Rawr! 1992 RHD FD 5.3 Turbo build

[RawrX8]

I wanted to wait till I got some major accomplishments done before I started a thread. I think this will keep me motivated with all the whip cracking and hunger for bacon. Ive had the car for a long time and havent done much but looked at it every time I came home from work. Lots of overtime. Replaced a dead motor in the RX8 cause they wouldnt warranty it due to "I race my car (autocross religiously)..." That took a nice piece chomp out of my bank account. The Dad and his projects in the garage. Weather is warming up and its like sort of not raining in Seattle so I can start going at it.

Plans are getting this car to our new road course and weekend warrior. Turbo motor and road course going to make this a difficult car to drive but not out to win events, just have a blast.

My fabrication abilities are pretty decent but the turbo knowledge end of this is being helped by my dad. He has many many years with GNs. He has a nice 'stock' twin turbo T-type, maybe some of the older buick guys have seen it over on turbobuicks. Fun car put together with 'crap' people threw away 15 years ago. That car is still for sale, hes moved his focus into a lake house.

So on to some  Who reads anyways...

This is when I picked up the car and brought it home.


I told my friend this is the only time he'll get to drive my car...off the trailer.


This has been the only time its been washed in over a year. High school softball team doing a brest cancer fund raiser. Donated a $20 spot. The dad helping out was washing the window just starring into the car. "Hey I think theres something wrong with your car, theres no steering wheel!?" "Other side sir..." "Oh look at that!" Made my day.


Home at last.


Quick degressing but still dirty as hell. Lot of whats in here has been removed.


This is how it ended up tonight. Im pretty much taking pictures and putting every nut and bolt into plastic bags. All the foam wrapping around the wiring is flaking off and I had to put on a dust mask. Who knows what kind of japanese swine flu it might have...


Thats it for now. Motor is sitting in a garbage bag in the garage and theres nothing exciting there. Still trying to figure out what rods and pistons to buy. AFR heads or port my stock heads, I could work a few weekends for AFR heads. Looking out for a good deal on an LS6 intake manifold and a 8.8 IRS. Cobra guys think they are worth their weight in gold. It will be coming along very slow.

Im lucky enough to have a cool dad to guide me through my turbo build, and heres some pictures of his setup on his turbo regal. 

[mattster03]

Glad to see this project underway!  Let me know whenever you need some help.

[RawrX8]

Ill have some cold beer ready when I could use a hand or theres a good sushi place down the street. This weekends plans are to have it fully stripped and get the KAAZ dif out to inspect and sell. Debating if I want to let go of the jdm interior; 2+2 seats, rear belts and plastic panels. Not even sure what they are worth.

[RawrX8]

Post some later.

It's pretty much fully gutted minus fuel lines, brake lines and windshield wiper motor left. And foam from head liner and carpet. Was planning on having a friend come over so we could simple green everything, but I got sick.

Samberg kit hopefully be here shortly. Than I can start my turbo plumbing. Now truck manifolds or factor and more time making a tubular manifold. Far as turbo goes, dad has a 76mm precision that needs to be sent back for a rebuild.

Build starting off like train.

[RawrX8]

Here are some pictures.

Everything is out now... Dry ice best at removing sound deading? Need to scrub off the adhesive, but got sick.



The mess of interior, most of which is not going back into the car. I wanted to sell the 2+2 seats but I dont think anyone would want them since they have some rips just outside the stitching.


I found this between the carpet and the fuse box drivers side. Score I guess.


I was worried when I was pulling this out. Found a nice wiring diagram on here for where each connector goes


The dog; had to come say hello/thought he was going for a ride.


Removing carpet is like digging for treasure. Never know what kind of loot you'll come up with. Only 1 yen

[WannaBeFast]

What engine is that? I have never seen anything like it!

[RawrX8]

What engine is that? I have never seen anything like it!

The twin turbo motor? 3.8 buick V6. My dads build threads are floating around turbobuicks.com.

[WannaBeFast]

Bitchin! 

[RawrX8]

Taking a nap on the couch and the dogs start going ape shit. Barking and pawing at me, "wake up! intruder! intruder!". Nope, just FedEx.



Now time to clean the garage again...and push the car inside so I can drop install new subframe, remove suspension parts for new bushings and ... more cleaning.

[zbrown]

looks good man, keep at it

those turbo buick guys are crazy, haha

[mattster03]

I spy with my little eye... a 8.8 cradle!   

[RawrX8]

Yes sir. Now to get my hands on a 8.8. Pick one up from Justin or if someone has a screaming deal 

[Plex]

Get that stuff powder coated so it doesn't rust man, it'd be a shame to see it rust 

[RawrX8]

It will get a coat of primer to prevent rust. Won't get proper paint till the whole car gets painted.

[RawrX8]

Not much of an update. Waiting on some parts and a GN to finish so the FD can go in the garage.