Car Specs

Well, it's taken me awhile, but here are the specs for my car:

Gen 1, Series 3, RX-7 - 1985
Engine: 12AT

• hi-flow series 4 turbo
• FMIC
• PWR Radiator
• PWR Oil Cooler
  
• Mictotech LTX-8 fuel management system
• turbo port
• dowelled
• Series 4 plenum
  
• Aftermarket Dual stage pressure regualtor
• Turbosmart Dual Stage boost controller with launch switch
• 12A rebuilt end of 2006
  
• Simmons F15 wheels
  
• 3" exhaust thru to 3.5" mandrel bent tip
• 3" Magnaflow Metallic Cat (striped)
  
• Auto meter boost gauge bolted to "A" pillar
• MONZA aftermarket front bucket seats with rear seats removed
• resprayed red and all door seals and boot seals re done
• battery relocated to boot
• pinoeer 6" splits in doors
• pioneer 6x7's in B pillar
• series 4 gearbox
• multi-puk ceramic center sprung button clutch (Exedy heavy duty sports clutch kit)
  
• lightened flywheel
• nolethane bushes
• koni adjustables (rear, front to be confirmed)
• AC removed
• Bosch Competition fuel pump
• 194rwkw @ 16psi in DynoDynamics Shootout mode
  

Updates:
2007-04-05 - Noticed I hadn't updated the wheels, plus added power output
2007-04-01 - Bosch Competition fuel pump
2007-02-07 - PWR oil cooler and radiator
xxxx-xx-xx - Previous updates untracked

Need a New Clutch

Well, I've been wondering if I need a new clutch, now I know for sure.

Last night I was having a bit of a run with Sam. All was going good and we were rolling up to some lights just before they went green. So I'm rolling along in first and then give it about 75% throttle to take off, then the same into second (I do this because at 100% it seems to like to step out :D ). Then I did a nice quick change into third an FLOORED it - as I'm yet to see it let go in third.

The revs picked up heaps quick and for a split second I thought the wheels had lit up, but then in the next split second I realised that was not the case. The clutch was slipping big time.... In third at that.

Sam commented this morning that at first he also though I had lit up the tires as he saw some smoke. But then he realised it was clutch smoke.

So basically it seems as though the clutch no longer likes a sudden full kick of power. :(

The plan is to first sort out the gear shifter and steering, and then I think I'll do the clutch after that.

Up Next, Brake Pads

Alright, tried to get me some Bendix Ultimate pads, but apparently they don't make them for the S3 Rx7. Then tried to get some Bendix Advance pads, but there are two differnt types you can get, and would need to order the rears in.

Too hard when I want them ASAP.

So I've simply booked the car in for next week to get them all replaced, and at the same time to get the play in the steering inspected and the wierd shift pattern for the gear shifter checked. Bit by bit I'll get it up to spec. ;)

Proper Exhaust Back On

w00t w00t!

As planned I got the old exhaust put back on this morning before work. It is sooooo good to have it back. Not only can I now hear the car again, it is so much easier to drive (even things as simple as gear changes were effected by the _massive_ back pressure). Aaaaah, the freedom. :D

Might see if I can track down some brake pads today.

Shiny Intercooler Pipes

Well, seeing it is now all registered I started playing tonight. I re-installed the boost controller, and then decided my intercooler pipes looked a bit dull. I had purchased some Alushine on the week-end and so got to work giving it a go.

The end result was reasonable and close to what I had hoped for. But there are still some dull patches and marks on the pipes from (what I can only assume to be) neglect by previous owners. I will probably have another stab at it on the week-end and if needs be there is an even stronger chemical I can get to further improve it - it's the one that is meant for removing marks etc.

I also did a very very small amount of degreasing, but more of that will come too.

Finally, I stuck my new rego sticker in place. awwwwww. :)

P.S. Tomorrow morning I am getting the proper exhaust put back in place. I'm looking forward to that as the rego one has been crazy!

