March 17, 2025, 02:18:56 AM

Author Topic: Digital_hoon's Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD  (Read 24859 times)

Offline XLR8

Re: Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #30 on: April 27, 2014, 10:44:22 PM »
I'm right there with you.  I originally planned to do a factory ECU with with EFI Live, but after some research, I think the Holley has my vote.  I was looking at the Atomic LS, as their brain dead approach to EFI will soon be expanded with their App BrainWave.  Nonetheless, Holley has a solid foot hold in the market for a reason.  After doing a bit of reading, and playing with the software, I keep coming back to it and it keeps smiling back at me.  :wave:

I too debate between the HP and Dominator for pretty much the same reason.  DBW is nice when you don't have to deal with an IAC, and running a cable.  At the same token, it's one more thing to calibrate, and another electronic to fail.  I have no plans to boost or spray, so the HP will do everything I need, except the damn DBW!  ::)

With I/O's, the HP has 4, and the Dominator has a TON.  The wideband is integrated with both so that doesn't take up any room.
« Last Edit: April 29, 2014, 06:39:19 PM by XLR8 »
94 MB Base...416 LS3 Stroker......Build Thread

Offline gnx7

Re: Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #31 on: April 28, 2014, 12:14:42 PM »
You are definitely waist deep in the swap now :)

Make sure you have a straight shot intake like the Samberg style or else you will give up 20-30rwhp due to the bends and turbulence.

I love my Holley HP and highly recommend it. 
'93 FD: 441ci/AllPro LS7 heads/intake en route, T56 Mag, 8.8" IRS, HolleyHP, DavisTechTC 10.32@137mph cats/full exhaust. 165mph 1/2 mile (old LS7)
'93 FD LS9 turbo, T56 Mag, Samberg 8.8" solid axle, 9.35@163mph 197mph 1/2 mile
`69 Chevelle: alum 5.3, GTS76 turbo, ChiseledPerf A/W, T56 Magnum,Ford 35 spline 9".CTS-V interior http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=18234.0
old yellar....440rwhp/FD sold but not forgotten: http://www.ponycars.net/scc.htm
I sell new T56 Magnums/McLeod clutch/T56 rebuild kits/Holley EFI/FIC injectors and all BrianTooleyRacing parts.  norcalmotorsport@gmail.com

Offline digital_hoon

Re: Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #32 on: April 30, 2014, 08:31:42 PM »
Thanks for the kind words and advice! I'll be running the Samberg radiator setup. One of the few things I already have.

For the ECU, what type of other inputs/outputs would you possibly need? Mark - I know you mentioned boost by gear if I ever decided to go FI, but I wasn't sure what else you'd be able to take advantage of with the Dominator. Excuse my ignorance...I'm still researching. :)

Updates...

The dorito is gone! :D The buyer of the motor/trans/harness came and picked everything up last night. He'll be buying all the stock cooling/intercooler/intake stuff in a couple weeks as well. I got lucky with him being local and having just bought a shell. Other than that, been slowly working on the interior. Getting these fragile clips apart after having been stuck together for 20 years is a lesson in patience. Here's the current status.

[attach=2]

In other news...you may have noticed some rust in the engine bay in 1 of the previous pictures. I'm thinking I'm going to fix the rust and respray the engine bay. (Maybe black?)

[attach=1]
:(

Well, the idea of removing all the engine bay clips and keeping them straight is a little intimidating so I thought I might ask for some help. I'm wondering what all in the engine bay I will still be using. I plan on trying to run A/C and P/S. I guess I might as well take the front fascia off. Here's what I'm working with...

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[attach=5]

www.C2renders.com  - Digital marketing assets tailored to the automotive aftermarket.

'07 RS4
'93 Montego Blue FD - Mid-operation

Offline XLR8

Re: Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #33 on: May 01, 2014, 11:51:44 PM »
The factory A/C lines will need to go.  If you are using the Samberg radiator then it has previsions for an aftermarket condensor.  From there, I highly recommend Halfspec's A/C lines.  There is currently a group buy going on.
http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=19122.0

With the small clips and wiring, you just have to take your time.  Some of the plastic clips are replaceable.  Mazda still produces some, but some they do not.  For a straight answer and excellent price, call Ray Crow at Malloy Mazda.  Hands down the best service for OEM parts.

