Not that it matters because that was not the purpose of installing the catalytic converter on the FD. However, the exhaust is so excessively free flowing as a whole, the addition of the Random Tech converter didn't change the exhaust note even slightly.
It did change the smell of the car though. No longer will people driving behind me want to kill themselves due to the aroma of my car's exhaust. I guess that means it works?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
RX-7...soon to be street legal?
That's right. I just found out that Random Technologies makes a 4" In/Out stainless steel catalytic converter. I will be ordering one, chopping out the resonator in my exhaust and welding in the cat in its place (hopefully the weekend of July 4th).
The first question one may ask is....why would I do this? Well, there are two reasons. First and less important, I will actually be able to get my car inspected without biting my nails about whether or not they will actually look under the car...which is to be expected when you drive in with a car that is entirely too loud and smells like death. Second and much more important, I will be able to compete in Redline Time Attack events in Street Class (even if there are only two events close enough to attend). Yep..a FD weighing roughly 2600 lbs with 400whp in street class will be fun.
On another note...the NSX is am absolutely amazing daily driver....comfortable and an absolute joy to drive.
The first question one may ask is....why would I do this? Well, there are two reasons. First and less important, I will actually be able to get my car inspected without biting my nails about whether or not they will actually look under the car...which is to be expected when you drive in with a car that is entirely too loud and smells like death. Second and much more important, I will be able to compete in Redline Time Attack events in Street Class (even if there are only two events close enough to attend). Yep..a FD weighing roughly 2600 lbs with 400whp in street class will be fun.
On another note...the NSX is am absolutely amazing daily driver....comfortable and an absolute joy to drive.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
NSX
A week ago I picked up a 1992 Acura NSX with only 64k miles on it to replace my '83 RX-7 as my daily driver. I'm still keeping the '83 RX-7, but instead of driving it everyday I might turn it into a project car. Maybe put a FD motor in it or an engine/dash cluster out of a wrecked RX-8. Time will tell what I do with it, but I am most definitely not selling it.
The NSX is a beautiful car that I have always wanted. Most people think I am crazy for buying one as a daily driver, but I'm not into garage queens or cars you only drive on nice days. I buy cars to drive them and enjoy them 24/7. This is one of those cars that I feel will accomplish this with ease.
I don't plan on modifying this car much at all. All I want is a NSX-R rear spoiler, some front lip, a set of black wheels, some lowering springs, and maybe hi-flow cats. It already has headers, and RSR exhaust, UNI filter, and a downforce intake scoop. The RSR exhaust is just a bit too quiet, I'd at least like to hear the car a little more.
Anyways, here are some pictures.
The NSX is a beautiful car that I have always wanted. Most people think I am crazy for buying one as a daily driver, but I'm not into garage queens or cars you only drive on nice days. I buy cars to drive them and enjoy them 24/7. This is one of those cars that I feel will accomplish this with ease.
I don't plan on modifying this car much at all. All I want is a NSX-R rear spoiler, some front lip, a set of black wheels, some lowering springs, and maybe hi-flow cats. It already has headers, and RSR exhaust, UNI filter, and a downforce intake scoop. The RSR exhaust is just a bit too quiet, I'd at least like to hear the car a little more.
Anyways, here are some pictures.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Even after 16 years my paint still looks amazing
I'm not a person who is super picky about detailing a car, but I have to say that every time I wax my FD with Zaino I am impressed with how deep my 16 year old black paint looks. Just spent some time on the paint the past couple of days since it was in the garage getting oily fingerprints all over it all winter. It needed the TLC...bad. So a couple of coats of wax later, these are the results. (Click on the pictures for full 1600x1200 resolution.)
And an updated shot of the engine bay since the battery relocation. It looks much cleaner now.
And an updated shot of the engine bay since the battery relocation. It looks much cleaner now.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Video of my old 350Z
A friend found a video I made a few years ago showing the difference of atmospheric wastegate dumps on my twin turbo 350Z to the stock Greddy wastegate setup. The open wastegates sound so much more violent...I love it.
He emailed me the video, so I figured I would post it up on YouTube to share with all.
He emailed me the video, so I figured I would post it up on YouTube to share with all.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Looking to pick up an NSX.
I have been browsing and researching the NSX for a couple of months now. This week I decided that I am going to buy one in the next couple of weeks if I can. I am keeping the RX-7's, but need something a bit more docile yet still fun to drive everyday and it seems the NSX fits the bill perfectly. They are rare, quick, extremely fun to drive, and reliable with good gas mileage. What else could you want out of a daily driver (other than more room)?
