Naomi: Can't keep a good bitch down!

[Sharingan 19]

Each time I work on something I think about starting a build thread, but it seems like such a daunting task to document how i got to this point. Nonetheless it will only become more difficult, so I might as well start now....

I purchased this Naomi bone stock with 101k plain as plain can be...
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/66_514928083281_796_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/66_514928098251_45000098_30927817_1106_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/66_514928078291_495_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/66_514928068311_194_n.jpg

First Mod... (actually it was a Personal steering wheel, but no pics of that)
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/166_526596794091_5208_n.jpg

Second Mod...
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/166_526596799081_5469_n.jpg

[diabolical1]

sweet Jesus ... that thing is clean!

[Sharingan 19]

sweet Jesus ... that thing is clean!
thanks.


Despite appearing 100% stock for some reason this car had a walbro 255 installed. While this sounds cool, it is not on an otherwise stock car, and tends to cause hot start problems, smoking on start up and excessive pump noise pretty much all the time. I removed the Walbro and installed an FD pump. Problem solved.

Unfortunately Naomi also came equipped with ABS, which even when working properly, leaves much to be desired. This particular unit however had some kind of malfunction and would groan and croak while stopped, and randomly loose pedal pressure...no bueno.

Since I was removing the ABS, I decided to remove emissions as well and install an S5 turbo and manifold while I was at it since the S4 had started smoking.

[Sharingan 19]

Got a chance to take her to the 1/8th mile which my brother (74' Chevy nova 350ci w/ a turbo 400) and friend (07' Honda Fit)

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/207_538835507611_45000098_32224772_4660_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/207_538835512601_45000098_32224773_4962_n.jpg

Not particularly impressive, but I beat the V8 running heads up, so that made my night. Of course he swore (still does actually) that if he had a manual trans and a posi he would walk me.....still waiting to find out on that one.

[Daedalus704]

Very clean find. Reminds me of the condition of mine when I found it. Luckily mine came with blue interior though. What's next for it?

[Sharingan 19]

Luckily? Was that a bargaining point for a lower price :lol:
Blue interior in a turbo is actually kinda cool because its rare and doesn't look bad when new, but it doesnt age as well as grey or black....then theres searching for replacement parts. Lets not even get started on that awful 70's red interior. I passed up a car that was in great shape because if I had to look at a red interior everyday I would want to drive it into a wall.

Whats next?...........

[Raksj04]

Is she running yet?

[Daedalus704]

Haha good point. The red interior is absolutely awful, I've seen a mint fb around my area that has red interior and only 70k on the odm. Due to the age and cleanliness of the car its acceptable in that case. As far as the blue in mine goes, I just keep the car covered up. It's being stored in the garage at the shop I work for right now. Normally my dd but for now I've got a Pettit engine, coilovers, and a vmount to work into it.

[Sharingan 19]

I was driving a 99 camry before this so for the first couple months Naomi felt like a race car......then reality set in as I chased a friend through the twisties in his miata and I was forced to come to terms with the fact that I was riding around on this.....
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_WkgXaXEk8s/T8ZI_kN0lQI/AAAAAAAAAu4/HJ17SmCw6x0/s796/P1270214.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6QW_hwljfmw/T8ZJBU9BvbI/AAAAAAAABhs/wqJDH7R9V_c/s597/P1270217.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wQprjnBtgZY/T8ZItlMlMuI/AAAAAAAAAsY/ICRcZ4_ze9o/s796/P1270196.JPG

[Sharingan 19]

No worries, I found a great deal on a set of Ground Controls on Tociko Blues. Certainly not a raceworthy setup but damn sure better than what I had both in terms of performance and appearance.

My buddy and his "what do you mean I put on on upside down" face...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fO3vxzOpwCM/T8ZKVJtZSAI/AAAAAAAABhw/-4TpFeuCpRc/s597/P1270194.JPG

Preventing additional rust to the top hats
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c37sKW1w7BI/T8ZI0EffsfI/AAAAAAAAAsw/Gv3KRfSnyBQ/s796/P1270199.JPG

Massaging brake lines into place
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p0qqHtFxN9c/T8ZI7wNCE3I/AAAAAAAAAt8/ZC_mr6bsgOc/s796/P1270208.JPG

A little closer than I was counting on......whatever we'll see if it rubs
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P1wNHAKz1jA/T8ZKwT_nv5I/AAAAAAAABh8/qrhlK59LOe0/s597/P1270221.JPG

and......DONE
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JHJDXapqszo/T8ZxvNCneDI/AAAAAAAABao/lLCkJprbZ9c/s796/IMG00236.jpg

[speedjunkie]

Looks good!

I have the blue interior in my TII as well, and it's almost all trashed...it's gonna suck restoring it lol.

[Daedalus704]

Shameless plug: I've got two blue door panels if you ever need them.

I've got a set of Tein Flex coilovers for mine. I'll be putting them on soon as my rear struts are ridiculous looking as well. Installed a few sets on customer's cars and they seem very good on the Subaru chassis I driven. Hopefully they'll work well on the FC. Also your buddy has the face of pure confusion lol I guess he thought the top hat would fit like a... top hat? Gotta keep the cars classy

[Sharingan 19]

Got tired of the transmission being louder than the exhaust, so I started looking for replacements. I like the idea of going single (less weight and all). I'd prefer right side exit, but that seems to be rather hard to find. Theres the Apexi N1 but the can just looks cheap, the gt spec is cool, but its on the wrong side.

Anyways the fc looks unbalanced w/o duals the bumper cutout looks lonely :lol: . Racing beat is quality, but expensive (and from ebay I've heard, heavy). Decisions decisions.

[WankelsRevenge]

Got tired of the transmission being louder than the exhaust, so I started looking for replacements. I like the idea of going single (less weight and all). I'd prefer right side exit, but that seems to be rather hard to find. Theres the Apexi N1 but the can just looks cheap, the gt spec is cool, but its on the wrong side.

Anyways the fc looks unbalanced w/o duals the bumper cutout looks lonely :lol: . Racing beat is quality, but expensive (and from ebay I've heard, heavy). Decisions decisions.

I recomend the Apexi N1 dual system. An old friend of mine had one on a 240sx he had with a turbo KA motor in it and it performed awesomly. It wasnt too loud and it had a good sound to it. As for quality I know he had the car for quite a few years and it always held up.

[Pete_89T2]

Have you considered the Borla dual catback? That's what I've been running since 2000, and I'm very happy with it. All SS construction, very similar in performance, sound & quality when compared to the RB catback. After about 12 years on it there is barely any surface rust on any of the pipes, and the muffler cans & tips still look brand new. It is heavy though, but probably just as heavy as the RB or any other dual system.

[GySgtFrank]

Anyways the fc looks unbalanced w/o duals the bumper cutout looks lonely :lol: . Racing beat is quality, but expensive (and from ebay I've heard, heavy). Decisions decisions.

The racing beat system is heavy for a reason. They use thicker wall tubing that piston engines don't need. Rotaries are not kind to their exhaust systems. My old REPU split the normal thin tubing muffler pipe when it backfired on lifting. Not to mention what it did to the muffler.:lol: I built a custom system on my 79, but it came out a lot louder than I was planning. For street use on a mild or stock engine the Racing Beat system is hard to top. I thought I could do it cheaper, I was wrong. The non-glass packed mufflers appropriate for rotaries all seem to be expensive. If you plan on large horsepower levels something else in the 3" or greater range would have to be custom built. That's even more expensive. My opinion only.

[Sharingan 19]

I recomend the Apexi N1 dual system. An old friend of mine had one on a 240sx he had with a turbo KA motor in it and it performed awesomly. It wasnt too loud and it had a good sound to it. As for quality I know he had the car for quite a few years and it always held up.
I don't doubt the quality or performance, I just don't like the design of the can from an asthetic standpoint, it just looks like a mass-produced stamped generic can.
Have you considered the Borla dual catback? That's what I've been running since 2000, and I'm very happy with it. All SS construction, very similar in performance, sound & quality when compared to the RB catback. After about 12 years on it there is barely any surface rust on any of the pipes, and the muffler cans & tips still look brand new. It is heavy though, but probably just as heavy as the RB or any other dual system.
I had not, but it sounds like another solid choice.