With the ABS, I deleted mine.  My car brakes like a champ and I enjoyed gutting 30lbs of spaghetti from my bay.  Far less clips to worry about as well.  Alex Rodriguez sells a kit on the "other club".  I can also hit him up, if you are interested.  :cheers:

The wiring can pretty much stay as is, or you can get extreme.  The relay brackets on the passenger side, I simply relocated.  The drivers side of course has the fuse box, and the large engine harness.  If you strip it down that harness and follow the FSM, you will see most of them will be useful. 

Coolant disconnect (level buzzer)
Oil level
A/C compressor switch
P/S pressure sensor
Oil pressure sensor (for cluster)

Not sure what you plant to do with gauges, but the coolant temp sensor comes from the emissions harness that use to be connected to the ECU.  Parts of that harness plug to the old rotary ECU, and parts of it plugged into some body plugs.  Those plugs have a few functions such as the ignition and of course, the temp sensor's gauge on the cluster.  Again, you can identify the exact wire with the FSM. 

All of these things are pretty easily traceable if you take your time.  Though I am really new to the LSX swap, I am not new to the FD wiring.  Since I did a tuck on my car, I learned alot of how the factory wiring is laid out.  Here to help.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2014, 12:08:44 AM by XLR8 »
94 MB Base...416 LS3 Stroker......Build Thread

Offline digital_hoon

Re: Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #34 on: May 06, 2014, 09:51:13 PM »

Not sure what you plant to do with gauges, but the coolant temp sensor comes from the emissions harness that use to be connected to the ECU.  Parts of that harness plug to the old rotary ECU, and parts of it plugged into some body plugs.  Those plugs have a few functions such as the ignition and of course, the temp sensor's gauge on the cluster.  Again, you can identify the exact wire with the FSM. 

All of these things are pretty easily traceable if you take your time.  Though I am really new to the LSX swap, I am not new to the FD wiring.  Since I did a tuck on my car, I learned alot of how the factory wiring is laid out.  Here to help.

I'm still contemplating gauges. I'd love to do the racepak cluster but there's plenty other things to buy before that. haha.

I kind of assume I'll have a couple long nights with wiring alone. I'll definitely be asking questions!

As far as updates go, I disassembled the dash and got the carpet out. Might have found a black carpet for a decent price, but we'll see if it works out. Anybody looking to get rid of an OEM black carpet??  :)

Here's how she sits now...

[attach=1]

[attach=3]
www.C2renders.com  - Digital marketing assets tailored to the automotive aftermarket.

'07 RS4
'93 Montego Blue FD - Mid-operation

Offline Tictakman

Re: Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #35 on: May 06, 2014, 10:21:07 PM »
Ill sell you my racepak if you are interested... its the display version

Offline quinns

Re: Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #36 on: May 07, 2014, 03:27:20 AM »
Auto custom carpet makes carpet for FD's. I don't know if it's as good as OEM but the price is right. I've used it on other projects and with a little trimming I was happy with it.
1993 Rx-7 Base LS3 TR6060 Ronin 8.8
1997.5 Hummer H1
2006 Hummer H2 SUT

Offline digital_hoon

Re: Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #37 on: May 07, 2014, 08:35:50 AM »
Ill sell you my racepak if you are interested... its the display version

I sent you a PM

Auto custom carpet makes carpet for FD's. I don't know if it's as good as OEM but the price is right. I've used it on other projects and with a little trimming I was happy with it.

Thanks for the info! I've read mixed reviews of their carpet for FD's but I'm still keeping them in mind.
« Last Edit: May 07, 2014, 08:52:22 AM by digital_hoon »
www.C2renders.com  - Digital marketing assets tailored to the automotive aftermarket.

'07 RS4
'93 Montego Blue FD - Mid-operation

Offline digital_hoon

Re: Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #38 on: May 14, 2014, 09:44:15 AM »
Minor update:

Headliner and door panels are now off the car so the interior is 95% stripped. The only trim left is in the hatch area and the actual sunroof trim. Its closed right now with all kinds of harnesses unplugged so that will probably have to wait to get swapped.  ::)

I received all the vinyl and plastic paint I ordered, so the tan-black conversion will begin this weekend.

I also bought a bulk pack of dynamat since the carpet is out so that will get laid down soon too. Going to go at the floor with some simple green and get any excess padding/insulation stripped off before the dynamat goes down. Still searching for a decent deal on a OEM black carpet, but  might end up going the aftermarket route if it takes too long to find one.

