TomSmy

iTrader: (11)

Admins- Please move or delete this if you feel it should be somewhere else! I originally posted in the 3rd Gen forum but was helpfully reminded that the Canadian section may be of more help to me...what with being in Alberta! Thanks, Tom


Hello All,

So my 1996 FD will be arriving from Japan in the spring. Obviously I have many things to plan and prepare for before then. My primary concern is making sure the car runs well.

The car has had an engine rebuild in Japan and is running what sounds like an extended (street) port. It still has the factory sequential twin turbos. It currently has a factory SMIC, but I will be replacing that with a V-Mount when the car arrives. It has free flowing intake pod filters and a catless large bore exhaust with an aftermarket front pipe. It is also running an Apexi Power FC. I have no knowledge of what Japanese gas this was tuned to.

I have tried to do as much research as possible, and I know these are very sensitive/divided areas to discuss, but I am interested in some opinions on the following:


1) Will the car run safely on Canadian gasoline? (Shell 91 V Power is the best ethanol free I can get out here, I believe this is around a 95 in japan?)

2) Where are our reputable Dyno tuners?


Now I am very picky about my cars, especially my RX7’s, so I am willing to travel to get a knowledgeable tuner to dyno my car. I would prefer to find good support within 500km of my home (be it in AB or BC), but if needs be I will travel to Vancouver, Portland or California…..I just would like to avoid this cost and hassle.

I have heard good things from my friends with Imprezas getting dyno work done at Light Speed in Red Deer AB, but no idea how much they know about rotaries. I also read good things about ForceFedRacing in Kelowna BC, specifically with their work on rotaries.

FYI, I am in Southern Alberta, so at a minimum I am up for a few hours drive just to get to Calgary anyway......

Any help & advice will be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Tom

HalifaxFD

iTrader: (18)

I'd go and speak to Adam at RX7 specialists in Calgary. Nice and close to you, I have nothing but good things to say about him.

davey_boy_smith

Congrats on the purchase!

The RX7 community here in Alberta is unfortunately very small.

Sorry no recommendations on Alberta tuners yet.

Why Shell 91? That would be a mistake. You need to be using Ultra 94. Can you not get 94 where you live? It's a bit of a pain for me since there's only a handful of Petro stations with 94 in Calgary. I can only imagine less outside of Calgary.

TomSmy

iTrader: (11)

Thanks for the responses so far!

So my reason for using Shell V power 91 is because 99% of 94 octane pump gas contains ethanol (its how they bump the AKI from 91 to 94, trust me I rang a lot of gas stations and spoke to the HQ of the major fuel providers). Ethanol degrades seals/gaskets etc in engines not built for flex fuel. Ethanol is also awful for causing condensation/water in your fuel during winter storage leading to gas tank rusting and damage to fuel lines etc.

Ethanol Free locations in AB:
Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

So long story short, that's why I am stuck with 91!

Tom

ninesixtwo

iTrader: (9)

Hey Tom,

Agreed on your choice of shell 91. I've been up to 1.4 bar with no issues on that stuff and I've heard/seen too many tales of 94 issues to really trust it. Shoot me a message or give me a call if you'd like to discuss tuning options... there aren't many but they are out there.

Redbul

iTrader: (26)

When I visited FF in Kelowna in 2015 they were not working on rotaries. Meanwhile I understand the Abbotsford shop has had a number of Alberta cars recently.

Redbul

iTrader: (26)

i am relieved to see that Chevron stations in the Vancouver area are on the ethonol free list!

TomSmy

iTrader: (11)

Yep, I remember your recommendation and it is an option I would like to discuss further!

I am glad to hear you are running on 91 with no issues, with limiting the Power FC and using a boost controller I am hoping to achieve safe running in the short term until I do major turbo work and then need to hit up a reputable dyno tuner.

Quick FYI - I may be having some progress on the insurance issue you and I discussed - I will fire you a PM next week if it all works out to fill you in!