The racing beat system is heavy for a reason. They use thicker wall tubing that piston engines don't need. Rotaries are not kind to their exhaust systems. My old REPU split the normal thin tubing muffler pipe when it backfired on lifting. Not to mention what it did to the muffler.:lol: I built a custom system on my 79, but it came out a lot louder than I was planning. For street use on a mild or stock engine the Racing Beat system is hard to top. I thought I could do it cheaper, I was wrong. The non-glass packed mufflers appropriate for rotaries all seem to be expensive. If you plan on large horsepower levels something else in the 3" or greater range would have to be custom built. That's even more expensive. My opinion only.
N/A's are probably tougher on exhaust than turbo, so I'd be more concerned about the quality of the downpipe than anything else. Even still, I've heard glasspacks on rotarys both n/a and turbo and they sound like ass, so there's plenty of heat to go around.

[Sharingan 19]

Found this advertised on Craigslist as "Greedy Rx7 mufflers" Needless to say I was skeptical...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zIyW0ITvS0w/T8keoFP6K6I/AAAAAAAACUI/j-kPfwCjUns/s1007/Naomi+Greddy+PE+3.jpg

However, upon arrival I discovered an authentic Greddy Power Extreme Catback with Bonez midpipe for sale for $180!!!

To further sweeten the deal I sold my stock turbo exhaust for $50, and the midpipe (its for n/a) for $80.

[Daedalus704]

Got tired of the transmission being louder than the exhaust, so I started looking for replacements. I like the idea of going single (less weight and all). I'd prefer right side exit, but that seems to be rather hard to find. Theres the Apexi N1 but the can just looks cheap, the gt spec is cool, but its on the wrong side.

Anyways the fc looks unbalanced w/o duals the bumper cutout looks lonely :lol: . Racing beat is quality, but expensive (and from ebay I've heard, heavy). Decisions decisions.

I'd stick with duals. I have the Racing Beat RevII turbo back and I love the deep tone it has. It's not obnoxious and raspy but it is not a quiet exhasut at all. Also the quality is very good.

Edit: Somehow I missed the post you made with your Greddy exhaust... facepalm on my part and good job on flipping your stock stuff to lessen the blow. Is any of the piping rusted through?

[Sharingan 19]

Nope, only minor surface rust, a little sand paper, a little high temp engine paint and BAM! The stock downpipe has 2 cats in it :facepalm: and has angles which make it hard to gut. The main cat however got a nice hollowing out.

Replaced the stock turbo (s4) with an s5 unit. Equal sized twin scroll manifold versus unequal collected manifold w/ a switching actuator.

Also suspected the water pump was going bad

[Sharingan 19]

Moving right along.... decided to let the ole' girl run free and do what she was designed to do. Went to autocross with my brother (74' chevy nova) and friend (07' honda fit). Since it was my first time competing I was our first time competing we were placed in the novice class along with a C5 corvette, 00' prelude, na miata, crx and some other foolishness. This SR20'd coupe was NOT in the novice class....as a matter of fact it was trailer-ed in and running some pretty sticky tires.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-57ZWqyrch9w/T8Zx5V0nDlI/AAAAAAAABaw/djZRwUU5C60/s1007/IMG00301.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UjsloCb1oFU/T8Zx5W_v-DI/AAAAAAAABa4/w4u2HIu7ACs/s1007/IMG00305.jpg

And the results.....
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--qVeRodebgU/T8kd0icwCbI/AAAAAAAACTI/8fSW9kkW6yY/s1007/IMG00302.jpg

Closest competition was actually the prelude, it had 2 drivers so I'm not sure which one put down the faster time, but it was almost a second back. Fun times.

[WankelsRevenge]

Was that in Jacksonville this past weekend? If so youre right in my backyard.

[Daedalus704]

Congrats on the results

[Sharingan 19]

Was that in Jacksonville this past weekend? If so youre right in my backyard. Actually it was in Brooksville, a little while back. But I've been out to whitehouse before as a spectator (jax is buccaneer region scca btw). I plan to go back once I bake a few upgrades.

Congrats on the results
Thanks man, it was fun, but it wanted to run hot, so I messed to look into that.

[rxspeed7]

Where are you located? I'm up here in ocala. Lmk of you ever need anything man!!

[Sharingan 19]

Im in Jacksonville most if the time. Im in Tampa fairly often though, with periodic trips to miami and occasional trips to tallahassee.

Actually, I'm looking to put together a hybrid turbo and I'd like to avoid paying shipping costs, so if you know of a turbo shop that can bore out the comp/exhaust housings that might be useful.

[rxspeed7]

Evergreen turbos here in Ocala. Owners name is Charlie brown, he has rebuilt bunches of ht18's for us and does some sick hybrids with em.

[Sharingan 19]

Lol, awesome! I bought a t04b w/ a bad comp wheel for the propose of making a hybrid. I figure I'll have the comp housing bored for a 60-1 wheel and re-use the p- trim turbine wheel in a modified turbine housing. So I might have to drop off the parts next time I come through if the price its right.

[89fc3s]

How loud is the greddy?

[Sharingan 19]

Actually not that loud at all, granted I still have the stock downpipe and a gutted cat so take that for what its worth. But I still managed to shoot my first ever fireball leaving my friend's neighborhood.

IMO (and many others) the Greddy Power Extreme is the best sounding exhaust for an fc (turbo at least) out there. Yes, even better than racing beat. Its a shame they were so expensive/rare I wish there were more of these systems out there.

[Sharingan 19]

It was a great time , just enough to get me hooked. I'll definitely be back....unfortunately the same cannot be said for the stock waterpump which got progressively worse after all the high-rpm hijinx. Nor the stock oil cooler lines which let go after some sideways shenanigans...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jN966arlY1w/T8kdrzoo4VI/AAAAAAAACSo/qLf4RDNffaI/s1007/IMG00234.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

A buddy of mine who is into photography decided we should do a mini photo-shoot in celebration of auto-x victory. A little clay bar goes a loonngg way...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7dUEBHkEe7k/T8Zt6cIayeI/AAAAAAAABD0/p8WQ5_z0upo/s917/Naomi+003b.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0Scl9Nq1Fbk/T8Zt6xsNyAI/AAAAAAAABEE/3y8-tWUk3iU/s917/Naomi+021b.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uLgh41sFsD0/T8Zt70pSa_I/AAAAAAAABEA/4Axs2zadQJU/s917/Naomi+013b.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0i92sHSvdic/T8Zt8SnTo3I/AAAAAAAABEQ/JiJriV7N7v0/s740/Naomi+023b.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jwpyLL4FWQM/T8Zt881DZ8I/AAAAAAAABEg/g2_8eLdjp30/s900/Naomi+030b.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yNUbLL-3wUk/T8Zt88gON-I/AAAAAAAABEw/oC4Pu5rEEQ0/s917/Naomi+029b.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FE6Q9AsfCQE/T8Zt9O-7gCI/AAAAAAAABE0/krUufEg4NYA/s900/Naomi+033b.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

Next stop was the first ever Rotorfest in Kissimmee FL, The plan was to drive from Tallahassee to West Palm Beach to pick up a mountain bike I ordered on ebay, then head back up to Kissimmee and finally back , (roughly 1000 miles).

It was a great event, lots of nice cars and even got a chance to hit the dyno. With ambient temps well above 90* she made 177whp. Not bad for just a cat back I suppose.

There she is in the background...
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn201/rotaryroderick/DSC02080.jpg
Full thread:
http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=776699

[Sharingan 19]

So I was on my way back from Rotorfest wrapping up 1000 mile, 2 day road trip when my journey is cut short....

