The blackhole to my paychecks =p

[imstillonjava]

I thought I'd backdate a little before memory gets more muddled.
The fd was the 3rd car I'd ever owned. It came at a great deal, but definitely needed a lot of TLC. Clean title, great price, strong motor (was on its 3rd one), reliability mods....and....left a lot to be desired in the chassis with 208,000 miles. As expected, the interior, the suspension, and the body needed some good amount of work.

I picked it up end of spring 2006.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/car2/4.jpg

And then I got to doing a lot of maintenance.

New tires, fuel pulsation dampener, spark plugs, fuel filter, flushed all fluids, new master and slave clutch cylinders, new battery, new balljoints for the front lower and upper control arms, new tie rods, switched in another set of twins, and started fixing some of the cracked interior pieces like the driverside door+ trim. New glovebox handle, center tunnel since the brackets for broken and loose, driverside window switch was dead as well.

I eventually got around to the funner stuff. I picked up a HKS downpipe and sent it to Swaintech for their White Lightening ceramic coating. I've never seen any ceramic coat that could compare, but its surface texture renders its application to be more limited.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/rx7sell/05-07_10.jpg
I also picked up the UIM and LIM ceramachromed from Rich.
HKS RS intakes with some purple filters went on as well :D
Can't forget the Apex-i PFC
Oh...and I decided I didn't want the. airpump and installed block off plates.
..and a polished alternator cover.

The carpet...oh man that needed to GO! That eliminated a great amount of smell in the interior!
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k26/ssmokybear/3rd%20Gen%20RX-7/P3020194.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k26/ssmokybear/3rd%20Gen%20RX-7/P3020197.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k26/ssmokybear/3rd%20Gen%20RX-7/P3020245.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k26/ssmokybear/3rd%20Gen%20RX-7/P3020298.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k26/ssmokybear/3rd%20Gen%20RX-7/P3020284.jpg

After updating the carpet, I freshened up the shiftboot and ebrake boots from Redlinegoods and topped it off with a rx8 5 speed shiftknob.

The cat was beyond dead on the car, as was the thermal exhaust. They both were past their last leg. So out it dropped and in went a SMB metallic cat and a Ganador titanium exhaust....only to be replaced later on with a Feed sonic titanium exhaust....which then got replaced with....another Feed sonic titanium exhaust. hahaha.

man I love engrish.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/ganador/0.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/ganador/3.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/ganador/ex3.jpg
See? I really did have two :X
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/0011.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/cmak127/R_HJAjqAb-I/AAAAAAAAEqE/F0NDzM7QsaA/0006.jpg

I went through the strut bar phases.
First the Autoexe front, then the ARC titanium one....twice =P I never learn!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/rx7sell/one.jpg
I was sad to let the rear Autoexe go, I spent so much time making it fit so flush!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/rx7sell/rear-bar1.jpg

And then boost controller phases. Knightsports EBSIII, ESIV, and I finally settled on the Apex-i AVCR.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/rx7sell/ebsiv2.jpg

Oh...and suspensions....aragosta? ohlin? aragosta?...ohlin pcvs it is!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/rx7sell/ara1.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/aroaro26-img600x402-1183653670c__37_.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/rx7sell/arag2.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/rx7sell/12008.jpg

Somewhere along the lines I ended up upgrading the fuel setup with a supra pump and refreshed 550s and 1300s using Witchunter.
Oh yeah! and the surge tank cover.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/rx7sell/fuelpump.jpg

[imstillonjava]

Can't forget the exterior...
I wanted to go all FEED. So eventually, I had pieced together a set of FEED cf hood, fenders, rear fenders (yet to go on the car permanently), and cf sidesteps.
I have the RE-Amemiya diffuser with the side generators still sitting in the study room garnering dust for the time being also.

And I ended up picking up a set of FEED halogen signals/fogs, tow hooks, and light covers.

I know theres also a brand spanking new set of Ganador side mirrors hiding somewhere in the garage along with the newer round tail lights.

And the parts along with the EVO-R projector headlights somehow turned my montego blue car half unpainted black.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/zebra3.jpg

And these CE28s which were put on just to see how flush it would sit with the rears....are actually just hanging out in the garage as is with not a mile on them :( I rolled it onto the driveway about once so far! What a shame.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/rims3.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/rims2.jpg

The seats in the car were torn (at least the driverside was terribly so, and it smelled funny as well!) So after much debate, I ended up going with a ASM Recaro TS-G bucket set.
http://www.freewebs.com/jrsch22a/0001.jpg
http://www.freewebs.com/jrsch22a/0002.jpg
http://www.freewebs.com/jrsch22a/0003.jpg
http://www.freewebs.com/jrsch22a/0004.jpg

And in the last couple months, I decided to finally install these delrin bushings I purchased, but in the course of installing those, getting the arms beadblasted and then clearcoating them, it was discovered more oem pillowballs, bushings, and rubber boots that were in need or replacement as well as the boots at the end of the tie rods.
And a start on the suspension got bigger and bigger. Everything was out, and I decided to upgrade the sway bars to a set of Feed sways I found for a good deal. And I decided to pair that up with a bunch of Super Now parts and a Makers7 tranny brace.
That'd be a great improvement to go along with the Noltec motor mounts that were installed earlier.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/0018.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/0017.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/0014.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/0010.jp
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/0009.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/005.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/0013.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/0015.jpg

And then an opportunity for a Raceshop roll bar came by, and I didn't want to miss this chance again...
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/0016.jpg

Ah, I forgot about this piece earlier. Polished and ceramic coated.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/0019.jpg

And last on my agenda for this post, but definitely not least. Something I wanted to replace the EVO-R headlights with because I wasn't satisfied with fitment or quality....a buddy helped me get a hold of these to go on the car.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/001.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/002.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/003.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/004.jpg

Things that still need to go on now that are still packed away or enroute.
-RE-Amemiya VMIC
-Knightsports RF420 turbos.
-Apexi AST

Ah...might I add, newest part on the car is a red/pinkish r-magic oil cap...thats nifty and cool looking, but matches nothing like all getout!



...I can't wait to drive this thing again!

[KaiFD3S]

daym Carol, how much cash have you spent...LOL...I thought I spent a lot....

[Brent]

your car is looking great!! Tons of very nice and rare parts! I really like your seats. From the pictures though, it looks like they sit higher than stock, is that right? BTW, keep those headlights away from Charlie :D

[imstillonjava]

your car is looking great!! Tons of very nice and rare parts! I really like your seats. From the pictures though, it looks like they sit higher than stock, is that right? BTW, keep those headlights away from Charlie :D

I shimmed them to stock height because......i'm 5'3'' and need to see over the steering wheel. HAHAHAH. But they can drop much lower.

[bbade]

wow awesome car man, i'm rather jealous :)

[charlies7]

NOOOOOO. How much did you get the headlights for? Im a HUGE fan of R-Magic and I really like your taste in parts. Great project and keep us updated. If you ever wanna sell the lights give me a jingle :)

[MaczPayne]

Wow, I just walked in on Christmas.

You make me jealous. Will it be done before 7stock?!

[imstillonjava]

daym Carol, how much cash have you spent...LOL...I thought I spent a lot....

I'm just trying to catch up to you! Your car is an inspiration ^_^

NOOOOOO. How much did you get the headlights for? Im a HUGE fan of R-Magic and I really like your taste in parts. Great project and keep us updated. If you ever wanna sell the lights give me a jingle :)

I dont know if I would sell it, but if you ever want to pick up a set, I know a little birdie that can get you a price that I think is a little better than elsewhere :)

Wow, I just walked in on Christmas.