Wooohooo, It Passed!!!

The car is now fully registered with new plates and the lot.

Overall the inspection went to plan. There were only two points of concern with the first being that the inspector I got was not the same as the guy for the previous three inspections, and he seemed to have less idea of what was going on. But that is nothing major, he was a friendly enough guy so all was fine. The only other concern was the handbrake test at the end. The numbers were still down on the right hand side (even though it was meant to be fixed). But on the second attempt it seemed to give results that they were happy with and so all was successful.

The real fun came afterwards when I went into motor registry to try and transfer the rego over into my name. Seeing that it had been out of rego for slightly over two years, and the previous owner had never registered the car, it became difficult to figure out who the previous owner was.

After about five minutes they decided the best idea was to rather than transfer the registration, to just start it again. That then entailed me going back outside to remove the number plates and go back inside to complete the app and get the new number plates.

All in all, the registration process took longer than the inspection but everything was worked out. The car is now registered and I can get to work bringing it up to spec: Tightening up the steering, fixing up the play in the gear box shifter, new brake pads, etc. etc. etc.

The important thing is, it's finally done. :D

Zero to Go

Alrighty, all items on the list are complete! Tomorrow is the BIG day, it is the first day that I'm expecting to pass, so let's hope that is the case. Everything should be fine as I've checked everything - other than the ball joint (I hope that has stayed good).

Fingers crossed (XX),
Oz.

Three to Go

Okay, rego muffler is installed and seems to be doing the job. I started the car when I picked it up and wasn't even sure if it was running it was so quite. It was crazy! Hopefully should do the job.

Tomoz I drop it off to get the three other minor things done. Window wipers was one of the items on there and I originally thought that was a bit too much. But then today half way to work they stopped working (it was raining). As a result I had to drive the rest of the way there and then back in the rain with no wipers. Not fun. Meant driving nice and slow and really cautious.

Anyway, driving to get the rest done tomorrow will be a bit of an effort with the rego muffler. You can really tell that the car does not like all that additional back pressure, so hopefully it doesn't do any harm - plus all the other driving I have to do until I get to remove it on Thursday (after rego inspection etc.).

Boost Gauge Fixed

The vacum line for my boost gauge was a dodgey install and kept popping off. As a result my boost gauge kept failing.

Today I got some vacum hose and tidied it all up. As a result, it now works as expected.

While testing it, I saw some interesting readings. Remembering that my boost controller is still removed, I was seeing generally around 5psi. But quite often I would see readings of around 13psi, and this is meant to be running 'stock' boost.

What I'm thinking is that this is simply over boost due to the fact I'm running a high flow series 4 turbo. Should be interesting to look into it further when I get the turbo controller back on. Plus even when I test drove it before buying it, I noticed a cut out when hammering it, tonight I saw that it happened right on 15psi so maybe that has something to do with it.

Anyway, once I get a new tune etc. and the controller back on I can hopefully make more sense of it all. Just focusing on Rego atm.

Four to Go

Alright, only four items left on the 'repairs needed' list. Today I purchased and installed an odyssey battery and fixed up the loose back window (just some screws needed tightening). As for the other four items:

Exhaust - I have booked in for Monday morning. The 'exhaust guy' recommended making a 'rego muffler' so I'm going to go along with that. Hopefully rego don't knock me back on the knowledge that it is only temporary - esp. seeing I'm hopeless at 'lying'.

Window wipers, fuel system protection and handbrake - I have this all booked in for Tuesday at one of the reputable Canberra Rotary shops.

Finally I've made another (hopefully the final) booking for a rego inspection on Wednesday as by then I should have all the work done. I've managed to book this in for lunch time, which is great. I can simply drive the car to work, and then putt (because of the rego exhaust) on over to Dickson in my lunch brake.

