Concealer404's Triple D (Disgusting Daily Driver)

[concealer404]

Mid-June 2009, i bought this fine-ass piece of freshness. U jelly?

I managed to drive it at least a month or two before everything went bad. The car had been "built" by McCormick Motorsports in Louisville, KY. They're awful. The car, and that was about it. Leaked everything, ran like crap, etc etc etc.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb205/steph_is_bayd/002.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb205/steph_is_bayd/007.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb205/steph_is_bayd/003.jpg




4/2/10

I had a bunch of parts stolen off of my car.

Tial 38mm wastegate
Greddy Type S BOV
Intercooler, piping, and all couplers and clamps.

The Greddy was welded to the intercooler.

Basically. It sucked.

So, here's where we stand: I've since purchased:

a Turbosmart Ultragate38 wastegate (black)
2x Turbonetics metal 38mm wg flanges
knockoff Type S bov (for testing purposes)
new oil pan gasket (stupid, i know)
new oil pan bolts
new hose to make a better fitting oil return line
new coolant feed lines
Evo 8 intercooler
shitload of piping, clamps, and couplers, ALL in black.
A/C delete pulley
Addco 1" rear swaybar
Energy Suspension Endlinks f/r
Energy Suspension sway bar bushings f/r


Painted my headlights and corner lights while i was at it. Yellow. Pics below.

Well, during teardown and prep of the car, i discovered something that i wasn't too happy about. The car has a rebuilt title, but everything lined up well, and the car drives perfectly, with no abnormal tire wear, so i figured it had just been the victim of a minor fender bender.

WRONG.

This sucker has been MANGLED at one point up front. There is no main bumper bar. There is only one bumper support/reinforcement, that being on the driver's side. The passenger side had an L-bracket welded to the radiator support to hold up the bumper on that side. That L-Bracket had to be removed for the Evo8 intercooler to fit. So i have to remove it, and get a bumper support.

So today, i spent 3 hours at the junkyard trying to pull one. I got everything off a 1989 MX6 LX, only to snap off the last 4 bolts to get the main bumper reinforcement off, and stupid me, forgot to bring a hammer. Move along, nothing to see here.

Ended up getting one off a 1989 626 LX. Here are some reasons i'm glad i have an MX6, or maybe just a molested MX6, and not a 626

1) I do not have 47 PHILLIPS HEAD screws, nuts, and bolts of assorted sizes holding on my bumper, bumper cover, lip, and inner fenders.
2) I do not have that STUPID chrome trim thing below the headlights.
3) I can get to everything in my engine bay without having to contort around those damn a/c lines that are cluster[fizzle]ed around the coolant overflow tank bracket that i was trying (and didn't succeed) to get. Guess mine will stay held in by speaker wire, huh?

Anyways, i hope this thing fits. I'd like to fire the car tomorrow and drive it. Preferably with the bumper installed.

Pics: (Will also update tomorrow with the first GOOD pictures of the car for everyone to see and laugh at.)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5003/dsc03638w.jpg (http://img96.imageshack.us/i/dsc03638w.jpg/)

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6546/dsc03634o.jpg (http://img62.imageshack.us/i/dsc03634o.jpg/)

[concealer404]

4/3/10

Didn't get much done today, found out that CXRacing screwed up more of my order (I really don't, nor can i use 2.25" to 2.0" reducers.), and the local rice shop can't get their orders in line. (Can i PLEASE have my turbonetics wastegate gaskets? PLEASE?)

So... here's some picture of the carnage to hold you over.

Here's the L-Bracket i was talking about:

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/9620/dsc03645c.jpg (http://img14.imageshack.us/i/dsc03645c.jpg/)

Ugly half-destroyed front end:

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1972/dsc03643y.jpg (http://img694.imageshack.us/i/dsc03643y.jpg/)

Not cool at all:

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/7238/dsc03644h.jpg (http://img406.imageshack.us/i/dsc03644h.jpg/)

Ugh. Really?

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/8186/dsc03646ds.jpg (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/dsc03646ds.jpg/)

Ugly engine bay:

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/1108/dsc03640g.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/dsc03640g.jpg/)

Detail shot of WG dump:

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/1923/dsc03641p.jpg (http://img186.imageshack.us/i/dsc03641p.jpg/)

Oh my. WTF is this? :D

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/3513/dsc03647m.jpg (http://img682.imageshack.us/i/dsc03647m.jpg/)

What an ugly mess:

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/5946/dsc03642g.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/dsc03642g.jpg/)

The new WG hotness:

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/9039/dsc03648.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/i/dsc03648.jpg/)

Heh heh heh. (stock exhaust, i SWEAR!)

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/8141/dsc03649w.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/i/dsc03649w.jpg/)

What i'm beginning to wish i had instead:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5057/18022009087.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/18022009087.jpg/)





4/15/10

Went back out today to button everything up so all that's left on Saturday is finish the intercooler piping and fluids.

Put the crossmember back up, made a new oil return line (heater hose for now, will replace later with stainless braided line), fitted the wastegate, though i'll probably have to do it again when the right gaskets come in, new sun visors!!!! :p Soldered up the new sensor clips for the waterneck, put the flywheel cover back on, reinstalled the radiator hoses. Got a short list left:

1) Install 4 nuts on the wastegate bolts
2) New oil filter
3) oil
4) coolant
5) finish intercooler piping (waiting on two more couplers)
6) install bov (already have flanged pipe)

Then just gotta pull a fuse and prime it, then she's ready to roll.

