Next project: FC RX7

[AutoMods]

i have a hairline crack in my front windshield. did you get a brand new one or junkyard? how much?

[86svo9L]

Got a new one.

Went to Safelite on 8th ave. After taxes it was $266.

[AutoMods]

nice, that's cheaper than i thought. my crack is low and isn't too visible but for that price, I should fix it.

[86svo9L]

Well not much of an update. Worked on my brakes. Went with a nice bronze finish.


http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/temporary_zps3c77ba58.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/temporary_zps3c77ba58.jpg.html)

[86svo9L]

Now I know my car is not the nicest in the world, but in the 14 years I have been into modifying never has any one of my cars been vandalized so many times.

In the last couple weeks I have been daily driving this thing pretty much every day it has not rained. Basically any time I have had it out anywhere but to work, where it gets parked in a secure parking garage, it has been vandalized in some manner. It has been keyed numerous times(some down to metal), my drivers side door lock no longer works from someone trying to jimmy it and today to top it off I had a 44oz soda tossed onto the front end out on Collins while stuck in traffic after picking my kid up from preschool. These events have all happened at different locations, I really do not know anyone in town, the car has not been on the road in almost 2 years, so what the hell gives? Do people just hate ratty looking RX7's that much or did I cross into a new level of asshole without realizing it so people instantly want to shit on my car when I am not around or cannot react?

Definitely odd. Now I am glad I did not spend any money making it look nice.


End of Rant :cussing:

[AutoMods]

i've never had anyone touch mine. someone threw a soda on it while you were in the car????

[86svo9L]

i've never had anyone touch mine. someone threw a soda on it while you were in the car????

Yea. I was sitting on Collins in the left lane by C st. at a red light. It was around 4:45pm so it was packed and I was the 3rd or 4th car from the light. The left turn lane got a green arrow so the traffic started to flow next to me. I was talking to my son and then heard a loud thud, looked over and saw the side of a red car along with their weapon of choice. The plate was masked by the cars behind it and they were turning already onto C st. Turn lane was too packed and the light was turning so there was no way for me to get over and try to pursue, which I probably would not have done with my son in the car even if I could have.

No damage done, just another act of vandalism against the damn thing. Most of the other stuff I have let roll off because there was no use getting pissed about it since I did not see it happen. This event in particular really pissed me off though.

[86svo9L]

Went out to Hawkeye downs today for a track day. Learned a lot about the car and had a lot of fun. Not the greatest driver in the world, but I plan to go to a lot more events and try to correct anything I learn for the next time.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/DSC_8877_zpse2a6a3a7.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/DSC_8877_zpse2a6a3a7.jpg.html)

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/DSC_9093_zps297f3b1d.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/DSC_9093_zps297f3b1d.jpg.html)

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/DSC_9099_zps036c8146.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/DSC_9099_zps036c8146.jpg.html)

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/DSC_8855_zpsb1160a47.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/DSC_8855_zpsb1160a47.jpg.html)

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/DSC_9107_zps738afdc7.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/DSC_9107_zps738afdc7.jpg.html)

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/DSC_9111_zpsd16312c8.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/DSC_9111_zpsd16312c8.jpg.html)

[86svo9L]

Decided to sell the turbo I had for this thing. It is a blast on the road course and I would like to start leaning it out towards that sort of stuff instead of all out power. Not saying I won't try to make decent N/A power, but would like to keep weight down. Probably will be doing an Aluminum block swap sometime down the road, along with a lot more compression and a decent cam.

Right now I am working on my driving skills while the car still has essentially a stock truck engine sitting in it. Car already has a lot more power than tire. Picked up some new to me tires and had some others donated from a co-worker to mount onto the Mustang rims which should perform decent enough. We shall see next time around however.

[Drifte]

Taking it back to hawkeye downs for this Sunday?

[86svo9L]

Taking it back to hawkeye downs for this Sunday?

What's going on Sunday?

