Looking for some help please guys...

[STU13 B]

Basicly the story goes, ive just started a new job and one of the guys there has an FD3S. Hes owned it for 4 years 1st uk owner and was a grade 4.5 when it came over.
 
The car he quote runs 400bhp (1st off said he has dyno printout but now he dosnt) but is still on standard twins. From what ive hurd this isnt cant be the case? However it also has a full stainless including headers, twin apexi filters, FMIC, apexi power fc (mapped in japan which i no isnt ideal), he knows nothing about the fueling so as far as it goes could be on standard injectors etc, uprated fuel pump, uprated paddle and lightened fly. Recipts of a rebuild in japan 8k ago before he go it. He hardly uses it. He said it has uprated tips? Recent coolent flush, and started once a week 2 make sure its all ok. It also has a full dash dodger cage, ohlin coilovers, 2 way lsd and a few other bits i have forgotten at the mo.
 
Compression test is a must from what ive read so far, but i dont class myself as compitent enought to do it knowing nothing about them. The car currently has no tax or mot so its not like i can drive it to have it checked.
 
I live in Ipswich and the car is also here.
 
Does anyone know of anyone local to me who could give it the once over? Its cheep enought that if it did go pop i could make money plus more breaking but would be a shame as ive always loved these cars. The horror stories are the worry!
 
Any help or advise would be great.
 
Cheers Stu

[anees]

if he running close to 400bhp on stockk twins
sooner or later he is gonna blow the motor or the turbos for sure
the most u ever wana go on stock twins is about 325ish
thats already a lot for stock twins

[will_1223]

good to see you took my advice and signed up mate, specially as if u sell it in july 2012 it will be mine mmmmwwhhahahahahaha

[neil_jdmr]

It is very unlikely to be running anywhere near 400hp if its on standard twins.
 
More than likely it is closer to 300hp and tbh along with a compression test also you really want: proof of rebuild (if it was done in japan then its unlikely he will have it), and also the pfc mapped by a uk tuner as fuel is different over here.What sort of milage does the car have ?
 
If it was me i would want to be transported to one of the recognised uk tuners for a compression test/health check really before i parted with my hard earned obviously with the price of transportation taken off the purchase price, although the price of the health check is probably for you to stump up.
 
without dyno proof figures are pub talk imo.
 
With that said a 300hp rx7 does feel very very quick if you have been in 400hp evo company imo

[Jono FD3]

It is very possible to be running around the 400 mark on stock twins.... think the UK record is something like 390, but the thing is the turbos don\'t last long! What boost pressure is he running? as 0.9 bar is good for about 330-350 depending on the maping, condition of the engine & supporting mods! But another thing to remember is the Fuel octain: Japan have 100 ron, UK 98ron & USA 91 ron so jap figures are going to be better than the other two.... it\'s surprising how much you can gain with a little more bang!
The other thing is, he could have something like Knitesport twins or B&R which are good for up to 450 at the limit

Worth finding out what boost pressure he is running & an inspection of the turbos to see if they are stock or an aftermarket set of twins!

Jono

[STU13 B]

Ahh sorry it\'s had new turbos. Have have no idea if they are stock tho. People have drummed it into me that they must be stock as theres not a chance getting that power unless it\'s a single. That\'s nice 2 no it\'s still a possibility. Im not sure on boost presure either. Will have a look tomorrow. The millage is 48k, was rebuilt at 40k. If I said he wants 1500quid would it be worth a gamble? Im thinking yes. These seam 2 vary so much in price even if the motor is knackered I\'m lookin 2500 for a rebuild? Would I still make my money back? Obviously that\'s worst case. I\'m aware of the jap fuel difference hence why I said it\'s not ideal. He took it 2 a place near London and had it compression tested etc when he got it and the bloke said it was spot on. Better compression than that of a brand new motor. I\'ll have 2 see what I think tomorrow. Any tips when I look?

Thanks for the replies so far and Will for givin me the heads up about the site! Lol!

Cheers Stu

[neil_jdmr]

For £1500 its a steal mate and worth it all day long.
 
For £1500 i wouldnt do much else except go to the bank and pay the man.
 
With that said if he is only asking that tiny amount for it then i would take everything he said with a pinch of salt, or is that just my own sceptism.

[grinder]

just pay the man !

for that price you are silly not to

id give him £1500 for it - no quetions asked

[captainbizzaro]

^^^and this man squeaks when he walks so thats saying something!

