned your fair share of cars, but have you ever owned a RWD car with 7-8 lbs per HP? They can be quite a handful on the street. And Rotaries like to breathe, and 500 HP requires noise.
Either way- nice starting point, good for you for planning, and keep posting pics!
I know you have owned your fair share of cars, but have you ever owned a RWD car with 7-8 lbs per HP? They can be quite a handful on the street. And Rotaries like to breathe, and 500 HP requires noise.
Either way- nice starting point, good for you for planning, and keep posting pics!
11-26-13, 12:00 PM
#17
93 FD project in progress
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Not worried about noise. Looking for bmw handling not overall experience. It sounds more and more like I am going to have a tough time accomplishing what I'm liking for though.
11-28-13, 10:24 PM
#19
93 FD project in progress
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Spent an hour or so thanksgiving morning starting the tear down.
My son wanted to help. He loves anything mechanical, much like his dad. Unfortunately we didn't get very far. I live in Chicago and my garage is not insulated. It was just a bit colder than I would like in there but my son only lasted an hour or so. I am going to pick up a space heater. If I could only get the temperature up 15° or so I think it would be perfect.
Everything looks ok even though we haven't gotten far. Headlight covers were broken on the back end. The plastic was very brittle so I would imagine they were the originals.
My son wanted to help. He loves anything mechanical, much like his dad. Unfortunately we didn't get very far. I live in Chicago and my garage is not insulated. It was just a bit colder than I would like in there but my son only lasted an hour or so. I am going to pick up a space heater. If I could only get the temperature up 15° or so I think it would be perfect.
Everything looks ok even though we haven't gotten far. Headlight covers were broken on the back end. The plastic was very brittle so I would imagine they were the originals.
12-01-13, 06:51 AM
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93 FD project in progress
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I think I have settled in on a power plant setup and am pretty confident with where I am going to go with it. Tell me what you think.
A-spec V-mount
Aem water injection kit
Aem coil package
NGK 9's all around
Adaptronic ecu
ID 1000 & ID 2000 injectors
FFE fuel rails
Xcessive lim (possibly if budget allows)
A-spec dual gate twinscroll turbo manifold
Dual Precision 46mm gates with dump tubes
A-spec 3-3.5" DP (depends on what he suggests)
A-spec dual oil cooler setup
13BREW I currently have in the car is a built street port by Defined autoworks
JDM trans (mine is currently showing signs of a failing 5th gear)
TURBO!!!!!!!!!
Here is the big question and probably the final item I check off on powerplant upgrades. I currently have a Precision 5862 in the vehicle which is very healthy. It is too small to hit my paper goal of the 500hp range. After talking it over with Sean @ A-spec and reviewing my budget I have decided to do everything else first and see if I am satisfied with what the 5862 will do for me. I feel like I want to stay in the 18-22lb boost range and not go much higher. By Sean's estimation that would leave me in the low to mid 400hp range with great response and should be a really fun car.
If I am not satisfied with the power being put out our plan is to go to a Precision 6266 divided ball bearing turbo.
I have been heeding your warnings about the 500hp goal being a bit lofty and possibly unstable. So I will be going by feel rather than numbers on paper.
As far as the date night car stuff, I think I didn't explain myself well or I am being taken too literally. I am not looking to take the raw performance aspect out of the car nor am I trying to make it a quiet wife pleasing vehicle. I want a ***** to the wall car that has a luxurious look to it inside and out. I want it to handle like the BMW M series car do, tight and rigid. Much like an exotic super car. A head turner that if I take my wife out to a nice restaurant or something like that I don't look like some ricer kid. No crazy wings, crazy colored wheels, giant aggressive body kits, crazy cambered way oversized wheels, etc.... I have nothing against that stuff, it's just not to my taste. I am getting older and have 3 kids.
"AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!"
I want to park next to some of the Porches and other highline cars in my neighborhood and have those people look at my car and say, "Oh ****, that is nice."
Toss me some ideas if you have any. In the end, I am still just a baby here with background in other areas. I am all about engulfing myself in this and learning as much as possible. Plus my only son loves this already and is more into science and things of that nature than sports and other so I am also using to spend QT with him.