I am looking for a 91-94 with under 100k miles (preferably under 75k miles, but under 100k will do). I have looked at a few in the past couple of weeks...all red though. The one I looked at yesterday is the one that I like the most at the moment because it actually has black interior, only 64k miles, and a well known service history. At the end of the day, this will definitely do and I am seriously contemplating buying it. However, I feel like I should hold out for a silver car.
I absolutely love the way the NSX looks in red with a black roof and black wheels (like the one pictured below), but I never saw myself buying a red car.
I have owned a silver FD RX-7, silver 350Z, and have a silver FB RX-7...so maybe silver is getting too played out. I also have a black FD RX-7 and since the RX-7 and NSX look pretty similar, I'm not sure if a black NSX would be the best choice even though they do look sick. Of the NSX's the colors I would choose (in order) would be silver, black, then red and green tied. But since only 29 green/black cars were made in '94 only, my chances of finding one are slim to none.
Maybe red is my best option...I guess we will see.
I am looking for a 91-94 with under 100k miles (preferably under 75k miles, but under 100k will do). I have looked at a few in the past couple of weeks...all red though. The one I looked at yesterday is the one that I like the most at the moment because it actually has black interior, only 64k miles, and a well known service history. At the end of the day, this will definitely do and I am seriously contemplating buying it. However, I feel like I should hold out for a silver car.
I absolutely love the way the NSX looks in red with a black roof and black wheels (like the one pictured below), but I never saw myself buying a red car.
I have owned a silver FD RX-7, silver 350Z, and have a silver FB RX-7...so maybe silver is getting too played out. I also have a black FD RX-7 and since the RX-7 and NSX look pretty similar, I'm not sure if a black NSX would be the best choice even though they do look sick. Of the NSX's the colors I would choose (in order) would be silver, black, then red and green tied. But since only 29 green/black cars were made in '94 only, my chances of finding one are slim to none.
Maybe red is my best option...I guess we will see.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Drycell Battery...Out with the old and in with the new.
After killing my Odyssey PC680 and realizing that it might not be the best battery for my car, I decided to pick up a new Odyssey PC925 and get a little extra storage room without sacrificing too much weight (like I would have if I had gone with a Optima Red Top).
It weighs 24 lbs vs. the old battery's weight of 14 lbs. The only problem is that with the HKS v-mount intercooler setup, there isn't enough room in the engine bay for the battery anymore and I had to relocate it. I decided on putting it behind the passenger's seat where the rear bins used to be, running a cable from the fuse boxes back to the bin area with a 150 amp circuit breaker mounted just before the battery for extra protection.
To make sure that everything was electrically kosher, I used 1/0 welding cable. Welding cable is much more flexible, abrasion resistant, and conductive that similarly size power wire for speaker amplifiers. It also costs a bit less too; at $1.92/ft, I got 15 feet for $30 after tax at a local welding supply shop. I do have to say that 1/0 wire isn't light though, weighing in at 0.415 lb/ft adds about 6 lbs in wiring. So now we are up at 16lbs additional weight to the car. Then you have to add weight of the battery tray I whipped up, which I would guestimate to be about a pound and we have a total added weight of around 17 pounds. The weight distribution should be a bit better though with the new location.
Here a few pictures of the completed setup...I know the welds aren't pretty on the battery tray, but I haven't welded 22ga steel before and I suck anyway.
It weighs 24 lbs vs. the old battery's weight of 14 lbs. The only problem is that with the HKS v-mount intercooler setup, there isn't enough room in the engine bay for the battery anymore and I had to relocate it. I decided on putting it behind the passenger's seat where the rear bins used to be, running a cable from the fuse boxes back to the bin area with a 150 amp circuit breaker mounted just before the battery for extra protection.
To make sure that everything was electrically kosher, I used 1/0 welding cable. Welding cable is much more flexible, abrasion resistant, and conductive that similarly size power wire for speaker amplifiers. It also costs a bit less too; at $1.92/ft, I got 15 feet for $30 after tax at a local welding supply shop. I do have to say that 1/0 wire isn't light though, weighing in at 0.415 lb/ft adds about 6 lbs in wiring. So now we are up at 16lbs additional weight to the car. Then you have to add weight of the battery tray I whipped up, which I would guestimate to be about a pound and we have a total added weight of around 17 pounds. The weight distribution should be a bit better though with the new location.
Here a few pictures of the completed setup...I know the welds aren't pretty on the battery tray, but I haven't welded 22ga steel before and I suck anyway.
