twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

Having battery charging problems. I let my car sit for a week I think untouched. Tried to start it and the battery is totally dead. Jump it and she starts right up. I've had this issue on the last engine setup too where if my car sat for like 5 days or more I'd have to jump it. I usually charge around 13-14 volts. That's on my factory volt guage(I should see what the haltech says). There's been 2 times where i've had volts jump to 16-17 volts(old setup) and all instruments/headlights would light up like a christmas tree. I would turn the car off right away ofcourse. I know my alternator is good. 70 amp S4 alt. All grounds seem to be good/clean.

My volt meter always bounces too(like if the blinker was on, but its not) and at night when my instrument/headlights are on they "flicker" so to speak with the volt meter bouncing. Not flicker off/on, but like dim/normal/dim/normal/dim with the bounce of the volt meter...

Anybody know any possible cause of this?

notveryhappyjack

iTrader: (4)

your volts drop over time... can you recall any changes to the car since this started occurring? old wiring is always soo darn mysterious

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

You are using an S4/S5 Alternator? IIRC, there's a a slightly different way
to wire it (as opposed to a stock FB), otherwise you will have a slow current drain.

I had that problem myself, but my Tuner at the time fixed it.
I don't know how, as I wasn't around when he did it.

I think the solution is here in the forums, as I think I've run across it myself.
You might have to do some difficult searching though.

turbo_dave

iTrader: (50)

Maybe this will help you.its posted in the oldschool section.

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

Wiring is still the same as last setup. Not sure on that. I didn't do the wiring..

Thanks DF. Yes, it is a 70 amp S4 alternator. Hopefully turbo daves pic is all I need.


I'll have to check my alternator wiring. I know that I only have one individual little female connection/wire on one of the male connections coming from the back of alternator for the plug. Then the power connection like stock.. I'll have to change something. Thank you!

I also notice sometimes my headlights don't come on when I try to turn them on. I can get out of the car and lightly tap the actual headlight and then they turn on.. like loose fillament? Different issure probably. Just need new lights.

sharingan 19

iTrader: (16)

Love this build! I am actually running a very similar setup (9.4 rotors, Goopy seals, mazda oem everythign else, S5 Housings, irons and intake manifolds) The main difference is that I'm using the 4 port turbo irons, instead of the 6 port.

Can't wait to see the results once you get this thing back on the dyno!

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

Thank you sir! Very nice! . I was thinking of getting it back on the dyno in the next week or two, but it looks like I came on what I think is a good deal for the FC subframe swap. So, dyno will happen after I think.. Possibly before though.

Talked to one of the guys I know who I can trust and know his work is nothing short of amazing. Says he can do the FC subframe swap for a little less than a 1000 labor and any parts I might need extra. Only a few days in the shop.

Now I'm going to be ordering the rest of the parts needed to get this going asap. May be a lot, but I'm willing to do it for the positives in the swap.

Also, found out that I don't have a wire leading from my alternator to the dash like in turbo daves pic. That's got to be issue with the "blinking lights". I'll have to look into the wiring and see how I get a connection to the dash.

Got the car retuned for the idle yesterday. Sometimes it would want to die and would somtimes. Ben fixed it real quick and it purrs nicely at 900 rpm. No hiccups or anything now like I was having recently. Car drives great still and pulls like hell. Thanks for everything Ben.

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

Got some mint FC vert wheels in the mail today . Get me rolling right after the FC subframe swap.



Got new calipers and brake rotors coming in the mail. Still need to get some other things before I jump into the swap. Getting closer..

rotorican85

iTrader: (9)

And the auto-bahns????

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

Autobahns will be sold after FC subframe swap.

bad 83

iTrader: (3)

Dude. I always think the Vert wheels look awsome on a first gen. I applaud the FC front subframe swap, but a little too much cutting and fabbing for my taste. I recently added power steering to my FB. Wasn't even an option in '83, so it really blows peoples mind when they see it.

rotorican85

iTrader: (9)

Lemme get f

rotorican85

iTrader: (9)

Lemme get first crack at them.

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

Vert wheels do look great on the FB. They will be temporary till I save up for some custom built wheels though. Plan to have some wheels built and on the car before sevenstock this year. We will see..

I hear you. Lots of work with tools I don't have. No changes to the chassis will be made. Everything will be able to bolt on/bolt off. Lots of cutting and welding to do it though.

Awesome! Power steering must be nice . I'll be staying manual after the swap. Plan to get a rebuilt 17:1 rack and depower it now. 82transam says it seems just about as good as it will get.

Money will talk as my next plan right after the FC swap will be wheels that I plan to leave on the car.

I would like to see the autobahns stay in Vegas so I can still see them around... If I got another car with a 4x110 bolt pattern I'd probably ask for them back with cash in hand lol.

