Hi everyone~ I'm Ian and I currently live in Tokyo.

I've owned a '93 FD while I was living in Canada, and now the proud owner of a '02 Spirit R Type A. Got it brand new back in 2002 and had it since.

I tracked it when it was bone stock, and a cracked turbo exhaust manifold on the factory twins lead me to start my journey to modifying it to a single turbo setup, because even tho I spend 90% of the time in the city, once every couple of months I'd take it to the track for a spin.

At the time, the most available parts I could get my hands on were the HKS T04Z kit along with the HKS V-Mount intercooler kit. Ran it with a HKS Fcon V-Pro ECU as well. Couple of blown apex seals later (bad tuner), I moved to Japan and had Knightsports build a new ported engine and a new tune. That engine didn't last too long either as KnightSports are apparently only good at street tunes based on stock Mazda components and not after market products. Especially not high boost single turbos.

Next on my list was non other than RE Amemiya themselves. Again, they built me a new street port engine with their 3pcs hardened steel apex seals, hopped up injectors (4x850cc), a GTR fuel pump, and they ran both a Power FC and the V-Pro similar to their D1 race car. The results were fantastic! Was running 470hps at low boost (0.8bar) and 550 at high boost (1.2bar). Unfortunately, since I had no money at the time to swap out the stock tranny with the HKS 6spd, I've pretty much always kept it at low boost.

5 years after that tune, 3 weeks ago, the apex seals gave out due to excessive carbon buildup. From this forum and other literatures online, it seems like too much city driving can cause that.

So... here I am... looking for advise on what my next build should be like. My dream is to create the "Ultimate Spirit R". By ultimate, I don't mean it's the fastest or has the most power, or looks the meanest. What I want, is to achieve the following:

- To maintain the overall looks, dimensions, and balance of the original Spirit R (which is arguably the best FD3S ever made by Mazda).
- To build a solid rotary that doesn't give out every few years even when it's let loose on the track occasionally.
- To provide it with more power but NOT at the expense of low rpm response and drivability. It should also not be shooting dollar bills out the exhaust just because of the additional power.
- To give it a solid tune so that the power delivery is smooth and linear, suitable for both city driving and track days.
- To upgrade some of the components than Mazda provided. Shocks, clutch, exhaust etc.

Also hoping to meet some awesome fellow FD owners. :-)

 

The search button is your friend. You will find A TON of help doing that. Also, would you show some pictures of your Spirit R when you FIRST bought it and also what it looks like now? Just curious.

 

I think the only way to add power over the 470rwhp you drove for 5 years without it being less reliable and less low rpm power and drive-ability is to add displacement.

Street port 20B 3 rotor with the same T04Z with bigger exhaust side or one step up turbo (like GT4088? that is a big step).