Keen12A

Aright all, here's my build thread, I figure I may as well start it now.



Here's the car a 1984 RX7 GS. Originally from Cali, the chassis is practically rust free(a little surface rust on the driver drain holes, nothing some sand paper couldn't fix though). As you can see I stripped it down quite a ways right away.



Got the dash out next. It was this moment when I realized just what I was getting into. A rather serious project for someone who at the time was almost 19. Since then I've been gathering parts like crazy.



I got an S5 TurboII for cheap from an engine importer in Alberta, complete with coils, harness, transmission, with the intention of doing a base rebuild myself. But my desire for horsepower and all things awesome is leading me down an entirely new path, I have been in contact with Greg from Staff Auto and am planning on doing 300-350 Hp build with him.

So the current plan then. I have a coil-over kit, Rack and pinion kit, and other goodies on order from Re-speed (which has me a little worried as I fell out of contact with Sam a month ago, not sure what's going on there..), I have a Walbro 255 Fuel pump, and a Vibrant FMIC, and full Poly bushing kit. I figure a Microtech ECU would be a good plan and after what I've read they seem to be what I want, BNR stage upgrade on the stock turbo, FD upper intake is in the plans as well.

I've built my own cage into the car, as soon as its welded down and painted I'll upload some pics.

Currently I'm talking to 2F Performance about style kits, they tell me if I can gather 5-10 FB guys they'll work with us to develop some aero and stuff for the cars. If you're seriously interested check them out and we just might get some awesome stuff.

That's all I can think of for tonight. I'll update as things move forward, it's a long road ahead and I can't wait to get to the end

7speed

Looking forward to seeing this one. Out of curiosity, what made you decide to go through Staff's Auto?

Keen12A

Thanks.
I heard some good things about them on these forums, and when I emailed them they responded promptly with some good suggestions for the build.
Out of curiosity what do you think of them?

Keen12A

Update. I've stripped the engine to the short block, and I'm in the process of cleaning it up currently. I decided I didn't like the rollcage that I built and so I cut the front half out. All I will have is the main hoop and rear braces for now. the lack of pictures is mostly due to sheer laziness regarding cleaning things up. I'll get some up sometime.
I'm planning to get the engine ready for shipping this week.
I still have not heard from RE-Speed and I'm thinking that something has happened in regards to either the parts or the company. Either way I may end up needing to take some kind of action in the near future. If anyone knows if they are still in business speak up please. I am seriously worried about this.

GySgtFrank

iTrader: (4)

https://www.rx7club.com/bad-fugly-bu...tions-1011269/

DreamInRotary

iTrader: (49)

^Yeah, that sucks - we all wish it would come back around.

But looks like it will be awesome build man, good luck with it!

7speed

Nothing bad at all. Not a ton of guys around here go through them it's mostly Forcefed and Steve Wallace but I haven't heard any bad things. The only thing I've heard really is that he likes to use brand new hardware so the build could be a bit on the expensive side but I've had no first hand experience so that's just hearsay. Nothing wrong with buying new stuff though, nobody likes re-using rusty 30-year old bits.

Keen12A

Another update. I've finally gotten my act together and sent my engine out to be built, although not through Staff Auto as I had originally planned. After some further research on them I discovered some rather disturbing reviews (mostly from Subaru people), and I decided I would rather be safe than sorry and go through someone else. After talking to the folks over at Force-Fed Racing I decided that they were the right people to go through. The engine is currently on a truck to BC and should be getting there at the start of next week.

As for the RE-Speed order I have not heard anything, as expected, and because I did recieve part of my order my credit card company couldn't help me much. I filed a complaint to the BBB in hopes that they would assist me, but they were unable to get a hold of the company. So I have decided to go ahead and pick-up a front subframe from an S5 from a friend of mine in Edmonton complete with rack, LCA's and brakes(I still have to go get it though). I shall order up coilovers sometime. As for the rear suspension, well RE-speed is the only company I know of that did anything beyond springs so if anyone knows of any rear end setups, let me know. And if anyone has done the subframe swap, some advice, or a build thread link would be a great help.

DarkDrakeX

Hey if ur looking for rear coils you can do something like i did (you can do it on a stock rear w/ a new shock mount welded on)
https://www.rx7club.com/build-thread.../#post11616079

Heres some other info (exactly were i got my info from)
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...ssible-975939/

7speed

You found bad reviews about Staff's and good reviews about Forcefed? Jeeze, must be looking on the wrong forums. Hopefully you get one of the good engines as they're few and far between.

Keen12A

I just found a company called Paradise racing. Paradise Racing - High Performance Parts for Toyota's They apparently build coilovers for essentially everything. Anybody know anything about them?

Keen12A

Also, DarkDrake your build is awesome, tons of info in there so thank you.
lambofgod I hope for my own sake that you're wrong but I guess I will have to wait and see.
As for the engine it is complete, just waiting on shipping. I bought a Microtech ECU from Forcefed as well.
Right now I am parts collecting again, but I am also in the process of polishing my intake up (mostly just to say I'm doing something). I'd do more but my garage isn't heated and it's regularly -40 now so, ya.

7speed

I hope so as well! They're big on the Microtechs. Which unit did you get?

Keen12A

I got the LT9, with the full harness as well.

7speed

Nice, curious to hear the initial reviews on the 9 seeing as it's so new.

Keen12A

Christmas came a couple weeks late for me as my engine just came in today.



The engine looks great, painted in the classic black/silver combo.



The coil packs ready to plug and play.



I got an S5 hybrid turbo ready for 400HP for a steal.



And my Microtech LT-9c with full harness ready to go. It has a basic tune programmed so I can safely break the engine in before proper tuning.

rotordogg

iTrader: (4)

Hmmm, yes I too am very curious to hear how well the microtech works, especially the preprogrammed base map on a fresh engine. This may be the unit I purchase.

hioctane-dtc

iTrader: (1)

If it was the thread topic you saw on NASIOC and Revscene, probably should source all facts before coming to a conclusion. Staff Auto did a WRX build collaborating with Rocket Rally, and there has only been good things spread about that vehicle even though it's in the interior BC.

Although I've never done things through ForceFed, there are a load of stuff said about ForceFed on Revscene, extreme on the both sides of positive and negative.

During the first year I had my FC, I've got work done through Chris at Eunos, but later switched to Staff Auto cause I felt the work was always done incomplete at Eunos; a friend of mine who drives a NB Miata switched to Staff Auto from Eunos as well.

In the end just gotta try out these various shops and find out what works best for your needs. But good to see how your build is going, keep it up!