I was heading up a 3 lane interstate in the center lane. I decide I want to move into the fast (left) lane so I put on my blinker and look into my rear view mirror....

I see nothing, so I begin to move slowly across my lane to the left. As I approach the dotted white line (I can still see it out my driver's side window) I look into my side mirror and notice an SUV comming up pretty fast in the left lane.

No big deal, I turned the wheel back to the right so I stayed in the center lane instead of crossing into the left lane. As I did this I continued looking in my side mirror and noticed the SUV dart to the left (seemingly under control) . At this point I returned my attention to the road ahead of me.

As soon as I do I hear squealing tires.....I glance at my side mirror to see the grill of the SUV pointing sharply to the right (remember its int he far left lane..) I slammed on brakes .....but it was too late.

It hit the rear quarter panel, drove right down my door and hit me again on the driver side front quarter/bumper causing me to spin as it took us both off the right side of the road @ 70+ mph.

I ended up going backwards into a concrete drainage ditch and into a small retention pond.

The SUV continued across the ditch, up an embankment, into a fence, into a tree and turning on its side.

I helped a guy out of the passenger window (now the roof) and some passers by helped get 2 kids out. The woman driver (...like it would be anyone else ) had trouble getting out (due partly to the fact that the Explorer was on the edge of a hill) so they had to cut the roof off to get her out.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QAaQ4btECzA/T9Jp-vRE9pI/AAAAAAAACgc/d6sPXA25Qgc/s1007/IMG00359.jpg
RX-7: 1 Ford Explorer: 0
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z7h32YKk65I/T9Jp_PzqKII/AAAAAAAACg0/mh752xjSyYE/s1007/IMG00363.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_J4tG-1EK4A/T9Jp-mSvDgI/AAAAAAAACgg/lJkAcUSg1PU/s1007/IMG00360.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QtpAJaJO5Kw/T9Jp_OBL_yI/AAAAAAAACg8/0Cyf5fwKDCc/s1007/IMG00361.jpg

It gets better... So after useless FHP gets done writing their "report" (which consists of names and vehicle info) I am allowed to leave. At which point I drive 50ft out of the concrete drainage ditch, up the side of the embankment and get within 4 feet of the road before the wet grass decides that's as far as I go. I then had to pay some jackass towtruck driver $50 to tow me the 4ft onto the road surface.

After that I DROVE another 30 miles to the next real exit and inspected the damage further.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QI3Vob5AwkA/T9JqBJJyNQI/AAAAAAAAChQ/w00LA2pQmo4/s1007/IMG00365.jpg

[GySgtFrank]

Unbelievable luck. Both the good in not being hurt and the bad in being the one she had to hit. Bad karma from your thread title? Hope the insurance company doesn't jack you around and things work out.

[Sharingan 19]

Unbelievable luck. Both the good in not being hurt and the bad in being the one she had to hit. Bad karma from your thread title? Hope the insurance company doesn't jack you around and things work out.

HA!

Not hurt....ok I'll give you that one.

Insurance was of NO help. Not only did they not pay me (no full coverage) they attempted to pay HER due to the way the laws work in FL.

Title Karma....not a chance. This incident is actually the reason FOR the thread title (This happened a little while ago, I'm catching the build thread up to current )

[Sharingan 19]

Took some pictures the morning after
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-buqK5kfwIe0/T8Zt5jgolpI/AAAAAAAABDg/YYFapbRjjuo/s1007/Explorer+FTL+IMG00369.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4I8LGQXDiHw/T9JqCjlJNYI/AAAAAAAACiQ/rqQzv4ufhzE/s1007/IMG00374.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GdJ6fYCL66Q/T9JqCew6EEI/AAAAAAAACiA/lW43zkBPF4A/s1007/IMG00373.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LESJQc-LsVU/T9JqDJNCyVI/AAAAAAAACic/YALZbcFlEZ4/s1007/IMG00376.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U9ArV7e--sc/T9JqDOkrloI/AAAAAAAACig/DmTJX0zahFM/s1007/IMG00377.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

After driving another 100 miles back home it was apparent that something was awry in the suspension department; the steering wheel had to be about 45* for the car to drive straight, the slightest steering input made it want to jump across 2 lanes, and there was a slight vibration that I didn't remember from before. Suppose it could've been worse....I could've been paralyzed w/ a drop top explorer.....

[speedjunkie]

Oh I remember seeing pics of the car like this before, I didn't realize it was the same one though. What is it with stupid ass people that can't drive for shit?? And I'd be moving to a new state that doesn't have stupid laws that don't pay the person that deserves to be paid.

So she was paralyzed by this?

[Sharingan 19]

Oh I remember seeing pics of the car like this before, I didn't realize it was the same one though. What is it with stupid ass people that can't drive for shit?? And I'd be moving to a new state that doesn't have stupid laws that don't pay the person that deserves to be paid.

So she was paralyzed by this?

I was trying to avoid getting sidetracked with insurance details but alas it is unavoidable:

I don't have full coverage, so my insurance isn't going to pay me. She has insurance so I wouldn't even be covered by uninsured motorist protection.

Florida in addition to be a no fault state, is also a percentage liability state. This means that if this went to trial the jury would be tasked with determining who was responsible for what percentage of the outcome. For example they could decide it was 99% her fault and 1% my fault. Sounds pretty good right?....wrong.

#1 The dumbass Florida Highway patrol officer didn't cite her for the accident, they didn't even walk the scene and write a real report, and with no non-involved witnesses it becoms my word vs. the dumb bitch in a wheel chair who can't drive.

#2 Because she is apparently paralyzed, the estimate the lifetime value of her claim to be somewhere around $5M. So...
$5M - cost to fix FC = more than my policy.

Thus their solution is to offer to pay her the normal payout under my policy in exchange for her providing a written release of all liability. Which sucks, but what other option is there?

[Sharingan 19]

Problem #1 I couldn't raise or lower my headlights since the fender had been smashed into the area where the light sits when closed so...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3aFDlyeRkUM/T9JqEbxrY2I/AAAAAAAACjU/yt9ZIzN5oDw/s1007/IMG00391.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lXNEsqJobhs/T9JqDqtCXyI/AAAAAAAACi4/E3aqkK5Vfcc/s1007/IMG00387.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5xZIpiDXFNk/T9JqD__SZUI/AAAAAAAACi0/nmTDYd50Zqo/s1007/IMG00389.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

Little hammer here, little hammer there.....
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ioETC8G7kt8/T9JqFj4woNI/AAAAAAAACjw/nMjHhnRD3wY/s1007/IMG00396.jpg
...A little touch up pain; It ain't pretty, but at least I can use my headlights
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CXAAXwntoZU/T9JqFTCLsQI/AAAAAAAACjk/c-3dhdMaZ4g/s1007/IMG00395.jpg

The question then became how to finance the Rotary Resurrection...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ajXs5Sz-aL0/T8kdsukdvTI/AAAAAAAACSw/msc9QomB1mc/s1007/IMG00018.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

It quickly became apparent that somethings needed to be fixed sooner rather than later:

- Power steering was leaking and cutting in and out at inopportune times.

- Steering wheel was about 90-100 degrees off.
^^^pretty sure this was the result of being pulled out of the ditch with the steering wheel at full lock (as instructed by the jackass tow truck driver)

- According to my roomate the car was "crabbing" down the road.
^^^upon further inspection the driver side rear tension rod was bent into a shallow "U"

- Slight howling that increases with speed
^^^Leaking pinion seal on the diff, leaking axle flange,

- Handling VERY twitchy w/ even slight steering input.

- 65% of driver side mirror M.I.A.