Friday, March 27, 2009
I have always thought California was crazy...
...now I know I'm right. They want to ban black cars. They have held the opinion that black rifles are evil for a while, but now apparently black cars are evil too.
California Air Resources Board (CARB) wants to ban Black cars
California Air Resources Board (CARB) wants to ban Black cars
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Why I don't trust anyone but myself...
Last Thursday I received my new tires for my '83 RX-7 from Tire Rack. I just got a set of Kuhmo Solus 185/70-13's (there aren't many options for this car) for daily driving and a bit of snow traction if I need it next winter since I will be in Virginia. On Friday I called up a local tire shop, who seems to have a pretty good reputation, to get the tires mounted and balanced. They told me to bring it up and they could do it while I waited that afternoon, so I did.
About an hour later they told me the car was done and the keys were in it. I paid my $65 and was on my way. Left turn out of the shop and I get to about 30mph, feel a bad vibration, and think "Shit, they forgot to balance one of my wheels." I slow down to pull off the road and turn around, but as I slow down the vibration still exists, but now I realize it isn't a vibration...it is a wobble and my lugs aren't tightened down.
I come to a stop and get out of the car to check it out. One lugnut is almost all the way backed out and the other three are over half-way out. My wheel now looks like it is at 15 degrees negative camber and I am not very happy. I call the shop and tell them whats up, so they send a guy to tighten my wheels back down. Takes him a good 5-10 minutes to go a half mile down the road and what does he show up with....a jack, a breaker bar, a socket, and NO torque wrench. I couldn't believe my eyes.
I tell him to take the wheel off completely because I want to see if there is any damage to the wheel, rotor, etc. Luckily, everything is good to go. He puts the wheel back on and torques the ever living hell out of it. He says that he is sorry and that it was the owner's son (not a certified mechanic) who torqued my wheels. Finally he says, if there are any other issues to let him know and he will take care of it. I say thanks in a completely dissatisfied tone and just leave because I don't want them around anything I own again.
I was beginning to think I was being paranoid that I didn't let anyone else work on my cars but me. I used to carry a torque wrench in my car to retorque my wheels in the parking lot of a shop after similar work was done. Then the one time in my life that I didn't do this, it bites me in the ass. So the moral of the story is that sometimes paranoia is necessary to not get fucked over by the morons in this world.
About an hour later they told me the car was done and the keys were in it. I paid my $65 and was on my way. Left turn out of the shop and I get to about 30mph, feel a bad vibration, and think "Shit, they forgot to balance one of my wheels." I slow down to pull off the road and turn around, but as I slow down the vibration still exists, but now I realize it isn't a vibration...it is a wobble and my lugs aren't tightened down.
I come to a stop and get out of the car to check it out. One lugnut is almost all the way backed out and the other three are over half-way out. My wheel now looks like it is at 15 degrees negative camber and I am not very happy. I call the shop and tell them whats up, so they send a guy to tighten my wheels back down. Takes him a good 5-10 minutes to go a half mile down the road and what does he show up with....a jack, a breaker bar, a socket, and NO torque wrench. I couldn't believe my eyes.
I tell him to take the wheel off completely because I want to see if there is any damage to the wheel, rotor, etc. Luckily, everything is good to go. He puts the wheel back on and torques the ever living hell out of it. He says that he is sorry and that it was the owner's son (not a certified mechanic) who torqued my wheels. Finally he says, if there are any other issues to let him know and he will take care of it. I say thanks in a completely dissatisfied tone and just leave because I don't want them around anything I own again.
I was beginning to think I was being paranoid that I didn't let anyone else work on my cars but me. I used to carry a torque wrench in my car to retorque my wheels in the parking lot of a shop after similar work was done. Then the one time in my life that I didn't do this, it bites me in the ass. So the moral of the story is that sometimes paranoia is necessary to not get fucked over by the morons in this world.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
I don't ever post anymore...
...but I graduate in May and have a job lined up. Therefore, I should have some extra money so that I can play with my cars soon.
Here is a new picture of my FB...
And a Rotary Haiku I wrote while bored in class...
Rotary Engines
Like Doritos on a stick
Dorito Kabob?
That is all.
Here is a new picture of my FB...
And a Rotary Haiku I wrote while bored in class...
Rotary Engines
Like Doritos on a stick
Dorito Kabob?
That is all.
Friday, October 3, 2008
R1 Rear Spoiler....pictures
I know it isn't much, but I personally can't stand FD's without a spoiler. I found a perfect condition used R1 spoiler on the forums, so I bought it and installed it last night. I swear it transforms the look of the car in my eyes.
