Build Threads
Sponsored by:

My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-28-10, 08:54 PM
  #1  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
IN My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)

So when I bought my FC, it wasn't running. Had been sittnig for about a month or two, and now I nearly have it going again. Hopefully after i get my new battery it will have enough juice to start up.

I'm just gonig to come and say flat out: I'm gonig to do whatever the hell i want to my car, so if you don't like it or think it's retarded, i'm not gonig to really care for your opinion. BUT, if you do see something that i'm flat-out doing wrong, please let me know. So anyway, i hope to have her built up for Autocross by next April so i will keep working and savin that money (hopefully i can get in an engine/clutch/flywheel rebuild in before then.) to make it happen.

now here's the pics! (just follow the link. it's easier on me and provides a quick way for you guys and gals to see them. If you wish to comment on a certain one, just post the photo in here and do your thing.)
Old 09-28-10, 10:47 PM
  #2  
313 whp 247 wtq 8D
iTrader: (2)
 
10yearrx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: in my car
Posts: 570
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why is there a video game steering wheel pic? lol Good luck with build though, be sure to post pix along the way
Old 09-28-10, 11:12 PM
  #3  
Perfectly Broken

iTrader: (7)
 
GuiltySoul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Dirty Jerz
Posts: 1,288
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Love it!!!!!
Old 09-28-10, 11:24 PM
  #4  
version 2.0

iTrader: (17)
 
texFCturboII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 3,590
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Great pics!
Old 09-29-10, 12:08 AM
  #5  
Moderator

iTrader: (25)
 
Spirit-RE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Whitewater, WI
Posts: 2,941
Received 39 Likes on 22 Posts
Approved! Looks nice!
Old 09-29-10, 08:47 AM
  #6  
The Big Ugly!

 
rotordad's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 867
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Appears to be a clean FC, nice buy.
Old 09-29-10, 09:34 AM
  #7  
three spinning triangles

 
20Bforme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
nice job! great pictures!
Old 09-29-10, 09:45 AM
  #8  
zoom zoom go boom

 
ForsakenRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Gainesville, Fl
Posts: 962
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Nice car. Great job on the photography too.
Old 09-29-10, 09:49 AM
  #9  
Full Member

iTrader: (4)
 
tevan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Othello washington
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
good pictures so what are the plans you got for it?
Old 09-29-10, 10:31 AM
  #10  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (6)
 
brian_skotch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: ABQ, NM
Posts: 954
Received 16 Likes on 10 Posts
Looks great! S4 love!
Old 09-29-10, 10:32 AM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
1.3_turbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
very clean, looks awesome
Old 09-29-10, 11:18 AM
  #12  
Full Member
iTrader: (1)
 
jduani's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Very clean! Really nice car!
Old 09-29-10, 03:51 PM
  #13  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Thanks everyone! And as for plans, Tevan, right now i'm thinking of using it as a street/autcross car. I'm not driving it during snowfall so that eliminates rust problems pretty easily. The car has no rust anyway other than some exposed metal components under the vehicle but other than that its clean.
Old 07-14-11, 06:09 PM
  #14  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Time for a long overdue update.

Its been about two months since the crash, and progress is coming slowly but surely. As of right now, the car is sitting at my grandma's house (bc our neighborhood security feels that my car is a hunk of **** and shouldnt be here) and i go out and work on it every chance I get.

The front smashed pretty nicely, but thank god that fiberglass guard did what it was supposed to. So the only things that need attention are some of the structural frame pieces up front that sit behind the guard, the front driver fender, new hood, and new front bumper. nothing was hurt mechanically and the worst thing that happened to hinder the driving was the fan shroud got pushed back a little and the fan started ripping into it so we has to cut the shroud just to get it home. Theres also slight rub on the plastic in the wheel well to the wheel but it ca be moved back into place.

So this is what I needed in terms of parts:
  • new front headlight assemblies as well as lights
  • Hood, bumper, bumper guard, and driver fender
  • mild frame work
  • fan shroud
  • things to get me to actually pass emissions (new cats, spark plugs, O2 sensor, and to pull and clean the injectors)

I attached a pic of how it looked at the crash. Ill post more pics in a new post showing where it's at now as well as what parts I have now and current progress.
Attached Thumbnails My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)-226471_1934261243564_1453298553_2131809_5678836_n.jpg  
Old 07-14-11, 06:38 PM
  #15  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Okay... Now for where Im at currently.

Went out today to work on it and my buddy and I finished getting everything off the front end (no pic of everything off) as well as install the new cats. The car runs much better, warms up faster, and has new noticeable power (never thought I would gain power out of OE fitment cats )

It took a lot of pure muscle, ripping, cutting, grinding, sawzall-ing... But we got all the unnecessary items off the front as well as the fender (which in the pic just looks like its twisted to the side while trying to get at random bolts... mainly because it is).

