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-   -   my 93 SSM FD build (https://rotarycarclub.com/showthread.php?t=48)

Brent 02-18-2008 10:55 AM

my 93 SSM FD build
 
This is my 93 SSM T78 project I picked up in Jan. 2007... or should I say rescued... haha. The previous owner meant well, but his taste and my taste did not match. Oh well, it was his car before to do what he pleased. Now it's mine and it will be a weekend/track car.

Disclaimer: The veilside front bumper and side skirts were removed and immediately taken to the dump... where it belongs. It was replaced with a 99Spec bumper and feed sideskirts. The wheels were the next thing to go. Just wanted to clear that up... haha.

Here is what it looked like when I first picked it up:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/rx-70141.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...FD/rx-7012.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...FD/rx-7016.jpg

Well, the car was rough around the edges but has a pretty good platform to work with. Here is the skinny:
1993 SSM Touring w/ red interior
112,000 miles

The car was purchased with a blown set of turbo's. The car had pettit turbo's on it that went bad. I have a few sets of twins laying around and thought about throwing a set on, but decided to finally take the plunge and go single. I picked up a T78 turbo kit with a Pettit Coolcharge III Intercooler(thanks to David Jerome from Speed for Sale). Here is a quick run down by category of mods on the car(updated Oct 2, 2008):

Engine:
- Rebuilt with 3mm apex seals and large street port and coolant passage mod approximately 10K ago
- Brand New OEM Engine Mounts
- Polished Throttle Body, Upper and Lower Intake Manifold, alternator, and front cover
- Ceramic coated chrome coolant filler neck and and waterpump housing
-Ground Zero Ceramachromed Lower Intake Manifold
-JDM UIM
- Water pump replaced
- Garfinkle Oil pan brace
- Garfinkle Engine Torque Brace
- All new gaskets to include but not limited to: UIM, LIM, TB, water pump and housing , front cover, and new injector seals
- Brand New OEM O2 Sensor
- Power Steering eliminated and lines looped using Gotham Racing’s Kit
- A/C eliminated
- Battery professionally relocated by Mike Lashlee to passenger side bin using a Westco Miata Battery
- Greddy Air Pump Elimination pulley’s
- New Spark Plugs and NGK Wires
- All Emissions removed and blocked off
-Charlies7 Coil relocation bracket

Cooling:
- Brand New Koyo N-Flo radiator
- All new OEM coolant hoses
- Engine coolant passage modification performed to engine during rebuild
- AST Eliminated
-R1 Oil Cooler added

Turbo System:
-Greddy T78 turbo kit that was rebuilt by Majestic Turbo’s in TX 700miles ago
- Brand new Turbo blanket
- Greddy Profec B, the older one with the knobs
- Pettit Coolcharge III Intercooler with duct
- Greddy Elbow with Greddy BOV
- K & N 4in Filter
- Oil Catch Can(not installed)
- Has a conservative map done by Dan Chadwick that is good up to 17lbs. I have it set to 10lbs due to not having a wideband installed yet to monitor my A/F ratio. I plan to run somewhere between 12-14psi on the track.

Exhaust:
- HKS Carbon Fiber/titanium Catback
- Midpipe with Borla XR-1 welded in
- All New Exhaust Gaskets

Fuel System:
-rx7store extreme fuel system that consists of :
Competition Fuel Rail
1600cc injectors x2 (just replaced with 2 brand new 1680’s from KG Parts)
Fuel Pressure Regulator (Aeromotive)
Regulator Fittings x3
Fuel Injector Clips x2
Injector Resistors x2
FPR Gauge
Fuel Line
90 Degree fittings x3
-550cc primaries with new FPD(both have 500 miles), I had 850cc in a modified rail installed, but one of the injector stuck so I switched them out with my 550‘s.
-Walbro fuel pump
-all new OEM injector O-rings and insulators
-Fuel Starvation Cover

Tranny:
-5th gear synchro replaced
-Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch
-Just replaced transmission fluid.

