Rocketeerbandit's Rx-7 : The Never Satisfied and Relentless
 

Starting a Build thread as I have done some things to the car to share you all with.


I bought my dream vehicle after owning two other Mazdas. First being a 2002 protege which was a complete nightmare. Second and most recent is the 99 Mx-5 miata.

I bought this prestine, one owner, 1993 Montego blue touring edition back in September.


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5576/...65a9697a_c.jpgDSC02481 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3883/...ef47df9c_c.jpgDSC02459 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5568/...232c2c1e_c.jpgDSC02554 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr






Well, The car was professionally waxed, clayed, and sealed to bring out the 21 years of paint underneath. It still looks amazing right now. So I continued to daily drive the car and parade her around.




https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5595/...d19d6176_c.jpgRocketeer by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr



I have already done some maintenance like the fluids in the transmission and differential. Replaced all the shifter bushings, collars, and boots with oem parts.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/...ee363c14_c.jpg20140930_074513 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/...b7011ed5_c.jpg20140930_082657 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr

I took the car back to the mechanic that rebuilt the motor with fresh new everything because of a seal that failed on the oil pressure sending unit causing a major oil leak that was unnoticeable. Lowes Automotive in Sarasota honored the warranty even being the second owner of the vehicle after there rebuild which was a relief to find out.


So after a 4 hour drive back home one of the fans stopped working.
The Fan blade was borrowed through from the motor rotating inside of it and caused a nasty plastic burning smell which alerted me along with the a/c not working properly and the temp gauge creeping up.

Good thing I caught on quickly where nothing happened. I ordered new parts from mazda like two new fan motors, fan blades and hardware to put everything back in nicely. I also purchased new bushings for the intercooler since they were in pretty bad shape shifting around.



https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/...b5a05ba0_c.jpg20141011_103236 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/...02a545db_c.jpg20141011_103248 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3946/...f91baa45_c.jpg20141011_121124 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/...09d5047a_c.jpg20141011_133118 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3942/...75439311_c.jpg20141015_112411 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/...7dac56f9_c.jpg20141014_192519_Richtone(HDR) by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr



The hardware was rusted and had to be dremeled off. What a Pain.

I had also purchased from pettit racing their aluminum ast, a used air pump lower miles, and their premix.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3923/...38b0101c_c.jpgIMG_20140925_113004 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr




I found out that the car has a Megan racing downpipe to eliviate engine temperatures and better flowing exhaust. The car also has a koyo racing radiator.






The interior was a little rough for my taste and I keep getting told that its mint as is but there are things that bother me like the center console and the door panels with the plastics. This will be a long venture trying to buy replacements.

As of now I found brand new mazda door panels off a member here that has been storing them. Mazda doesn't make tan door panels or plastics. Found that out. But I also purchased a brand new center console and Ac Panel.



https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2943/...2c9448d8_c.jpg2014-09-22_10-32-14 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr



https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2942/...002fd486_c.jpgIMG_20140925_091341 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr



https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3931/...bdd086ff_c.jpgDSC02705 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr

So I am battling what I want to do with the car v.s. what other's opinions are and advice given.

I added an R1 lip to give it an aggressive look like the RX7 I've known to have. But its not taking away from the stock factor and its originality.


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/...46dcfd12_c.jpgDSC03087 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/...3f0452d7_c.jpgRxSunset2 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr






I autocrossed the Miata and loved how it handled for all the work and parts I had installed on it like tein flex, flyin miata's turbo 2 kit, sway bars, stiffer bushings, Works cr01's 15x9 flared with and aggressive stance. Made s2k's cry.



So I autocrossed the Rx7 since the handling and suspension seemed to be coincide with the miata's. Though bushings are blown and shocks need to be replaced, I couldn't resist a two day local event given 12 runs each day.


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7480/...b4d31731_c.jpgDSC03299 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/...0db4fa53_c.jpgDSC03287 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/...2e6c3b00_c.jpgDSC03269 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...dc6f14c0_c.jpgDSC03267 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr



https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/...3ae01866_c.jpgDSC03263 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/...f3bc670d_c.jpgDSC03255 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr

At the end of the Autocross this past weekend that CKCC held {corvette club}

I was leaking Power Steering fluid. Not sure why. Maybe because the cap or the slushing around hard turns, or the heat.

Well I cleaned everything up real good and put some dye in the reservoir to see if its a hose or a crack in the reservoir which was still full and odd. Ill get an update on that issue in the next couple of days.


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5607/...8f3e041a_c.jpgDSC03512 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr




Here are some pictures that I took of the autocross...