As for the new cat installation, I've just gone with a catco oem replacement from racepages.com. It was a pain to get all the bolts off the mid-pipe section where my catback hooks up to, as well as the pipe that comes from the air pump. My ghetto rig didn't hold up too well in the crash, but where i rtv-sealed the flanges since i had no gasket, that held up lets just say more than I wanted it too... The bolt on the passenger side would not come loose and after multiple shots of PB Blaster and wrenching, we got no where. So we headed off to the gas station for some karosine (sp?) and came back, poured it on, let it sit for maybe ten seconds, and boom! Bolts came right off and the rtv seal was falling apart.

So after some scraping and cleaning, the flange was clean again. As for all the bolts, we soaked them in karosine and then showered them in PB buster, then ran a tap and die through them just to make everything smooth again. The next problem arose, getting the new cat on. You'll see in the pics that the manufacturing of them was slightly odd and some of the dimensions might have been off too. Nevertheless, it had to go on. So after shuffling about for a few minutes on a rust scattered and pb buster soaked floor, we were able to line everything up to get it just on, but while in the process of tightening the last bolt, we realized that we had forgotten to put Loctite anti-seize on all the threads, and were not about to take it all apart again to do it.

At that point, it was ready to be dropped back to the ground, fired up, and pulled outside to idle for a few mins (the header paint on the cats also had to be cured that way). It sounded immensely better and on top of that didnt smell like *** anymore. By the way, open headers on a rotary are quite loud So after letting it warm up, we went into the street, did a couple down and backs on the road, then decided to do a launch test. New cats + 6k launch = smoke pouring and fast accelerating. Ive never had it pull so hard in the entire time ive owned it. <3

Now for the pictures, you can see whats obviously done and whats what so here ya go!
Attached Thumbnails My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)-imag0213.jpg   My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)-imag0216.jpg   My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)-imag0217.jpg   My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)-imag0218.jpg   My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)-imag0219.jpg  

My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)-imag0223.jpg  
Old 07-14-11, 06:42 PM
  #16  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Just a couple pics showing the difference between the insides of the old and new cats. I wanted to puke
Attached Thumbnails My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)-imag0221.jpg   My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)-imag0222.jpg  
Old 07-14-11, 06:44 PM
  #17  
FC guy

iTrader: (8)
 
Rob XX 7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 8,714
Received 16 Likes on 16 Posts
the front of that car is banged up pretty bad, whats the plans for that?
Old 07-14-11, 06:53 PM
  #18  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Well I have been souring parts from various people on here (mainly the bumper/hood/fender) and if the subframe pieces cant be sorted out with some hammers and whatnot, then I'll have to find an FC in a junkyard or something and my friend's dad can cut and weld everything back into place. As for now, I plan to never take it into a shop for anything whatsoever (huge waste of money) and just bring it back to normal. If all else fails, tube frame the front and never tell anyone

There's just the odd's and ends that need to be fixed/replaced but after the car is all back together me and another friend of mine (240 owner) are going to sand the whole car down, and repaint it. Nothing left out or easy-ways-out of doing things. If it's not done right shouldn't do it at all. I'm thinking of going with a sort of deep blue metallic and making it just clean. Then start back on the mod's. I want to get a mazdaspeed short thow to replace my eBay one, and maybe an ARC ****.

It's already slightly spruced up on the inside with a Nardi-Personal Trophy 350mm suede wheel and NRG quick release and short hub. My main goal is to have everything fresh and up-to-date with the car just to be ready for autocross next year. So just finish the basic and not-so-basic overhauling, and just make it fun to drive again.
Old 07-25-11, 01:34 AM
  #19  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Time for a good ole update!

Okay, so today I went back to the car just to drop parts off and check up on it. A few problems were brought to my attention via a smart girlfriend of mine... For one, it's been parked under a tree, so all of the tree's small bits have been falling into all the creases and crevices and holes and whatnot. This meant into my drain plugs for the water in the hatch. It has also been storming QUITE hard recently. Put short, I had water in places that water shouldn't even be able to get to (such as under my driver seat carpeting, and under the two cubbies where two extra seats are sometimes placed).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5972797907/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5972797907/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

That is what I was met with, after some of it was taken out. The spare wheel holder, filled to the brim... well until we scooped it out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5972797817/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5972797817/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

So after about 30-45 mins of taking out the carpeting, cubbies, and the fiberglass holders, we were able to clean out 99% of the water (which btw was absolutely disgusting) of the hatch, and threw ALL of the carpeting away. There was no coming back from it, and on top of that it was a legit excuse for me to FINALLY strip the back end out without my girl asking why the f*** i did that :P

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5973354846/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5973354846/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

I didn't have time to finish tearing down the interior (most likely will tomorrow), but rest assured it will be stripped, cleaned, sanitized, and most likely repainted just to look clean.

Other updates include me ordering all new NGK plugs. Mine are glazed over and also i need everything working it's best for emissions... Ive failed twice now :P I got 2 #7 plugs for leading and 2 #9 plugs for trailing. Also I picked up some sandpaper, and a clear coat for my rear tail lights. I love the S4 lights, I just need to get them back to being pretty. I already had the gloss black for the plastic.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5973354566/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5973354566/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

I figured I would share how the car actually sits right now since my last pic was before we even got the fender off. I also got my new Bosch O2 sensor, so I will put that on as soon as I get a chance.