[86svo9L]

An import is not complete until it has worn bronze wheels at least once :)

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/10394488_10152932461678438_5609361180319002224_n_z ps96693435.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/10394488_10152932461678438_5609361180319002224_n_z ps96693435.jpg.html)

[Drifte]

it was another auto cross on the track, 80 car turnout.

[AutoMods]

Drew, I was hoping to see you this weekend at hawkeye downs.

[JacobS]

ryan you were there?! i only got to show up for about 30 mins then had to get ready to go to work.

[AutoMods]

ryan you were there?! i only got to show up for about 30 mins then had to get ready to go to work.

yup

[86svo9L]

Drew, I was hoping to see you this weekend at hawkeye downs.

I had planned on being there. Ended up having to take my son to the doctor and lost my morning Sunday. By the time I was home it was almost 1:30 so decided it was not worth going.

Any other events going on soon?

[86svo9L]

I suppose no news is good news.

Still driving it every day. Still having a great time with it.

I changed from having an open PCV system to a closed system. Brazed a nipple onto the intake tube and sealed it all up. Probably spend a little more time over the winter making it look nicer. It definitely idles better now, plus no more fumes after a nice hard beating. Other than that I have only really had to do general upkeep. Been very low maintenance.

I have decided to not do anything major to it until winter comes around. Then it will get the T2 rear diff(NA is sounding real rough these days), Mandeville style front brake setup, typical LS engine mods, and if I feel froggy an aluminum block swap(Not likely).

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/temporary_zps4288de98.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/temporary_zps4288de98.jpg.html)

[AutoMods]

let me know when you hit up another autocross

[86svo9L]

let me know when you hit up another autocross

There are a few going on this month out at Hawkeye downs. I am going to try getting out on the 19th or the 26th. I will post up which I can make as my schedule tightens down a bit.

[86svo9L]

So this is happening.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/WP_20140905_001_zps4e557be7.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/WP_20140905_001_zps4e557be7.jpg.html)

[slow ride]

pulling engine for aluminum block engine?

[86svo9L]

The engine is already out and awaiting this one. Hopefully have it going again next weekend or the weekend after. Be nice to have the extra hundred pounds off the nose.

[AutoMods]

nice, everyone seems to be doing iron these days for the cost savings. its almost rare to see an actual ls1 swap

[slow ride]

Seems like he is more interested in corners than max hp.

[86svo9L]

Next year I am hoping to get out and hit the AutoX courses a lot more. Unfortunately this year was sort of a wash out for me. Always ended up out of town or doing on-call work to get out when something was going on.

[86svo9L]

On a plus note. Just waiting on some gaskets to come in and this will be up and going. It is an aluminum 5.3, but the up side of these engines is the sleeve thickness. They can be bored out to ls1 specs if I decide to go that route.

I really was hoping to have a legitimate LS1 to swap in, but after 20 total hours of traveling to check out "low mileage, ready to run engines" nothing really panned out. Found a lot of dishonest people however. So grabbed this one from Sams Riverside in Des Moines and it comes with a warrantee.



http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/rexaluminum_zps1209d778.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/rexaluminum_zps1209d778.jpg.html)

[slow ride]

Is it gen 4? What heads are on it? If they are 243 or 799's get TEA to work them over, decent cam, headers, etc and it will make low/mid 400's whp with the 6 speed. Add some bore and possibly stroke and you would have something like my old 383. I'm all about bang for the buck so just ask if you want a hand picking parts, etc.

[86svo9L]

It unfortunately is a Gen3 engine. My plan is to run it for a season and start tuning brakes and suspension with the lighter weight. Then next winter I will pull the engine and start bumping up power.

I will definitely be asking a lot of question when that time comes around. So I appreciate the offer and will be taking you up on it here down the road. But with all of my projects sometimes I end up accelerating my timelines :) . So we will see.

[slow ride]

Cool. If you stay NA you can always just grab a 5.7 stock rotating ass or some cheaper 5.7 pistons and rods to bore the engine. The bigger bore is nice to unshoud the valves if you don't need the cylinder strength for boost/nitrous also.

[86svo9L]

Some updates!