- Door "decorated nascar style"

- Front fender = fubar

- Crushed rocker panel

- Melted rear bumper
^^^bent up exhaust

- Flat spotted tires

[Sharingan 19]

Got her up in the air for a better look at the damage...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rVP0-BikL8Q/T8ZyHKYZdLI/AAAAAAAABbM/wBcFm2aQsKM/s1007/IMG00060.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nv50DPn5pkY/T8ZyIyI7T3I/AAAAAAAABbw/hBokWy44SgQ/s1007/IMG00066.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4eUkhp_FJ00/T8ZyJTYUyiI/AAAAAAAABb8/kJj_8MTRTWI/s1007/IMG00068.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

Decided the power steering needed a complete overhall, and was in the running for the most dangerous non-operational system on the car...

A/C compressor getting raped by the busted power steering pump...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H2f1C82sYnU/T8ZyLss-w7I/AAAAAAAABcw/4fR-Q8VNTDo/s1007/IMG00075.jpg
The further you go the uglier it gets
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t6k5MIEnN5s/T8ZyLz77LoI/AAAAAAAABc0/Hf-HTxcil7o/s1007/IMG00077.jpg

But there is hope....
New Rack
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B0zsKSwzHzY/T8ZyOKajZNI/AAAAAAAABdc/5OnYvmRtWqU/s1007/IMG00081.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rqUwOAWrfZs/T8ZyPwv-ZhI/AAAAAAAABeU/aQVLD5Ngwpw/s1007/IMG00100.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q3fRuL0yXNM/T8ZyQbaUJxI/AAAAAAAABek/N0s3qetUkJA/s1007/IMG00102.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xmfN3MWG_zQ/T8ZyQ69-BFI/AAAAAAAABe0/6Ga-CsOpYec/s1007/IMG00104.jpg
This stupid O-ring isn't stocked anywhere.... RTV and hope for the best...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Jepwm03yMM/T8ZyQy_BRMI/AAAAAAAABeo/6FRcl13VOlE/s1007/IMG00105.jpg
New Lines
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UWAjHzZ_IEY/T8ZyOaMDsvI/AAAAAAAABdg/5ZxMKTCPdZY/s1007/IMG00084.jpg
And done...almost
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sv1XQxO2v1I/T8ZyO1xdZ9I/AAAAAAAABd0/2P9zfpkND1M/s1007/IMG00086.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

Typically your first trip after replacing all your steering components would be to the alignment shop. Being that I had already spent my ramen budget on car parts, I wan't to keen on that idea. Since toe settings are responsible for most accelerated tire wire I found a solution to keep that in check.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bN_LLP10o44/T8ZypYenYtI/AAAAAAAACWU/CDYupCBdjEM/s1000/IMG00108.jpg

Toe Plates. I got the idea from my roomate who was an engineering student and intern for a race team. They use them all the time (a much nice version than what I created for $8 at harbor freight) to set toe during qualifying and such.

The concept is simple, line the plates up parallel to the face of the wheel (I used the bungie cord to keep it snug)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Gx8KdTAd5m4/T8ZyqyTB7pI/AAAAAAAACWY/NdRVSxF5sKQ/s0-d/IMG00116.jpg
Then measure the distance between the front edges of the plates and the back edges.
If the distance between the front edge(s) is greater than distance between the rears then you have toe out. If the opposite is true you have toe in.

[Sharingan 19]

In the search for replacement parts I hit up a junk yard in Tallahassee, and made a bittersweet discovery...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S2OMhnKnuEE/T8OaqkJD1mI/AAAAAAAAAo0/UTcMgWtxMKQ/s796/Dustin+10AE+1.jpg

Its a 10th Anniversary Edition. I later found out I knew the guy who owned it and he had gotten into some legal trouble so it sat in impound for weeks before being towed to the yard :sad:
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc206/ridinghott/daves%20car%20stuff/10th20anniversary20ad320full.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc206/ridinghott/daves%20car%20stuff/10th20anniversary20ad1.jpg

Ok, enough nostalgia....Determined not to let such rare pieces go to waste I pretty much stripped it bare. Windows, hatch, dash, interior, LSD, axles, sub-frame etc. Unfortunately the engine and emblems were already gone...oh well

Bringing home the goods
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-POYnXH8ZYfM/T8ZsLZwIwiI/AAAAAAAAA5A/G_cRvz_AkrM/w393-h295-n-k/1218091655.jpg

Little elbow grease and a lot of wire wheel action...
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A0dcl0hMIbc/T8Zru5O20bI/AAAAAAAAA0w/KbzmM960ugo/w394-h295-n-k/PC160437.JPG

MUCH better
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nEr5pVEP15g/T8ZrwG0pVnI/AAAAAAAAA1I/T8nRlKcZHi0/s1007/PC160440.JPG

Stored away waiting for a couple goodies
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uj4577MuXtQ/T8ZsmBe5NaI/AAAAAAAACgQ/WSUKeWjYFhs/s755/PC160467.JPG

[Sharingan 19]

Now is where the real work begins...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yaGqpY64ox4/T8Zr0h9yyZI/AAAAAAAAA14/PFk1ta8Z2EE/s1007/PC160446.JPG

Step one: remove my once beautiful Greddy exhaust :sad:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ad0PVeR47nI/T8ZsaJJJEOI/AAAAAAAACgU/FaSlxXSrz9c/s755/PC160450.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nEKQDZ-r_94/T8ZsdHV3gfI/AAAAAAAAA-U/AjHqUOMYCGM/s1007/PC160451.JPG

Step two: attempt to loosen a ton of greasy stubborn botls
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-F_yLa8myaqw/T8ZsdWetEeI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/igYVbWbW-2Y/s1007/PC160454.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9m0gBKIA3LQ/T8ZsgxDXUYI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Co3nNDVxc08/s1007/PC160460.JPG

Notice the nice line of axle grease that my busted half shaft saw fit to decorate my undercariage with. Notice that although old the boot is not actually leaking. the grease is coming from the flange where the half shaft bolts to the output shaft on the diff...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RkRkcOkJHB4/T8ZtUUZllgI/AAAAAAAABCg/4-rh5JeoSR8/s1007/PC160459.JPG

Time to let the PB Blaster put in some work...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QmQRtMc3JCQ/T8ZsMlSyW8I/AAAAAAAAA5k/T3elddOHH4M/s1007/IMG00268.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

Back to work.
For the record, rear tension rods are NOT strong enough to use as a brace while you break loose the nuts on your axle nuts. But it had already been bent and re-straightened once so it was on the "replace" list regardless.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o7jTyqOCDm0/T8ZssB0UnkI/AAAAAAAABAo/qkel47VKe-M/s1007/PC180471.JPG

Marking the drive shaft flange orientation
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RvjTxC120GA/T8Zs1C-ybHI/AAAAAAAABBY/nxce-obxrsM/s1007/PC180477.JPG

Free at last!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O35HJlP73Aw/T8Zs7y5wttI/AAAAAAAABCA/KUIotA1H7EA/s1007/PC180482.JPG

Oh, what a surprise....Broken front diff mounts are a VERY common problem due largely to the ingenious design which includes relies on the shear strength of a rubber block to combat the pitch and dive of the drive shaft and nose of the diff wanting to go in opposite directions under acceleration /deceleration.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-URL6ZKrTIxY/T8Zs-E-wuoI/AAAAAAAABCQ/lrhjDalpEvM/s1007/PC180484.JPG

Diff was yanked and sent off to be freshened up with new seals and have the wear on the clutch plates inspected. See that cap next to the driver side axle? apparently when I was run off the road it put enough force on the axle to drive it into the cup, displacing enough grease/air to force the cap out of the backside. Since the axle was bolted to the flange it couldn't fall out so it simply allowed axle grease to be flung all over the place.....good to know.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d0b4U-bwk2I/T8Zvy8vinjI/AAAAAAAABPg/J7wkZEidbP8/s1007/IMG00306.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

And this is why its great to have friend's w/ awesome gf's who are willing to use oven cleaner for something other than its intedned purpose...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MIlT4A1rl6o/T8ZsMHqFhrI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/5Ch1e9KoXcI/s1007/1219091340a.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wMq0yGmOy0U/T8ZsMijTSvI/AAAAAAAAA5o/70Sg1dJBTvg/s1007/IMG00285.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