Forsale thread will be up when the time comes for that. I really can't believe they won't be on my car anymore. They've been my cars trademark I think..

More parts are in and i'll have pics up later.

Rebuilt Turbo 4 pot calipers and my brake rotors are in. Few more parts till im good for the swap. Are the re-speed bb kit brake lines the only way to work with turbo calipers and FB hardlines? Anyone make their own lines or have a shop do it for cheaper?

You guys think I should get new tokico shocks all around while im in there? I've had my current tokico illuminas and blues for I think 3 years now. How long these shocks supposed to last? Thought it might be good to update, cause I don't think I'll want to drop suspension to change shocks after this swap for a long time lol.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

The 17:1 is quite heavenly lol. As for brake lines, if your front calipers came with the short hardline on the caliper then you can just get FC brake hoses, they are the same thread pitch as the FB (and just about any other japanese car) and the right length.

The tokico blues on my car are from 2002 and have close to 50k miles on them, still doing well, although a lot depends on how hard they are worked... As for changing them, its a lot easier with the FC setup in there since the hub/spindle is separate from the strut unlike an FB where it's all one piece. I forget, are you using coil overs?

Those wheels are looking good. Amazing how cheap you can get vert wheels for isn't it? lol

sharingan 19

iTrader: (16)

The tociko blues will last a long time, they are essentially stock (quality) replacements w/ slightly more agressive dampening. I would add however that they are not meant to be lowered, and won't last very long if used outside their intended range.

rotorican85

iTrader: (9)

Ive had the same tokico illuminas for over 10 years. They are still as stiff as a dead man on viagra. You cant go wrong with tokicos on these older cars.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

^Quite a mental picture you've painted there lmao.

I agree though, they work very well on our cars.

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

Lol can't wait . My brake calipers didn't come with the lines unfortunately. I'll have to find a donor car or possibly someone in town who has them. Thanks for the info!

I'll just leave the shocks in till they go out on me. I've wanted to switch the rear blues to illumnias for a long time, but i'll just wait on it. Another plus on the FC swap . I hated taking the struts out on the stock fb, but its easy now after doing it a few times. Yes, I have the re-speed race coilovers up front and the rear spring adjusters in the rear.

Hell yeah. A great wheel for the price forsure!

I'm lowered quite a bit.. We'll see when they go out. Hopefully no time soon.

Lol good to know they're still stiff for you lol. I'll scratch shocks off the list.

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

I've been busy with work and gathering the last of the parts for the FC subframe swap. I've gotten a lot of parts in the mail lately stacking up in the living room lol. All I need now is the FC steering column and shaft hounsing. Also, the parts needed to attach FB steering shaft and stuff to make work with the FC rack. Like the mount next to brake booster and such.

New parts ready to go into the FC subframe swap:
-rebuilt turbo calipers(going to get powdercoated)
-new brake pads, drilled/slotted brake rotors, re-speed stainless brake lines.
-polyurethane bushings for sway bar and control arms.
-rack and pinion rebuilt.
-new motor mounts/brackets.
-new tie rod ends.
-new wheel bearings/seals

Only thing not new going in will be the ball joints. I have S5 FC control arms. I'll get S4 control arms which have the replaceable ball joints when I need them.

I already have most the parts for the rear 5 lug swap too.

I already have:
-re-speed moser 5x114.3 axles.
-84 GSL big bearing rear end.
-re-speed axle retainer plates.
-re-speed stainless brake lines.
-drilled/slotted brake rotors, brake pads.
-re-speed rear BB kit mounting kit.

All I need to finish 5 lug swap in the rear is to get turbo FC calipers and get powdercoated.

I also decided I won't be selling the autobahns.. I'd rather save the autobahns for years in the attic for the day I get a RX3 then sell them to fund for wheels before sevenstock.

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

The day has come....







FC subframe swap should be done by monday latest. Will definitely have car on road by next week.

I'll try and get progress pics. Can't wait for this to be done and see how the car drives.

rotorican85

iTrader: (9)

this i wanna see!! lotta pics are in order dude!!

Rotospeed

iTrader: (8)

I can't wait to se this car at ss15

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Damn man you went all out on this! Must have been one hell of a credit card bill at the end of all that lol.
Good luck, let us know how it works out.

twinkletoes

iTrader: (17)

I'll get installed pics of everything I can before I have to put the engine/tranny back in. I'll be working/sleeping(graveyard shift) while my mechanic is doing all the work.

I'm stopping by the shop soon to put new spark plugs in motor, clean up engine and all other little things before it all goes in.

He has done swaps like this before, but just not this car.

Thanks man! It will definitely be there

Haha I have to! Everythings payed off . Just need to get this done and enjoy it . I need to order rear turbo calipers for rear and I'll be ready to swap rear setup in when I get it home.