You make me jealous. Will it be done before 7stock?!

Ken wanted me to have it ready, but I think it'd be a bit rushed. I'd have only a little more than a month to work with. Guess we'll see, but my prediction is 'not likely' :( I'll still swing by sevenstock though!

[Miata_mx5]

I dont know if I would sell it, but if you ever want to pick up a set, I know a little birdie that can get you a price that I think is a little better than elsewhere :)




He does not want lights just yet i think, maybe something else though.......:suspect:

[charlies7]

indeed......:rofl:

He does not want lights just yet i think, maybe something else though.......:suspect:

[Max777]

Nice! this looks to me like the proper way to build a car like the FD!

Althrough... I vote to get your lights replaced with RE-Amemiya lights, those looks a lot better than the squinty eye r magics... but that's just me!

[imstillonjava]

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/colors.jpg

colorzzzzz!

[MaczPayne]

Why must you taunt me with those Ohlins?

Oh, you're also missing those Nagisa Auto UCA's :P

[renesisfury]

Wow! Beautiful build, I can see that the black hole is active.

[imstillonjava]

Why must you taunt me with those Ohlins?

Oh, you're also missing those Nagisa Auto UCA's :P

The blackhole decided it was more reasonable to insert delrin bushings intead ahahaha. In my weak defense, I try to only replace things that are broken on the car :X :lol:

[imstillonjava]

update! been at the bodyshop. the guy's doing an awesome job so far :)
too lazy to write, i'lljust post pics.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/1.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/2.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/3.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/4.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/5.jpg

[need RX7]

Very nice!!

[N3philum]

you have done what i want to do w/my car almost to a T. sexy build.

[AHarada]

What a nice always-changing list of mods. I can't wait to see it all done.

I think you're the biggest baller I know!

[FD3sAutobot]

The combo with the feed front and the r-magic lights make your FD look soooo pissed off. I like it :biggthumpup:

[Herblenny]

WOW!! Looks good!

What are the specs on those wheels??

[imstillonjava]

WOW!! Looks good!

What are the specs on those wheels??

18x9.5 +18 or was this one +22
19x10.5 +22. and this one was +18 ?

....i dont remember :( hahaha

[Herblenny]

18x9.5 +18 or was this one +22
19x10.5 +22. and this one was +18 ?

....i dont remember :( hahaha

WOW! I didn't know they were that low of an offset.

Looks really good! Any issues with rubbing or anything??

[imstillonjava]

WOW! I didn't know they were that low of an offset.

Looks really good! Any issues with rubbing or anything??


......not...anymore :)

It requires shaving two of the wheel well/fender guard tabs for the front. I'll have to come up with a new way to hold the plastic fender wells in place.
The rears fender overlays are shaved a little, and quarter panel is being cut and welded. Painter's also fabricating a fiberglass piece to seal up that gap between the fender overlay and the body.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/6.jpg

[Herblenny]

COOL! Post ton of pics please!!!

I'll be doing this to my blk FD soon... I guess I should go ahead and test fit the rear quarters.. Also, any advice would be appreciated!

[Rotary#10]

wow i love what you've done to the interior came out sweet !!!

[SHPmainMAN]

Simply amazing, and great taste with all of your parts. If you are ever looking for more parts dont hesitate to get ahold of me. i can get almost anything.

Mike Arnold
superiorhp.com
810-965-4684

[WE3RX7]

I was waiting for this project update.

By far, I think the biggest improvement, is the interior. Just needs a steering wheel! I love the exterior mods too, but the FD is gorgeous either way, its nice to see you made that interior clean again.


God I want an FD now.....

[Brent]

Looking very good!! What color are you going to paint the exterior?

[millertime]

damn... wish you could find a way to mold those headlights in so it doesn't look like they're still pop-ups, that is amazing!

[imstillonjava]

couldn't resist adding another shot...

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/dsc_0280.jpg

[MotoTek]

I just spotted this thread. Great build up. I'll have to post mine up soon.

[RIZZXX7]

great build, I like those headlights and the suspension pieces is just insane!!

[millertime]

how much did all the feed stuff cost ya? and the R-magic headlights? I can't decide if I want those or the EVO-R ones, this of course will be a year or too away, first things first... rebuild and street port!

[imstillonjava]

how much did all the feed stuff cost ya? and the R-magic headlights? I can't decide if I want those or the EVO-R ones, this of course will be a year or too away, first things first... rebuild and street port!

I went with Shine Auto Project's feed replica parts for the body panels...i figured for something that was going to get worked on, prepped, and really had no difference to the originals...I'd save some money that way. I've been slowly collecting the parts along the way, so I don't recall the total, but his prices are listed online here and there.

Miata_mx5 helped source me the R-magic lights. As a reference price, RHDjapan's list price is $2078. Definitely pricier than the EVO-R lights :)

[imstillonjava]

update:

Feed GTIIR afflux wing came in the mail :D
Not a wing I plan to rock everyday, but I do plan to have it mounted for now.

Other non-exterior mods that are slowly accumulating in the room:
- 4.3 final drive
- Works bell rapfixII quick release w/ short hub and Personal steering wheel
- Mazdaspeed titanium ebrake handle...and the redlinegoods leather tunnel cover waiting.
- polished throttle body

I was about to take progress pictures yesterday, but forgot my camera.
I think I was better off not taking pictures anyway.
All the jambs are done and finalized! Only thing that won't be painted this time around is the engine bay. I'll wait until I rebuild the motor and go the single turbo route I'm planning to have the 'bay sprayed as well.

So far, the painter's got a base coat sprayed on all the work to check for areas to fix.
The painted used for the base coat is a similar shade...but doesn't resemble at all the car's actual paint color.
Due to this, the car looked pretty "ug-mo" because it had a nice funky base shade painted on the panels, which threw off the finished shade in the jambs.
I didn't really want to post pictures of that....Everybody who's had the sneak peak at the shop is absolutely confused on how the final paint should look now. I didn't want the whole online community to think I was ruining the car as well! haha.

The reason why he went with a "similar" (and by similar, I mean how pink is to purple, and mold green is to forest green) color instead of the actual color for the base spot check.....is because the paint i chose is unfortunately...stupid expensive =p I think he mentioned that his cost on the paint is around $500-600/quart. So, by using a cheaper paint to spot check and base lay the paint...we won't have to waste so much of the expensive stuff. Sneaky sneaky! And nicer on the bank account.

=T


Good news is, estimated time of finish: ~ 2 weeks! :D
Bad news, no pictures this time around.

[JShiz]

Your car is amazing. I love the pissed off look it got going on. A nice change from seeing really "happy" mazdas.

[Brent]

Can't wait to see the finished pictures Carol. The Feed GTIIR Afflux has always been one of my favorite wings since it came out!

[imstillonjava]

majority of the car got sprayed over this weekend.

you see it here it first!

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/01.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/03.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/07.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/09.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/11.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/12.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/02.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/04.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/05.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/06.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/08.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/10.jpg

[RX7 RAGE]

nice ;)

[Herblenny]

WOW! Looking good!

[RHDJapan]

awesome looking machine! The masterpiece is almost complete... We all await anxiously to see the finished product!

[need RX7]

update! been at the bodyshop. the guy's doing an awesome job so far :)
too lazy to write, i'lljust post pics.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/1.jpg



I love this pic so much, it looks like the car is super pissed and about to rip someone in half. :icon_tup:

[imstillonjava]

Wetsanding = temporarily looking like regression hahahaha ^_^

sneak peak:
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/dsc_0184.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/dsc_0180.jpg

[MaczPayne]

My next question to you is:

Where are the STOPTECH's?! :P

I want to see that on the track soon!