While they were cleaning up I took the time to clean up and wrap the Racing Beat downpipe I picked up for the low, couldn't wait to get rid of this stock POS.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/24933_621364104641_4357110_n.jpg
RB DP as delivered
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xEB8SW7MiXw/T8ZvUtxmfbI/AAAAAAAABKU/ZUs52TxNbXw/s1007/IMG00286.jpg
Sanded, ceramic painted, wrapped
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HaV-Z5NGPAk/T8ZvZmSDpUI/AAAAAAAABL0/avhg5rJQ1d0/s1007/IMG00304.jpg
A little silicon spray for good measure
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0zBs_fiQJ9E/T8ZvyrJzw9I/AAAAAAAABPQ/VRj3prEhzUk/s1007/IMG00305.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

While I had half the car apart already I decided to remedy the oh so annoying coolant passage o-rings that I'd put off for months:

Turbo off
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-B8-DdBRdJOw/T8ZvUrsXGZI/AAAAAAAABKQ/G7EvEq4xyNI/s1007/IMG00289.jpg
LIM off, lets see what we're workin with....
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rL2alk4fjlc/T8ZvVNp6IhI/AAAAAAAABKc/cXUQgxrkY4Q/s1007/IMG00291.jpg
And here is the cause of all this strife.....Classy
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jPnOu2rqoEU/T8ZvVsPpHwI/AAAAAAAABK0/hMBOyJaPOPs/s1007/IMG00292.jpg
Better
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--LMe2s2cKkM/T8ZvXinCtJI/AAAAAAAABLM/iXFORvev6NQ/s1007/IMG00297.jpg
More awfulness
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YdyltckAI7o/T8ZvW7rNUOI/AAAAAAAABK8/cVy4TYNSbtE/s1007/IMG00294.jpg
Better, not show quality, but no one well ever see this once its together
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VOLbEhGUKys/T8ZvXaAsdyI/AAAAAAAABLE/29q6uqv9__k/s1007/IMG00296.jpg
New gasket, new o-rings and enough RTV to ensure I won't be doing this again
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mw00fTJH01w/T8ZvZOgUg-I/AAAAAAAABLw/3u-CWc6ch6M/s1007/IMG00303.jpg

What I DID have to do though was find some oil meter pump lines, since the ones going to the LIM were broken off during the course of this repair....one more thing on the list.

[Raksj04]

The question then became how to finance the Rotary Resurrection...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ajXs5Sz-aL0/T8kdsukdvTI/AAAAAAAACSw/msc9QomB1mc/s1007/IMG00018.jpg

I have a pic like that too.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y239/raksj04/IMG_0398.jpg

[speedjunkie]

Makes me sick to see a 10AE in the junkyard, especially for that reason. Well I hate to see ANY rotary in the junkyard, but one so rare makes it even worse.

[Sharingan 19]

Since I had to order the OMP lines from somewhere I returned focus to the original problem(s) suspension. Some goodies arrived from MMR:

Camber adjustment links for the rear. Since I'm using these I had to retain the stock rear control arm bushings...one less thing to buy. Next to the stock link
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vAuNsKGn5gc/T8Zv0eX-HwI/AAAAAAAABP0/zM3cz5COi-g/s1007/IMG00310.jpg

Delrin rear diff mounts
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CrJU-XK4oMU/T8Zv1OAOLLI/AAAAAAAABQQ/FqacgujRKZo/s1007/IMG00314.jpg

Diff back from the shop, new output shaft seals, new pinion seal, new mazdazpeed front diff mount
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ncYkbKB8ssA/T8ZsQT8z32I/AAAAAAAAA68/We0ziuOROXI/s1007/P1060806.JPG

Everything mocked up getting ready for install
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Wfmy6paVsHk/T8Zv2xscKgI/AAAAAAAABRE/GFq-eu59n38/s1007/IMG00346.jpg

Hoisted into its new home
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--uyzuruOYXc/T8ZMRsY3dbI/AAAAAAAACk4/fT5Uoo7YfNk/s755/0106002310a.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

It was then time to address the half shafts.
this was the driver side shaft where the end cap was forced out...who ordered the pudding?
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XXkiZi2RLyU/T8ZsRdAaDsI/AAAAAAAAA7U/pO6b80xNus4/s1007/P1080809.JPG
Step One: dissasembly There is a circular retaining clip just under the inside lip of the cup. Simply pry that out with a pick or screwdriver...
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bHOCOC3Y_mo/T8ZsQ76BIQI/AAAAAAAAA7I/XytklJOP548/s755/P1080808.JPG
and the shaft should slide right out , and drop nasty greasy balls in your lap....or onto your prepared work surface.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6RGv8d73AmE/T8ZsS8fcz5I/AAAAAAAAA7o/jiWhcowNJoo/s1007/P1080812.JPG
Step Two: Cleaning I don't know the best substance to clean off old axle grease in 20 degree weather, but I know what it ISN'T....Acetone. That's all my buddy had, but I ended up resorting to dish soap and a pile of paper towels.

Step Three: Reassembly Now that everything is clean, time to dirty up again with fresh grease. I went with the heaviest synthetic import specific grease I could find at the parts store, I think it was made by valvoline.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_KtbOT7Z3Fo/T8ZsU9rxzTI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/npm_p8n2nOU/s1007/P1080816.JPG
Don't forget to re-install the retaining clip
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X2UUpE4UQ7k/T8ZsXLLkevI/AAAAAAAAA88/FzC3m_Ni4Tk/s1007/P1080820.JPG
This was my "solution" for that end cap that was forced out (because i couldn't source another cup and couldn't afford a new axle). The mating surface was coated with RTV, in retrospect perhaps jb weld would have been a better option....time will tell.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Ox8p5t9UmI/T8Zv4ds_rvI/AAAAAAAABRk/aKNzXWEKB2w/s1007/IMG00361.jpg
(Optional) Step Four: Prep/ProtectionA little paint never hurt anybody...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--9mMkqsyNYo/T8Zv6GdojFI/AAAAAAAABRw/xJjAisBEFc0/s1007/IMG00363.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

Since once strut was already blown on the GC/tociko blue setup (and they don't go that low anyway) I was in the market for another suspension solution. I seriously considered keeping the GC's (especially since I got such a deal on them) but by the time I bought a full set of struts, and camber plates or RB lowering strut mounts I would have been way over budget.

Fortunately I found another great deal on a set of brand new coilovers. Apparently they were a gift from someone's GF who mistakenly got FC coils for an FD, but before they could be returned, the relationship went sour (perhaps because of...?). I sold the GC setup and was only out of pocket a a couple hundred bucks.
K-Sport Control Pros 8kg/6kg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BpoV4EmgoU0/T8OwBqx6eRI/AAAAAAAAAqM/isYvE8xYDJo/s1007/12+-+1

I know the Control Pro's are pretty basic, but they are better than stockish struts and they provide camber adjustment. When my driving ability and the rest of the car exceed their capability they will be replaced, but until then I couldn't be happier
Front
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1XAlqs03V1g/T8Zv9woPGcI/AAAAAAAABTA/kjB0IsTuYmc/s1007/IMG00376.jpg
Rear
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XUjmvNR8xyk/T8Zv7eNZ2_I/AAAAAAAABSU/Uo08_oWGECU/s1007/IMG00368.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ix7t0xq5pIw/T8Zv8yoid8I/AAAAAAAABSs/GAvt8gh5YX0/s1007/IMG00377.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