Exciting times ahead (touch wood). :D

But it's been great being able to drive it around with the rotor and stereo pumping. Totally loving it. :D

Woohoo, Unrestricted

So, attemp #3 was a success. I went back and picked up my car at 5pm, the guys were busy so they simply said it should all be fine now. Went over the pits and the inspector (same guy from other 2 times) said it was fine and summed it up well. He said, "why couldn't they have done this the first time?" A very good question.

Anyway, feeling slightly better about it as a result. Tomoz I should be able to get a weekly permit for it and start getting the other stuff sorted. Who knows, maybe next week will be the week. :?

But one concern, I went past a mobile speed camera on the way home while being slightly silly. Should be interesting to see what comes of it. :-/

;)
Oz.

Work Complete, Inspection Failed

hmmm... So picked up my car at 1pm today as planned, and headed over to motor registry. The problem felt like it was resolved, however motor registry were not happy with the quality. So being the nice guys they are, they let me have a look, and I could see their issue with it. The ball joint was still sticking out by about 1cm - it should be flush.

I rang the blokes who did the work, and have just dropped it back to them. They don't think they'll be able to get it done any better, but they're going to try. :-/ Eitherway, I'll go back and pick it up at 5pm and drive back over to Dickson (where the motor registry is) to try again. Thankfully they're open until 7pm, but if it fails this time I will just give up on these guys and go to some actual mazda mechanics. The only reason I didn't first up was because the car was pretty much undriveable. But now it is driveable, so....

Anyway, here's hoping. :(

It's DONE!

Woooohoooo... Just got the call. All done for $313.00 :D

They've agreed to hold it until Thursday so that I can pick it up (on my 2hour permit) and take it for a re-inspection.

Some progress again. ;)

(I must say, I thought they were ringing to tell me it was screwed.)

Arrrrgh, the PAIN!

Man, getting sick of owning a car, but not being able to drive it. I hope the suspension gets fixed tomoz and then rego re-test allows me to get a weekly on Thursday. :(

Ball Joints and Control Arms

Well, turns out the reason the ball joint pushed through was because the socket in the lower control arm has turned into an oval (rather than a circle). Therefore the lower control arm is considered useless and needs to be replaced as well as the ball joint.

The suspension shop has sourced both, but the control arm wont arrive until Wednesday. As a result I wont expect my car back until Thursday.

So I've booked a rego inspection for Thursday with the idea being that I will organise to pick up the car and get a UVP on Thursday in such a way that I can go straight there. This inspection is just so I can get the 'restricted' status off the vehicle so that I can get a weekly permit to allow the other work more easily to be carried out - plus I'll be able to drive it to work. :D

Anyway, bit by bit. :-/

Rego Inspection Failed, Friday Adventures Continue

Well, as expected, the rego inspection yesterday was failed. But it was failed more severely than expected with unexpected occurrences on the way.

Half way to the rego inspection centre, my steering suddenly felt crazy heavy esp. when attempting to turn right. But I continued on to the inspection hoping it was nothing they would notice. I was wrong.

It seems that the front right hand ball joint popped out.



In the highlighted area above, there is a round 'thing' pushed through the bar coming across from the right of the picture. That bit which is pushed through is the ball joint, and normally it does not protrude *at all*.

As a result of that problem, they deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive and even suggested I get a tow truck to get it home. I didn't really want to fork out the cost etc. for that, so I limped it back home. Following that I (with the help of Erg and Scotty) limped it down to a local generic suspension shop to get it fixed.

The current plan is that they wont look at it until Monday. But the thing was that I still had the daily permit, so wanted to get it down there before that ran out. Plus, with the new rating I can now only get 2 hourly permits (rather than the previous dailies), but if I go back and show them that the ball joint is fixed they will allow me to get weeklies.

So hopefully I can get that fixed Monday and then take it back out to the inspection centre a day or so after that and get a weekly. After that I can take it to another mechanic and get all the other items sorted.