Tom

thewird

iTrader: (8)

Ethanol doesn't hurt anything and helps since the engine will burn cooler. Plus the higher octane... Pure gas is only useful for MPG. From what I understand there are no rotary tuners in Alberta, Adam was talking to me about coming over a couple of times but he couldn't get enough people together.

thewird

TomSmy

iTrader: (11)

From what I read, I think the opposite is true; ethanol, especially for us here in Canada who park our cars for the winter, is very bad.

I have come across many horror stories of cars being pulled from storage suffering major issues caused by corrosion from by ethanol and it's effects. The RX7 was never designed to run on that stuff.

Redbul

iTrader: (26)

I've heard of methanol injection to help cool the intake air. Perhaps someone is getting ethanol and methanol mixed up. In any event, why take the chance if you can get ethanol free gas in the meantime. Rumour here was Husky might buy out Chevron Canada and the concern is that they might drop good ol' 94.

thewird

iTrader: (8)

The internet lies. Storing a car has nothing to do with my statements. Alcohol absorbs water so that is to be expected if a car is in storage for a prolonged amount of time (more then one winter).

thewird

7krayziboi

iTrader: (15)

We should create a list legit Canadian Rotary Tuners

I only know 1 in AB , 1 in BC , 1 in ONT

Redbul

iTrader: (26)

Steve Wallace, also in Abbotsford, has steady business.

TomSmy

iTrader: (11)

Anyone else want to share their knowledge and experiences?

Tom

HalifaxFD

iTrader: (18)

twice over the past several years we got a group of rotaries together who needed tuning and flew the tuner in from out of town. Marco (thewird) flew in on a Friday, tuned all weekend and left on Sunday. If you can get a few people together for some cost sharing its definitely worth it. Good luck.

Redbul

iTrader: (26)

Was there anything that Marco (thewird) was stumped with? Did you have replacement parts readily available? Seems it would be a valuable experience to observe him tuning a bunch of cars at once; with the different issues they might have.


What were some of his key recommendations to your group?

thewird

iTrader: (8)

Something I stress in general is OVERKILL fuel setups (that means upgraded AND rewired fuel pumps into the gas tank). Having a healthy ignition required for your particular setup is also important and often neglected with a "lets see how it does" attitude. Other then that issues can vary a lot, lines popping off, incorrect boost hookups, failing wastegates, running out of gas lol. I usually suggest people contact me ahead of time with suggestions for their particular setup as well as to have an idea of what to expect when I go.

I typically just bring spark plugs and miscellaneous wiring stuff with me (and the wideband of coarse). Basic mechanic tools are usually available onsite. I can bring parts by request though or if work needs to be done on the fly I need to know ahead of time.

thewird

Redbul

iTrader: (26)

Great tips! I believe you have been invited out West in the past. Your visit still comes up in conversation. Maybe another group buy to have you come here again is an idea we should explore.

exilegod

yea i think we need an updatd list of rotary tuners!!

TomSmy

iTrader: (11)

Just want to say thank you for all the input so far!

It seems we are very limited on options out here and perhaps getting a group together and flying out some expertise would be a very good idea.

Keep the information coming

Redbul

iTrader: (26)

Atkins is a big OEM parts supplier for rotaries based in Washington State. I read on here that they even have stopped doing repairs. They have expanded into other parts lines and maybe that is a better business?

TomSmy

iTrader: (11)

Anyone have any further info to add here?

I just spoke to Force Fed and they have indeed closed their Kelowna shop so I will have to drive all the way to Abbotsford (>1,000km away!) unless there are any better ideas?

Thanks
Tom

splat_mat

iTrader: (3)

I have talked to and purchased quite a bit of parts from Jimmy at Vex Performance in Calgary, I live in Ontario and have never meet him in person but when I was discussing my build with him he was very knowledgeable in everything rotary including tuning on their dyno.

Im not sure what ECU's he supports, I bought my Haltech elite from him and ID injectors and he had lots of info on setting those up, I would recommend giving him a call.

jreynish

iTrader: (2)

https://www.rx7club.com/canadian-for...-list-1055307/

See the stiky at the top of the Canadian forum.