Now that she was no longer dangerous to drive, it was time to address the cosmetic aspects. First was the mirror, but as I went to install it I realized it didn't make sense to install a good mirror on a bad door, so of to the yard again...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r42ZCyxAs2I/T8Zwayu4QcI/AAAAAAAABVw/gMWEXLMpdjo/s1007/IMG00351.jpg
Found this little gem, 87 sport with complete aero package woot! But the reason I came...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x0PSjFxVTkg/T8ZwbQuT_AI/AAAAAAAABV4/TPK5Eljf7Kg/s1007/IMG00353.jpg
Probably one of the worst colors to sand to bare metal in direct sunlight, so hard to tell when you're finished, :lol:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0Vk6IJL2yxM/T8ZwcAkesII/AAAAAAAABWM/8zRCIt2whjI/s1007/IMG00387.jpg
Wire wheel got old, and I got smart. Aircraft Stripper FTW!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q6jEP8-S7Ik/T8ZwdHmnnfI/AAAAAAAABWk/r3RpmF2wmro/s1007/IMG00389.jpg
Silver insides would annoy me
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ihU3AIjPtPo/T8Zwc_PZGSI/AAAAAAAABWg/v96TMN8o4uo/s1007/IMG00391.jpg
Since the new door was manual and mine are power I had to swap out all the guts....fun
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8JrFI28Wudg/T8ZwdEmCzGI/AAAAAAAABWo/0biwL-N1VQI/s1007/IMG00394.jpg
Once the inside was dry, time to paint the outside.
Note: the inside was sprayed with primer and then given a coat of rustoleum gloss black, the outside however is coated in chalk board paint.
The workspace
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SN_h7_mD-Lg/T8ZsNAPkLwI/AAAAAAAAA54/aPpnaS2u83U/s1007/IMG00399.jpg
And the finished product...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lxHWlQRCEK4/T8Zt3xdZSZI/AAAAAAAABC0/994erR9KftY/s1007/DSC00023.JPG

I decided not to put the molding on for a number of reasons.
1) My S4 molding was destroyed by the nascar antics of the ford explorer
2) I plan to convert to S5 exterior anyway so its hard to justify buying s4 molding
3) Not sure how well the paint would stick to plastic especially flexible plastic
4) My door is a dammit chalk board! I doubt a trim piece will keep me from winning the concours de elegance :rofl:

[Sharingan 19]

Riding around like this (open downpipe) got load pretty quick.....and pretty annoying a little while after that.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NrRYVe7KKp8/T9uB5hK4v_I/AAAAAAAACl8/2ruh2C-Agnk/s555/DSC00025.JPG

Enter another amazing deal, a buddy of mine sold his T2 but kept the RB exhaust because the buyer couldn't afford both. He packed it up and stored it but never actively tried to sell it. Fast forward a few years.....I happen to mention I'm in the market and he "thinks he may have a turbo-back FC exhaust he'll sell me for $250"....ok. Well turns out he lost the midpipe so I got it for $200....even better!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cK0WjxYpsCw/T9uB6Ljxi8I/AAAAAAAACmI/JqzzDTmhSNE/s555/DSC00032.JPG

Of course not having a mid-pipe did present a small problem, but nothing that couldn't be solved with this. Borla XR-1 3in inlet 3in outlet .
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uTbHmQfeV2A/T8ZvKUQwm4I/AAAAAAAABHQ/r-cgjsc_T9c/s1007/DSC00027.JPG

As I don't weld it was off to the local muffler shop to bring it all together
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-25xRfun-fWo/T8ZvPVRfuLI/AAAAAAAABIg/p9dzco__y5Y/s1007/DSC00047.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AJir99_0EHc/T8ZvPwEF9BI/AAAAAAAABIo/Y81HL3CyNiU/s1007/DSC00049.JPG
Stock turbo outlet --> 3" downpipe --> 3" Borla XR-1 --> Ypipe --> Dual 2.5" Racing Beat cannisters
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pc4isg8daOM/T8ZvPyVp2QI/AAAAAAAABIs/y50_Q312ue0/s1007/DSC00050.JPG

Actually turned out to be a bit more quiet than I was expecting/hoping for...oh well stealth status.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ImEY4aBhips/T9uB6Pt-V8I/AAAAAAAACmE/OAu_eIoO1lI/s555/DSC00045.JPG

[Sharingan 19]

Once the exhaust was squared away it was time to turn to the intake. The stock turbo inlet duct was full of cracks and beyond repair so I picked up the Corksport aluminum TID. Pretty well made piece. My only gripe was that they didn't have any black couplers at the time that I orded so i ended up with red...oh well.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZD3rowuYDTM/T8ZvRNHdsKI/AAAAAAAABJA/iD2w2_QHpjw/s1133/DSC00152.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YY83E5g8k94/T8ZvSE1D4_I/AAAAAAAABJo/olqolsFVXdA/s1133/DSC00153.JPG

[Sharingan 19]

Remember back when I broke that oil metering pump line removing the LIM? Well i eventually had to fix it and for cheap (as always). After searching for Turbo omp lines for a while and considering ordering the supplies to build my own I found a great deal (free since I was ordering something else) from a forum member for some n/a lines. Unlike ss line which can bend the stock lines are molded, especially used ones. Fortunately these had a little give in them and I was able to make them work.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bd8JX-uZbr8/T8VCeAUEEvI/AAAAAAAAArM/05HLZrz9DEA/s1223/SANY0091.JPG

So, for the record N/A omp lines will work on a turbo block. The one caveat being that they don't go to the same injector location they would on the n/a block, but as long as injector has a line I'm happy.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r6wW8gxE7dU/T8VCrrDuxkI/AAAAAAAAArc/L4SR1kBNPl0/s1223/SANY0092.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qcRD2NH-wfA/T8VDNoI8JgI/AAAAAAAAAr0/5GqbAR3VsMc/s1223/SANY0096.JPG

The lines were color coded (not sure if this is a factory application or something the PO did to assist with his installation :scratch:).
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JRl8FoA6VEA/T8VDQGf5iBI/AAAAAAAAAr8/43WjH5VhMk4/s1223/SANY0097.JPG

[Sharingan 19]

So, after freeing up both the intake and exhaust I was greeted with the pleasant surprise of crisp throttle response, more power, better acceleration, and a wonderful sound. I was also greeted with the unpleasant surprise of the stock ecu's 8.5 psi fuel cut :mad:

It was fine while the weather was warm but when it started to cool down I would have to shift early to avoid hitting fuel cut, and when it actually got cold it was so bad that I couldn't even merge into traffic. So I babied her around for months saving for an ecu (I did not an still don't trust band aids like fuel cut defenders).

well, apparently secondary injectors don't like going unused for long periods of time so when the weather warmed up and I tried to boost I was getting all kinds of bucking, studdering and hesitation. I changed the fuel pump...no help. So next on the lest was the in-tank fuel pump sock, I cracked it open and discovered a fair amount of rust , varnish and sediment.

First step was to drain the gas. Make shift fuel can FTW!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-arMKcN7aHrI/T8jtJ-nOvII/AAAAAAAABjA/nEyJ15RRF7c/s1223/049.JPG

Then the insides:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nEBrh2dpxiM/T8jtJOANFnI/AAAAAAAABi4/EK9DQm4Yr6A/s1223/050.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8vwVBQtRbHo/T8jtb77OEgI/AAAAAAAABjI/LStNzLcW5fA/s1223/052.JPG

I wan't going to pay to have it cleaned, so I researched/tried various DIY methods:
There were some guys (apparently malnurished contortionists children) who reached in an scrubed their tanks...no real man can do this.
There was a redneck on youtube shaking his tank with small rocks and old gas inside....tried it, it does NOT work.
There were some VW guys putting acid in their tanks...as a general rule nothing VW guys do is a good idea, lol
Finally I ran across a product called evapo-rust that made some pretty bold claims and has been used by motorcycle guys with good success.