Exterior:
-New Paint Job
-Rotary Extreme 99spec plateless Urethane bumper
-99spec turn signals
-99spec front lip
-99spec undertray
-R Magic 99spec Oil Cooler ducts
-99spec Taillights converted by Sevenlust(great quality for a great price. Send him a PM if you would like your's converted http://www.rotarycarclub.com/member.php?u=478 )
-Feed Carbon Fiber replica side skirts from AeroFiber*
-RE Animaya "The Other" rear diffuser
-Brand New OEM Headlight Covers and hardware
-Brand New OEM Headlight Bezels and hardware
-New OEM Front and Rear Windshield Seals
-Brand New Rear Factory Mudguards
-New taillight hardware
-New Driver side dome light sensor
-LED bulbs for license plate, combo, and rear hatch lights

Interior:
-Red Interior
-Newly recovered red leather seats
-New rear hatch carpet purchased from Autospot
-New Gauge Cluster Chrome bezels and glass
-Replaced alot of interior pieces with new OEM parts
-All door trim recently replaced
-Gotham Racing Power FC Commander holder
-New Custom Made Floormats made by Jason S
-Center Speaker Triple Gauge pod by IRP
-Widefoot Gas Pedal for easier heel and toe shifting
-LED bulb for Dome Light

Electronics:
-Apexi Power FC, Dataloggit and Commander
-HKS Twin Power Ignition Amplifier
-GM 3 Bar Map Sensor with Banzai Racing MAP Sensor Adapter
-Greddy Profec B Boost Controller
-Innovative LC-1 Wideband w/ XD-16 Gauge
-Defi 60mm Boost, Fuel Pressure, and Oil Temp Gauge

Suspension and brakes:
- Brand New Tein HA Coilovers, Spring rates are 10kg front, 8kg rear
-Tri-Point Engineering .188 front Sway Bar
-Wide Foot Racing Sway Bar Mounts with bronze bushings.
-Porsche 993 "Big Red's" Big Brake Kit(recently rebuilt) with brand new rotors
-99Spec/RZ Rear Brakes- Brand new from Mazda
-Hawk HT-10 Brake Pads
-MazdaSpeed Brake Lines- Brand New
-MazdaSpeed Differential Bushings- Brand New

Wheels and Tires
-5Zigen 5ZR Corps Rims
Front Size: 18x9.0 +45
Rear Size: 18x10.0 +44
-SSR GT1 Track wheels
-Hoosier R6 track tires/ Pirelli P Zero Street Tires

Picture of the wheels... just because:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...8%20FD/5zr.jpg

Here is a picture from a few months back shortly after the first paint job testfitting some parts:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/brent068.jpg

The engine bay test fit from a few months ago(don't mind the dust, it's from the paint job):
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/100_0747.jpg

Battery Relocation:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...X7Parts054.jpg

Currently, the car is mechanically all back together as of 2 days ago. It's not starting but I am troubleshooting it and am hoping to get it started within the next week.

The paint was done by a good friend of mine who use to do all kinds of work for the rotary community and has always went above and beyond on the stuff he has done for me. Unfort. that is not the case this time. The first time he painted it, He put all kinds of time into the prep work... where you make your money. The first time he painted it, it turned out great. Here is a picture:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...mycompu-19.jpg
We had one very small run, that was clipped off without issue. The paint had very little orange peel(less than a factory FD paint job), but he wanted a better finish so we wetsanded. When we started buffing the paint back out, he said he could see some hazing in the paint and wanted to shoot it again. I should have said no, but I had no idea what was about to happen. He started prepping it again, but started having problems with his wife. No problem, if I was in his situation I would want some time to take care of personal matters. Basically, after that the car was repainted I *think* 3 more times. Each time it got worse with more orange peel, all kinds of runs, and overspray on alot of stuff. He ended up getting kicked out of his shop for not paying the rent(which came as shock to me), so I went and picked up all my stuff. He assured me he would still finish the job and make it right. That was over a month ago and have not had contact with him in 3 weeks...

The only reason I paid someone to work on my stuff in the first place was because I flat out did not have the time to work on it with the upcoming 15 deployment(getting everyone ready to go takes up alot of time). I wanted to enjoy the car for at least a couple of months before I left. The engine came to him in short block form with every bolt and nut labeled in a bag, all gaskets were laid out, etc. I am very anal when it comes to stuff like this because I know what it's like to try to sort out what someone else has taken apart(mind you he has built over a 100 rotary engines so he knows the deal). All he had to do was install the new parts to the short block, hook up the tranny, and reinstall it in the car. Well, the engine, tranny, and turbo were in the car... but there was still alot of stuff to be done. I ended up having to all kinds of things ranging from installing the starter, radiator, refilling tranny fluid, etc... to troubleshooting numerous fuel leaks for 2 weeks. Alot of my new parts were not used and are now missing. Needless to say I am frustrated. Oh well, what goes around comes around. I'm out a good bit of money, lesson learned.

Anyhow, just posted that to let you know how nice it will be once I have this car screaming down the road. You can't keep a good man down ;) I have wetsanded the hell out of the paint and have got alot of it looking pretty damn good, but I'm going to have to work on the overspray(like on my brand new rear hatch window seal).

