Nars GSL-SE the 'White Comet'

[scarsofcarma]

So here it is, my latest rotary project. For those of you who don't know about my other ones... check out my intro thread...

It's an 85 GSL-SE with 195,000 miles.



The car has has some issues... I've got my work cut out with this one. For example, this is the kind of shoddy wiring I've got to contend with...



My buddy just recently rebuilt the engine and we just got it running yesterday. Not exactly running perfect yet though... for example, the timing isn't quite right. The main pulley is set right, but as far as the distributor goes if we set it right on the dot, it only runs on the orange 'trailing' mark when its turned fully retarded. Or, if we set the distributor off one tooth it runs on the yellow 'leading' mark when its fully advanced. Nothing in between.

It idles better on the orange mark so for now that's where it set.

[GySgtFrank]

I like the white. I have been accused of being somewhat biased when it comes to 1stgens though. Are you planning a stock restoration or doing some modifications?

[scarsofcarma]

Originally Posted by GySgtFrank

I like the white. I have been accused of being somewhat biased when it comes to 1stgens though. Are you planning a stock restoration or doing some modifications?

I plan on some pretty extreme modifications actually. I'd like to make it a caged, widebody, semi-racecar. But that will probably be sometime down the road. I'll work up to that, but for now I am gonna keep upgrading it slowly, learning more about the car as I go until I'm familiar enough with it to plan the big projects better.

I'm very fond of driving, so you can be sure I will be using this car on the street (and probably the track too eventually) as much as possible.

[scarsofcarma]

Oh... duh... I know why its not set right. We were assuming TDC was the yellow 'leading' mark on the front pulley. We have to set TDC with the flywheel.

[Whizbang]

glass sunroof?

[scarsofcarma]

Originally Posted by Whizbang

glass sunroof?

Yessir for now its glass, but I also have the original metal one... except its got a hole through it from rust :/ hopefully it can be repaired. I also like the glass though.

Also update, reset the timing per the flywheel and it idles/runs much much better. Still need to set the TPS properly though.

Also on the sooner-than-later to-do list:

-Replace blown illumina shock (shipped defective)
-Install Poly bushings
-Fix shoddy wiring/electrical gremlins
-Install speed-bleeders, overhaul brakes. (eventually upgrade pads/rotors)
-Fix strange 'clanking' sound from somewhere under car when releasing clutch
-Fix vibration from rear end. (Gonna upgrade to Kia Sportage gears)

[RedR1]

I can't wait to see her all done up. When do you think she'll be track ready?

[Whizbang]

where is antioch from Santa Rosa?

[scarsofcarma]

Heh, well here's some more pics of more wiring issues. The whole ignition switch had to be rebuilt. I think the really corroded wire is for the starter which is probably why it had trouble engaging to the flywheel sometimes.

[scarsofcarma]

Originally Posted by RedR1

I can't wait to see her all done up. When do you think she'll be track ready?

I pretty much spend all my free time in the garage so I will be making steady progress. If I were to predict when I'd feel it was track ready probably springtime... I'm pretty particular about what I consider 'track ready'. Especially when it comes to brakes.

I had a scary experience with brake fade in my bridgeported FB on the downhill in the mountains. Also in my FC I boiled my brake fluid charging into turn 10 at Thunderhill on my first track day. Not something I want to repeat lol.

I need more seat time in this FB before I can really ascertain what it needs. It won't be track ready as far as I'm concerned until I'm completely confident of its abilities and character at the limit. Like how I used to feel about my 2nd FC... after two years of tuning it I could drive that car at 11/10th's and still enjoy myself.

Originally Posted by Whizbang

where is antioch from Santa Rosa?

It's about 70 miles away or so. If you do end up moving there I can introduce you to the rotary-gang around here

[RedR1]

Originally Posted by scarsofcarma

I pretty much spend all my free time in the garage so I will be making steady progress. If I were to predict when I'd feel it was track ready probably springtime... I'm pretty particular about what I consider 'track ready'. Especially when it comes to brakes.

I had a scary experience with brake fade in my bridgeported FB on the downhill in the mountains. Also in my FC I boiled my brake fluid charging into turn 10 at Thunderhill on my first track day. Not something I want to repeat lol.

I've heard that the OEM FB brakes weren't up to the task of extended track days in heat. How were you going to tackle that in the long run? I saw in a previous post that you said pads and rotors. Did you ever think about the TII subframe swap to get the thicker and larger rotors/caliper? It's a somewhat economical (i'm a heap A$$ ) swap, and people that have done it said they'd never look back. i haven't done it personally, just looking for input from people that have done it, or are considering it.

