Hey guys, I finally decided to make a real build thread since I finally have my car running again and would like to track my progress.

I'll update this thread as I make improvements or changes to my setup for those who are interested in following along. Don't expect a fast extravagant build as I am a college student with limited time and funds. For now this is just a for fun project to build my "ideal street car" that can be driven on the road and perform well at the track.

Here is a link to an old thread of mine that was created to help trouble shoot some issues I first had at my first go around at turbocharging my rx8.


https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...t-idle-244488/


Current setup:

fresh rebuild from rotary resurrection using all oem parts.
SFR turbo kit, exhaust and waste gate dump out of hood.
uncapped yellow p2 injectors.
aeromotive stealth fuel pump.
rx8performance oil coolers & lines.
rx8performance oil pan.
Cobb ap .
soon to install greedy profec b 2 ebc.

Thats the main engine stuff, I'll maybe list the rest later if anyone actually cares.


As of 1/30/14:

Fired up car for the first time with the new engine and parts, let it run on jack stands and inspected it for any leaks, incorrectly installed parts or failing parts. Everything checked out good. Just need to fix a very minor oil leak.

Next step is to get back out to where the car is stored, fire it up again and take it for a short cruise and install most of the remaining parts.


And since this is a build thread it needs some photos.



And I just slapped the bumper cover on for this one. The crash bar will need modification to work with my current air filter, this is okay since I wanted to cut it up and make a custom one anyhow.

 

Why did you use such a long oil feed line? I hope you plan on some heat shielding between the turbo and your coolant reservoir and rad fans.

 

Good luck. I am looking forward to the progress. What are your plans for tuning?

 

Its what I had, I need to get a shorter one to make it more direct.

I do plan on doing some more heat shielding in that area as well as changing a few other things, but first I need to get it tuned and running properly.

Thanks, I am working with Kane to set a date to fly him out here to tune my car and one other locals FI rx8.

 

Ah okay, just didn't make sense to me. That MAF placement may prove to be a tuning challenge. I don't think you realize the type of heat that radiates off a turbo on an RX-8, get that addressed properly before dyno tuning, trust me. You better make the holes in the hood big as well, aluminum melts at 1200F.

 

Looks ok to me - good idea to have a screen between filter and maf though . Ideally the maf should be a bit further away from the filter.

I think (hope) he was taking the **** with the exhaust out the hood comment . Trying to see if anyone was reading it maybe.....

 

Taking the ****?

 

Joking

 

Ah, Damn Kiwis. I don't think he is joking.

 

The correct translation would actually be 'having a joke at our expense' --- it's an English term .

Oh dear !

 

Looks very similar to the boosted white 8 that was for sale not to long ago.

 

Thats a good point, I'll have to think about how I want to do this. I have a few things I am going to try to contain the heat.

I have two screens, one on either side of the maf.

Unfortunately I was being serious about the exhaust dump. I will run it like this for now and see how it goes, I don't mind loud cars. It seemed sorta quiet for me when I had the turbo xs exhaust and mid pipe on. Also I am buying two more hoods, one to have 100% stock if I decide to run the normal exhaust, and one I will do some work on and possibly make some sort of hood scope and or vents.

 

Starting with a turbo heat shield would go a long way in helping your thermal managment issues.

 

I have the one that came with the kit but it doesnt seem to fit very well and it also seems to be inefficient compared to a turbo blanket or somthing similar.

I'll have to look in to my options. If anyone has any different ideas or cheaper alternatives I'm all ears.

 

Small update.

Installed PTP turbo blanket and took the car out for it first drive earlier today.


Can't wait for all this ice to melt.


After the short trip it was apparent that I need to tweak the mounting of the intercooler and possibly raise up my car slightly.

 

you aint kidding !!!!

 

roof rack looks good... until you hit warp speed

 

quick qusetion, i see some ppl locating the intercooler flat, does it work? does the air really go through the intercooler? do you ever think about finding good dimension and thickness of intercooler and locate it diagonally? just wondering how efficient the intercooler will work..sorry if i sound hijacking your thread..but just wondering..

 

Read!

 

well, i missed the last sentence below the pic..i guess it doesn't flow good..just wondering for my next set up..that's all..

 

Figured, if it was angled more I could see it as acceptable. Logically I cannot see a intercooler mounted flat to provide any value.

 

i don't think so either, so since i change my front bumper to VEilside from Mazdaspeed, i have to change my intercooler dimension which is made of bar/plate and smaller..so i can tilt it little bit and more air going into the radiator..i will see..i will stop by to your place Carbon8 for the compression test..lol

sorry for the little hijack, just try to share..
steven

 

My reference to changing the ride height and tweaking the intercooler was more so due to clearance issues. I plan on getting more angle and raising it off the ground. This setup still needs ducting to direct air flow properly but since I'm just breaking the engine in (no boost and low rpm) its not a problem, not to mention its damn cold. Also there is some angle to the intercooler already but all of the photos are looking down on it so it looks like it is totally flat which it is not.

 

yeah, you should make your own duct..why dont you stand it up? and buy the stock front lip fo ryour stock bumper, and you will have air going in through the lip to the raidator. i think if you ever see BRETTUS thread and the pics of his car, you know what i mean...
but it's a good built..looking good..keep it up, just take your time, don't rush it..
steven

 

update - Engine had some issue, still unknown, that caused it to grenade before even being able to tune it. Its currently out, stripped down and about to be dropped off to be rebuilt...again. Different shop doing the rebuild(local).

hope to have everything back together in the next month or two.