I'll be posting the process and pictures within the next day or two documenting more of the build.

Brent

djmtsu 02-18-2008 01:27 PM

Very nice. Yhe wheels it came with make me cry.

turboed13b 02-18-2008 05:15 PM

looking good what size fuse did you put in when you relocated your battery i keep blowing mine so i just stuck a bolt in it...lol

TRISPEEDFD3S 02-24-2008 04:16 AM

How much was the paint? Like the actual paint itself. You get it from the dealer?

Brent 02-24-2008 09:38 AM

I don't remember off the top of my head. I'll have to look at my receipts. I got it from the local paint store, which is the best place to get it IMO. All you need is the paint code. My base and clear was some of the more expensive stuff from PPG.

TRISPEEDFD3S 02-24-2008 05:43 PM

So we can get 3L mazda paint at a local paint shop?

Brent 02-24-2008 05:53 PM

Yes, that is the ideal place to get paint at. You get the same stuff that Mazda painted the car with. They can tell you exactly what you need to go with it as well(ie prep supplies, type of clear, paint cards that comes with the paint that tells you how to get the best results, etc...) :)

TRISPEEDFD3S 02-24-2008 07:25 PM

Thanks Brent!

Brent 02-26-2008 04:01 PM

It's ALIVE!!!! Finally got it started today. I bought a faulty PFC from a forum member. As soon as I unflooded the car and switched out the PFC's with the one in my red car, it started right up. It's idling really high(3000rpm) and my turbo manifold is glowing red so I only let it run for a few minutes... but I am on top of the world right now!!!! Here is a quick 5 second clip with no lighting, but you get the picture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_oHekE2z2U

Chadwick 02-26-2008 04:27 PM

Congrats !!!

djmtsu 02-26-2008 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent (Post 887)
I bought a faulty PFC from a forum member.


Brent, do you still have the broken PFC? And if so......how much do you want for it??

Brent 02-26-2008 08:28 PM

I do, I'm trying to contact the member to see if he will refund my money. I doubt it though, I bought it several months ago. I'll let you know.

djmtsu 02-26-2008 09:21 PM

Great. Remember, I'm a broke ass FC owner from Tennessee!!!

Chadwick 02-26-2008 11:09 PM

Apexi will repair them for around $65, you will have to send it to Japan though.

Dan

Chadwick 02-26-2008 11:10 PM

Brent, did you figure out the fan ground issue? Was it the PFC?

Dan

Brent 02-26-2008 11:30 PM

It was the PFC, that is actually what triggered my mind that the PFC was jacked up. I took the datalogit and laptop out and hooked up a commander. When I pulled up the monitor screen. The Water Temp had dashes accross it instead of a reading. Of all the FD's I worked on with PFC's, I had never seen that happen. I went and checked the sensor and it was plugged in. After having the discussion with you about the fans and the water temp sensor, I made some kind of a connection that the 2 issues were related. I pulled the PFC out of my red car and had a water temp reading immediately. Tried cranking it and it started right up. I'm def. going to look into sending it back to Apexi... I've got plenty of time to wait :) Otherwise, it will be a very expensive lesson learned as I purchased the PFC in November and should have tested it immediately. The owner says it came out of his working car.

BTW Dan, the roads are going to decide whether or not I can make it up that way for lunch tomorrow. I'll give you a call around 10 or so if I'm going to be able to make it.

Chadwick 02-27-2008 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent (Post 970)
It was the PFC, that is actually what triggered my mind that the PFC was jacked up. I took the datalogit and laptop out and hooked up a commander. When I pulled up the monitor screen. The Water Temp had dashes accross it instead of a reading. Of all the FD's I worked on with PFC's, I had never seen that happen. I went and checked the sensor and it was plugged in. After having the discussion with you about the fans and the water temp sensor, I made some kind of a connection that the 2 issues were related. I pulled the PFC out of my red car and had a water temp reading immediately. Tried cranking it and it started right up. I'm def. going to look into sending it back to Apexi... I've got plenty of time to wait :) Otherwise, it will be a very expensive lesson learned as I purchased the PFC in November and should have tested it immediately. The owner says it came out of his working car.

BTW Dan, the roads are going to decide whether or not I can make it up that way for lunch tomorrow. I'll give you a call around 10 or so if I'm going to be able to make it.

Cool, glad you tracked it down, problems like that can be a bitch. Just give me a yell if you are coming. If not we can meet up another time.

