Pimp my Ride: The Batmobile Edition
09-26-11, 11:20 AM
#76
So my car has been at RT Tuning since June 22 for the modular wire harness to be terminated, a tune, wire fuel pumps and to check for leaks of the aircraft fittings. I figured taking my car there would be a good idea since the demo car they have is an FC. So far, they have only terminated the wire harness... Whenever I call, the owner Vince is always busy tuning other peoples cars and not mine.
I am really not too sure what to do since the car is at my hometown of Philly, but I work in DC. So far the total is up to $2500 with little work done and I really want to pull my car from the shop. But it has been there for so long and at this pace, this is costing more than the MoTeC M2R and the custom modular wire harness COMBINED!
I am only stating facts here and I am not going to get started on my opinion of the place. The only real shops I have had good experience with is IR Performance and NateDog Creations...
I am really not too sure what to do since the car is at my hometown of Philly, but I work in DC. So far the total is up to $2500 with little work done and I really want to pull my car from the shop. But it has been there for so long and at this pace, this is costing more than the MoTeC M2R and the custom modular wire harness COMBINED!
I am only stating facts here and I am not going to get started on my opinion of the place. The only real shops I have had good experience with is IR Performance and NateDog Creations...
09-26-11, 12:00 PM
#77
do yourself a favor and go get the car. How long are you willing to wait... and also, if you pay for someones time... and they're not finishing your car... then you should get a refund. Take you car back to rich and IR performance.... theres no way you could regret moving your car to a shop that will actually get the job done right and finish when they tell you they will.
09-26-11, 12:09 PM
#79
The reason why I brought my car there was because I thought it would be less stressful since I was in the middle of moving and lack of free time. Now I have been doing all the leg work by talking to Aaron over at Yaw Power/ Full Function Engineering to doing a MoTeC M2R map and figuring out where to terminate the wires.
09-26-11, 01:28 PM
#80
So my car has been at RT Tuning since June 22 for the modular wire harness to be terminated, a tune, wire fuel pumps and to check for leaks of the aircraft fittings. I figured taking my car there would be a good idea since the demo car they have is an FC. So far, they have only terminated the wire harness... Whenever I call, the owner Vince is always busy tuning other peoples cars and not mine.
I am really not too sure what to do since the car is at my hometown of Philly, but I work in DC. So far the total is up to $2500 with little work done and I really want to pull my car from the shop. But it has been there for so long and at this pace, this is costing more than the MoTeC M2R and the custom modular wire harness COMBINED!
I am only stating facts here and I am not going to get started on my opinion of the place. The only real shops I have had good experience with is IR Performance and NateDog Creations...
I am really not too sure what to do since the car is at my hometown of Philly, but I work in DC. So far the total is up to $2500 with little work done and I really want to pull my car from the shop. But it has been there for so long and at this pace, this is costing more than the MoTeC M2R and the custom modular wire harness COMBINED!
I am only stating facts here and I am not going to get started on my opinion of the place. The only real shops I have had good experience with is IR Performance and NateDog Creations...
09-28-11, 07:40 PM
#82
You can call Bill at second street speed. Their in Perkasie PA not too far from r/t tuning. He tuned my motec m4 and can finish wiring your car and get it running and does really good work, He specializes in anything turbo and nitrous. You can always just get it towed their. www.secondstreetspeed.com
10-15-11, 09:28 AM
#83
I just got my car from R/T Tuning. My paranoia really set in with my car being so far away from home and they did a pretty awesome job! And it was totally worth the wait! And they really exceeded what I thought they was going on. When I picked up the car last night, they installed the headlight covers and even gave the car a wash. How awesome is that? Other than me freaking out, I would say it is a pretty positive experience.
From the car sitting too long, the engine needs to be cracked open since it is bellowing out smoke from the exhaust. Looks like I need to take it to Speed1
From the car sitting too long, the engine needs to be cracked open since it is bellowing out smoke from the exhaust. Looks like I need to take it to Speed1
10-15-11, 05:52 PM
#86
Sounds like you just need to refresh that motor. Those awesome ceramic seals and other goodies you have should all be re-usable. I have seen the oil control rings dry up many times from sitting for extended periods of time and give the same symptoms you are describing. Most likely you will just need a new set of rings, all the springs for the seals, and a close up gasket kit. Bring it by and we will get you up and running.
01-21-12, 08:39 AM
#87
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
So boys and girls, a small update for you:
In a nutshell: IRP built the engine back in 2006 with all new seals/springs/gaskets/bearings etc. Large streetport and NRS 3mm 1 pc apex seals, Pineapple HD coolant o-rings. Car ran great for 2 years, then sat for 4 solid years while a shop out in PA did tons of custom work to the car.
