My 6 year FC project

[WE3RX7]

With all the work I've been focusing towards other cars (not just my own) I lost track of my original project, but never gave up hope. I still wash it, keep it stored in the garage under a cover and slowly accumulate rare parts for it.

It's my 1988 SE. The car was mine when I was 16, back in 2001. It had 94K original miles, owned by an older woman who worked at a bank and always kept it garaged. I drove it for a little over a year, only put 112K on the clock when the original engine popped due to a rear rotor water jacket failure. So thats where this all started in 2002.



Car as of August 13th, 2001
I had Bonez race pipe, FPR, K&N Filter, Borbet 16x7.5 w/ Bridgestone Potenza 205s.

[WE3RX7]

The NA engine died October 2nd, 2001.

The car was limped home and moved into my parents garage to begin the transformation.

It was then I researched my options and decided I wanted to convert the car into a GTX.

[WE3RX7]

JDM Engine was ordered and delivered November 13th, 2001

I orderd the engine from Dave Gibson from FC3S.org (boy does that date this build!)

I also picked up a JDM transmission from him as well with 12,000 miles on a rebuild.

At this point, the car had already been towed to Rotary Performance in Manassas, VA to handle the swap. I was way to amature at this time to achieve this goal (especially considering I was still in highschool at the time and didn't have the time between work and class).


JDM Engine and trans installed into car December 9th, 2001

Had to purchase a new S5 T2 EFI harness, and other misc parts to fit the engine into the car. New AFM, MAP sensor, also bought a brand new TID from mazda.

[WE3RX7]

Being in highschool at the time working part time, it took me a while to save the money to get the parts. Things were tough to find.

This part of the build spanded December 2001 through April 2002

By this time the parts list included:

- RB 2.5" DP
- Centreforce DF clutch Stage 3
- Release bearing
- trans mounts
- silicone hose kit
- accelerator (throttle) cable
- clutch slave
- engine mounts
- OEM TID
- T2 rad hoses
- oil filter/oil
- all new gear oils
- T2 driveshaft
- S4 mechanical LSD
- GTX trans
- JDM engine
- complete chassis harness (S5, since my car was S4 I had to update everything to S5 for it all to work like OEM)
- brake master cylinder (original was busted and leaked)
- new belts
- fuel pump resistor
- T2 half shafts

All in all everything totalled about $6K right there. After misc shop fees, towing and other parts, I landed closer to $8K.

[WE3RX7]

Started JDM Engine and car runs for the first time in about 7 months.

After all that work and cash, the Jspec was dead.. no compression on the rear rotor. Unfortunately, it took too long to get to this point that the 90 day warranty was up. Dave was a very nice guy and was able to get me at least 15% back from the engine importer which covered the towing bill to bring my car home. I was fed up with how much time and money was wasted and was not all that pleased with the "professional" rotary shop.

Picked up a T2 hood and let the car sit in the driveway while I caught up on bills.


Started working on the car again late May - just cleaning up items and getting the car ready for yet another engine.

[P71]

Wow! Beautiful color choice!

[need RX7]

Looks really good. Hopefully third time's the charm Can't wait to see the rest of the build, sounds like an interesting setup.
off-topic, how did you like the Bonez Race Pipe? I'm thinking of getting one

[WE3RX7]

While paying bills and trying to source a new engine I cleaned up all the harnesses. Pulled everything back out and corrected some things that were bothering me (misc lights not working, etc).

As of June 30, 2002

- Dead JDM engine
- S5 tail lights
- S5 T2 hood
- S5 a/c vents and center console
- New used catback with generic mufflers
- Starion IC for custom FMIC project (later bailed on this)
- started taking apart JDM long block to ready for new keg
- polishing UIM/TB, etc

[one320fc]

I found a real old picture of your car that I took. There is also a pictures of your Protege and Justin's Eclit

[WE3RX7]

July 20, 2002 - JDM engine removal

After more bills and time go by, my long time friend came by with a 3pt engine hoist to yank the blown engine out! I have it all on tape somewhere. It was MY first engine pull. Luckily I had helped other rx friends pull theirs before.

Side note: I did drive the car around on one rotor for about two weeks. Wouldn't you if you didn't have your seven for almost 9 months!!

This is where the car would sit for a while so I could pay bills off. By this time I had graduated highschool and was getting ready for college. I figured I'd need an education if this hobby was to continue!

[WE3RX7]

August 2002 - New Engine

The Atkins engine is delivered on the 9th. Stats are:

- S5 13BT
- Extended Streetport
- Atkins 2pc 2mm seals w/ OEM FD internals and solid corners
- Install Kit

Cost was $3,400 minus a $500 core return.

With school already getting kicked into high gear, I began assembling the short block to get it ready to be put back in the car.

October 2002 - Engine is fully assembled and ready to be put back into car

I decided on removing the rest of the emissions for the car. It took longer than expected getting money and parts (doesn't it always).

[Nopis1O]

looks good man. im doing a ITB set up on my s4. so good luck with it glad to see someone else doing itb's too.

[WE3RX7]

Well - I seem to be missing my pics from 2003 and 2004.

So to recap those years:

Installed a GReddy FMIC
Tuned the Atkins some, but never had it running quite the way I wanted to
Accumulated aftermarket parts, sold a bunch of parts and finished college

School took a big chunk of my attention/time. I also bought an '03 protege which I proceeded to waste too much time and money on as well (turbo system, suspension, brakes, etc.).

Since I dont have any good pics from these years, here is a pic of my protege that side tracked me.

[Phoenix7]

good job, glad you're sticking with it.

[WE3RX7]

Flashing forward now

August 2005 - Remove engine and prepare for painting engine bay

Basically, I was never happy with the way the project was turning out. I always felt rushed or came across something that "i'd get to later" and really I was now at a point where the car didn't need to be a daily driver and I just really wanted a really nice purpose built track car that would still "appear" streetable for the quick runs down the road and back.

A few prior, my car was pushed off the road while driving to school by a blazer and even though I avoided the impact w/ the blazer, I took out a ditch causing very minor damage to the front bumper and brake duct area.

I also noticed that the engine bay, was, well - ugly. I decided now I would start the "REAL" project. Stripped out everything and was going to build this the way I wanted.

Luckily, my parents' neighbor had a nice shop and was a bodyshop/painter by profession - so I had him dolly the damage back into place, grind and weld misc studs and holes and prep/paint the front clip.