FD3S Single Turbo Build(Kinda)

dom187 · Post by **dom187** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:38 am

After a month or so of ownership I thought I would start a thread about my Rex as I get it the way I want it, its not going to be a full blown build thread as such. I thought I would put it up anyway as I haven't really got my hands massively dirty with my past cars other than maintenance so any wisdom any one can chuck my way will be greatly received!

Anyway here is what she looked like when I bought her...

Did my first trackday, before the trackday I fitted new pads, braided brake lines, racing brake fluid,
Removed the roof spoiler, replaced the turbo oil feed line and changed the engine oil and filter.

So got quite a few bits done, after the track day I noticed the exhaust was blowing from somewhere so I got the car up on a ramp (Thanks APT) and it looked like the exhaust mani was cracked. Before I took the car apart I had a dabble with my new DSLR (I am not a pro by any means!!!!)

After that I started work...Queue alot of swearing and finally I ended up with...

Turns out the face of the exhaust mani which mates with the engine is warped and the V band clamp between the turbo and down pipe is also leaking. Also a weld in the mani is cracked as well! Awesome sauce! The mani is with A&F engineering at the moment getting sorted I should have it back in the next week or so. I am also going to get a copper gasket made up for between the turbo and exhaust mani.

After that I have got planned...

Put a silenced mid pipe on if the car is not quieter after sorting out the blowing.

Duct IC and Rad

Custom CAI

Vented bonnet

Remap

Wire in RX8 seats - heated and position controls

Sort out rust spots and get the car undersealed

Change alloys for something else

200jimcone · Post by **200jimcone** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 3:14 pm

Really like that. Good luck with the build thread

dom187 · Post by **dom187** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 4:52 pm

Been cleaning up the turbo and down pipe this afternoon. Were they joined via a V Band they leaked so I have been paying particular attention to that area. However I notice the surface of these has turned like slate? Is this due to the heat involved? Problem I am going to have is getting these to seal with the V band now. I am guessing I would have to get both areas skimmed or something?

Some pics of what I am talking about...

Post by **Stuart** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 5:59 pm

Glad you've started a thread Dom

A shame about your 'leak' discovery showing you that you have a few other jobs to attend to, but better now than later on I guess. A couple of things though;

1- Surprised that you intend on swapping the wheels
2- Maybe come to a hire agreement with Gareth on his vented bonnet. As you know, he doesn't seem to use it

dom187 · Post by **dom187** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 7:09 pm

Stuart wrote:Glad you've started a thread Dom

A shame about your 'leak' discovery showing you that you have a few other jobs to attend to, but better now than later on I guess. A couple of things though;

1- Surprised that you intend on swapping the wheels
2- Maybe come to a hire agreement with Gareth on his vented bonnet. As you know, he doesn't seem to use it

I must admit I didnt plan of getting things apart this soon into ownership, I could have left it but it needed doing and I got bored!!! I want to quiten the car down abit so hopefully fixing this lot will sort it out. Otherwise I will be getting a different backbox and will have to fork out for a remap....

1) I know what you are saying. They just dont flick my switch to be honest, I would like thin spoked ones if you get me. Something like ...

2) haha I will text him!

RX7 · Post by **RX7** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:39 pm

You funny fkers !!!!

Nice project mate, although its a nightmare to find this stuff it will be worth doing properly in the long run.

dom187 · Post by **dom187** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:06 am

RX7 wrote:You funny fkers !!!!

Nice project mate, although its a nightmare to find this stuff it will be worth doing properly in the long run.

Thanks mate, yeah I dont mind hunting around for this stuff. Problem I am having at the moment is funds as we are trying to do loads of work on the house as well.

I have checked the coolant over the weekend and it looks clear like water....I am thinking does this mean I dont have any anti freeze in there?

RX7 · Post by **RX7** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:52 am

Hmm, to be honest that doesnt sound good mate. I dont know of any brands that are clear :S

Best get some proper stuff in there. You know there is coolant also in the engine to drain and not just the radiator. Just if you want to do it all.

dom187 · Post by **dom187** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:56 am

Yeah my feeling exactly. I need to sort thins soon as winter is coming...

I have got a temp sender which I need to replace which would mean the loss of coolant so I will do both things together.

I keep asking this but I cant seem to find the answer, what coolant should I use? I have heard the wrong coolant will eat the water seals?

RX7 wrote:Hmm, to be honest that doesnt sound good mate. I dont know of any brands that are clear :S

Best get some proper stuff in there. You know there is coolant also in the engine to drain and not just the radiator. Just if you want to do it all.

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 6:35 pm

" Use a 30/70 mixture of ethylene glycol and water. Never use "red" coolant (Dex-Cool) as it is very corrosive to the seals inside the rotary engine." (taken from http://www.aaroncake.net whose site has been going since 1995. May be an idea to check the voracity of this with someone like Jaydee, Gary Gooding, Carl Hayward etc)
Seen this recommended on a few forums
http://www.evanscoolant.co.uk/acatalog/ ... l-RX7.html