All I can say is WOW! I picked up a gallon ( I would recommend 2) , poured it in and proceed to rotate the tank into a variety of positions over the next 3 days allow roughly 6-10 hours in each position.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vMdW9HoYfKE/T8jteq6rP9I/AAAAAAAABjQ/Le51ZEnjcYc/s1223/062.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KkaU3SxEYvo/T8jtsgvQHhI/AAAAAAAABjg/q7-c7Fh77P0/s1223/063.JPG

[Sharingan 19]

In preparation from my future ecu upgrade I used this as an opportunity to revamp the entire fuel system:

Areomotive A1000 fpr with fluid filled gauge
-6 lines/fittings
Converted the fuel system to parallel flow
New fuel filter
New fuel pump outlet hose
Flushed the hard lines
I found a set of used 720's and sent them off with the stock 550's to be cleaned and flow tested at Injector Rehab.

Unfortunately during the process of removing the primary fuel rail one of the bolts snapped. I was in a rush so I tried to bolt down the other side tight enough to hold the rail.....DON'T do this. Fuel leaked like I had a bad PD. I then tried to use and easy out to remove the bolt....DON'T do this. It snapped and it took 3 rather expensive drill bits to eventually drill out the easy out and bolt .

[Sharingan 19]

Also in preparation for my ecu (and eventually a turbo) upgrade, I decided to do something about that restrictive heatsoak-prone top mount. As with everything else, I set out to do this in a cost effective manner, so I gathered some supplies:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uxalA1fbL70/T-IFLM3oopI/AAAAAAAACqg/QedMOkPB7Kk/s1133/DSC00159.JPG


Evo 9 IC $50
Various 80's-90's Volvo IC pipes and clamps $30
My first thought was a FMIC setup, since they are popular and well documented. However I didn't want long runs of piping, and the lag they produce. I looked into the corksport FMIC (http://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php?p=7129984&postcount=35) which has slightly shorter piping and a core thats almost the exact size as the one I had but it required some pretty specific bends that would increase the cost of the project and even a short-pipe FMIC is a decent amount of piping.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Cc0ggES3X1Y/T-IDOJV70GI/AAAAAAAACms/olLkG2Fe-_0/s1007/2010-08-15+12.54.01.jpg

The next thought was doing a middle mount setup, positioning the IC above the oil cooler but still in front of the rad. The piping would be shorter and thus easier to route and less laggy. However the core was too large for that and I would have no place for the a/c condenser.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5kfhE87OktM/T-IDOJ0Vr0I/AAAAAAAACmw/IrpYu8pTwC8/s1007/2010-08-15+13.07.56.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-swYC-YyBXh8/T-IDPBTmsuI/AAAAAAAACnE/nkvHMwigiPY/s1007/2010-08-15+13.47.17.jpg

Finally I placed in in a VMIC configuration....like it was meant to be. Shortest possible piping, easiest routing, plenty of space for the condenser, and it looked like the pieces I had would be enough to get the job done. The problem with the v mount is that cutting and welding of the IC core became a requirement as well as fashioning mounts for the rad (at least)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Jtg_3Ab_0TY/T-IDPwdIcEI/AAAAAAAACnM/xfTeSRp5AIs/s1007/2010-08-15+13.26.42.jpg

Decisions decisions....

[MrNizzles]

Dood, you seriously got INTO this car.. damn. Sorry u had the accident. keep up the good work and good luck in the future.

[Sharingan 19]

back...

[GySgtFrank]

back...

updates?

[scarsofcarma]

First of all, great project! You have good taste I like the look of this FC.

No worries, I found a great deal on a set of Ground Controls on Tociko Blues. Certainly not a raceworthy setup but damn sure better than what I had both in terms of performance and appearance.

Lots of people knock Ground Controls in favor of full coilovers but in all honesty real coilovers are often over-hyped. Ground Control uses Eibach racing springs, some of the finest springs made. I ran GC's w/ blue's for a while and then upgraded to AGX's. A very decent setup IMO. If I was going to spend money on real coilovers I wouldn't go mainstream off-the-shelf either, I'd get a custom set made by these guys...

www.fatcatmotorsports.com

That'd be worth paying for. I talked to one of their tech's before at a meet who has an FC. After talking to him about the setup on his FC I know these guys know what they're doing. Fat Cat bumpstops for example are used by MAZDASPEED.

Have you considered the Borla dual catback? That's what I've been running since 2000, and I'm very happy with it. All SS construction, very similar in performance, sound & quality when compared to the RB catback. After about 12 years on it there is barely any surface rust on any of the pipes, and the muffler cans & tips still look brand new. It is heavy though, but probably just as heavy as the RB or any other dual system.

I dig the Borla dual catback, I ran it on my 91 and it sounded very good. Super well made too. I don't remember it being heavy at all though, quite the contrary. I think it would take at least 2 Borla's to = 1 Racing Beat exhaust in terms of weight.



#1 The dumbass Florida Highway patrol officer didn't cite her for the accident, they didn't even walk the scene and write a real report, and with no non-involved witnesses it becoms my word vs. the dumb bitch in a wheel chair who can't drive.

Dude I feel your pain. My first FC got t-boned directly into my drivers door by a woman who was speeding and uninsured and not even driving her own car. What's worse, when I heard her tires squealing I got the hell out of her way (entire out of the lane she was in) but it didn't matter, she steered herself into me anyway.

The moment before she hit me, before I blacked out I remember the terrifying feeling of shock and bewilderment wondering why his person was seemingly trying to kill me?!

She hit my FC so hard I was launched across 2 lanes into a pole. I regained consciousness a few minutes later as the paramedics were pulling me out of the passenger side because they couldn't get my drivers door open with the jaws of life. It was crushed inward to the point that it bruised my hip.

My whole body felt like one big bruise. The aching and the pain were terrible. However I didn't think I had anything to worry about legally because she was so obviously at fault. However, just as in your case, the police failed to properly survey the accident scene and interview witnesses. The woman was scared and sobbing so they took pity on her and bought her story that the young guy in the red sports car must've been to blame.

I went back and surveyed the scene myself taking pictures and measurements. Her skidmarks were over a hundred feet long and curved right at the end, out of her lane, into the center lane where she hit me. The police refused to reopen the case though so I got stuck with a totalled FC and no compensation because the cops put me half at fault even though I had uninsured motorist coverage.

I'm glad your FC looks salvageable, mine wasn't... but I had four more afterwards so its all good :)

[speedjunkie]

There were some VW guys putting acid in their tanks...as a general rule nothing VW guys do is a good idea, lol


This made me LOL.

What are the dimensions of the core of that EVO IC?

[Sharingan 19]

Wow, I have some heavy duty updating to do...

First of all , thanks for all the comments guys, its certainly a work in progress but slowly but surely its coming around. The next few updates will be pretty fast and furious, as they were completed a while back.

Now, to bring this thread current...

[Sharingan 19]

While trying to figure out The IC situation I decided to handle something a little more straight forward. As part of the "No 10ae left behind act" I vowed to use ever part that I could from the one I found in the yard, that included the interior.
Stripping out the old interior
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XGNIkv1KNcY/T8ZwLe6DcgI/AAAAAAAABTM/PtrUaqIo14Y/s1007/2010-08-21+15.23.31.jpg

The Red sun roof you see here is a replacement for the original which was rusted through near the drain. This water ran down the A-pillar and pooled in the floor...or more accurately absorbed into the spongy material under the carpet, which made removal a bit of a mess.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gRVjchA-gaY/T8ZwLAIgHiI/AAAAAAAABTI/5uf56d81vgE/s1007/2010-08-21+15.23.51.jpg

Progress! I thought for a split second about grabbing some dry ice to tear out the sound deadening, but i was pressed for time and came to the conclusion that in a daily, the minor reduction in weight isn't worth the hassle.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4TKlm-dq9m0/T8ZwLlnxe5I/AAAAAAAABTU/BWpvayp3wss/s1007/2010-08-21+15.37.02.jpg

The old carpet next to the new one
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pWP2ufh1_h0/T8ZwNIYWOMI/AAAAAAAABTg/_jNDaA85rMs/s1007/2010-08-21+15.48.22.jpg