[imstillonjava]

hahaha yeah. Definitely need brakes now. Just still deciding which way to go.

Its also in need of an alignment. I've got twin 25 row oil coolers that need to go on, the raceshop roll cage....and i've recently sold my knightsports twin turbo setup and im starting to plan my single turbo route :)

[Herblenny]

Looking great!! Can't wait to see it all polished up!

[Brent]

Really looking good!!! Can't wait to see it once you are finished wetsanding, buffing, and polishing the paint!! Was there much orange peel in it to begin with?

[prrex4ever]

Awesome project! Those suspension parts make me envious, enjoy.

[imstillonjava]

Really looking good!!! Can't wait to see it once you are finished wetsanding, buffing, and polishing the paint!! Was there much orange peel in it to begin with?

For the most part, it didnt seem like there was excessive orange peel :)
only problem now is im waiting for a hood to be made to finish up. may have to borrow a matte black oem hood to buy time :(

[MaczPayne]

So tempting!

[MotoTek]

Carol, what other stuff did you replace on the suspension besides bushings and balljoints? Your FD is going to look great when its done...

I need more updates!!!! :cheers2:

[imstillonjava]

Carol, what other stuff did you replace on the suspension besides bushings and balljoints? Your FD is going to look great when its done...

I need more updates!!!! :cheers2:


besides the bushings and balljoints? uhm.. :/ front and rear sway bar spherical endlinks. feed sway bars. supernow front sway mounts, supernow tie rods, ohlin pcv coilovers,

[imstillonjava]

peace at last.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/fin2.jpg

[Herblenny]

Carol, More pics please :)

Also can you give me a ride @ 7stock?? :)

[MotoTek]

Damn, that is one sexy FD!

[imstillonjava]

Carol, More pics please :)

Also can you give me a ride @ 7stock?? :)

But I've already started taking it apart hahahah. I want to hold off on front end pics because the hood is not done yet from Ken...I'm just substituting with a a flat black painted oem hood for the next month.

[Brent]

Looks great Carol!!!

[Herblenny]

Are you going with Feed hood?

Also, if you think your car will be ready in Aug and want to show off at the Formula Drift Infineon Raceway – Sonoma, CA | August 21-22.

I could get you into Exedy booth.

[imstillonjava]

Sonoma's probably a bit too far north for me, but thanks for the offer :)
Yep, I'm waiting for Ken's revamped feed hood. I sold off my old carbon one I had earlier this year in preparation for it.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/fin5.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/fin4.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/fin3.jpg

[MotoTek]

:bowdown:

I love the GT wing Carol, don't take it off. I know a lot of people will hate on it, but I think it finishes the car off nicely.
That color really pops in the sun too. Can't wait to see it in person at 7stock.

[imstillonjava]

:bowdown:

I love the GT wing Carol, don't take it off. I know a lot of people will hate on it, but I think it finishes the car off nicely.
That color really pops in the sun too. Can't wait to see it in person at 7stock.

hahaha, right?
Everyone's lecturing me on how to adjust the angle on the wing already :o10: hahahahah. Give me a break people, it was 25 minutes out of the bodyshop. LOL! :)

[dregg100]

keep those headlights away from me! how about a head on shot?

[imstillonjava]

keep those headlights away from me! how about a head on shot?

I'll have some free time on Sunday to hunt for some new screws for the lens. I'll post up a pic hopefully this weekend of the front end with the lens installed. I've got a deadon front shot without the lens, and it just looks...incomplete :)

[AHarada]

Nice pix. :)

[Brent]

Turned out very nice Carol. I think that has a very clean look to it with some flamboyance added in without being too overstated.

[MaczPayne]

Damn! Love that color!

[charlies7]

How is the lighting Carol?

[prrex4ever]

Luv the color, very unique built. Congrats!

[Herblenny]

Carol, You want to show your car off at the Formula Drift, Toyota Speedway at Irwindale – Irwindale, CA | October 16th - 17th, 2009??

I just got off the phone with the Exedy rep and he told me he has a spot open.... Let me know.. If so, I would need pictures of your car (interior, exterior, and engine bay). and mod list :)

Email the pics to: herblenny@gmail.com

PHIL

[imstillonjava]

some things i've been up to:

0. replacing most of my bolts to a black oxide finish for the frontend of the car
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/1.jpg
1. wiring the r-magic lights: it was pretty straightforward after figuring out the functions of each wire (no thanks to the instructions written in japanese). but it took me around 5 tries before the wiring was clean enough for my standards =p I still need to finish aiming them when I wrap everything else up.

2A. installing the raceshop rollbar that's been in my garage for about 2 yrs. but getting the rollbar installed led to a bunch of other distractions......
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2.jpg

3. like replacing two broken lightbulbs in the rear tail lights...only to find...

4. 2 broken bulbs for the rear license plate, broken brackets, and broken plastic. So instead of hunting down new brackets, I just "ghetto" fabbed some new brackets out of some aluminum stock
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/3.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/4.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/5.jpg

5. found my FEED tow hooks forgotten in a box and installed the front. realized i need to order the rear oem tie down to get the rear hook installed....need to do that soon

6. popped the center console out, only to start working on getting the redline goods leather center applied
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/6.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/7.jpg

7. and then i finally got around to cutting off the old ebrake and installing the mazdaspeed titanium handle
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/8.jpg

8. then i figured it was the perfect time to install a RE Amemiya short shifter. realized the rubber boots on mine are all torn up, so another part to order from malloy mazda now....
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/9.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/10.jpg

9. got distracted measuring out my rims to see if it could clear a certain big brake caliper. =/ no deal.

10. Got some side bolster and seat belt protectors for my Recaro seats in the mail :D
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/11.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/12.jpg

2B. got back on track and started working on the rollcage. man.....that thing is a PAIN in the butt to install, when you're only a little more than 100lbs, with an injured dominant arm. good thing for boyfriends that can help! cage is almost done.....
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/13.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/14.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/15.jpg

I sure hope I can wrap up the cage install tonight, and clean up my garage. The S2000 lost its garage spot for the last two weeks as I worked on the car....and what with the fires....
kinda feel bad for leaving it out there.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/16.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/17.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/18.jpg


Oh...and a gratuitous shot of my cerberus, Sumo - who keeps me company when I'm in the garage.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/19.jpg

immediate things left to do:
-wrap up install of the rollbar
-install my works bell short hub, quick release, personal steering wheel
-sakebomb garage dual oil cooler install
-replace front windshield

long term things to do:
....well, lets talk about that later.

[Herblenny]

Looking good!!! That reminds me.. My raceshop rollbar's been sitting in my basement for about 2-3 years also.. You are making me want to install it! See you at 7stock!

[imstillonjava]

i've had a few PITA moments with the cage.

1. couldnt get the car high enough off the ground with the jack that I had to tap a 1/2" hole with the drill bit I bought...so I ended up picking up a shorter drill bit from Mcmaster-Carr. I love how I can willcall from them same day

2. the kit comes with short 1.25" bolts for the main roll hoop, which aren't long enough for me to initially draw up the floor and pull the sandwich plate in with the nut and bolt. So I picked up a handful of a 2" bolts and a 4 nuts w/o nylon locks to initially pull the sandwich plate up, before replacing it with the shorter bolts.

3. It was a pain aligning all 4 holes until I realized that its near impossible unless its bolted in a certain pattern, starting with the bolt that sits off on the "bent" part of the footprint.


Live and learn I suppose. I finally finished bolting down one side tonight. Hopefully I can do it faster now on the other side, and then all that's left for the cage is to tighten up all the other connection points.