Thanks for lookin as always. And if you've got any advice for me, I am ALL ears!
Old 07-25-11, 02:43 PM
  #20  
not a drifter

iTrader: (133)
 
87 t-66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 9,337
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
my honest advice is to get a different shell. s4 shells cost next to nothing and are going to save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run
Old 07-25-11, 02:50 PM
  #21  
Dual Wielding DieGrinders

iTrader: (3)
 
theflatlander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Elko, NV
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
^^^ gone through 4 shells til i found one that was perfect
Old 07-25-11, 10:20 PM
  #22  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I would get a new shell but thats just way too out of my price/work range. Iv'e got a guy who loves a little bit away from me who said I could cut whatever I needed from the front of his and my friend's dad owns a body shop so he can weld it all back up with strong welds.

I have an update coming in a little bit too. BUT, should i move it to just the normal 2ndGen general section to get more attention and advice on things?
Old 07-26-11, 02:13 AM
  #23  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
SO instead of throwing together a lengthy update for not very much getting done, I figured I would make a video of the car before we started work on it yesterday. Im, going to take a video of the progress everyday and just make these mini-films for you guys

I hope you enjoy it, that's really all I can do with a phone and windows editing software hahaha. Let me know what you guys think and if you would like me to keep doing these!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE1pv_LYSF0
Old 07-31-11, 01:57 PM
  #24  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Okay, well judging by the lack of response from the video, I would say it's back to the normal update.

Well, got a medium amount of things accomplished. For starters, the interior is completely stripped out and the dash mostly taken apart. I'm replacing a lot of the interior with OEM parts from mazdatrix and atkins rotary just to clean it up and make it nice again. And I figured out why the water was draining into the cabin, and god do I feel stupified; the driver side rear drain tube from the hatch was pointing into the hatch instead of the the designated drain area.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994347461/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994347461/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

Nest problem that I feel stupid about is that I somehow managed to strip out the trailing spark plug hole on the front housing, so im goint to pull my engine and try to restore it with a neat little tool I picked up. It pretty much taps the existing hole to clean it, and if you can put the plug in without having to sleeve it, then great. However if not, then the tool keeps going and taps the hole to a literally BARELY larger size, and you thread in an insert with loctite. Allow the loctite to fully set and walla, youve got yourself a brand new spark plug hole.

Here is the reason for the plug change in the first place:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994902686/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994902686/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

Next up, I gutted all the radio and speaker goodies. I don't use them, and just see them as weight adders. I've got the oem main unit for sale for anyone who wants it. Id say it's pretty good to have if you want to maintain the stock look but having a great unit. I'll consider any offers!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994903814/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994903814/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

Not exactly a necessity, but I like to show my support and love of racing!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994345213/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994345213/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

The only thing I have retained on the floor of the interior is the foam heat protectant under the carpeting of the drivers side. And mostly i've just been checking everything and cleaning up the dash.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994345739/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994345739/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

I have the whole support in front of the radiator bent back to normal (apart from obvious dents all over the place) but I will need to cut everything on front of it and weld in a new one.... However, I am just thinking of cutting and welding the radiator support as well just so it's not ugly.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994346027/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994346027/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

I do have the new headlight assemblies both put together with new sylvania lamps, but only the passenger side is installed back in. I havent taken a picture of it yet though haha.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994346449/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994346449/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

I am also just restoring a few random things here and there just so its nice again. Ive been re-doing the tail lights (I love the S4 tails) in a more satin-semi gloss black, BUT yesterday my butterfingers allowed one to drop and cause some damage. Nothing that can't be repaired but just an annoying thing to have to think about.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994906996/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994906996/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994347985/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994347985/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994348755/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994348755/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994908630/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994908630/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994909162/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5994909162/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

I sanded them back down with 220 grit to re do the paint after i fix the cracks/breaks.

Other than that, I havent really been able to do much, so just stay tuned and Ill have more updates throughout the week.
Old 08-02-11, 08:47 PM
  #25  
Passion for Racing
Thread Starter
 
REAmemiya_fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crown Point, Indiana
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Had some alone time with the car today so very peaceful and low-key work done to it. Mostly just fixing random plastics and re-installing the interior after some cleaning.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003432117/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003432117/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

Nevermind the magazine under it all, was reading it while i was having a cold beverage break.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003432467/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003432467/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

And it fixed and put back into the car. This stuff works rather amazingly and quickly vvv

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003431811/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003431811/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

Also got around to fixing the tail light. not perfect but pretty smooth after an application of the plastic weld and a 220 grit sanding.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003431723/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003431723/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003431633/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003431633/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003977120/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003977120/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

Then after painting it, I got around to un-masking the other light, cleaning off the lense tint experiment (didnt go very well, looked very spotty), and cleaned off the paint. I let it sit for about 4-5 days to cure nicely and now have it installed back on the car. I didnt do a clear coat because i like how the satin looks in contrast with the satin mazda emblem and the rubber sport spoiler.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003431877/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003431877/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003977470/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003977470/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003432015/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003432015/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003977592/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/6003977592/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

How do you guys feel about the satin look? You like? Dislike?


Quick Reply: My FC Build (Love it, Hate it, doesn't matter to me)



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:47 PM.