As others have said-go to the bank and get on it.

[turbotoaster]

It is very possible to be running around the 400 mark on stock twins.... think the UK record is something like 390, but the thing is the turbos don\'t last long! What boost pressure is he running? as 0.9 bar is good for about 330-350 depending on the maping, condition of the engine & supporting mods! But another thing to remember is the Fuel octain: Japan have 100 ron, UK 98ron & USA 91 ron so jap figures are going to be better than the other two.... it\'s surprising how much you can gain with a little more bang!
The other thing is, he could have something like Knitesport twins or B&R which are good for up to 450 at the limit

Worth finding out what boost pressure he is running & an inspection of the turbos to see if they are stock or an aftermarket set of twins!

Jono

the record for stock twins in the UK is 370whp which is 450bhp at the flywheel at 20psi of boost, the record in the US is 400whp at 21psi

theres a couple of people who run 400bhp on stock twins and they have lasted.

You are on borrowed time at 400bhp but they can run at that power for a bit.

im running mine at 17psi everyday and on 850/850 im using 87% inj duty which is about 385bhp, need to get myself a proper boost controller to turn it back up to 20psi like before.....though how long the turbos last is anyones guess

[STU13 B]

Haha, thanks guys. I didnt go in the end due to the time i finished work and weather was shocking. Didnt fancy fuking about under a car! Im now off 4 4 days so will be goin 2 wack a deposit down in the week. I hate youtube right now, these cars are actually awesome!

[neil_jdmr]

im running mine at 17psi everyday and on 850/850 im using 87% inj duty which is about 385bhp, need to get myself a proper boost controller to turn it back up to 20psi like before.....though how long the turbos last is anyones guess

Is this a dyno figure Toast?
 
Not doubting or anything just contemplating 850 primaries myself and wonder to their limits but 87% duty @ 380+hp is what i wanted to hear but theoretical outputs do not assure me tbh.

[L18M]

any ideas who did the compression test?
Jit? powergains?
worth finding out if what he sais is true but £1500 given it is clean then go for it and get it rebuilt if needs be
still pretty cheap.

[turbotoaster]

Is this a dyno figure Toast?
 
Not doubting or anything just contemplating 850 primaries myself and wonder to their limits but 87% duty @ 380+hp is what i wanted to hear but theoretical outputs do not assure me tbh.

not off a dyno im afraid, just from calculations from previous times on the dyno.

ie i made 360bhp at 100% duty on stock injectors at 10.9afr

2800/3400=0.8235
360/0.8235=437
437x0.875=382bhp

i have gone above that when i was running 20psi+ 92% was the highest i think, but im still working on getting a proper boost controller so i can get back to those boost levels again because at 20psi the torque is much better

[STU13 B]

Well ive been and looked tonight, but not overly happy...
 
So i get there and have a look, body work is cool no rust whatsoever. Few slight bits that need paint, which he had said 2 me 2bh so not a problem. Only a few hundred quid worth. Now he opens the bonnet and i see lots of tuning goodies, inc a oil ctach tank so pretty happy with that. Oil looks a good colour but slight gunk in the coolant. Oh and it has a fukin stupid velside wing. That looks redonkulious!! He tries 2 turn it over battery is flat. Jumps it and within 3 seconds its running, not much smoke either so good start. Sits there idoling and does sound slightly lumpy. I put that down 2 the weather and the fact it hadnt been stood for a while. Maybe the flywheel as that was clanking a bit?
 
Anyway the test drive....
 
So he pulls out of his close, by this point it had been running for 5 mins or so on idol. Pulls out the road drives chilled for a couple of mins then puts his foot down. It launched. Lost grip and sideways which anyone who knows me will no i love! Lol! So goes a bit futher and does it again, this time it bogs and sputters, think it backfired aswel. Try again and the same. Says it down 2 the temp, and the power fc had gone into limp mode because its not quite hot. Takes a while 2 warm up? Could be down 2 fuel wash, but its got twin fuel pumps and a swirl pot in the boot so this should not happen. Was ok ish after then did the same again. Im not convinced...
 
Get it back 2 his house and lets it cool then off. I asked 2 start it again and it did no probs, so happy with that. Other than that, the car seamed ok, BUT the engine obviously is a big concern for me. He said its due a service, not had 1 for a year or so, but its only done 80 miles since the mot. That was a while ago.
 
What are your thoughts people?
 
Any help would be great.
 
Cheers Stu