[Herblenny]

Great info! I'm now motivated to tackle this task this weekend.. thanks for the info!

[MaczPayne]

Mmm, I can't wait to see this at SS!

[imstillonjava]

The cage is FINITO!

...and I think I've overused my girlfriend points with the boyfriend :/








...who wants to help me install the oil coolers now? (kidding. ....sorta.)

[Rotary13B1]

WOW I gotta see this FD @ SS!!

[Herblenny]

More pics please :)

[prrex4ever]

Luving that roll bar!

[Brent]

I feel you pain on the Raceshop Rollbar Carol. See what I mean :D
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb31/memphisraines82/T78%20FD/RX7Parts152.jpg




Car looks great!!

[MaczPayne]

...and I think I've overused my girlfriend points with the boyfriend :/



Sounds like you need to upgrade!

[imstillonjava]

cage is in.
steering wheel is in.
i tried out the works bell quick release, but im so dang small that any distance closer that the wheel is brought in is...far too close, so i pulled that off and decided to use just the short hub alone (quick release for sale! ^_^ )
headlights are aimed and leveled.

hankook vs-2 tires arrived by ups.

you'd think i'd be ready to go to bring it back to Makito (the painter) to touch up, and finish the hood.

alas...my power steering rack took a dump.
it's spitting out royal purple power steering fluid like it ate a bad oyster, and i'm hearing an odd high pitched sound when i turn the steering wheel left.



....i don't know if the car will make it to sevenstock at all this year. i'm scrambling. we'll see :(



more pictures up of the interior all put together when i get my internet working again so i can get back on the desktop instead of using my work laptop.

[MaczPayne]

Wish you luck! Should go with a manual rack :)

[imstillonjava]

yeah - ive been trying to get ahold of Jon at Atomic Rex to see if I can get one of his billet racks...but he's not responded. Trying to find someone with a Skype account to try and ring him up for me now :/ hahaha.

[MaczPayne]

Or just rig up a rude goldberg-esque steering system, using rope and pulleys attacked to your wheel knuckles :P

[imstillonjava]

Hahahah. Maybe I'd be desperate enough to attempt a million pulleys and line to rig me up in another life where I've got two good shoulders, very little between the ears, and a thirst for amusement :D

update: More pictures I've been too lazy to post. The car has been put back together for the last week and a half...but I discovered that my power steering rack was spraying fluid - passenger side, right below the turbos, from the boot.
I'm trying to order an Atomic Rex manual rack for replacement, but no progress there. So...no car for Sevenstock....!!! Ah well, there's always next year, and hopefully it'll be more "Done" by then.

more cage pictures.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2001.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2002.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2003.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2004.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2005.jpg


interior:
I had a Works Bell quick release w/ the flip collar, but it brought the steering wheel in a bit closer. When you're short like me, you really don't need the wheel any closer than it already is, so I removed the quick release and ran with just the short hub and the adapter collar. Added in a suede Personal wheel (please excuse the yellow stitching...I got it for dirt cheap last year when Autobacs was liquidating hahah), a Mazdaspeed titanium ebrake handle, RE-Amemiya short shifter (did wonders for the shifter, the old oem one I had was shot), and some new bolster protectors for the seats.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2006.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2007.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2008.jpg

I also picked up some of the Hankook Ventus-2 tires that were on sale on tirerack. Good buy! Now hopefully, they fit. Hahahaha.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2009.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/2010.jpg


An overall expensive month it's been, between all the misc trips to McMaster-Carr picking up random hardware, getting some new tools that I needed to make life easier, tires, and picking up a set of the old N-Tech AP Racing bbk w/ stainless steel pistons, brake lines, and.....lots of going out for lunch and dinner.

[Whizbang]

hey! im running the same tires. just smaller.

[MaczPayne]

YES. 315's FTW! Go meat or go home!

[imstillonjava]

Whew! Who thought I'd have so much to update on in the last three weeks. Test drove the car today (pre-alignment). Definitely makes the S2000 feel like a Rolls Royce in comparison. Palms definitely feel like they're reading the road. It's a pain to turn sub 3 mph, but once I can get it inching, its a heckuvalotta fun.

1. Car is assembled again. Everything in the front half of the engine bay has been scrubbed clean.
2. Rewired my R-magic headlights one last time with a fire retardent loom
3. removed A/C
4. removed P/S
5. installed Atomic Rex rack (had a heckuva time trying to get it to align decently enough to drive off to get a full alignment and corner balance. Test run maybe this weekend before it rains?)
6. pulled off the driver seat again, undid the rails...and figured out how to move my seat up an additional 1 inch. Oh man, unbelievable bliss for my short self. Now its finally like heaven in the driver's seat. I don't know why I didn't do that originally. Maybe I was too lazy and eager to put the seat in and leave it there (over a year ago)
7. took off all the hardware for the supernow sway bar stuff and redid with threadlock - noticed it had backed out since the first time it was installed
8. washed a lot of bolts in Simple Green to clean up.
9. Warmed up the car once two weeks ago. Fans sound GREAT. None of that terrible broken bearing whine from before. I don't know why all the mechanics I used to go to sucked so bad that they couldn't foresee or diagnose a lot of these blatant issues like the leaking rack and the fan noise.


A few things I want to backdate to:
- well worth my money, the RS Engineering anti-surge tank cover, which turns the factory fuel control baffle into a sealed surge tank. Very well made, easy to install, with a viton seal.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/100.jpg

- Chadwick's idler pulley. Helps add contact surface to the water pump pulley, which becomes an issue after removing the air pump. Well put together kit, and when I noticed the initial bearing provided seemed faulty, they changed it out asap and warrantied it. Great service! Waiting to put this on, because I'm not sure if I want to yank my engine out first for a rebuild in preparation for the single turbo..... spoke too prematurely? Maybe.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/101.jpg

- maintenance item, new clutch switch courtesy of Ray from Malloy Mazda and his great prices
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/102.jpg

- My secret santa Elfster exchange w/ my friends scored me a much more sensitive Air Temp Sensor for me
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/103.jpg

- lastly, I've been eyeing this for a while...a braided stainless clutch line upgrade from Japan2LA on the forums
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/104.jpg

[imstillonjava]

I usually try to restrain myself on spending a bit in December because of all the Christmas presents that I have to buy....but January is a whole 'nother animal. January is my birthday month. And I like to celebrate the whole month through! :X That means lots of stuff for me, and lots of stuff for my car.

I already had a pulley kit and eliminated the air pump on the car, but I wanted to upgrade to the Super Now titanium finish kit because...well, geez, really just for superficial reasons of it looking really awesome. It makes a difference to me!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/105.jpg

A four-figured splurge I spent on myself in December for my Christmas/birthday present to myself, was I sent my GZ manifold, a polished UIM, and a polished throttle body out to get ceramic coated a nice, lowkey titanium finish, and then had the throttle body bored out at RC Engineering, and the UIM and LIM extrude honed. It finally arrived back from all the work two days ago.

Unfortunately, the coating on the UIM suffered at the hands of the Extrude Honing guys, and they scratched up the UIM massively. (thanks a lot!). I knew it was a risk getting it coated first, but the poor thing looked downright mistreated hahahah. Yesterday, I spent another $130 to pack it and send it back to the coater for a fresh new ceramic coat layer. Surprisingly, it fit perfect in the same box the Jordan 12s came in (one of the things that I bought for the boyfriend for Christmas). I made sure to peel off the Jordan sticker before sending it out, less some sneakerhead steals my expensive manifold!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/116.jpg

But otherwise, everything else came back looking amazing.