Davin picked the car up and it smoked horribly, and consumed 5 quarts of oil in a 7 mile trip back to his garage.
Upon receipt of the Batmobile, the car absolutely would not start and oil was dripping out the tailpipe. Large amounts of nice clean engine oil were also in the charge piping. Upon removal of the turbo system, a puddle of oil could be seen through the front exhaust port. No bueno.
Tore down the engine, and everything inside looked mint......almost. Approx 10k miles use and all internals (including NRS seals) looked as new. However, the OEM oil control rings had all swelled up and weren't sealing. As to whether this is from the E85 he's running, the long period sitting or a combination of the two is hard to say.
We're looking into Viton oil control rings now, and have already performed oil and coolant mods on Davin's block.... back in 2006 we didn't offer this service. We also opened up and optimized his exhaust ports more to reflect his new 500R setup vs the old stock twins he used to run. Lastly we shipped off a bunch of custom brackets for his V-mount setup, electric WP, custom AST etc as they were mild steel and had surface rust. They're being coated in ceramic satin black and should be headed back soon
In a nutshell: IRP built the engine back in 2006 with all new seals/springs/gaskets/bearings etc. Large streetport and NRS 3mm 1 pc apex seals, Pineapple HD coolant o-rings. Car ran great for 2 years, then sat for 4 solid years while a shop out in PA did tons of custom work to the car.
Davin picked the car up and it smoked horribly, and consumed 5 quarts of oil in a 7 mile trip back to his garage.
Upon receipt of the Batmobile, the car absolutely would not start and oil was dripping out the tailpipe. Large amounts of nice clean engine oil were also in the charge piping. Upon removal of the turbo system, a puddle of oil could be seen through the front exhaust port. No bueno.
Tore down the engine, and everything inside looked mint......almost. Approx 10k miles use and all internals (including NRS seals) looked as new. However, the OEM oil control rings had all swelled up and weren't sealing. As to whether this is from the E85 he's running, the long period sitting or a combination of the two is hard to say.
We're looking into Viton oil control rings now, and have already performed oil and coolant mods on Davin's block.... back in 2006 we didn't offer this service. We also opened up and optimized his exhaust ports more to reflect his new 500R setup vs the old stock twins he used to run. Lastly we shipped off a bunch of custom brackets for his V-mount setup, electric WP, custom AST etc as they were mild steel and had surface rust. They're being coated in ceramic satin black and should be headed back soon
02-13-12, 09:00 AM
#88
I am at my wits end with this car. For five years I have thrown tens of thousands of dollars at this car, and in those five years, driven the car three times. It seems all I ever do is wait, hoping that what I am waiting on will get the car functioning again, and only to be let down each and every single time.
I know the acronym FD stands for Financial Disaster: it is just that and I am now realizing that continuing this path is just not monetarily viable anymore for me. As of now, it looks like I will need a third Odyssey PC680 in six months, making that five of these batteries within 3 years. Additionally, it appears that the MoTeC M2R is somehow blown. Furthermore, I have a MoTeC CDL3 dash logger arriving tomorrow, as well as 18x10 Advan RZ wheels being shipped this Wednesday, and it looks like I will eat the cost for these. I know Rich at IR Performance does good work and I know it is not because of the engine. But what is happening seems that the only logical conclusion I can draw is that something as catastrophic as ECM failure is to blame.
I have decided that if I have to wait on yet again something else for this vehicle, then it is time for me to move on. I have met many awesome people owning this vehicle and many that I will never forget; Rich and Ihor for always building me awesome engines, Gordon for letting me use his garage at a moment’s notice (and in the snow at that!), for Carlos helping me wire the CAS and Sync wires correctly while I was frantic with him on the phone, Aaron at Full Function Engineering for providing an M2R base map and Vince at R/T Tuning for dealing with my horrible anxiety while he wired everything up.
I also had many aspirations to apply my aerospace knowledge in producing some game changing, structural parts for the community and in time for DGRR, and I apologize that this will never metastasize. I am hurt and heartbroken over this car and my motivation to continue this project has waned.
I know the acronym FD stands for Financial Disaster: it is just that and I am now realizing that continuing this path is just not monetarily viable anymore for me. As of now, it looks like I will need a third Odyssey PC680 in six months, making that five of these batteries within 3 years. Additionally, it appears that the MoTeC M2R is somehow blown. Furthermore, I have a MoTeC CDL3 dash logger arriving tomorrow, as well as 18x10 Advan RZ wheels being shipped this Wednesday, and it looks like I will eat the cost for these. I know Rich at IR Performance does good work and I know it is not because of the engine. But what is happening seems that the only logical conclusion I can draw is that something as catastrophic as ECM failure is to blame.