In other news, I was pleased to see the Samberg mounting kit just got a price drop of $300. Once I order bushings, that will be the next step.

Should have some pics for you this weekend.
www.C2renders.com  - Digital marketing assets tailored to the automotive aftermarket.

'07 RS4
'93 Montego Blue FD - Mid-operation

Offline digital_hoon

Re: Digital_hoon's Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #39 on: June 09, 2014, 08:34:36 PM »
Been awhile since I've updated but I'm still mostly playing the saving game. I start a new job soon so hopefully it will help speed up the swap!

The dynamat is all laid down on the floor. I did the passenger door and even without the door panel, it makes a huge difference in sound compared to the driver's side. Just looking to keep the squeaks and creaks to a minimum.

[attach=1]

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Besides that, all the tan plastics have been sprayed, and most of the black plastics have been resprayed. I still need to do the gauge cluster, IP pieces, and re-do the passenger door handle. Just didn't sand it as well as the other pieces. Pretty happy with how everything is coming out.

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As for the other pieces...the headliner, dash, and A-pillars are going to be wrapped in ultra-suede to finish everything off and attempt to update the interior.  :) It's the same manufacturer as the genuine alcantara, but the threads are shorter so the color is more saturated. I have to get a couple quotes this week as I'd rather have a professional handle any upholstery. Here's what it looks like...

[attach=6]

I'll be ordering aftermarket carpet this week in order to start the re-assembly. I just can't see paying $500+ for used OEM carpet. I saved the foam/rubber backing from my tan carpet so hopefully it helps with the fitment.
www.C2renders.com  - Digital marketing assets tailored to the automotive aftermarket.

'07 RS4
'93 Montego Blue FD - Mid-operation

Offline scuter83

Re: Digital_hoon's Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #40 on: August 04, 2014, 05:02:14 PM »
This thing run yet?  You might not remember me but I was the one that lived in Ann Arbor and now have my LS3ish (LQ4, LS3 heads/intake, aftermarket rods/pistons/cams) FC runing.  Would like to compare power, haha.

Let me know...
Scott

Offline digital_hoon

Re: Digital_hoon's Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #41 on: August 04, 2014, 10:26:38 PM »
This thing run yet?  You might not remember me but I was the one that lived in Ann Arbor and now have my LS3ish (LQ4, LS3 heads/intake, aftermarket rods/pistons/cams) FC runing.  Would like to compare power, haha.

Let me know...
Scott

Nah, I haven't even ordered the transmission/clutch/ecu etc.. I probably won't be running until April/May next year.

I'm currently waiting on my samberg kit, then I'm going to order powerflex bushings. Still a long way to go, but it'll be a completely different car by the time it's done.
www.C2renders.com  - Digital marketing assets tailored to the automotive aftermarket.

'07 RS4
'93 Montego Blue FD - Mid-operation

Offline digital_hoon

Re: Digital_hoon's Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #42 on: August 26, 2014, 10:14:48 AM »
Finally have some updates worth sharing.

I received my Samberg mounting kit, OEM black carpet, and as of last night, my transmission!  :D



T56 Magnum, 2.66 ratio. I had planned on waiting to purchase more stuff for the RX7 since I just did new o2 sensors, downpipes, and a tune on the RS4 before my trip to the Tail of the Dragon. This trans randomly came up on craigslist and I couldn't pass up the deal. $2,000 for an un-used Magnum with LS Bellhousing! The previous owner purchased it 3 years ago for his '66 V8 Beetle project and never got the chance to use it. He had only only mated it to the engine for measurements.

Getting closer! Now time to get some work done
www.C2renders.com  - Digital marketing assets tailored to the automotive aftermarket.

'07 RS4
'93 Montego Blue FD - Mid-operation

Offline Cker7

Re: Digital_hoon's Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #43 on: August 26, 2014, 01:36:01 PM »
Great build thread! Keep it coming!

Offline digitalsolo

Re: Digital_hoon's Built LS7, 8.8 IRS, T56 Magnum - MB FD
« Reply #44 on: August 26, 2014, 03:03:07 PM »
Holy crap that's an amazing deal!
Blake MF'ing McBride
1988 Mazda RX7 - Turbo LS1/T56/ProEFI/8.8/Not Slow...   sold.
1965 Mustang Coupe - TT Coyote, TR6060, modern brakes/suspension...
2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage - Gen V LT4/TR6060, upper/lower pullies, headers, tune.
2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance - Stock...ish.