Throttle body:
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/106.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/107.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/108.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/109.jpg

[imstillonjava]

UIM:

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/110.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/111.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/112.jpg

GZ LIM:
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/113.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/114.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/115.jpg

Some flow #s showing the CFM gains on a like GZ LIM that was done by the same guys:
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/extrude.jpg

And...the latest that's come in, is a new power harness for $450 from Malloy Mazda (this'll go great with the new emissions harness I have packed away as well), and a new rear view mirror base that I'll need to use when I replace my front windshield in the very near future. I am in such awe of how brilliantly red the power terminal cover is. hahahah.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/117.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sfd/118.jpg

[imstillonjava]

update...:An ugly engine bay post, plus remnants of my birthday blow out on the car

So it occurred to me I never uploaded pictures of the engine bay....partly because it's an ugly sight to behold. It's immensely dirty from the sanding at the painter's, spilled oil from fluid changes, a leakly p/s pump AND rack...and just from years of dirt accumulating.

When I started installing the rack and taking everything apart....despite knowing that a lot of things would be pulled and replaced in the next year or so, I decided to start cleaning things so it'd feel a little better and conjure less hesitancy to touch the car without a pair of nitrile gloves on.

I'm wondering if now would be a good time to have the engine bay painted when I take it back for the Feed hood, and the idea would be to just strip the car down as much as I can short of pulling the engine, and have him paint around that - or if I should wait until the motor is pulled (but it'd make for a b*tch of a time towing the car from one place to another). Then I can have my new windshield, molding, and plastic dash drain replaced in one go as well.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/801.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/802.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/803.jpg

And then...there's my mismatched intake filters ahaha! They were both purple before, but I found the lower filter to have collected so much dust and dirt (another reason I was inspired to clean up the engine bay), that the car was choking itself up in its filth in the span of 1,000 miles. Alas, I had one spare lone orange filter left that I did not sell...and I figured it will have to do until the single turbo goes on!

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/804.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/805.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/807.jpg

[imstillonjava]

Now, last of my suspension braces. Nothing should be left in the suspension to do after this (for awhile). I picked up a pair of used JUN a-arm reinforcement braces off yahoo.auctions.jp. But the seller didn't disclose the massive amount of surface rust that got throughand under the paint!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/810a.jpg
Jacked this picture courtesy of whoever. Thanks so much.

So when I got them I started sanding away and chipping at all the crud that built up.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/808.jpg

And then I primered and painted it a nice new gloss black.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/809.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/810.jpg

Now once I get back home after the weekend ill work to get that installed, and hopefully off I finally go to align and corner balance.

More and more weight to add to the car :groan: This will be the fattest 'race' car yet....what with all the metal I've added.

And a few more odds and ends:

A new map sensor bracket for the gm 3 bar map sensor that ill eventually put to use.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/811.jpg

Some nagisa auto fender braces for my birthday that will soon go on once I pull the fenders to have some scuffs repaired
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/812.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/813.jpg
Picked borrowed, courtesy of whoever...much thanks

A new revo-tune piece
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/814.jpg

And a new recaro seat back. But stupid me only picked one up so ill have to order its twin soon :D
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/815.jpg

[islander]

Wow, i just read this entire thread... WTF.. this is nice.. I know ive spent a ton of money on my car and i'm no where near the level of this.. Keep up the good work.

[islander]

Where can i purchase that "Makers7 tranny brace"?

[imstillonjava]

The last time a friend of mine went back to Japan and visited them, he picked it up for me. Although I'm sure someone online should be able to middleman it back to you if you can't order direct from them...

[93rx7r1]

Your car is AMAZING!! You also have a great title for your build thread!

[Teenwolf1393]

what exactly do the fender braces do??

[imstillonjava]

what exactly do the fender braces do??

This fender brace increases chassis rigidity by improving the connection between the wheel wells and the area directly forward of the front doors. By improving stiffness in this region of the chassis, there is better stability under hard braking and better steering response at high speeds.

I was doubtful about the effectiveness of these, but a handful of people who have installed these have felt a noticeable improvement in handling upon turn in.

My chassis has a million miles on it, so anywhere I can reinforce and add rigidity to it - I'm gungho about.

:)

[MaczPayne]

Can't wait to see this baby out on the track!!!

[prrex4ever]

Totally awesome built, good luck on the track with her.

[imstillonjava]

Final touches before dropping the car back down, I took the the black painted JUN a-arm braces and installed them. Nice and simple bolt in affair. Just had to back out the bolts and replace, nothing needed to be disassembled (for which I was grateful).

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/0a1.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/0a2.jpg

Somebody on the forum hit me up for the old Nitto NT01s that were on the car- 245s and 275s (since I had the new Hankook Ventus just sitting around). so I pulled off the Nittos and sold them to him and mounted on the fatty 265/315s. They look great! And they also currently do not fit the car with the car's alignment completely out of wack from the delrin bushing install, new rack, and tie rods. I think, even with the alignment, it will either barely clear....or barely not. Alignment & corner balance @ Evasivemotorsports is scheduled for the first Sat of April, so ::fingers crossed::. Otherwise, off these tires go, and on something new goes. I definitely felt like I had a little more space to play with when I had the 245s/275s....we'll find out exactly how much space that should be in a few more weeks.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/0a3.jpg


After all this, I was on my way to putting the car back together. Bumper back on, headlights back on, car back on the ground.
....and then I realized I forgot to put on my Nagisa fender braces.
Sure, I'll eventually have one reason or another to take the car back apart, and then I can throw the braces on then. But I have more than enough parts stockpiled and waiting for a good time to be installed. I figured I might as well create the moment for the fender brace install since the car is garaged until it's alignment appointment.
So earlier this week, back up on the jacks it went...off the headlights, bumper, and fenders it went.

I thought it'd be a good time to show some awesome attention to detail SevenApple (Makito) did on the front fenders, as far as reinforcing the edges for structurally rigidity.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/0a5.jpg

I also cleaned off about 14 years of dirt and dust that had been gathering in that space between the body and the fender of the car. Funny how I keep finding new spots filled with crud on this car :/

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/0a6.jpg

Anyway, onward to my Nagisa fender brace install pictures. It was a really straightforward install, with great fitment. Very very close clearance to the body, but in the end - no issues with contact.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/0a7.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/0a8.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/1a0.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/1a1.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/1a2.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/1a3.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/1a4.jpg


Next update in a few weeks:
- I got my repaired UIM back with a few additional improvements to it (more pics!)
- Alignment & corner balance results

[FC3S Murray]

Great job man! I just saw a posting on Speedhunters in regards to evasive motorsports. Looks like they have came a long way.

[WE3RX7]

Love those braces... I want some :(

[imstillonjava]

Just as I was ready to put the car back on all 4 feet, I decided to change the oil....and then fix some superficial rust spots at the front of the car by the stock tow hook area. When the car's up on jackstands, its way easier to see the flaws on the car that are otherwise no more than 4 inches off the ground...

before:
http://www.rx7club.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=2240&pictureid=17437

after:
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d09.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d10.jpg

and a regression of the progress...
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d08.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d07.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d06.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d05.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d04.jpg


I also noticed that the side skirt attachment points onto the front fenders were not nearly as secure as the points onto the metal body. After removing parts off the car a few times over, the holes on the fender were loosened enough that the sideskirts weren't holding on when I tried to reassemble.

So off the fenders went again for 24 hrs while I epoxied some thread sleeves.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d01.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d02.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d03.jpg


Now the the cf sideskirts are mega-secure!
Car's got alignment and corner balance scheduled this Saturday. I need to get creative with my rim/tire setup for now, because it looks like I was a bit overly ambitious with the 315/30/18s in the rear. Absolutely will not clear and get me off the driveway with the alignment out of wack... so I'm moving the fronts to the rear for now and borrowing some temporary fronts off the boyfriend's Z33 for the alignment day.