One of these days, I will drive thunderhill. I've always heard a lot about that track from here in FL. Many enduro's run there. Maybe you can coach me if we ever meet up there

[scarsofcarma]

Originally Posted by RedR1

I've heard that the OEM FB brakes weren't up to the task of extended track days in heat. How were you going to tackle that in the long run? I saw in a previous post that you said pads and rotors. Did you ever think about the TII subframe swap to get the thicker and larger rotors/caliper? It's a somewhat economical (i'm a heap A$$ ) swap, and people that have done it said they'd never look back. i haven't done it personally, just looking for input from people that have done it, or are considering it.

One of these days, I will drive thunderhill. I've always heard a lot about that track from here in FL. Many enduro's run there. Maybe you can coach me if we ever meet up there

Yeah I don't doubt that FB brakes won't handle track days. It blew my mind when I learned (from this forum) that I could swap an FC subframe over. That's a good option because I looove FC brakes. The rack-and-pinion would be nice too.

Thing is I already got a full bushing kit, Illumina shocks and RB springs for the FB setup so I will use that for the time being. When I get ready to weld in a cage, that will probably be the time to pull the motor and do a more thorough suspension upgrade because I will want to tie the cage into reinforcements to the chassis under the hood.

I say this because the unibody frame-rails that run by the bottom of the front strut towers are usually pretty weak. When I flipped the RX3, the cage in that car didn't reinforce those areas and they cracked. I intend to design a much better cage for the FB.

I also have another Mazda in mind to borrow parts from. I think it might be neat to swap over the suspension off a Miata unto an FB. I'm sure a lot of custom fabrication would be required, but I think it would be worth it because I was very impressed after driving a Miata a bit recently. It would be nice to have some of the balance and grip inherent in that delightful little car.

Also, the Miata and its suspension are pretty compact so it should be easier to fit it in an FB.

As far as Thunderhill goes, I would be happy to give you some tips or even accompany you along on a track day to help you dial in your tire pressures and the like. None of my bum friends ever work up the nerve to actually go to the track so it'd be nice to get out there more often

I'm closer to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Sears Point now though. I have some ride-along experience on Laguna Seca because I was training to be a NASA instructor there. I would like to broaden my track experience as much as possible which also puts Willow Springs on my list of tracks I plan to use.

[RedR1]

Originally Posted by scarsofcarma

Yeah I don't doubt that FB brakes won't handle track days. It blew my mind when I learned (from this forum) that I could swap an FC subframe over. That's a good option because I looove FC brakes. The rack-and-pinion would be nice too.

Thing is I already got a full bushing kit, Illumina shocks and RB springs for the FB setup so I will use that for the time being. When I get ready to weld in a cage, that will probably be the time to pull the motor and do a more thorough suspension upgrade because I will want to tie the cage into reinforcements to the chassis under the hood.

Indeed. I also have the TII subframe planned for my FB as well, but that won't be until next year if all goes well. I have the same issue, where I have a new tokiko shocks and springs for mine so i want to beat up on the car a little prior to changing it. Though, the TII swap makes for more wheel options too. choices!

I think, per capita, this forum has the most completely custom FB's than any other forum i've found, and all of them have write ups! One guy has a meticulous build thread in the 1st gen section called, "it seemed easy at first" . . . gives me so many ideas and inspiration. his suspension makes my pants tight. . . all rewelded and refabbed. almost nothing OEM in there (just don't tell him I love his car, i'll never hear the end of it LOL).

edit: found the thread

http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ad.php?t=15585

I plan on having a shop in that is also a supporting/contributing vendor on here do the subframe swap for me, as that's well beyond my skill level. The shop is in southern CA and it's owner, Glenn (Mazpower on this forum) is a guru and great peoples.

Originally Posted by Carma

I say this because the unibody frame-rails that run by the bottom of the front strut towers are usually pretty weak. When I flipped the RX3, the cage in that car didn't reinforce those areas and they cracked. I intend to design a much better cage for the FB.

that had to be SUPER scary. Glad it all came out ok and you're here!

Originally Posted by Carma

I also have another Mazda in mind to borrow parts from. I think it might be neat to swap over the suspension off a Miata unto an FB. I'm sure a lot of custom fabrication would be required, but I think it would be worth it because I was very impressed after driving a Miata a bit recently. It would be nice to have some of the balance and grip inherent in that delightful little car.