Dan

Brent 02-27-2008 01:30 AM

Here are a few more pictures. I will be putting on the finishing touches in the next few days and hopefully will be terrorizing the streets by the weekend with any luck. I spent the majority yesterday wetsanding and buffing so thats where the dust keeps coming from. I did a compression test earlier just to see if my numbers had come up from last week when they were at around 110 and 115psi. My front rotor was at 115-118psi, and my rear rotor has 120psi.

A couple of the engine. Still needs some cleaning, but looking better than before :D
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD005.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD007.jpg

PLX-300 Wideband O2 Sensor
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD009.jpg

R-Magic 99spec Oil Cooler Duct's:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD001.jpg

Aerofiber Feed style Carbon Fiber Sideskirts hopefully going on in the next couple of days:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD010.jpg

Last but not least, Charlie7's Coil Relocation bracket:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD012.jpg

charlies7 02-28-2008 08:23 PM

Good shit right there, that bracket adds 50whp:icon_tup:

Chadwick 02-28-2008 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlies7 (Post 1797)
Good shit right there, that bracket adds 50whp:icon_tup:

Any idea where a person could buy one Charles? :icon_tup:

charlies7 02-29-2008 12:09 PM

ME...I have one left with a blank cover..130 shipped

Pics

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...7/DSCF0021.jpg

$100T2 02-29-2008 06:44 PM

Can I buy that veilside front bumper? My dog would like to urinate on it.

Brent 02-29-2008 08:23 PM

haha. that "disclaimer" was a quote from the original thread from over a year ago... and I held true to my word. That bumper and sideskirts won't be going on a RX-7 anytime soon

Brent 03-02-2008 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRISPEEDFD3S (Post 443)
How much was the paint? Like the actual paint itself. You get it from the dealer?


I was at the paint store today and rather than dig through my receipts, I priced SSM(3L) for you Jeff. I priced upper grade PPG and it was $40 a pint and $70 a quart. I think you could do the whole car with a couple of quartz very easily. A gallon of clear package(includes cataylst, etc) is around $100 a gallon. Unless you are a really good painter you aren't really going to be able to tell the difference between the cheaper stuff, but I still get it anyways. Don't forget all of your other supplies like sanding materials, primer, high build primer, fillers, sealers, tac cloth, etc, etc, etc...


I troubleshot the idle some more today. I redid all of my vacuum hoses and was able to get the idle down to around 2850rpm. I pulled the throttle body w/ TPS off my working red FD that idles great at 750rpm today and put it on the car... no luck... Idles is still around 2850rpm. Dan Chadwick gave me some great sugguestions on how to search for the vacuum leak that I will be checking out tomorrow.

I also was limited in what I could do today because fedex wouldn't deliver my stuff I had overnighted from Mazda Motorsports on Thursday. I went to the fedex location and they said it was unsorted and there was no way I could get it. Oh well, I guess I'll get the rest of the little stuff on Monday.

I put my 5ZR wheels back on as well as installed my feed sideskirts made by aerofiber. The car is starting to look a little better. I still have to clean it up ALOT though!! Here are a couple of pictures. I'll get better ones tomorrow. I'm planning on hopefully *knock on wood* fixing the idle finally. Installing the 99spec front lip and 99spec undertray as well as a few other things.

My buddy Mike eating some dorito's, hard at work... haha. He's the guy that did my battery relocation and all my electronic stuff. Great guy that does quality work.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD014.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD015.jpg

The car currently has eibach springs with Tokico Illumina's. My car seems to sit higher than any other FD with this set up I have ever seen. I'm hoping they settle a little since the car hasen't really been driven since the engine and tranny were pulled. I was trying to hold off on installing my Tein HA's until later, but I don't know if I can take the huge gaps.

On a side note, on my way back from the parts store I spotted a very very red FD with Pettit fender flares and kenesis wheels. It looked so MEAN!!! However, as I got closer, although it looked like a rotary... it certainly didn't sound like one :( LS1. So I did what any self respecting rotary owner would do... I burned his car to the ground. J/K. It was a nice car all around. Just not for me. I do think I will do pettit rear fender flares now though at some point.

David Jerome 03-02-2008 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent (Post 2677)
I.

On a side note, on my way back from the parts store I spotted a very very red FD with Pettit fender flares and kenesis wheels. It looked so MEAN!!! However, as I got closer, although it looked like a rotary... it certainly didn't sound like one :( LS1. So I did what any self respecting rotary owner would do... I burned his car to the ground. J/K. It was a nice car all around. Just not for me. I do think I will do pettit rear fender flares now though at some point.



