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I don't know if I have said this, but your build is so cleanly done. It really sets the bar for me whenever get to build my dream SA. I really appreciate seeing the hard work. Your car is a "dream build".
VA RX7, thank you. I appreciate the kind words. I’ll admit this project has had a lot of unexpected turns and has taken longer than expected. I’ve been having fun and even though today sucked, it’s been an amazing journey.
Sorry folks, On the 25th I was using my phone to update this page as for some reason my Mac has weird issues posting pictures from a laptop, but not from a iOS device. I had spent about 15 minutes on that damned phone when it slipped out of my hand, hit the "back" button when I caught it. This was during the upload photos part and it looked like i lost everything, then all my typed words were there. I posted and words were gone. I was too sick to my stomach to even care.
So welcome to today.
One of the issues I had to deal with was when I moved the coil pack from the engine to just aft of the strut tower I could find plug wire that I was comfortable with. The IGN1A terminals are not Mazda standard, and no one sells an proper solution for my needs. Well, I'm lying to you friends. There is a solution from a company called "dragon fire" that sells a IGN1A kit for the RX8 that was the right length. Even my wife rolled her eyes with the Dragonfire branded option, So I picked up a length ofTaylor 8mm spiral pro and dual clamp terminals and made my own. the color coding matches up with the color coding on the Haltech. Cables tested out for continuity, 500 ohm per foot, I'm about 800ohm for my length. Ignition is done.
Next up is the intake manifold. the injector bungs had part of the cylinder protruding into the secondary runners. I got a flexy dremel and removed the obstruction. A manifold pressure nipple was added and the intake was thread locked and torqued wrenched down.
I also mounted the battery. Only mentioning it to mention it.
What's left you may ask? As a recap, the car was driven two years ago. intake air temps were a bit high because the charge pipe was too close to the exhaust. the revision was to replace the S4 NA upper intake with a S4 turbo intake and add a mid intake to bridge the 6port lower with the turbo upper. A larger intercooler was added and now the intake air is no where near a heat source, outside of the turbo. The fuel lines were changed to a PTFE from Racetronix (fragula i think) and dropped the Amazon Evil Energy hoses. Fuel pump wire upgraded to 10 AWG from 12AWG and, go yeah... the turbo II transmission install.
To start the car, I need to finish up vacuum lines, double check fuel, coolant and oil lines , check fluids and check for leaks.
For the engine to be drivable I need to have a charge pipe made post intercooler to the throttle body, I believe my oil pan seal is dribbling a bit.
The biggest issue is the rebuilding of the axle and the new driveshaft which will need to be ordered. Ill be lucky if I'm driving in July,
The SuperLock will allegedly be shipped the 24th of August. Pins and needles, my friends. I ordered the Turbo transmission yoke, NA flange and the U joints to get a leg up on a aluminum driveshaft. I still need to purchase the driveshaft. I've been thrown into other projects so the sting of my setbacks are not as itchy as they could be.
The contact pattern looks pretty good to me. Doesn't look too deep and it looks like the pinion gear is making adequate contact with the ring gear.
Thank you. Turned out that I needed to rotate from the ring not the pinion to get a good impression. Funny thing is it looks like my contact patch is larger than a lot of the sample images online.
the quick assessment is my intake temperature issue seems to be corrected. Changing to the T2 upper intake and different intercooler. Still a lot to do, I need a driveshaft. and perhaps something to improve the steering.
Last edited by Richard Miller; Dec 2, 2024 at 10:28 PM.
weighs 10lbs with yoke and flange. U joints are a lot beefier than stock.
stock FB driveshaft weighs 12lbs. Not massive savings in weight, but I like the safety aspects of CF over metal.
for the record, the T2 driveshaft weighs 14lbs. I don’t know what Mazdatrix premade driveshaft weighs, but I’d assume it’s near the T2 numbers.
Nothing sexy going on, but things are happening. Mostly proofreading, if you will. Had some soldering on the dome lights, rear mirror. That’s together now. Seems I overlooked a bolt on the intake manifold. So that’s taken care of. Had a bad/ mid sized crush o ring on the oil cooler line. Double checking wires for stress and wear points. I’m being held up by cooler weather as I need to do some cerakote and the temps not right for that. I do need to sandblast the meshes and refinish them. Also brake calipers are getting shot as well. I’m expecting to be driving by May.
Saturday I had a chance to ride along with at an auto cross. First car was a newer Miata that was built for the track. Second was a Civic TypeR. I was mentally ill prepared for the experience. Which was exhilarating at best and disconcerting at worst. What a riot! I can’t wait to drive the course myself!
Today we had a break in the weather, warmed up enough to spray some Cerakote C series. ( Air cure) . Next couple of weeks cool down. So this was a small window of opportunity. Gonna let things cure over the next couple days . Anyways… completion is near.