Probably the next most major item is the exhaust was coming out at 101db, where apparently I'm only allowed 90db. So I need to get something done with the exhaust. :(

Anyways, here's the full results (note the circled R next to the ball joint issue - that means restricted and hence the 2 hour permit restriction):



It's funny, this was the second Friday I have driven the car, and the second Friday where things seemed to have gone bang with the car. Maybe Friday is not a good day to drive it. ;)

Thanks go to Erg for sorting out getting the car to suspension shop, and thanks to Scotty for driving us back from the suspension shop. Cheers guys.

P.S. I also found the inspection guys to be really friendly and helpful. Made my first pit inspection much less daunting. :)

Ready for Rego Inspection #1

Well, just placed my latest UVP up on the dash, have the boost controller removed, so ready for Rego Inspection #1 tomorrow.

Now I expect to fail this first one, but the idea is that I get a complete list of things to fix. I can then take this list to my mechanic and get them all done in one hit. I will then return (next week hopefully) and do my second attempt - which I intend to be the one I pass.

I only know of two things I'll definitely fail on.
1. The battery is in the boot and is not the correct type/correctly sealed.
2. The previous owner said when he attempted the inspection he failed on two things; the horn (which I got fixed) and the hand brake was not tight enough.
Hopefully there are not too many other things, and definitely nothing new to get engineered.

Before I go I will take the car down to the local Laser Wash to give it a good clean up (first impression being the most important an' all), and then I'll definitely be ready.

Scotty has told me that if the car is generally in good nick, I may then be able to finally get a weekly UVP rather than these painful daily ones. That will be great as it will make it easier to get the work done by the mechanic and then go back for the final inspection.

Looking forward to it.

P.S. Planning to take Erg as passenger. He had to do this with YNO-20B, and is not working tomoz, so why not. ;)

Vacum Hose

Picked up some vacum hose today. Need to pull out my dual stage boost controller in order to pass rego. So I'll replace with the straight hose tonight in prep for rego inspection on Friday.

I wanted to get red vacum hose, but could not find any. So for now it is just black, but I think I will search from some red on line to make it a bit tidier. :D (Oh, I want red because my car is red and so is the hoses for my intercooler. ;) )

Electrics All Sorted

Okay, just picked up car. Must say I'm very happy. It's now running tons smoother and they fixed everything I asked for, and more.

For full story, just see the receipt:



I was planning to get them to look at the stereo after I had rego, but turned out it was as a result of the stereo and cigarette lighter that the mirrors were not working. So they fixed the stereo too. Very happy. :D

It's the Alternator

Got a call from the sparky at lunch, turns out the alternator is shagged. Unfortunately I don't have the receipt from the previous owner (apparently it's with his mate who got it for him), so as a result I'm just getting a new one put in.

So looks like Frizzbe's diagnostics were correct. Good work Frizza! ;)

Might give them a call at 4pm to see how it's traveling. Be good to get it back today. :D

Rego Inspection Rebooked

Alright, rego inspection is now on Friday. Hopefully that will give me enough time to get the car back from the sparky and time to prep it. :D

Auto Electricians, Rego Inspections and Helmets

This morning I dropped the car into the auto electrician as planned. Potentially I'll get it back today, but they're fairly busy so can't be sure.

As a result, I think I will move the rego inspection to another day. It will just be too rushed to do it tomorrow afternoon. I still need to 'prep' the car for rego and would also need to get another UVP, all this while working. It's just too much effort/stress for no real reason - I can wait a little longer. ;)

Finally, I noticed this morning how little clearance there is between the roof and my head. I'm wondering if there is enough room to wear a helmet. I really hope there is, as the plan was to use this car for track days (as well as motorkhanas and the like). When I get it back from the auto electrician I will have to check this out - as I have helmets from my motor bikes. If there isn't enough room, I'll have to see what I can do about getting the seat lower. :?

All Lights On is BAD

Just had an interesting reply on AusRotary. When I run my car, all lights are on on the dash. I thought this was probably just some dodgy wiring, but apparently this is the warning that the alternator is not charging.

AusRotary post.