Side note: I was watching Hannibal the other day, and check out the movie at 1:27:29....I see me a Montego Blue FD!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/d11.jpg

[prrex4ever]

Coming along nicely, looking better everyday.

[vex]

Gah!! So Jealous! I need to hurry up and graduate so I can actually afford to buy an FD.

[imstillonjava]

It Brakes My Heart (rear brakes ed).....that this car is still not on the road yet. haha.

My brakes were in dire need of an upgrade, so I had AutoRnD set me up with a RacingBrake rear OE bbk, and then journeyed down to local Fullerton to willcall it.

First to go...is the OEM brake dust shield in the rears. They don't clear the RB rotors, and they don't serve any particular function enough for me to modify and keep them. I looked all over the car and in the Mazda factory manual, and there wasn't an indication of how to remove it at all. It looked like a pressed/interference fit of the metal shell. So I tried the "delicate" route of dremeling it out with a metal cutter first. That took way too much time, and there were way too many flying carbon discs as a result...so I busted out the tiny arm muscles, and used a pair of tin snips + some can opener type action to rip those buggers off.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/01.jpg

Tried cleaning some dirt off....did it work?
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/02.jpg
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/03.jpg

Removed the calipers, cleaned then up - and gave them some fresh black caliper paint.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/04.jpg

Also painted the center bolt and hub. All done! Easy pea-sie. If only I knew about the PITA that was yet to come for the fronts.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/05.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/06.jpg

[imstillonjava]

At the end of 2009, I purchased a used set of N-Tech Engineering designed AP Racing brakes. Came with a couple sets of Ferodo pads, brackets, stainless steel brake lines, rotors with plenty of meat left, and CP5200 calipers. I kept them stored for months, and finally had the chance to break them out.

Just around that same time, someone was selling their used sets of N-Tech Engineering brake ducts. It came with the plastic ducts to match up to a 99 spec bumper, hosing, and the backing plates. I picked up the set, and ended up selling off the hosing and plastic ducts. I decided to use the backing plates, buy new hosing (that wasn't orange :/ ), and fabricate some new ducts to work with the FEED bumper (still need to get started on that part).

The toughest part of installing the backing plates? Getting the aluminum hub cap off, and then finding a long enough bar to extend my "not long enough" breaker bar, and rip off that big ol hub nut. The rotor was frozen on insanely well - the two rotor screws were stubborn...and the impact driver sucked! It was actually easier using the screw attachment and a breaker bar.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/12.jpg


After that, and about $3.00 worth of hardware in the form of long screws and misc washers and nuts....I managed to pop off the rotor by this method:
Youtube link to someone with a brilliant ideahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtsTJCRljAs.


After that, it was cake! (or so I thought).
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/25.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/26.jpg

I masked off the rotors to repaint some of the edges.
I also thought to give a try and change the color of the AP logo. That wasn't fun to mask off.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/07.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/09.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/08.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/10.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/11.jpg

[imstillonjava]

Okay, looking good...right?
But wait! I should have checked this first! There's a crack on the passenger side bleeder screw. This caliper won't do anymore :/
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/13.jpg

....that was an unhappy week. hahah. Anyway, I sucked it up - and made my way over to Stillen in Costa Mesa, who's an authorized distributor for AP Racing. The benefits of living in So Cal :) Everything can be found locally! Really, really great customer service there - and they were a great help in working with me to purchase a replacement. The logo had changed somewhat, and the AP lettering is rounded off now instead of squared, so I walked away with an entirely new set of calipers and new lines.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/16.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/17.jpg


But how am I supposed to replace the AP original aluminum pistons, with the upgraded stainless steel pistons in my old set? (Please keep in mind, I've never done brakes before...so the fact that this tiny little chinese girl has figured this out for herself thus far, means you can do it too! Because my Mech Eng degree be damned, we learned theory - we weren't taught to be mechanics!) Well, bless the internet...turns out all I needed was the right compressed air attachment and some wood sheets to keep the pistons cushioned and balanced to pop out equally. It was annoying since different pistons chose to pop out all the way and remove pressure from the caliper system individually, but it became way easier with each passing caliper.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/18.jpg

That's right, these SS pistons are sitting on a Michaels Arts & Crafts receipt. That's where I buy my wood piston cushioning car tools. Where do you buy yours? :)
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/19.jpg

Comparison shot.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/20.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/21.jpg

....anddddd FINITO! (not really)
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/28.jpg

I stripped the flare not bolts for the hard steel brake line that connects to the flexible brake line on the driver side, and now I'm waiting for Ray at Malloy to save my day with a new hard steel brake line en route....

but for the most part, front calipers, rotors, flexible steel brake lines, brake pads, and brake ducted backing plates are installed!

Just need the driver side replacement hard brake line, duct hose, and to fabricate some fiberglass ducts now.

PS - I also took the time to clean up the trashed caliper....resurfaced it, and repainted it, and now its this really super nifty business card holder that I use at my cubicle :)
Anybody need a single spare AP caliper? I've got one good one sitting around missing its pair :/

PPS - One car always gets jealous of another. The DD S2000's brakes went out while I was working on the FD's brakes. Talk about last minute reminder on the indicators! I had to rush to get some new Stoptech rotors and pads for my frontsies. Not good driving 80 miles a day on brake pads that looked like this!

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/14.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/15.jpg

[Silver86]

looking good!

[Max777]

your parts list on this car reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuzzMfHZR8c

And that's the only way to do it, rock on!

[imstillonjava]

your parts list on this car reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuzzMfHZR8c

And that's the only way to do it, rock on!

gotta do it right, right? :)

[imstillonjava]

While I wait for the driver side hard line, there was one more thing to zap out of the way - the master cylinder.

What's the point of upgrading my 4 corners of braking, if the pedal feel blows? So I figured, take it all out in one shot!

I looked into the FEED master cylinder upgrade, and IMO, it was a very overpriced option, for what we can put together here on our own w/o importing anything. The FEED master cylinder upgrade brings the stock 15/16" piston to a 1" piston size...for about $450 bucks. Where as the 929 master cylinder also brings the piston size up to 1", but the cost is closer to around $100-200 depending on whether you go new or remastered. So I went with the 929 cylinder from Ray at Malloy, and bought a new tank to replace my yellowed original one. I followed a couple different writeups I found online, and bought several 12" brake lines that were already inverted flared on both ends. It took a few tries to get the bends in the lines just right....but I finally got them done to my satisfaction. One line needs to be invert flared on both ends, and the second line was invert flared on one end, and used a banjo fitting at the other.

I also stripped and repainted the black bracket, and cleaned everything else around.

Tah-dah! I'm rather proud of how well it turned out.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/22.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/23.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/brakes/24.jpg

[MaczPayne]

Carol, I didn't know you were an ME! I just graduated 4 weeks ago in ME as well :)

Looks like you know brakes now! Gotta take her out on the track when she's done!

[JShiz]

This build thread is like a hate/love relationship for me. I love looking at the build quality of this car. I hate the temptation that it gives me to blow all of my money on the 7

[speedjunkie]

^Amen to that. AFGMoto's is another one. Carol, people like you and him doing this stuff to your cars makes me wish I was a druglord or something lol.

[Herblenny]

This build thread is like a hate/love relationship for me. I love looking at the build quality of this car. I hate the temptation that it gives me to blow all of my money on the 7

I know... It is thread like this is how I ended up blowing money on my FD for the past 10+ years.

Carol, GR8 build!