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5613/...596d0ae6_c.jpgDSC03486 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5614/...06913aea_c.jpgDSC03415 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/...735fb723_c.jpgDSC03442 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7464/...4604e68c_c.jpgDSC03363 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/...d6b1324b_c.jpgDSC03366 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/...78d3b337_c.jpgDSC03384 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr

I have some issues I need to clear up like Why am I keeping my hand on the shifter for so long? Why am I not having both hands on the steering wheel like I should be doing instead swagging it out one handed on the course?

Need to work on that. Also the video is my best time. 49.813

I was getting 50.2- 50.7 all day long. So I was enthusiastic about breaking under 50

Other than reliability mods, don't mess with this survivor! Keep it running happy and enjoy it. She's a beauty!

Glad to see you make a thread.

Lots of good stuff going on here, keep up the good work!

Remember next lunch is on me.

Steve

Man that interior is mint. Good looking car. Still on the sequential setup?

Nice clean Montego Blue :icon_tup:

Thanks guys. I just purchased better conditioned door panels. I'm on the hunt for the door plastics on the drivers side and will pay pretty pennies for a good set.

And the car is still sequential turbo setup as Mazda made it. The engine bay still is pretty much untouched minus the koyo aluminum radiator, pettits ast, and Megan racing dp.

nice car. i love seeing people replace parts with new OEM mazda stuff.


how much did all the replacement shifter bushings/boots stuff cost you? i need to do this on my car.

Saw your car @ the five guys meet. Very stock and clean.

Thanks mark... I have a couple pictures of your car I'd like to share with ya... your car sounded beast.


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8575/...6f77d16b_c.jpg
Digi by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8610/...317bda8f_c.jpg
DSC03906 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr

It wasn't all that much I forget what I paid for the complete set which Mazda bundles it up for you. I know it had to be less then 100.00 easy. Though I do get 10% above dealership costs.

Today the car is getting the front windshield pulled to replace the moulding and stripping around the perimeter. It's curling and exposing what's underneath. I don't want a future problem with rust where water seeps in little pockets of the old adhesive. I was told that the previous owner also quite possibly tried to add a adhesive himself to fix the issue. So I'm going in there with oem seals getting the job done right.

I noticed this buildup around the ac line...

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8617/...4d03066d_c.jpg
20150104_175513 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8608/...4b1a4d6e_c.jpg
20150104_175414 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr


not ssure where this mess is coming from...

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8590/...921383ab_c.jpg
20150104_175253 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr

Last pic LOOKS like you have a boost leak with a little oil coming out of the turbos

The other two look like you have a leak in that AC valve, BUT it could be from it being regaesed its hard to say.

Also looks like your geting to the point where you really need to keep an eye on all your hoses. There looking old and you racing this car

Thanks for the feedback. I am now thinking of rebuilding the stock turbos and replacing all the vacuum lines.

Nice stock FD. As the car is 20+ yrs old, the rubber is probably going. You may want to consider replacing all the water and vacuum lines along with suspension bushings and shocks. The turbo may not need to be rebuilt, but the wastegate may need to be ported if you are getting any boost creep. Get a boost and temp gauge to keep an eye on those two crtical vital signs (the stock temp gauge is worthless).

@tomu I will get those two gauges but which gauges are most complimented to the cars interior with it not being an eye sore but still looking stock? Also where could I put them so it's clean and not over exposed so everyone sees them?

Car is at Pettit racing. I'm lucky they AR an hour and forty five minutes away. Tomorrow the car is getting it's physical done to let me know what cam highly suggests I do and wants to do along the lines of my ideas and reams for the car.

I will take is advice on performance grain by grain and I do value the car being stock. So with that being said, a lot of the oem parts will stay unless suggested other wise for reliability like keeping the car cool and reducing heat.

The motor is brand new 6k miles on it. It's going to last me several years to come.
I will define try bring to the threads attention on a sole suggestions for the car before being performed.

shoulda pmed me before you brought it to pettit. I got a buddy that worked there for a while and therefore I usually get stuff cheaper and/or the no bs minus what they are making $$ off of what needs to be done.

I should have pmed you and appreciate that I can ask you for assistance. I'll consider it in the future and hold you to it.

The car is getting a complete sequential system service;

Update the crankcase and turbo vent breather system

by passing the warm up system "Florida is warm already" and fuel regulator switch

Fit sequential control system with HD hose and install over boost safety circuit

calibrating system actuators

tune up: plugs,wires,fuelfilter, servicing ignition system, fuel system, airfilter, tune and adjust for optimum performance and longevity

Install thermostat, fan switch, replace turbo cooling hoses, flushing system, pressure check cooling system, service cooling fan relays, update central system, verify proper operation

185f fan switch

Green engine sensor temp


Cold air induction system with ICD cover kit, dual K&N filters and "V" duct inlet system off road use

Cool power kit, twin turbo 20ft. Woven thermal barrier

fully isolated shifter short stroke

Pulleykit, alternator and water pump belt