I've got RX-8 rotors in my bridged 4-port FC race motor. As Aaron said,we had to machine the rotors to fit the RX7 seals, and modified the bridge port template a little bit as the corner seal is in a slightly different place and wouldn't hit the bridge on the standard template. But, other than that, it worked pretty well. It didn't seem to make any gains, but no real loses either, and the RX-8 rotors were cheaper and more easily available while I was shopping, which is a situation I expect will only get worse in the future.
But, a big part of it was when I was working it out with Joe @ RPM, is it was something different to try. Makes a project much more interesting, and if we don't try, we don't learn.

Unfortunately I was having issues all around the rest of the car (transmission mainly) to ever get the engine properly tuned to see what it can really do, and due to budget and time constraints over the last year, my car hasn't moved this year.

Now, back to the build on what looks to be a really nice FB project.

 

Ever the optimist, eh Aaron? In my mind the switch to EFI is still an "if", though I agree that it will be much easier once the MS is in place. Then it's just modifications to the tank, addition of a high-pressure fuel pump and of course the whole whack of stuff on/around the intake...


Just two quick pictures for an update. The re-building of the wheel wells is coming along nicely. Joe sent me these two pics of the metal work that's going in there.

 

Unfortunately I only really have a high-level understanding of the process right now. I know the basic things that need to be done, but I've never worked with an MS before (or any other fuel/ignition control computer for that matter) so there's much left for me to learn. I chose the MS because others have had good results with it, it's affordable, and I love the fact that it's an open platform that you can build yourself and modify if you have the knowledge and desire to do so.

But as I said, the MS won't be going in until much later. Once this phase of the project is done I've got to spend some time saving up / paying it off before I do the engine build and MS.

The biggest thing is that I keep running into more things I want to do in the next phase of the project. Sam's recent foray into transmission rebuilding has made me want to do that when I do the engine. I get the feeling that this project will never be finished, but in a way that's a good thing. I don't know what I'd do if the project ever got -completely- finished. I don't have room for another project car, and living without one isn't really an option

Jon

 

All that time, money and effort to restore it, only to put in a megasquirt...tisk tisk.

 

Just a note, although it may be different for you guys, the V6 Mx-3/626/Mx6/Probe guys use the stock disty with MS no problem. Not sure if the 4cyl guys do/have, never followed it.

 

Well that's one step up from what I expected... I figured you'd say "All that time, money and effort to restore it, only to leave it rotary"

Jon

 

Looks snazzy! I don't know if I've ever seen a first gen without rot in that area. Are the new tubs pieces Joe bought and put in, or did he have to form that himself. Either way, nice looking work - night and day from what it looked like before.

 

I'm 90% sure that he formed that himself... you can see marks on the metal from the work of tools, and I've never found a place where you can buy weld-in replacements.

Jon

 

And ???
time for an update.

 

+1 on that.

 

Progress is slow but moving. I saw it at the parts swap meet at Classicauto. It's still on the rotissetie. Underside metalwork is done and the bed liner has been sprayed on. I'm waiting for Joe to send some good pics for me to post.

Up next is the running of fuel and brake lines, along with the sandblasting and painting of the rear axel/diff assembly that has already been removed from the parts car. I hope to see it on its wheels in the near future. Then it's body, interior and engine bay paint time.

It's taking a little longer than I had expected because they've been very busy with "insurance work" but the project's still moving and still on budget so I can't complain! A lot of the work so far has been the kind of work that takes many many hours but when it's done doesn't *look* like much, but it's very necessary for a good end result. Hopefully when the project swings from "work" to "reassembly" we'll get some rapidfire visual progress updates.

And I've *still* got to do that damn wiring harness. I've procrastinated so badly on that one!

Jon

 

updates ?