All that is left is the intake and radiator. Hopefully have it going Monday or Tuesday.



http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/WP_20140914_001_zps3f2b8bbb.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/WP_20140914_001_zps3f2b8bbb.jpg.html)


http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/WP_20140914_002_zps984bd366.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/WP_20140914_002_zps984bd366.jpg.html)



http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/rx7newinstall_zpscb298bfd.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/rx7newinstall_zpscb298bfd.jpg.html)

[86svo9L]

It lives! No weird noises or leaks, all seems well. Ran it through 3 heat cycles last night.

Have not driven it yet. Still have to bleed the slave cylinder and put the hood back on.

Hopefully put it back on daily duty starting tomorrow.

[slow ride]

So what pistons in this thing, flat top? Just wondering since it will hard to get some compression in it with dished stock pistons if you keep it NA.

[86svo9L]

From what I have read is they are dished. The L33 engines came with the flat top 4.8 pistons. I am guessing if I tear this thing apart down the road I will either swap in the 4.8 pistons or have it bored to LS1 specs to get some compression.

[slow ride]

yea, use some stock 5.7 pistons/rods on the cheap. Bob weight on the balance would change some though so probably want to re do things unless you can get the 5.7 crank also. It's a little lighter as car cranks have drilled pins and trucks don't.

[86svo9L]

Not a bad idea, was not aware of the crank difference. If I tear this thing apart I may as well just spend the money on going bigger. It will be a while though maybe next winter. It will go back to being a daily driver and weekend warrior while I focus on projects around the house.

As with all of my projects I can never tell what time will bring.

[86svo9L]

Well I have been driving it around for a couple days. There is definitely less power than with the 6.0. But with the lighter weight and less low end torque it is actually a much easier car to drive now. The 5.3 power seems more progressive and it does not feel like it is on the verge of doing a burnout every time I try to leave a stop sign.

Without the extra weight over the front wheels the car seems crisper and is a lot easier to steer at lower speeds. The suspension is also much more forgiving to bumps in the road. Overall I would say I am happy with the change and am looking forward to tossing it around the curves to see if it will have improved times.

[Phish]

Awesome. Glad that your happy with the new setup. I remember the power difference when i went from a 5.3 to the 6.0. Both of mine were aluminum though so i have no incite into the weight difference. However, and aluminum motor is an appealing option for me as well. Just not sure if i am willing to pony up the cash at this point to make that happen.

[AutoMods]

Awesome. Glad that your happy with the new setup. I remember the power difference when i went from a 5.3 to the 6.0. Both of mine were aluminum though so i have no incite into the weight difference. However, and aluminum motor is an appealing option for me as well. Just not sure if i am willing to pony up the cash at this point to make that happen.

never knew you had an ls2/l76 in your car. thought you had an iron 6.0

[86svo9L]

I think he made a typo.

[Phish]

Yeah that was a typo... both of mine were NOT aluminum. I was being a little speedy there. That being said, would an LS2 hold up to my boost levels like a LQ4 would? Not sure what the block limit is on an LS2.

[slow ride]

I would say yes, it seems the siamese bore of the gen 4 aluminum blocks support a little more power then aluminum gen 3. I have seen vette guys run 5.7 blocks (which are gen 3) over 900 whp, but how stable they are and how long they last is up in the air. Hard drag racing or extended pulls at high speed will kill a block a lot faster than dyno :) The aluminum 5.3 blocks would probably have the thickest sleeve. Iron is probably going to be more stable overall, just heavy.

[Phish]

FYI: I am selling my 8.8 IRS pullout with upgraded axle bars. it would be a bolt in installation - pretty much. Would handle a decent amount of power and infinate possibilities of gears in the back since it takes a ford gear. $1500 for the whole lot.

[86svo9L]

I would love to grab that rear.

But I have to let the car projects cool for a while and catch up on projects around the house. Been trying to finish building my wet bar for about a year now. Then I have to drywall and build shelving in the garage. Once I get those accomplished car stuff can continue. Happy Wife equals happy life, lol.