That is syclonejak off the other forum(the guy with the 99spec bumper I need to get for you), I think he is still overseas so it may have been his dad driving. The live in Kingston so I am shocked they were down your way. That car is mean 0-100 and is really good looking car with the fender flares and 18x13 kinesis wheels:)

Brent 03-02-2008 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Jerome (Post 2748)
That is syclonejak off the other forum(the guy with the 99spec bumper I need to get for you), I think he is still overseas so it may have been his dad driving. The live in Kingston so I am shocked they were down your way. That car is mean 0-100 and is really good looking car with the fender flares and 18x13 kinesis wheels:)


Doh!!! I should have got him to pull over. Maybe he will be back this way sometime. It was his brother driving it. I talked to him at the stop light. You need to do those Pettit Fender Flares man!!! or I'm going to. :D

Brent 03-02-2008 05:54 PM

Found it!! Now it is idling right around 1100rpm's. I had a spot on the corner of my UIM where it meets the UIM to LIM gasket that wasn't quite sealing. I grinded it down flat and put a new gasket on just for good measure... and that sealed it right off. Thanks to Dan Chadwick for all the pointers.

Also, now that the idle has come down, I haven't had any glowing manifold issues.

Here are a few pictures... still looking pretty rough, but I'm about to put the rest of the trim back on. The taillights go on tomorrow as soon as my fedex package gets here that has the brackets in it. Front lip and undertray go on tomorrow.

Yes, I know... I really need to put the lip on:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD018.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD022.jpg
__________________

David Jerome 03-03-2008 11:44 AM

I wish you would have had more time to enjoy it, that car is going to be sick though once everything is ironed out and all the exterior parts are back on.

Brent 03-03-2008 06:30 PM

Well, car is running great thanks to a safe map Dan Chadwick made for me. I'm only on 9lbs right now and have been driving it very conservative. I'm still in the garage drilling the holes for the front lip... well, watching my buddy do it. More to follow after while. Big thanks to Dan Chadwick, David Jerome, and Mike Lashlee!!!

David Jerome 03-03-2008 07:13 PM

Dan, I have a customers car that will need tuned in about 4 weeks if you are interested. He is based out of knoxville and could come down on a weekend. Just pm your rates and if you are interested.

Thanks
David

Brent 03-04-2008 12:12 AM

Well, I've been grinning from ear to ear all evening. Today was "payday".
Pictures...

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD033.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD034.jpg

Who needs neons when you have fluorescents... haha
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD036.jpg

about to tuck her in for the night with the lip and undertray finally on.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...D/T78FD037.jpg

Nice and easy pull at 9lbs

Chadwick 03-04-2008 12:22 AM

Looks much better now, how is it running with that map?

Dan

ObliqueFD 03-04-2008 12:31 AM

Looks great! Is that red interior that I see? If so it's a great combo.

Brent 03-04-2008 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadwick (Post 3429)
Looks much better now, how is it running with that map?

Dan

The map is great. I have boost turned all the way down to 9lbs because I don't have my wideband installed to know my AFR's. The other 3 maps(random ones I had on my laptop, not Dan's) I tried today would hardly idle and as soon as I hit the gas, the car would fall on it's face. I really appreciate you putting it together for me and look foreward to you tuning my car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ObliqueFD
Looks great! Is that red interior that I see? If so it's a great combo.

Yes it is. I use to not like it, but it has grown on me over the years. Plus the seats were very nicely recovered around 500miles ago so I'll at least keep it around until they wear out... then I may go black.

ObliqueFD 03-04-2008 12:49 AM

Who recovered the seats? Leatherseats.com? Mine have a couple of small rips, so they will be due to be recovered soon. How does the color compare to the old seats?

Brent 03-04-2008 01:01 AM

It was done by a local upholstery shop. They might be just a touch darker than the originals, but the fitment is amazing. I'll get some pictures of them in a day or two.

Chadwick 03-04-2008 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Jerome (Post 3242)
Dan, I have a customers car that will need tuned in about 4 weeks if you are interested. He is based out of knoxville and could come down on a weekend. Just pm your rates and if you are interested.

Thanks
David

Hey David,

I'm not taking in any outside work until I get my car done. I'll shoot you a pm when I'm available.

Dan

7_rocket 03-05-2008 09:41 AM

Nice car, what Intercooler is that? M2?

Brent 03-05-2008 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7_rocket (Post 4113)
Nice car, what Intercooler is that? M2?

It's actually a Pettit Coolcharge III. They look the same as the M2's, but the duct is a little different.

David Jerome 03-05-2008 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadwick (Post 3588)
Hey David,

I'm not taking in any outside work until I get my car done. I'll shoot you a pm when I'm available.

Dan

Get your damn car done:) I really do have 2-4 cars that will need tuned in the next short while.

David


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