[Prodigy]

I know... I get so jealous when I see the progress on these types of builds..

i have put almost $10,000 into my car since I bought it (Jan 2010) and yet it is still not running...

now that 10K does include a multitude of mostly used, some new parts, almost all the body pieces I want to add and some half ass shape BBS'

but this thread still rains on my day sometimes...

before you put that awesome rebuilt 929 unit back in there... you might want to consider "bench bleeding" if you have not yet... it makes the rest of the bleeding process quite a bit easier and sometimes go smoother...

this video show it... oGVnS4BetlA


looks awesome!!!! keep making me green with envy :D


J.

[Max777]

Great tip, but...

If you're baller like that, you probably have a pressure bleeder system, like professional shops.

...right? :D

[imstillonjava]

I know... It is thread like this is how I ended up blowing money on my FD for the past 10+ years.

Carol, GR8 build!

Funny you say that, when yours is one of the build threads that got me going!

I am bench bleeding the mc, but I'm doing that installed in the car, so that I can use the pedal effort instead of manually pushing at the cylinder. The nice thing about buying the mc, was that it came with the plastic adapter and tubes to do the bench bleed.

I don't have a power brake flush unit...but a friend does, and I'm planning to borrow it next weekend :D

I'm waiting for my Super Blue ATE fluid to come in on Wednesday :)

Thanks everyone for your comments. Certainly helps keep me going on updating the build thread.

[MaczPayne]

You might have to disconnect the brake pedal from the rod so that you can push the rod in further. You'll need the full stroke to get the stubborn air bubbles in the end of the cylinder

Love ATE's fluid :) If you haven't gotten speed bleeders yet, get em! Don't know what I'd do without em!

[imstillonjava]

You might have to disconnect the brake pedal from the rod so that you can push the rod in further. You'll need the full stroke to get the stubborn air bubbles in the end of the cylinder

Love ATE's fluid :) If you haven't gotten speed bleeders yet, get em! Don't know what I'd do without em!

Thanks for the tip. I ended up having to remove the master cylinder anyway, because I noticed the o-ring for the remastered cylinder was much looser and out of "spec" than an oem piece, and I ended up mangling it during re-install. I remeasured both and realized the oem was a metric ID of 37.5mm O-ring, but the reman was a standard fit ID of 1.5" with a 1/8" thickness.

....if anyone needs new mc o-rings, I have 49 spares now that I don't know what to do with. Mcmaster-carr only sold it in packs of 50, and nobody local stocked a single one for me to purchase.

I did notice that getting all those air bubbles out took a good while, and I'm glad I did this with the mc off the car now :)

[imstillonjava]

After over 200,000 miles on the same windshield from factory, my visibility (especially when the sun hit), was pathetic. I worried about finding a good piece of replacement glass without trading in my kidney for a mazda oem piece (if they could even source it!). So many glass companies, even PPG, who were sold and became PGW...now manufacture their glass in china. Not that I have anything against the chinese, but a majority of the glass that comes out of there has an overtly strong blue or purple tint at the top, that just doesn't look very factory. Word has it, that a lot of the glass from China ends up pitting easier as well.

But hey, no visibility problems here, with the windshield removed!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/dsc_0666.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/dsc_0667.jpg

My stock glass had a very small, lightly blue tint at the top, but all said and done, I decided to opt for a grey/grey tinted glass instead - the last available anywhere near around me.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/dsc_0669.jpg

Safevue, South African glass.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/dsc_0675.jpg

Funny, I called around to several stores...and everyone, including Safelite were telling me the difficulties of getting anything besides the chinese glass, and tried charging me up the wahzoo for the Safevue...telling me it was the last piece of glass available. But my dad found a local wholesaler, who snatched up that last piece of glass and sold + installed it for me for half the price of the rest. I love living near an industrial area, with some searching...great deals can sometimes be found :)

I purchased the oem window seal from Ray @ Malloy, and as you can see - perfectly fine replacement, no flaws in the reflection, and only a $140 dent in my pocket for the mobile service to come here and take care of the windshield!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/dsc_0676.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/dsc_0679.jpg

[prrex4ever]

The finishing touch, new windshield looks great. Really sets off the rest of the car with the new paint and all.

[Herblenny]

Funny you say that, when yours is one of the build threads that got me going!


I guess we all push each other to do things to our cars :)

Carol, You are now inspiring me to get my front windshield replaced!! I been meaning to replaced the seal but now looking at your pics, I'm going to replace the glass too. THANKS!!! LOL!

[chrisa]

Gorgeous carr!

[imstillonjava]

I haven't had much time to work on the car....but before the afternoon that I left for vacation, I had stopped by Sevenstock and visited the ATS/Carbonetics booth.

Got a kickass deal on a 1.5 way carbon LSD for the rx-7, and a hypersingle carbon blade clutch for the 350z. I'm about 500miles into the break-in period on the 350z clutch, and its awesome. Flywheel's half the weight of the stock, so it revs up faster than a stock s2000 now - particularly noticeable when I start the car up. Clutch bites quick, pedal feel is crisp.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0240.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0246.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0261.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0277.jpg

Along with the LSD, I thought it'd be a good time to change out the final drive as well. But...to go from the 4.10 to a 4.30 or a 4.44? I couldn't decide, so I bought one of each.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0236.jpg

Can you tell which one's which from a pictures? Pretty tough. hahaha.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0239.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/4.3_2.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/4.3_1.jpg

So I decided to go with the 4.44, the 4.3 is up for sale!

[imstillonjava]

Another thing I wanted to try to do, was duct my N-tech brake backing plates. The FEED bumper has such small openings to duct from...they're great for the IC/radiator/oil coolers...but such a small inlet is left available for the brakes.

I decided to try my hand at fiberglassing. I remember the guys making the carbon seat for Formula SAE maybe 4 yrs back in school. How hard could it be? I tried to find the cheapest DYI writeup on it, to tried my hand at budget duct making.

Fabricated myself a "mold" with my $2 glue gun, leftover corrugated board, solo cups, and a coke can....plus generous amounts of duct tape. "Ghetto" much? hahaha.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0153.jpg

I read somewhere that duct tape was a good enough surface to free the fiberglass from, so...resin, hardener, and sheets of leftover fiberglass from an old project were put to the task.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0177.jpg

I made a top and bottom, snipped off the excess with my do-everything-tin-shears...
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0168.jpg

Checked for some type of flushness between the halves..
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0174.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0175.jpg

Fiberglassed the two halves together, and then did a lazy man's job of sanding and painting them black.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0222.jpg

It actually ended up slipping quite well over the lip of the FEED opening (GO ME!),
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0228.jpg

And it looks like it has relatively good ground clearance. I'd prefer if the duct ended up being more flexible instead of rigid, I decided to soft mount the duct with zipties so that it has some give if I do end up scraping it somehow....we'll see how long it works out for!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0229.jpg

Unnoticeable, right?
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0231.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0234.jpg

I'm currently testfitting the hose to get the right length down and figure out a good place to secure it without interferring with the wheel at full lock. But I'm a slow worker since I've been distracted with going out, studying, gym, and Black Ops :X Hopefully that gets done this week, and I'll have more updates!

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0251.jpg

[speedjunkie]

Nice! I love making my own stuff haha.

[imstillonjava]

I almost would rather play with fiberglass again than route the duct piping. But its done! Tested the wheel lock to lock, looks like it has plenty of room to spare. And I think it won't interfer with the VMIC thats yet to be installed (or the Sakebomb oil coolers)!

WE have LIFT OFF! haha
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0290.jpg

I wish I had a lift to capture the routing better. OH well.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0307.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0302.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/diffduct/dsc_0300.jpg

[MaczPayne]

Schwing! Coming along nicely!