I have decided that if I have to wait on yet again something else for this vehicle, then it is time for me to move on. I have met many awesome people owning this vehicle and many that I will never forget; Rich and Ihor for always building me awesome engines, Gordon for letting me use his garage at a moment’s notice (and in the snow at that!), for Carlos helping me wire the CAS and Sync wires correctly while I was frantic with him on the phone, Aaron at Full Function Engineering for providing an M2R base map and Vince at R/T Tuning for dealing with my horrible anxiety while he wired everything up.
I also had many aspirations to apply my aerospace knowledge in producing some game changing, structural parts for the community and in time for DGRR, and I apologize that this will never metastasize. I am hurt and heartbroken over this car and my motivation to continue this project has waned.
02-13-12, 10:14 AM
#91
what kind of underground build is this!?!?! why is this the only build thread not in the build thread section lol always lose track of this!!
i feel you davin. ive been on that boat multiple times. you will have your highs and lows. just hang in there and you'll slowly gain back love for it.. took me this whole winter of not caring for her at all and now im pumped and back at it prepping for deals.
IMO, this is just the turning point where you will realize how to manage your money/wants/needs. i always had the mentality (like almost every rx7 not on the road) i dont want to drive my car until i put x y z on it. in reality, we all need to just get the thing running and enjoy it. otherwise we all feel the burden in our wallets but no excitement in the seat.
hang in there champ
i feel you davin. ive been on that boat multiple times. you will have your highs and lows. just hang in there and you'll slowly gain back love for it.. took me this whole winter of not caring for her at all and now im pumped and back at it prepping for deals.
IMO, this is just the turning point where you will realize how to manage your money/wants/needs. i always had the mentality (like almost every rx7 not on the road) i dont want to drive my car until i put x y z on it. in reality, we all need to just get the thing running and enjoy it. otherwise we all feel the burden in our wallets but no excitement in the seat.
hang in there champ
02-13-12, 01:04 PM
#92
Seems you are another poster child for my "Build Reflections" thread. But don't give up Davin, you can and will see it thru. From one guy who has been there many times over to another, you are close to the end with this. I might not seem like it, but you are.
My advice is to step back and figure out the end game plan. The engine is at IRP right? Let them finish it up and it will be good to go. I'd also think seriously about having them do the install of whatever ECU they recommend and sell the Motec unless they can install and tune that. Wouldn't Motec fix the ECU for you? They should. If not, ship back the data logger and get your money back for it. Don't get stuck into feeling you have to use the Motec. No doubt it is awesome but there are many other solutions here that are less costly. How about the Haltech P2000? I've heard great things about that ECU and I am sure IRP could wire it up for you and then find a good Haltech tuner.
So sit back and think this thru. You've come very far so take it across the finish line. To me, that means figuring out the best plan for the best cost to get the engine done and then to install the ECU and get the car going. Seems like IRP had the engine side handled, you just now need to get the ECU piece solved and then you'll be on the road.
PM me your telephone number if you want to commiserate
My advice is to step back and figure out the end game plan. The engine is at IRP right? Let them finish it up and it will be good to go. I'd also think seriously about having them do the install of whatever ECU they recommend and sell the Motec unless they can install and tune that. Wouldn't Motec fix the ECU for you? They should. If not, ship back the data logger and get your money back for it. Don't get stuck into feeling you have to use the Motec. No doubt it is awesome but there are many other solutions here that are less costly. How about the Haltech P2000? I've heard great things about that ECU and I am sure IRP could wire it up for you and then find a good Haltech tuner.
So sit back and think this thru. You've come very far so take it across the finish line. To me, that means figuring out the best plan for the best cost to get the engine done and then to install the ECU and get the car going. Seems like IRP had the engine side handled, you just now need to get the ECU piece solved and then you'll be on the road.
PM me your telephone number if you want to commiserate
02-14-12, 10:48 PM
#93
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
I've spoken with Davin and cleared up a simple miscommunication.... his Motec isn't blown, but it appears a combination of some suspect wiring and a rough tune are leading to some delays. If the Batmobile was running a more pedestrian ECU it'd be cruising around central NJ already
Anyway, the engine is in the car and we hope to have it running soon. Some pre-install pics...... I think all will agree Davin's setup is one-of-a-kind
Anyway, the engine is in the car and we hope to have it running soon. Some pre-install pics...... I think all will agree Davin's setup is one-of-a-kind
02-15-12, 10:35 AM
#95
Wastegate John
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Long Island NY 11746
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^ Yea,I am wondering the same thing. IIRC the EWP is on that side so maybe there is an interferance issue? I dont know why someone would mount the alternator on the exhaust side if nothing is going to be installed on the other side. I would think there can be a heat issue.