Also, the Miata and its suspension are pretty compact so it should be easier to fit it in an FB.

Actually, my best friend's significant other installed a Miata subframe into an FB for one of their FB race cars. he said it was a very good and cost effective swap, mainly bc the Miata donors are a dime a dozen, has all sorts of cheap parts for it that are pretty well, and race teams are always getting rid of/upgrading parts which makes hand-me-downs cheap for primo parts

So if you choose that route and run into questions, i'd be more than happy to tap their shoulder for you/get you in touch with him

Originally Posted by Scar

As far as Thunderhill goes, I would be happy to give you some tips or even accompany you along on a track day to help you dial in your tire pressures and the like. None of my bum friends ever work up the nerve to actually go to the track so it'd be nice to get out there more often

I'm closer to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Sears Point now though. I have some ride-along experience on Laguna Seca because I was training to be a NASA instructor there. I would like to broaden my track experience as much as possible which also puts Willow Springs on my list of tracks I plan to use.

I live in FL. . . but one of these days I will make it out there and greatly appreciate the offer!! I'm different. I have the nerve to go, it's just the non-running rotary part that plagues all rotaries at one point or another in their lifetime

Laguna Seca is pretty much my west coast Mecca. Everyone that has driven it, says the corkscrew can't be described. TV, video games, youtube videos. . . all of them do it zero justice Out here, I love some Sebring Intnational action

[Whizbang]

well if you want, once I move this month, my two FBs are both FC subframe cars. You can check it out for yourself.

[scarsofcarma]

Originally Posted by RedR1

I think, per capita, this forum has the most completely custom FB's than any other forum i've found, and all of them have write ups! One guy has a meticulous build thread in the 1st gen section called, "it seemed easy at first" . . . gives me so many ideas and inspiration. his suspension makes my pants tight. . . all rewelded and refabbed. almost nothing OEM in there (just don't tell him I love his car, i'll never hear the end of it LOL).

Yeah I was very interested in that build as well, I commented on it.

Originally Posted by RedR1

that had to be SUPER scary. Glad it all came out ok and you're here!

I don't have video of the actual flip, but here is a clip of one of the runs and what the car looked like afterward...

http://youtu.be/vrJcJOHridE
http://youtu.be/OLsNY4-czEc

It was rather scary but not really anything to worry about. The car was fully caged and I was strapped in with a harness and a helmet. I Instinctively reached up to brace myself as the car was sliding on the roof and the steel got so hot from the friction that it burned my palms. That's the only injury that came from it.

Fuel leaking out of the webers had me worried though so as soon as I unstrapped myself I got out and yelled for help to flip the car over again. Then the track paramedics showed up just as a perfunctory gesture. But I drove the car home with a smashed windshield and all... It wasn't until the next day that I noticed the cracking in the unibody framing and decided it wasn't fixable.

If you want to talk about scary moments at the track, locking up the rear brakes coming into turn 10 was far worse. That's a downhill entry into a left hairpin with very little runoff before a wall lol.

Originally Posted by RedR1

Actually, my best friend's significant other installed a Miata subframe into an FB for one of their FB race cars. he said it was a very good and cost effective swap, mainly bc the Miata donors are a dime a dozen, has all sorts of cheap parts for it that are pretty well, and race teams are always getting rid of/upgrading parts which makes hand-me-downs cheap for primo parts

So if you choose that route and run into questions, i'd be more than happy to tap their shoulder for you/get you in touch with him

Excellent, glad to know that thanks.

Originally Posted by RedR1

I live in FL. . . but one of these days I will make it out there and greatly appreciate the offer!! I'm different. I have the nerve to go, it's just the non-running rotary part that plagues all rotaries at one point or another in their lifetime

Laguna Seca is pretty much my west coast Mecca. Everyone that has driven it, says the corkscrew can't be described. TV, video games, youtube videos. . . all of them do it zero justice Out here, I love some Sebring Intnational action

I've traveled to Florida before... you can keep it! lol, joking... yeah the corkscrew is amazing. It wasn't so fun though to be sitting in the passenger seat of an 240sx when it starts to do tank-slappers as soon as it crests the 'table' before the corkscrew. Then it just looks like a cliff you are about to do barrel rolls over lol. That was also scary.

Originally Posted by Whizbang

well if you want, once I move this month, my two FBs are both FC subframe cars. You can check it out for yourself.

Yes please! I'm sure my friends will be just as eager to see that. When I mentioned the FC subframe swap after learning about it from this forum they couldn't believe it lol.