[Herblenny]

Nice job on the brake duct!! I was trying to figure something out like that on my car but seeing yours gave me an idea! Thanks!

[imstillonjava]

Nice job on the brake duct!! I was trying to figure something out like that on my car but seeing yours gave me an idea! Thanks!

Whatever you've got tossing and turning in that brain of yours is probably going to be something amazing :) Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve.

[imstillonjava]

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/gargar/dsc_0264.jpg
(at the heart of it all, it still looks so stock! for now, at least)

With a big 5 day rainstorm that dropped 15ft of snow in Mammoth, and a record breaking 7 inches of rain in LA...it was way too chilly and wet to do much with the car. But the sun finally popped out for the long weekend and I was able to accomplish several things:

- apply my long delayed registration sticker
- install my new hood cowl, wiper arms, and wiper blades that Paul bought me for Xmas '09
- set the car down and test drive the brakes, make sure the new fan and rewire worked, try out the new tires, check for rubbing issues with the brake ducting
- wash my car (extra dusty from the sawdust that my dad was causing with his cabinet building)
- get started on buffing the paint to follow up on spots that were missed when it left the paintshop

It took a few times around the block to reaquaint myself with the Mazdaspeed twin disc clutch, but the good news is - my brakes work! Major pat on my back for that since I'd never worked on that before 0_o That was super important since my house and neighborhood is made of all steep and long stretches of downhills and uphills! The clutch also works...which means I didn't screw up bleeding that either :) I'm still pleasantly surprised from the excellent feedback the Atomic Rex rack provides - but with my muscles and joints falling apart as early as they are - I figured it'd be nice to purchase the Electronic Assist (EPAS) option for the rack to help make parking more of a breeze (this'll be for my birthday next month ^^;; ) There is some rubbing coming from the driverside wheelwell on right turns (admittedly, I've not tried hard lefts yet to see if its the same on the passenger side) - but I'll have to check that out soon.

Not much I can do with the car until after the new year though - first thing on the agenda is to get the car properly aligned, and then to get my Feed hood and have it paint matched. Besides that...I'll be having the differential worked on with the Greddy diff cover that I treated myself to for Xmas '10, to be installed with the Carbonetics 1.5 way carbon LSD and 4.44 rx8 ring and pinion.

Once all of this is completed, and I find time to install the VMIC and the Atomic Rex EPAS, I'd imagine there's nothing else I can do to put off dropping a single turbo in 0_o.

By the way, did I forget to mention I bought titanium shims for all 4 braking corners? Because I did! :D

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/gargar/dsc_0224.jpg

Also - for good measure, a couple more interior pictures...because they were requested :)

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/gargar/dsc_0270.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/gargar/dsc_0279.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sB/gargar/dsc_0285.jpg


I know...the steering wheel's yellow threading doesn't match. But steering wheels are like shoes for girls right? You can never have too many? I'll get around to buying another one sometime I'm sure.

[MaczPayne]

Sizzlin'

[imstillonjava]

Finally stopped getting lazy and made my appointment for corner balancing and alignment next Saturday the 19th. Figured I find out my max "streetable" height I can work with on the car, with my quadruple compound angled driveway haha..and I'll have the guys dial it in for that.

Its pretty darn conservative to avoid massive scrap-age, and I wish it could be lower but...c'est la vie. Can't have everything =/

I also started measuring out for my order on a Spearco IC. Scrapped the Knightsports VMIC idea, and am going with a custom setup to my dimensions. That'll be a fun summer project ^_^

Tape & rough measurements
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/nada/01.jpg

What can I squeeze in between the HKS intakes and the PC680 battery? Plenty, with lots of room for ducting!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/nada/02.jpg

Finally remembered to snap a "Better" picture of my new windshield cowl and wiper arms.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/nada/03.jpg

So after adjust the front corners....
I backed it out at an angle for the rear clearance test. I removed the CF diffuser for the time being.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/nada/04.jpg

Ehh...if the side canards hang that low, how low will the rest of the diffuser be? Think I can make it? :X Or think I should switch to the street diffuser?
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/nada/05.jpg

....was going to hold up the diffuser next to the car, but I was starting to die from the exhaust fumes. Anywho..without the diffuser at least, I've got plenty of space to work with.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/nada/06.jpg

How about the front?
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/nada/07.jpg

I can't install the under panel back yet. Still trying to find out when it rubs against the brake ducting on the driverside, but can't quite tell exactly where still.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/nada/08.jpg

Wheels clear fender!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/nada/09.jpg

Bumper clears!
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/nada/10.jpg
Just kidding, it wasn't quite over the worse part yet in that picture, so there was slight scraping :(

Side shot - it sits a little lower now after the corner balance, but its my most recent sun picture.
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/fd3sA/abbabab.jpg

[imstillonjava]

Went and got the car's alignment and corner balance a little earlier to beat the rainstorm coming down this weekend.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/casd/align2.jpg

God bless those Evasive guys for spending so much time dialing the car in. I had changed out so many parts on the car in one shot, that the machine was erroring out trying to read how misaligned it was :D They had to fiddle with the suspension settings to get it to even read. And what a big effing difference it was on the road. Made driving with the Atomic Rex rack wayyyy easier with all the wheels pointing in an agreeable direction :)

I'm actually quite pleased with the weight of the car, I thought it'd be heavier with all the parts I've been slapping on it.

Unfortunately, since the car's been tinkered with so many times, I'm not sure what I did to make it lose boost pressure - I discovered that issue driving back from the shop, since the car was now in better shape for some actual acceleration (and then I found I didn't have any hahah). So that's next on my list, as well as rigging up a new resistor for the airbag light, since the one that came with the Works Bell hub blew. The Works Bell hub only used a 0.15ohm, 1/8 W resistor (it was a tiny tiny little thing to read...that made me feel like I was going color blind trying to see the color bands). I'll test it out with a 1ohm next, since those are easy to find at a Radio Shack.

Rainy day projects for the weekend (unless the garage is too cold).

[prrex4ever]

Your build is really awesome, the attention to detail is #1.

[hades]

very nice !

[Doc-1]

Very Nice build. Yep these cars can just drain the cash, but the results can be ....well...off the wall!

[imstillonjava]

No real update yet, but took home the Flir thermo camera from work to learn how to use it, and got some shots of the car. Realized I should have set the temp scale higher, it maxed out at 302F because I forgot to change the range. Very expensive camera...and I realized there's a lot of adjustments to make for each image in order to pull temperatures correctly. You have to correct for ambient T first, and then adjust for the correct emissivity of each surface...still, had some fun, and got some interesting shots!

Unaltered:
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/FlirFun/corrected/02.jpg

Thermo image:
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/FlirFun/corrected/03.jpg

HKS downpipe with the swaintech white lightning ceramic coat
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/FlirFun/corrected/04.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/FlirFun/corrected/07.jpg

Another engine bay shot
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/FlirFun/corrected/05.jpg

Oil cooler
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/FlirFun/corrected/06.jpg

Exhaust - pretty sure the temp was wrong here, reflective surfaces are terrible at registering temp correctly
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/FlirFun/corrected/08.jpg


Teaser_ real updates coming soon, hint:
http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/FlirFun/09.jpg

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jrsch22a/FlirFun/dsc_0214.jpg

[hades]

great looking build.

I have messed with some thermo-guns at work. Yes anything shiny is impossible to get a good heat reading on. Pretty much need thermocouples for an accurate reading, but that doesn't look as cool :D

[Macer]

Simply awesome build thread :icon_tup: Love the attention to detail... Any more updates?