A-spec V-mount
Aem water injection kit
Aem coil package
NGK 9's all around
Adaptronic ecu
ID 1000 & ID 2000 injectors
FFE fuel rails
Xcessive lim (possibly if budget allows)
A-spec dual gate twinscroll turbo manifold
Dual Precision 46mm gates with dump tubes
A-spec 3-3.5" DP (depends on what he suggests)
A-spec dual oil cooler setup
13BREW I currently have in the car is a built street port by Defined autoworks
JDM trans (mine is currently showing signs of a failing 5th gear)
TURBO!!!!!!!!!
Here is the big question and probably the final item I check off on powerplant upgrades. I currently have a Precision 5862 in the vehicle which is very healthy. It is too small to hit my paper goal of the 500hp range. After talking it over with Sean @ A-spec and reviewing my budget I have decided to do everything else first and see if I am satisfied with what the 5862 will do for me. I feel like I want to stay in the 18-22lb boost range and not go much higher. By Sean's estimation that would leave me in the low to mid 400hp range with great response and should be a really fun car.
If I am not satisfied with the power being put out our plan is to go to a Precision 6266 divided ball bearing turbo.
I have been heeding your warnings about the 500hp goal being a bit lofty and possibly unstable. So I will be going by feel rather than numbers on paper.
As far as the date night car stuff, I think I didn't explain myself well or I am being taken too literally. I am not looking to take the raw performance aspect out of the car nor am I trying to make it a quiet wife pleasing vehicle. I want a ***** to the wall car that has a luxurious look to it inside and out. I want it to handle like the BMW M series car do, tight and rigid. Much like an exotic super car. A head turner that if I take my wife out to a nice restaurant or something like that I don't look like some ricer kid. No crazy wings, crazy colored wheels, giant aggressive body kits, crazy cambered way oversized wheels, etc.... I have nothing against that stuff, it's just not to my taste. I am getting older and have 3 kids.
"AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!"
I want to park next to some of the Porches and other highline cars in my neighborhood and have those people look at my car and say, "Oh ****, that is nice."
Toss me some ideas if you have any. In the end, I am still just a baby here with background in other areas. I am all about engulfing myself in this and learning as much as possible. Plus my only son loves this already and is more into science and things of that nature than sports and other so I am also using to spend QT with him.
12-04-13, 08:25 PM
#23
93 FD project in progress
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Got a little more work done. Pulled bumper, wheel well liners, fenders and intercooler.
Found a ghetto engineered coolant tank
These knuckles are gone on both sides
Might be getting a new turbo sooner than later
Wheels have some light damage
I have a cousin struggling with breast cancer so my first add on to this car is also the only sticker I will allow on it.
As usual my son wanted to help
Found a ghetto engineered coolant tank
These knuckles are gone on both sides
Might be getting a new turbo sooner than later
Wheels have some light damage
I have a cousin struggling with breast cancer so my first add on to this car is also the only sticker I will allow on it.
As usual my son wanted to help
12-04-13, 10:49 PM
#24
I'm 40 something now. Married late. Screwed around a lot. I still haven't met a woman who gave a flying **** about horsepower. I have met plenty that hate loud, smelly cars though. 500 HP = loud, smelly 2 rotor turbo car.
Also, the only way to maintain a BMW like ride is good shocks and softish springs. The stock shocks in good condition are still the most comfortable shocks I have ever driven on this car since I started owning and driving them back in 2000.
Just saying...
Also, the only way to maintain a BMW like ride is good shocks and softish springs. The stock shocks in good condition are still the most comfortable shocks I have ever driven on this car since I started owning and driving them back in 2000.
Just saying...
12-05-13, 12:17 AM
#25
I think any decent coilover or spring/shock combo with upgraded bushings will give you BMW //M handing capabilities but the steering feel wont measure up. Stock FD power steering is over-assisted at low speed and I dont think going to a fully converted manual rack or de-powered stock rack is going to be right either.