[86svo9L]

And now it is tucked into its corner of the garage for the cold season. Not sure what projects I want to do over the winter. Only time will tell.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/temporary_zpsd623dde7.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/temporary_zpsd623dde7.jpg.html)

[86svo9L]

Guess I lied about putting it in storage :) .

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/temporary_zps5adc9cd1.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/temporary_zps5adc9cd1.jpg.html)

[AutoMods]

drive her until the snow flies

[86svo9L]

Damn right. Finally got my garage cleaned out from the move and my Father in law helped get some more outlets in there for me. Just need to finish insulating, wire in more lights and hang the drywall. So I can keep it home over the winter and get some good projects going hopefully.

[86svo9L]

Have not done much to it over the winter other than start it occasionally.

1987 RX7 Sport - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZFlqghbZPc)

Nice weather finally came through so today I pulled the front off the engine to install the new cam setup I picked up off of Jacob.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/rx7cam_zpszfctnn9q.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/rx7cam_zpszfctnn9q.jpg.html)

[AutoMods]

Nice, interested to see how that trick flow cam works out for ya.

[86svo9L]

Cam installation has started. Decided to make some lifter retainer tools, seemed like a decent $3 investment for the level of security it added. Ran out of daylight so will finish up in the next couple days.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/temporary_zps0b30a211.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/temporary_zps0b30a211.jpg.html)

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/temporary_zps53bbc819.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/temporary_zps53bbc819.jpg.html)

[AutoMods]

yea i used wooden dowels, rounded the edges. works great

[86svo9L]

I originally was going to go the wooden dowel route. But saw a couple guys who had them break in the block. Not sure what the actual risk was and having never done a cam swap in one of these engines caused me to use the metal rods. Now that I know it really was not too big of a deal, wooden would have worked just fine. Should have this wrapped up by the weekend.

[86svo9L]

Going to leave this here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnkRw-2NwhI&feature=youtu.be

[AutoMods]

sounds like your ready to dominate the streets of shellsburg

[86svo9L]

I would not use the words dominate, lol. It is still pretty slow in comparison to a lot of others. It does sound better than it did before, that is for sure.

[86svo9L]

Not much of an update. But I have started gathering parts for the winter tear down. Swapping over to an L33 rotating assembly for increased compression and the stronger gen4 rods. Going to stick with the stock LM4 heads with smaller chambers and do some porting on them. Also the stock clutch I have been using is about to its end, so probably be looking at swapping that as well.

So to summarize this winter will be more compression, better flow, new bearings, new clutch, also going to reloom, cleanup and hide wiring. May get more involved then that, but who knows.

Also got some used rims and new tires. Drives much better now.

http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx53/86svo9l/RX7/temporary_zpskm4pptck.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/86svo9l/media/RX7/temporary_zpskm4pptck.jpg.html)

[86svo9L]

So yesterday after taking the car on a 3 hour round trip it started blowing the fuse for ECM power. It blew the first one after taking it to about 1/2 throttle which I rarely do. So I swapped the fuse on the side of the road and noticed the old one was melted. Drove most of the way home and hit the gas again and blew a second fuse. Since doing the cam swap I have been a little disappointed in power above 3k rpm, engine just felt like it did not want to go. Not something I noticed with the stock cam since I never really took it past 3k.

So I tore down part of the standalone harness I picked up on the cheap during the build to find the issue. I discovered the 12v switched for the coil packs was spliced together into a single inadequate wire which looked very burnt. Rewired it all properly and immediately the car started and idled better than it ever has. Took it out and it feels like a completely different car. More power everywhere, easy to rev and a whole lot smoother.

This winter I think the whole harness is going to come apart to see if any other issues like this are hiding.

[AutoMods]

nice. sounds like you need to beat on your car more

[86svo9L]

You're correct. It took 8k miles before this issue cropped up. Probably never would have found it if not for the cam swap.

[slow ride]

Needs turbos :) Do some small twins and have a blast driving it.

[86svo9L]

I have been putting some thought in to boost. Still have not come to a conclusion.

At the moment I am interested in AutoX stuff which wants me to keep it NA, availability has not been my friend however.