Installed
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jqoXIHCmx5k/T8ZwNfk0X-I/AAAAAAAABTk/m3c945_Z8qE/s1007/2010-08-21+17.30.29.jpg

As mentioned previously the 10ae (and Infini) had bronze tinted glass. One more item saved from an ignominious death at the junk yard
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_W2RPqFlcuc/T-IEXq77a-I/AAAAAAAACqA/asIxqbgCA8E/s1007/2010-12-17+18.04.19.jpg

Installed with new door panels on the right, old ones on the left
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aCXsH2afXJI/T-IEYh2qIAI/AAAAAAAACsA/Pqg3l_kA_xk/s1007/2010-12-18+14.54.42.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

So I made up my mind, V-mount for sure! In order to make more room for the necessary fabrication (and clean up the clutter in the engine bay....and improve weight balance) I decided to relocate the batter to the passenger storage bin. I also scooped up a pre-87 coolant reservoir which is located on the drive strut tower instead of right in front of the radiator.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ed-IwIzyyV0/T-IDP9WR2HI/AAAAAAAACnQ/9s190Q0BEgQ/s1007/2010-10-16+14.35.48.jpg

Leveling the mounding brackets for the battery box
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7PDTiYI3y6A/T8ZuoOoq72I/AAAAAAAABFQ/46QeczNoUEs/s1007/2010-09-11+16.16.22.jpg

150amp breaker...check.
2 gauge welding cable...check
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CDplGtY69fI/T8ZuyGygyZI/AAAAAAAABF4/dTsThmYvhgs/s1007/2010-09-12+12.09.10.jpg

Platinum Power!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1v-MJoVx8xc/T8ZuyHefheI/AAAAAAAABGA/MCxhlcMiomI/s1007/2010-09-12+13.43.16.jpg

Since I had the interior largely disassembled and I was playing with electricity I figured I'd go ahead and replace the tired old and hot incandescent bulbs with LEDs

Map lights are 30* cone single "amber" LED's from SuperbrightLEDs.com They aren't the brightest but them provide enough light to read....a map. If anyone these days is still competent enough to use one /rant. But they are dim enough to keep on without them being distracting kinda like an "attack mode" of sorts :lol:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TIRp3-ZVFJg/T8ZwOdI74gI/AAAAAAAABUA/WEI9F99YVXk/s1007/2010-10-06+22.38.34.jpg

Decided to touch up the sunroof switch since I had it removed. Not sure why mazda made these white in the first place?
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J1xhz_kYcyk/T8ZwOQg9KLI/AAAAAAAABT8/qRfh-gMf1aA/s1007/2010-09-27+20.56.14.jpg

Dome light is a 4-LED wide cone unit that slips right into the factory fuse-style socket. Yes, its as bright as it looks :icon_tup:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BdepI3dhDEQ/T8ZwPchTDKI/AAAAAAAABUQ/9AYccnihndQ/s1007/2010-10-06+22.39.26.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

Finally got around to getting the V-mount fabbed up, no easy task as this is my daily, but when there's a will, there's a way. While I had the basic concept and most of the parts necessary, the devil is in the details and I did not possess the welding skill to make it happen. So I enlisted the help of a fellow forum member, and this was the mock up.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RFZOGgmI_N4/T-IDQZC_KyI/AAAAAAAACnc/Y7F3-anI9QU/s1007/2010-10-23+17.25.10.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o4Wqu4Pxkv0/T-IDQ9HAuKI/AAAAAAAACng/yEkdMMf6qmQ/s1007/2010-10-23+17.25.22.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v3rfxN-SFwQ/T-IDRLE_7eI/AAAAAAAACnk/67c_ltHS8Gg/s1007/2010-10-23+17.25.39.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PRdcasBwwOY/T-IDTegX-TI/AAAAAAAACoA/pMUQ-iGhHtQ/s1007/2010-10-23+17.26.07.jpg

More details on the K-Tec V-mount setup can be found here: http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=933572

[Sharingan 19]

Once the mount locations were finalized and the pipe routing was worked out the project started really coming together. The fans were placed on top of the a/c condenser because it was believed there wasn't enough room to fit them between the cross bar and the top tank of the rad
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KJ3192crs7k/T-IETt4vwvI/AAAAAAAACpI/fgcAFE0EtdQ/s1007/2010-11-13+14.58.39.jpg

IC uses a 2" inlet because that is the outlet size of the stock (as well as hybrid) turbos. and the outlet is 2.5"
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OggkpRVivs0/T-IESLJxiFI/AAAAAAAACo0/wdHEQZkPG4g/s1007/2010-11-13+14.57.51.jpg

Going to have to work on clearing out this area. Removing the stock coolant overflow was a big help, but there is still plenty of obstruction left. Testing would reveal how much a problem it really is
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7AAS2Gh7MEQ/T-IEWxCW0tI/AAAAAAAACp4/KPyrSjQTYJ4/s1007/2010-11-14+15.53.38.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

A seemingly minor, yet important change to the setup, I swapped the fans from pushers (inefficient) to pullers (more efficient) and moved them between the cross bar and top tank of the rad. They BARELY fit, but them fit.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H0CR76h02Sg/T-IET6BiF4I/AAAAAAAACpU/KDJ5fGnV2yY/s1007/2010-11-13+15.01.47.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YHh6zrYM2Xo/T-IEUOzpRlI/AAAAAAAACpQ/b5jxtfpeFvY/s1007/2010-11-13+19.19.22.jpg

In an effort to provide additional cooling I also made some bumper vents. These are the V1 prototypes and while not exactly stylish they do keep temps in check on the highway
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/164770_674562749131_4777760_n.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yyTfV9d4U9A/T-IEWRWxX1I/AAAAAAAACpw/MkIX1A3nWE4/s555/2010-11-14+16.10.02.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7voKNNqv69k/T8ZwP3RGP0I/AAAAAAAABUY/VtqRHVB0TV4/s755/2010-11-01+18.15.21.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

Even the the Infini seats are "stock" they didn't just bolt to the stock rails completely without incident. 3 of the 4 mounting points were fine, but there was one that just refused to cooperate.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-axUusUw748Q/T8ZwPvNMwKI/AAAAAAAABUc/2H3hMpc5fL0/s1007/2010-11-14+13.13.15.jpg

Nothing a little ball bearing action can't fix.....
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kV1StP3HpOE/T8ZwQu_yVHI/AAAAAAAABUw/ffh7kqaK5UU/s755/2010-11-14+13.13.51.jpg

A little vacuum before final install
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Rt1PLmwOLoU/T-IJzmffxPI/AAAAAAAACrk/9_T8R1hiVxU/s1007/2010-12-19+21.05.43.jpg[/

[Sharingan 19]

A few weeks later I hit up a local car show (sibling rivalry). There are some advantages to having a chalk board door...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t1QWXKr12B4/T8ZwZf3xn2I/AAAAAAAABVI/AIxQQ_1GCGw/s1007/2010-11-07+11.43.21.jpg

[Sharingan 19]

Stock S4 Cluster
http://www.fototime.com/97E648B9912527C/orig.jpg

Cool enough I suppose, I thought about converting to S5 for a little bit but I could never find one that wasn't pink, plus the gauges are LESS accurate than the S4 cluster, so no real point there.

I bought a set of pro-sport premium amber gauges try to retro-fit them into the stock cluster, but 52mm gauges take up a decent amount of space. Once they came out with the 45mm series it was a different story however.

Full J-spec gauge cluster thread: Writeup: JSpec Gauge Cluster - RX7Club.com (http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=938512)

Testing
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-adxtHnlSU5Q/T8ZxR--PWKI/AAAAAAAABaQ/oI45u6rgglY/s944/2010-11-21+18.12.56.jpg

Complete, with boost gague reinstalled
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AzXx7aUOL8o/T8juhGbVbHI/AAAAAAAABkg/afkexeukSDY/s944/2010-12-29+22.44.43.jpg[/QUOTE]

[Anoesis]

nice!