1979 SA RX-7 LS Turbo Build (8.93 @ 153)

[N2v8fcs]

when do you plan to have it finished ?

[forcefed86]

when do you plan to have it finished ?

Still need head lights/signals fabbed into the fwd bumper. Then some how find space for a decent intake/filter setup and at least one muffler. Then hope they let me register and tag it! Prob be a month or two still...

I went with these really thin foglights, two stacked on top of each other per side. this way I can have one be the "brights". Plan to put them in the place of the factory signals, and then run a tinted cover of some kind over them. They are 55w h3 bulbs, so I hope they are bright enough. In reality I'll probably point them both down and run the "brights" and standard all the time.

[forcefed86]

Started the exhaust system. The MaxFlow 4" Hooker muffler I ordered was just to big to fit anywhere. (if anyone wants one of these let me know) I had some new 2.5" glass packs laying around the shop and wedged it up into the 4" downpipe. It quieted down the exhaust a ton. So I decided to go with it. Just welded around the body of the muffler. 

It's a nice quiet tone, but I'm sure it's massively restrictive.  I'll end up with some sort of electric cutout or possibly even try out the "WG cutout" idea I had. I figure I could toss a 60mm gate on like so that will open under boost. Hoping between the 2.5" muffler and the cutout it will be able to breath. I could always throw a 3" cutout on it as well. opinions?

[digitalsolo]

LOL, interesting exhaust setup. 

The wastegate idea is interesting.

[forcefed86]

I wish there was a formula or something out there I could use to figure (guess) at back pressure. I know even a tiny opening pre muffler will relieve a ton of back pressure. Not sure if a 60mm gate combined with the 2.5" muffler would flow the same as say a 4" straight pipe.

 It would be easy to throw a 3" electric cutout on there, but I always have issues with them in the past. I could pick up 2 38mm gates and put one on each 90* bend. Bet that setup would get some odd looks! 

[forcefed86]

Decided to go with the 60mm gate... and it was crap out of the box.  Waiting to hear back from seller.




Made boost fo r the first time today!  Don't think i'll have any issues building boost. This is almost 5lbs and only 3/4 throttle on the brake. Through a 2.5" muffler. Once I get the exhaust dump setup and anti-lag it should spool up pretty instantly. Sounds like a jet! 


MVI_0681

[forcefed86]

I'm calling the exhaust done. The new gate they sent me was crap as well. I used parts from the both of them to make one working gate.  Not that it wasn't expected, but I wouldn't suggest "godspeed" products. They are pretty much crap. I also cut the supplied Wg spring in half and heated it with a torch to weaken it quite a bit. Shouldn't take much boost to open it.


Also installed an exhaust crank case evac kit. It's pulling vac at idle. And gets much stronger in the revs.


Heres the finished product.



Wrapped



Video of the WG actuating with some shop air.


MVI0682


Hard to see but the evac kit is pulling vac at idle.





Also got new window crank assys, glass, door handles And pop rivited some alum door covers on. Now both windows work on this "street car".







Installed some $50 ebay coil overs to raise the front end a couple inches. While I was playing with the suspension I figure I should upgrade the brakes. Ordered a set of drilled and slotted rotors with some HAWK HPS pads.



Wrapped the dump tube and brake lines.



Ordered a cheap ebay oil catch can. Came with no baffles. Was just straight in and out.  Installed some brass SOS pads and tubing to help baffle the oil mist. Should work well now. I have the same setup on my other car.  Not sure if I will even use it now that I am running an exhaust evac setup. If anyone wants It I'll sell it for $30.

[SSjon]

Are those the original small bearing spindals your putting the brakes onto?

[forcefed86]

Yup they sure are....

[forcefed86]

Well I took the car out and hit 10lbs and 5500rpm or so. Doubt I was going that fast, but it sure felt like it in this little tin can of a car. About pooped my pants when it broke the tires loose. (12x29 slicks).

The new brakes came in. Had to install new bearings and races. Used mobil 1 syn grease. Got the Hawk pads all installed as well. This thing still stops poorly in my book. I haven't had it over 50-60 yet I don't think. Even at slow speeds it seems like it takes quite a bit of pedal effort to slow it down. What are other quick 1st gens doing to slow down?

[SSjon]

Idk if I will be all that quick, but I am going with GSL-SE front spindles with the ReSpeed Big Brake Kit, TurboII front hubs and rotors, FD front Calipers, GSL-SE master cylinder. I will find out how she does on the big end this summer, last year stock front disc with Explorer rear discs it was not too bad. Pedal effort depended on how much vacuum was stored up. I am pretty sure that was with the cheap Advance auto parts pads I bought years ago... I can't remember if I got the good ones or not... probably just some cheap organic pads. I am gonna give the Wagner Ceramics a try with my FD calipers.

[cyipher]

Well I took the car out and hit 10lbs and 5500rpm or so. Doubt I was going that fast, but it sure felt like it in this little tin can of a car. About pooped my pants when it broke the tires loose. (12x29 slicks).

The new brakes came in. Had to install new bearings and races. Used mobil 1 syn grease. Got the Hawk pads all installed as well. This thing still stops poorly in my book. I haven't had it over 50-60 yet I don't think. Even at slow speeds it seems like it takes quite a bit of pedal effort to slow it down. What are other quick 1st gens doing to slow down?

i went mid 9's on factory brakes no issues (disc/drum) are you running vaccuum to the booster? big cam?

[forcefed86]

Well thats good to hear! I really don't want to mess with new front suspension and/or discs in the back at this point. I know the FB and SA brake calipers are a little different as well as the disc design. Do you know if your discs were 9" diameter? I've got 10" drums from a ford taurus in the rear.

Using a zr1 cam, should have shyt tons of vacuum.

211/230 .558/.552 122.5 CL

 I'm not sure if the AEM 3.5 bar sensor doesn't read in inhg or what but its indicating around -9. So if thats in PSI it should be around 18-19 inhg.  I'll have to throw a mech. gauge on it to check I suppose. Also running straight off the back of the large vac nipple on the intake manifold to the booster with a check valve inline. Suppose I'll check and make sure it's holding vacuum and not leaking. I suppose it does act like the booster isn't working because it does stop, just needs what I feel is excessive pedal pressure. I'll try plugging the line to the booster and see if the pedal presure changes.

Thanks!

[forcefed86]

Doh! it's amazing how much better they work when I install the check valve to the master in the correct direction. 

[zbrown]

Really was a booster lol