Matt's RX7 #NeverGiveUp

MattScott · December 31, 2020, 09:53:28 AM

Only the joy was a little short lived as the clutch slave cylinder decided to let go on the way home

ah well would be the next job to sort......

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

MattScott · December 31, 2020, 12:45:41 PM

So all this happened pre-2016 so feels appropriate to mark the occasion with a shot of "The class of 2016"

A bit of a motley crew but without whom I wouldn't be posting this build thread

MattScott · December 31, 2020, 01:11:42 PM

2017 saw me eventually putting enough miles on the engine and get shot of the base map and see what she can make. As I'm still running the standard (and 20+ years old) sequential twins, I wanted a safe map which wouldn't destroy anything I hadn't yet replaced! Mapping was entrusted to the guys at Rotary Revs. The initial fettling was carried out on the road but was finished by Dee up on RR's dyno.

The end result was that they couldn't completely finish the map as she was running lean at the top end! An uprated fuel pump was plumbed in but still she wanted more

End result was 281hp @ 5500 and upgraded secondaries added to the list of jobs

Still she was safe and could be driven "properly" for the first time in many years and ready for 2018!

MattScott · December 31, 2020, 03:44:05 PM

So 2018 still had a few upgrades to sort while also finding time to enjoy driving her again. First off was a carbon bonnet

. Given the heat our cars generate, I figured anything I could do to increase airflow and reduce temperatures would be money well spent. As part of the original rebuild, I'd gone for a 52mm radiator but I've always liked the contrast between carbon/white and Reece (TPS) happened to have one for a price I couldn't refuse

MattScott · December 31, 2020, 03:48:22 PM

Also picked up some spare Rota Torque rims so that I could finally sort out getting my Works S1s refurbished (but more on that later). And before you could blink it was Seven's day and we came out to see everyone at Mazda HQ on what was a great day both in terms of weather and atmosphere

.

MattScott · December 31, 2020, 04:05:28 PM

So Seven's day passed and it was time for getting my wheels sorted. One thing I've always known is that I prefer to drive than clean ! And having owned a set of white rollers for a little while, I knew "white" was not a colour for my wheels

They are just too much hard work and having run around on a set of shabby but desirable Works rims, I wanted something JDM but easy to live with........

My choice was a matte bronze which I think are set off nicely against the white bodywork and carbon bonnet but I appreciate it's all about personal choice so may not be to everyone's cup of tea but I'm happy with the look

MattScott · December 31, 2020, 04:22:02 PM

2019 was all about fuel and flames

First up was the fueling and went for a step-up kit from Full Function Engineering and ID1700x injectors. A neat feature is that the FPR is integrated into the end of the secondary fuel rail, only trouble is they hide it at the back of the engine bay so it's hard to see

Have left the primaries as stock (for now) but may upgrade to ID1050x at some point in future (... ah the list goes on

)

MattScott · December 31, 2020, 04:34:16 PM

Then it was time to load her back onto the truck and head back up to Leeds and Rotary Revs for another mapping session. Again Dee was in charge of tweaking the ECU and initial results weren't good - she was still leaning out despite the upgraded rail

A little head scratching and the fault was diagnosed to the 2-step fuel resistor not giving the pump enough power. This was duly bypassed and Dee set to work his magic once more..........

"Want flames?" came the question to which Kim (TPS) smiled and nodded........well the photos say everything

The final result of this session has maxed out the fuel pump and could also do with a cooler (still) radiator (more upgrades needed!) but the twins are at their safe limit so I'm happy with 318WHP

and without tempting fate, there are a few things I want to sort before thinking about a new turbo set-up!!

MattScott · December 31, 2020, 04:45:15 PM

And what did 2020 have in store....... well not much thanks to Covid! A little additional airflow for the intercooler, an RE Amemiya short shift and a few cosmetic tweaks but otherwise very little else (including driving) except it's MOT and a service........

MattScott · December 31, 2020, 05:01:13 PM

Oh in a late flurry of activity I finally fitted some new seats which had been sitting in my house for too long!

Now we all know getting aftermarket seats to fit a 7 is problematic and mine have been no different. Seats are Cobra Nogaro which are a great fit and comfortable. To make the job easier (or so I thought) I ordered some Bride side mount rails from Japan. They duly arrived only to discover the seats wouldn't fit between the included mounts! A fair few emails between Cobra and The JDM Shop (both of whom couldn't have been more helpful) and a set of Bride side mounts for export seats were ordered. And thankfully these have allowed the seats to be mounted. All good or so I thought.......

Well they are in and look great. Trouble is the rails are higher than standard and have lifted the seats too high for my liking - even on their lowest mount setting

On the plus side, they miss the doorcards(!) but the top of the seat brushes the headlining and overall I'd like to be sitting lower and be able to wear a helmet if I chose to do a track day $:-\$ So that will be something to be remedied in 2021!

As a parting comment, I'd like to thank Jon (Boosted) for giving me a kick up the backside to get the seats in the car !! My original seats are set aside for you when you're ready - See you in 2021 !!

Happy New Year everyone!

boosted · January 01, 2021, 02:03:40 PM

Been a great read!!

Car looks brilliant.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

MattScott · January 01, 2021, 02:32:04 PM

Quote from: boosted on January 01, 2021, 02:03:40 PM
Been a great read!!
Car looks brilliant.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

Thanks Jon! I'm pleased with how she's turning out. As with all projects, she's not finished

but I'm gradually getting there

A brake upgrade and a working cluster (or maybe a Powertune Digidash if I can source a FC-datalogit) is the plan for this year. Oh and hopefully driving her !

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

boosted · January 01, 2021, 06:14:27 PM

Working cluster..there was a guy that fixed them...replaced capacitors and such like but he seems to have disappeared...
I made 1 out of 2 but the rev gauge is still tempermental.
My car came with a mazda speed white cluster set as spare so i really need to reassembly that as its worth a mint apparently...the odometer is currently in my car...

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

re japi · January 02, 2021, 08:08:38 AM

That was enjoying to read. Thanks for sharing

Lähetetty minun G8141 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

MattScott · January 02, 2021, 10:23:06 AM

Quote from: boosted on January 01, 2021, 06:14:27 PM
Working cluster..there was a guy that fixed them...replaced capacitors and such like but he seems to have disappeared...
I made 1 out of 2 but the rev gauge is still tempermental.
My car came with a mazda speed white cluster set as spare so i really need to reassembly that as its worth a mint apparently...the odometer is currently in my car...

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

Hiya. Akash (who was recommended on another forum) has my original cluster and is replacing all the caps and generally checking everything. Trouble is his health is far from good so things are taking a while to get sorted. I sourced another one to bridge the gap but this has also failed and I'm loathed to spending money on another 2nd hand cluster given the likelihood it will fail too, hence considering going "hi tech" as at least I know it will work

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk