I got my FD in the fall of 2006 while on deployment in the Gulf. Shortly after returning home I made a couple upgrades (PFC, SMIC, Catback, Maaco paint job) then shipped the car to England, where I would be stationed for the next three years. I met some AWESOME rotor heads in England and really got into fine-tuning everything while out there. I'm a strong supporter of RE:worx, one of the top shop/tuners in the country, great blokes with some nice items. During my time out there my FD enjoyed regularly snacking on arrogant TVRs, an EXCELLENT run with a Rallyart EVO V, and myriad runs against maseratti's, high-end Audi's, M3's, and even crept ahead of a Ferrari 456m.*In addition to replacing many stock parts that failed (or got close to it), some upgrades done over two years in England were:Power/support Stock ports and 9.0 compression)BNR Stage 3 Sequential twins99 spec Y-pipeGreddy ElbowBosch 044 pump850/850 injectorsAeromotive FPRHKS Twin Power9.5/10.5 NGK "race" plugsHeavier clutchAquamist 1s A/IRE:worx VMIC (A/C deleted for this)Odyssey PC680 batteryBracing/mounts:Banzai Engine MountsBanzai diff braceDragon Transmission braceSuspension/handling:Axiom Rear harness barrx7store (Rotora) front BBKGram Light (57 Optimized) 17x8.5/17x9.5 wheelsRP Traction KitExterior:Mazdaspeed A-Spec front bumperSeibon KS style CF hoodIn 2010, after getting back from England (and a sunsequent trip to Bahrain) I had my car painted by Stock or Modified Bodyworks in Virginia Beach. During the paint job I got rid of the old r1 spoiler and added in a FEED/Afflux GT-II wing along with FEED style CF side skirts.Once the paint was done I then went to PFS for some, much needed, work. I learned quickly that Ray does a great job, it just takes forever and a day for completion. I went in for a retune to US gas, fabbing of hard IC piping, an install of the old Axiom Solenoid kit, a Kaaz LSD install and I had my RE-Amemiya Pro diffuser installed (I was shipped the wrong brackets and useless directions from RHDjapan, after a full day of trying to make it work I figured it just wasn't worth the hassle!).About 300 miles after getting my car back from PFS my engine began having hot start issues and power was down, A LOT! I took her back and the verdict was clear, I had thrown a corner seal  REBUILD TIME!! I turned the car over for a rebuild in mid-September and, finally, got it back in the beginning of January. With two days to spare before deploying to Afghanistan I barely had time to drive my car the 250 miles to Norfolk, where she would be stored while I was gone.Changes made during the rebuild process:PFS Streetported engine (2mm seals)New Exedy Clutch w/ ultralight flywheelRP triple race pulley kitBored out TB w/ new butterfliesExtrude Honed and coated (ceramic exterior, teflon interior) UIM/LIMA-Spec PT6265 kit Twin-scroll t4 1.00 a/r, fully ceramic coated, single WG vented to the atmosphereTurblown Inconel LIM blanketARC Titanium catback (single tip)SakeBomb dual (track) oil cooler kit with nylon braided linesPFS front Sway barHKS Hipermax PRO coiloversWhen I get home from this deployment I plan on replacing the A/I system with an Aquamist HFS-6, the brakes with a Wilwood kit in the front, and Racing Brake rears, I'd like to get the car back on the dyno for her final tune (up from the break-in tune of 369whp@13psi) as well. After all this, and some more minor tweaks, I'll finally be able to call her "done"..... For now  |
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