RXtacy's slooow build up

[RXtacy]

I guess it's about time I started one of these. I've had my FD since 2004, and she just turned 20 this year becoming eligible for historic plates here in MD

Background:
The car started life as a vintage red touring model with tan interior.



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The paint was in pretty rough shape, and the tan interior had to go. I tackled the interior first. Stripped the interior and removed a lot of the sound deadening. Then I used quiet coat before installing a new black carpet, and black interior.

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Used the dust off cans flipped upside down to freeze off the sound deadening.

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Applying quiet coat.

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[RXtacy]

Dash pulled and ready to install the new carpet.

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Carpet in, and dash reinstalled.

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I don't seem to have any final pictures, but I replaced the AC, shifter surround, and transmission tunnel cover with brand new OEM 93 finish plastics. The 93 finish is gorgeous when new IMHO. Also put in used black quarter panels, door panels, and rear divider.

[RXtacy]

Once the interior was up to snuff, I moved on to the exterior. The VR paint had to go, and I spent a LOONG time trying to decide what color I wanted to go with. Mentally went through just about every color in the rainbow before deciding. I ended up going with Frozen Grey Metallic off the special edition BMW M3. It is a satin finish silver color. In certain light it has a bit of a purple hue to it. I also went with Shine Auto Feed front bumper and front fenders.

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Shaved the rear antenna and filled the holes that the stock spoiler mounted to.

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Took care of some minor rust along the windshield.

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Fender fitment wasn't the best, but the body shop did a great job getting all the seems right.

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[RXtacy]

All sanded and primed. Also test fitting the new kicks.

[RXtacy]

The results! How she looked when I picked her up from the body shop.

[RXtacy]

Once I got her back home I installed Stance GR+ coilovers. I had Tein flex coilovers before, but wanted a bit updated technology.



Once I got the ride height set, I took her in for an alignment. These are the specs I went with.



After ride height and alignment.



DGRR 2011

[chibikougan]

Nice whats so slow about this build. You have made much more progress then I have. Haha

[RXtacy]

Not much changed between 2011 and 2012. My buddy Tharek took some bad ass pictures at DGRR 2012 though. He came all the way from England to check out the best rotary event

[RXtacy]

Originally Posted by chibikougan

Nice whats so slow about this build. You have made much more progress then I have. Haha

That's all historic stuff that's happened over the years I haven't gotten to the current progress yet

[RXtacy]

Up until this point performance wise she wasn't anything special. Custom SMIC, Apexi intakes, full exhaust, PFC, etc... She made 320 whp when Brian (TitaniumTT) and I tuned her just after DGRR 2012. Then "tragedy" struck Hit overboost on the highway on my way in to work and detonated. I drove it another ~8-10 miles into work on one rotor. Then drove it 25 miles back home. It died literally just as I was pulling into my driveway The carnage was impressive to say the least.

Pulled it out with Brian, Dave, and Levi lending a hand. Much appreciated fellas.

Don't have any pics from the pull, or the tear down. But have some of the aftermath.





After tear down/inspection



Front rotor.





The culprit.





The housings looked about the same. The irons were salvageable, but for the most part the engine was a total loss. So I picked up a used keg from Josh (XLR8) on the 7club. It was pulled while running with great compression, and the internals showed it. They were pristine!

Disassembly of the new block.





"New" engine on the stand after the internals were removed/inspected. This block was a great candidate to rebuild. All the internals were well within spec, and looked great.



All the accessories organized (somewhat)

[Fendamonky]

You know I had COMPLETELY forgotten that your FD started off life as a VR!!

Need to get that keg stacked up and the break-in started ^_^

[RXtacy]

Originally Posted by Fendamonky

You know I had COMPLETELY forgotten that your FD started off life as a VR!!

Need to get that keg stacked up and the break-in started ^_^

I need to do a LOT of things before getting to the break in Stacking the keg is one of the least.

I'll update more probably some time this week. Still haven't caught up with where I actually am in the build.

[JL1RX7]

Let me know if you need a hand putting it back together.

[RXtacy]

UPDATE!

After tear down of the good used block the clean up, inspection, measurement commenced.

Rotors after cleaning.





Ordered up all the soft seals, new side seals, corner seals etc. Also got my ID 1000 primary injectors and new RX-8 e-shaft.



Cleaned up primary and secondary ports. Didn't enlarge much at all, just cleaned up the casting for the most part. I wanted to keep them as close to stock as possible. I have another way of increasing air into the engine

[RXtacy]

How do I plan to get more air into the engine while keeping the side ports mostly stock you ask? With these little guys.





Those little guys? I wouldn't worry about those little guys

Once all the porting was done, I primed and painted the block.





Then started clearancing/assembling the rotors to get ready to stack the keg.



Setting side seal clearance.



Rotor assembly. Get the lube!





Once again got some help from great friends to stack the keg. Thanks Brian and Whoopie!







Keg together.





Front cover installed.