88 vert buildup and TII conversion

[reese.leblanc]

Here are some pics taken today of my vert which has been started recently. I'll try to track down pics of it when I first got it, but for now I'll start with these.

My intent for this buildup is to install a full body kit to the car for the exterior. The interior will include relocating the A/C controls and finishing up on my carputer installation. The engine will be swapped out for a TII block. In the short term I will use the top mounted intercooler but intend to go front mount at some point. My biggest goal is to retain all the creature comforts of the car as it is a daily driver/ boulevard cruiser.

That said, here we go!

[reese.leblanc]

Three quater shot and close up of front after installing Fiber Images CF hood, East Bear headlights and J-spec FTPs.

[Whizbang]

I've wondered what a racing type seat would look like in a vert.

[reese.leblanc]

Couple of pics I took today now that I have the fenders and Work wheels installed.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2861337614_e646eff159.jpg

[reese.leblanc]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2861336416_d0ab497962.jpg

[N.RotaryTech]

Nice.
Although Im not to sure about those front fenders.
Are you planing to do something to the back fenders?

[WE3RX7]

Which flares are you using for the fronts? Resembles PanSpeed. Did you actually roll the original fender beneath it?

[Phoenix7]

Amemiya flares? Very cool, props on getting a hold of the EastBear headlights!!! Rare freaking lights!!!

[reese.leblanc]

I've had the East Bears for a number of years now. The flares are the Corksport version of the Amemiys/Panspeed flares.

When I get the car repainted, I'll probably be molding the fenders in. Most likely, nothing will be done to the rear fenders as the wheels fit perfectly there. \

I didn't roll the front fenders underneath there. I cut the living shit out of them. LOL. Pictures of that to follow soon. My girlfriend has pics and video of that horrible deed. :)

Thanks for the comments, both good and bad. As with my last car, this is built to MY liking. If other people like it, great! If not, they don't have to unless they start offering me money to do it their way.

Reese

[Phoenix7]

well, keep it up and post more pics.

[WE3RX7]

Yea Amemiya just used panspeed fender flares on their car - I was upset when I found that out as I wanted those originally for my car. I like them, but it only works if doing the RE front end, or even your headlight setup.

[RXVERT]

HI
My name is GEO and I'm a newbe, I love your vert, and I know when you finish with it its gonna be awsome. I'm just as excited as you are, to see another vert lover. Keep up the great work. Heres some pictures of my pride and joy. If you ever come down to Sevenstock in the future I'd like to see you and the car in person.

[ScRedNic]

Hey
We'll have to photo the process this weekend when you engine swap

[ScRedNic]

OK, I'm going to try to put a few pics up in a couple of minutes as there has been a bit of progress. I now have boost! I also got rid of the TII CF hood in favor of... You'll just have to wait for the pics. LOL.

Reese

[reese.leblanc]

Well, here are a few pics to update you. New hood (traded El Nene 7 my TII CF for his RE-A CF hood. Also have the TII swap done. Just need to get the driveline swapped soon.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/3044114524_a114cf757e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/3044111230_e0b0ea4bac.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/3044107688_7777ced235.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/3043267493_6c3532c815.jpg

[WE3RX7]

Why did he not like the RE-A hood over the T2 one?? Where did the RE-A one come from, it looks good w/ ur lights.


Also noticed that the TMIC doesnt have the heat shield on the bottom, you may want to get one that does if you sit in traffic at all :)

[reese.leblanc]

He's moving to Cali and didn't want law enforcement to be able to easily see his T70 turbo, etc. Not sure where it came from originally.

Hopefully, the top mount won't be there for too long. I see a possible Vmount in my future.

[reese.leblanc]

Got bored tonight, so I finally installed my Rotary Extreme diffuser. I'll install a bit better when I swap the rear end, but I think it looks pretty good as is.

[WE3RX7]

Dont know why, maybe just because its dark, but it looks "thin".