And a couple of the two RX-7's together
And a couple of the two RX-7's together
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Long time no update...
Its been a while, but my final year of engineering school is eating away at my time...plus no job my last year of school = no money to put into any projects. I drive the FD a few times a week when I feel like annoying everyone (4" exhaust and w/g dumps will do that) and then drive the FB the rest of the time...both are running like champs.
The FD motor now has ~1500 miles on it and is about 75% tuned (~11.5 psi and 6000rpm). Pulls extremely strong and hearing the wastegate open never gets boring. When I finally find the time I am going to finish up the tuning on wastegate spring pressure to 8000rpm and just drive it like that for a while. Then maybe when I get some money I can tend to some other things like wheels/tires. Weighing the car is on my to-do list as well.
The first gen has turned out to be an incredible investment. I took the gas tank out, completely cleaned and resealed it, cleaned the pickup/return tubes and reinstalled everything. Now the fuel starvation problem it was having when I bought it is completely gone. Also on that note, I have to recommend POR-15's tank repair/reseal kit. It took a while, but man it works wonders...I should have taken pictures.
Once I sell the Subaru, I will need to put a little bit of money into the first gen and hopefully be able to put the rest into the FD. The first gen needs a full brake overhaul (rotors, pads, lines, fluid), new tires, and could use some new suspension bushings as well. Luckily everything for this car is dirt cheap, so this should happen soon.
Maybe at that point I will have a more useful post.
The FD motor now has ~1500 miles on it and is about 75% tuned (~11.5 psi and 6000rpm). Pulls extremely strong and hearing the wastegate open never gets boring. When I finally find the time I am going to finish up the tuning on wastegate spring pressure to 8000rpm and just drive it like that for a while. Then maybe when I get some money I can tend to some other things like wheels/tires. Weighing the car is on my to-do list as well.
The first gen has turned out to be an incredible investment. I took the gas tank out, completely cleaned and resealed it, cleaned the pickup/return tubes and reinstalled everything. Now the fuel starvation problem it was having when I bought it is completely gone. Also on that note, I have to recommend POR-15's tank repair/reseal kit. It took a while, but man it works wonders...I should have taken pictures.
Once I sell the Subaru, I will need to put a little bit of money into the first gen and hopefully be able to put the rest into the FD. The first gen needs a full brake overhaul (rotors, pads, lines, fluid), new tires, and could use some new suspension bushings as well. Luckily everything for this car is dirt cheap, so this should happen soon.
Maybe at that point I will have a more useful post.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Bought another RX-7....
Just picked up this 83 RX-7 GSL to keep my FD company. Paint is pretty bad, but the body is great and so is all of the mechanical parts on the car. It has 101k miles on it and incredible compression. Only one real problem with the car that I am going to figure out shortly...not bad for $650 if I have to say so myself.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Engine and more parts!!
Got my motor in from David Jerome at Speed4Sale yesterday. It is a rebuild using good condition parts sourced by David, who then sends the parts to Kevin Landers of Rotary Resurrection to do the rebuild. These engines are by far the best deal you can find right now. They are priced cheaper than a Mazda Reman and are higher quality. Here are a few pictures of the engine I received.
A picture of the street porting on the exhaust port...
Other parts that I just received include the Banzai Racing oil pan brace and polyurethane motor mounts...
...also the ACT HD clutch (with sprung 6-puck disc) and ACT Streetlight flywheel.
I also have other parts as well but these are the most significant to the build right now. Everything else is either supplementary to existing modifications or maintenance related. I'm not sure if the car will be running this weekend or not, but it should be damn close.
A picture of the street porting on the exhaust port...
Other parts that I just received include the Banzai Racing oil pan brace and polyurethane motor mounts...
...also the ACT HD clutch (with sprung 6-puck disc) and ACT Streetlight flywheel.
I also have other parts as well but these are the most significant to the build right now. Everything else is either supplementary to existing modifications or maintenance related. I'm not sure if the car will be running this weekend or not, but it should be damn close.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
I didn't lie...
...when I said things would be happening fast with the FD. It's only been a week and I have a ported engine on the way from David Jerome of Speed4Sale. Also ordered a ACT flywheel/6-puck clutch, Banzai Racing oil pan brace and polyurethane motor mounts, Rotary Performance fuel pump and braided clutch line, G-Force harness hardware, and a bunch of OEM gaskets to make sure I do have any loose ends. I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures next week once everything is here.
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