UVP Purchased

Well I just drove back home, got the paper work and purchased the UVP for tomoz. It turns out that I probably could have done it without the paperwork, but oh well. :?

Also found out that the car has not been registered since about 2004/2005, so seems as though potentially neither of the previous two owners ever registered it. :? I know from talking to Scotty that the owner before the previous two was the guy who built it (and also Scotty's mate), so I guess he was the last person to register it.

Anyway, the plan for tomorrow is to get the following fixed:
- charging issue
- horn not working
- lights not popping up
and I just thought of this
- power mirrors not working

Should be interesting.

Oh yeah, and seeing it has not been registered for more than a year, I can only get daily UVPs, so I'll have to do them one by one. :(

Booked In

Well I've just booked the car in at the auto electrician for tomorrow, so off to get my first (probably of many) UVPs at lunch. They said they're pretty busy this week and that they'll do the best they can, but there is no guarentee that it will be only one day. As a result I may need to change my rego inspection booking. The other problem with this is that a UVP (as far as I'm aware) is only for one day.

Oh man, I also don't have the paper work with me. Might have to go home at lunch, and then to the local motor registry. hmmmm...

Hope things get simple soon. :?

Friday Night Adventure

My plan for Friday night past was simple. To go to the local service station, fill the car with fuel, and then return it to my garage. However, what should have taken only 20 odd minutes, turned into a one hour adventure.

It started with me warming up my rotary like all good rotary owners should. After about 5 minutes of this I was ready to leave and as such got into my car and backed it out of the garage. It stalled.

"No worries", I thought, "it's probably just because the fuel is so low". After closing the garage and heading out of the town house complex within which I live, I arrived at a T intersection where I had to wait for other cars. Again, it stalled.

Undetered and of the opinion it was still due to the low fuel, on I headed. Upon reaching the next intersection, again it stalled. But this time, there was no starting it again, the starter motor didn't have enough power to turn over.

Thanks to the help of a local bus driver and passerby, I pushed the car off the road and on to the traffic island. Then I rang my friends and before I knew it they were there giving me a jump start.

Following the jump start, I headed off to the petrol station again in search of petrol. My friends remained behind just in case as we travelled up what is normally the most boring bit of road in the world. Before long the car was starting to cough and splatter and I was unsure of whether I'd make it.

Well make it I did, but I literally rolled to the petrol pump as the car had died again. I filled up the car and my mates jumped me again. But on the way home the car stalled again half way, and then once more as I was just about to enter my garage.

It would be fair to say I was slightly stressed out by then.

Well, today my mates came over and we attempted to find the problem. After miscellaneous poking around we narrowed it down to the alternator. It appears that it may not be able to cope with the work load the car is requesting of it. Potentially then, I will need to look at getting a new (larger) alternator, but for now I'm discussing it on AusRotary.

Hopefully I can get it sorted in the next two days, as I have the car booked in for a rego inspection on Wednesday, and if I can't drive it there then I'll have to further delay the process. So tomorrow I will be seeing when I can get my local auto electricians to have a look.

UPDATE: I did not mention the names of the ppl involved above, as I was concerned they may not wish to be mentioned in a public space. However, since then one has made it clear he does not mind. As such, thanks go out to Erg, Frizza and Scotty for being the good mates they are for helping me out. Thanks also go to Marto and Daniel for stopping to make sure all was well - by then I'd already called Erg an' Co.. Cheers guys. ;)

Some pics

And to start things, I'll share some pics that the guy I bought it from took:

Engine bay:


Engine bay (again):


Custom boot cover:


Detail shot of speaker door mounting:


Cockpit:


Profile shot:


Front on shot (no, I'm not on my P plates, but the previous owner was):

So it begins

Well, last week I purchased my first ever rotor, a Gen 1, Series 3, 1985 rx-7. It has a few mods and I will list them here later as will I list the adventures I have with said rotary.

So here begins my first blog about my first rotary. ;)

More to come,
Oz.