Needs larger mufflers to fill it out :)

[reese.leblanc]

Agreed. I'll be getting a new exhaust as money allows. Care to donate? LOL

[reese.leblanc]

daytime pics...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/3059665491_260f789739.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/3059665533_3b02632f8c.jpg

[totpkg]

S5 rear bumper? Are u plannin on changin side moldings and front bumper also? or do you want a red S4 rear? I have a s4 red rear bumper (free) if you want to come get it.

KK

[SouthSideSlider]

anything new happen with the vert man?

[reese.leblanc]

Updates:

I bought one of the radiators from moremazda and installed it. It's HUGE!! Don't plan on keeping your A/C without redoing the lines. I decided to ditch mine. It's a convertible after all. :D I still need to get a good electric fan. I'm running the stock fan with no shroud at the moment with no issues at all.


I recently put the car on the dyno just to see where it's at. At 8 lbs of boost with brief spikes to 9.5 I saw 203whp. The fuel map was a Tuning Technology base map for 550/550 injectors. I had 550/680, stock fuel pump, a hybrid turbo and a 3" exhaust with stock downpipe. Not too awful bad. The graph was a pretty linear pull all the way to 7200 where they let off.

I have a set of 800/1600 injectors already here that need to be installed as well as a Walbro fuel pump that is coming from Masin. I also have a manifold, DP and oil lines being made for me by Shook Racing (moremazda). This is in preparation for the new turbo I'll be buying in the next couple of months. It's not a huge turbo, but it should be just fine for what I want out of the car.

I'll see about getting more pics up as things move along.

[SouthSideSlider]

i love my tarus E fan i'll keep a lookout at LKQ for one if you want mines the simgle speed but i hear the duals are much better

[88turboii]

it has to be the exhaust holding the power back. I bet it has a pretty decent torque curve though

[dregg100]

its the same exhaust that was on my white/black FC, and it wasnt being held back by any means. probably because its just a base map.

[reese.leblanc]

delete...

[JShiz]

Cool Vert. I like it

[need RX7]

Nice. :icon_tup:

[reese.leblanc]

Annnnnnnd... Just got done with one half of another project. My doors were a bit stained just like the carpet, so:



Perfect? Hardly. On the other hand, it cost me $6.27 to be able to make both doors look much, much nicer. It'll do until I decide to take the time to reupholster them. :D

[N.RotaryTech]

You spray-painted them didn't ya. :rofl:

[reese.leblanc]

Yup. It worked! :)

[SouthSideSlider]

duplicolor fabic spraypaint?

i redid my floormates with that stufff

[reese.leblanc]

Nope. bumper trim

[moremazda]

Hey are those the Brides out Chris's (CARX7) old 10thAE???

[reese.leblanc]

Yep. I love them other than the fact that they sit a bit too high. I need to try to get some super low rails fabbed up. It'll be hell if I ever have to wear a helmet with the top up.

[reese.leblanc]

OK. First update in a year... My TII motor blew the coolant seals and I had to get another motor. I decided to make an upgrade instead of just getting another TII motor. After a mild fiasco with the engine supplier, I present to you, my new 13B-RE.

I still have a few things left to do, including putting my 60-1 in, getting a new downpipe fabbed, new radiator hoses, etc. but here we go...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4503883349_bb0dbb0a6e_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4503879559_b7f5878ab4_b.jpg

The RE swap started as a simple drop in. It quickly escalated by us saying, "while it's out, let's do this..." :) In short order, we cut out the stock radiator mounts, fabbed up brackets for the radiator, oil cooler and intercooler, rewrapped the wiring harness, made a new brake line, upgraded to a 929 master cylinder and booster, and powder coated a bunch of stuff.

So far, I'm pretty happy. I hope to do some tuning soon and looking at the coolant/intake temps. Hopefully, in the semi near future, I will have the car repainted and a new top installed.

Opinions welcome!

[Whitney]

I love the blue manifolds.....