04-17-12, 11:09 AM
#98
On Saturday, Sean and I made our way from Doylestown, PA to IR Performance near NYC to get the car. If you do not know Sean, he has an authentic S15; pictured below:
Well, my car would not start after the rebuild. It is also near impossible to see what is going on with the gauge cluster not working, but I swore up and down the fuel gauge worked and IR Performance could not get it to start. We just figured it was something in the ECU When I picked up the car, I forgot the communication cable to connect my laptop to the MoTeC and also forgot the under tray.
After a long journey, the car was home. I borrowed my neighbor’s old laptop that has a serial port, runs Windows 98 and connected the slow as crap computer to the ECU. The MoTeC checked out fine
The gas gauge read ¼ full. Maybe it needs gas and the gas gauge is broken? I fill it with gas and this bitch fired up on one crank, scaring the **** out of me with its straight pipes; damn, IRP built me a bitchin’ motor if it fires on one clicky. I notice the MoTeC’s coolant sensor is not moving, so I shut it down after running it for 53 seconds. I see the EWP wire came loose and I connected it back up and cycle the EWP to burp the air from the system. I fire it back up and I notice oil is everywhere all around the turbo, with the motor eventually puttering out. But the A-Spec 500R only has no more than 20 miles on it 
With there being no oil ventilation, I am thinking the oil drain it not being permitted to actually drain with all the pressure building up. So I went on a spending spree and purchased a Jaz catch can, appropriate fittings, new turbo oil feed restrictor, a Battery Tender and a **** load of other stuff. While I am at it, I am going to:
- Relocate my coolant sensor to a better spot than the radiator
- Verify the EWP works properly
- The turbo drain has a good exit
- The turbo has no obstructions in the oil and coolant passages
- Do an oil change as per proper break-in
- Fill the tank with E85 and premix
- Install engine grounding
- Wrap braided hose with electrical tape to prevent chaffing
Hopefully this is everything the car needs, along with the under tray and comms cable I need from IR Performance to get it running right. If it does not work and the turbo is blown, then **** it, I am trading it to get an S2000.
Well, my car would not start after the rebuild. It is also near impossible to see what is going on with the gauge cluster not working, but I swore up and down the fuel gauge worked and IR Performance could not get it to start. We just figured it was something in the ECU
When I picked up the car, I forgot the communication cable to connect my laptop to the MoTeC and also forgot the under tray.After a long journey, the car was home. I borrowed my neighbor’s old laptop that has a serial port, runs Windows 98 and connected the slow as crap computer to the ECU. The MoTeC checked out fine
The gas gauge read ¼ full. Maybe it needs gas and the gas gauge is broken? I fill it with gas and this bitch fired up on one crank, scaring the **** out of me with its straight pipes; damn, IRP built me a bitchin’ motor if it fires on one clicky. I notice the MoTeC’s coolant sensor is not moving, so I shut it down after running it for 53 seconds. I see the EWP wire came loose and I connected it back up and cycle the EWP to burp the air from the system. I fire it back up and I notice oil is everywhere all around the turbo, with the motor eventually puttering out. But the A-Spec 500R only has no more than 20 miles on it With there being no oil ventilation, I am thinking the oil drain it not being permitted to actually drain with all the pressure building up. So I went on a spending spree and purchased a Jaz catch can, appropriate fittings, new turbo oil feed restrictor, a Battery Tender and a **** load of other stuff. While I am at it, I am going to:
- Relocate my coolant sensor to a better spot than the radiator
- Verify the EWP works properly
- The turbo drain has a good exit
- The turbo has no obstructions in the oil and coolant passages
- Do an oil change as per proper break-in
- Fill the tank with E85 and premix
- Install engine grounding
- Wrap braided hose with electrical tape to prevent chaffing
Hopefully this is everything the car needs, along with the under tray and comms cable I need from IR Performance to get it running right. If it does not work and the turbo is blown, then **** it, I am trading it to get an S2000.
04-17-12, 07:16 PM
#99
Why do you think the turbo is blown? And why wouldn't Sean help you out of it is?
Btw... my buddies brother sold his fd after a motor rebuild because he got all paranoid and bought an s2000. Its a cool car but I know he regrets it, its no fd....
Btw... my buddies brother sold his fd after a motor rebuild because he got all paranoid and bought an s2000. Its a cool car but I know he regrets it, its no fd....