And now, some pics:


http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/9919/dsc03662kb.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/dsc03662kb.jpg/)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/8397/dsc03663a.jpg (http://img517.imageshack.us/i/dsc03663a.jpg/)

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/2382/dsc03665v.jpg (http://img682.imageshack.us/i/dsc03665v.jpg/)


What is this? It's sticking out of the top of my crossmember on the passenger side...
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/448/dsc03668s.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/dsc03668s.jpg/)

I don't think my control arms are supposed to point this way....
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3347/dsc03670w.jpg (http://img130.imageshack.us/i/dsc03670w.jpg/)

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/4595/dsc03673p.jpg (http://img404.imageshack.us/i/dsc03673p.jpg/)

I wasn't really expecting the car to be this low with the 2nd gen setup. Not sure if i like it.
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6728/dsc03674ec.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/dsc03674ec.jpg/)

[concealer404]

4/17/10

Well well well....

Only 3 things left:

1) Oil/Coolant
2) figure out what to do about the headlights (don't seem to fit with the IC piping)
3) Prime and start.

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4886/dsc03705e.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/i/dsc03705e.jpg/)


4/18/10

It doesn't look low from the side because i actually run 40 series tires, smaller than i should, so until you go to try to get a jack under it, you don't realize just how low it is.

I'll get pictures once it backs out of the garage under it's own power.

Which brings me to today's development.

1) figured out the headlight issue. Just had to move the intercooler down about 2 inches. Easy Peasy.

And she started today. Motor sounds great, no major leaks. (Minor leak from the cooling plate behind the oil filter.) Fan works, all lights work, no exhaust leaks, and she spools like a banshee even free-revving in neutral.

Problem:

The idle is surging between 1500 and 1800rpms, cycling about once every 1.5 seconds. The car is pulling normal vaccuum levels, sitting at about -19, fluctuating very slightly everytime the idle cycles. It did NOT do this before it was torn down. Pulling the VAF plug results in a rock solid 1500rpm idle, and of course a check engine light. (Something else that it wouldn't do before. Before, it wouldn't even idle without the VAF plugged in.)

Ideas? Am i safe to assume that it's probably NOT a vaccuum leak, and maybe just a borked sensor somewhere? Where should i start looking?



4/19/10

Put fresh gas in, burped the cooling system. Idle issue fixed. Low coolant was causing it.

Drove it. Impressions:

1) Need to figure out the boost issue. Won't stop climbing. I saw 20psi with no cuts. Fast, but don't want to go that high.
2) Runs REALLY damn smooth. Huge improvement over the old setup.
3) My alignment is terrible. Lack thereof, i mean. Hasn't been aligned since the new setup. I've got bad toe out in both front wheels, VERY unstable.
4) I think my radiator is trashed. I'll know for sure tomorrow.

But seriously, it's fast. I didn't go above half throttle because of the boost issue, but it's still ripping the tires off in 2nd gear.

[concealer404]

4/25/10


Pics! (Yes, i need to fix my bumper.)

The car runs like a sewing machine, but drives like utter shit. Needs an alignment pretty badly. Will be taken care of this week, then i will get a video up of the car. (On dry roads, hopefully, spinning through 4th sucks.)

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8153/dsc03742b.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/dsc03742b.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/128/dsc03743w.jpg (http://img130.imageshack.us/i/dsc03743w.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1416/dsc03744x.jpg (http://img219.imageshack.us/i/dsc03744x.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/694/dsc03745g.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/i/dsc03745g.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/1739/dsc03746p.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/dsc03746p.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)



5/1/10

Alignment done today!

Finally drives straight. Guess 5 degrees of toe doesn't do much for stability, does it? :p

The alignment tech said it was one of the worst cars he's seen in years in that regard.

Now i just have to figure out why i have POSITIVE camber on all 4 corners.



5/2/10

Baby's home!

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6872/good2b.jpg (http://img263.imageshack.us/i/good2b.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/7715/good1c.jpg (http://img526.imageshack.us/i/good1c.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/7955/dsc03752y.jpg (http://img707.imageshack.us/i/dsc03752y.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5751/dsc03749q.jpg (http://img340.imageshack.us/i/dsc03749q.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[concealer404]

8/11/10


UPDATE:

My car can no longer be called "The Mazda Valdez." My massive oil leaks (cam seal, crank seal, and oil cooler gasket) have all been fixed.

I have 3 out of 4 filled mounts installed.

Next week:

New crossmembers
Last filled mount
Camber bolts
Addco F/R swaybar w/ matching Addco endlinks
AWR rear trailing links

Interestingly enough, installing the front motor mount gave me about... 200hp gain yesterday. :p

Decided on the way home on the highway to do a real quick 3rd gear 50mph roll-in just to make sure everything was solid. I immediately spun through the rest of 3rd and shifted into 4th by instinct. Once i spun INTO 4th, i immediately began to build somewhat over 25psi of boost.

Whoops.

Drove it home, checked under the hood. Yup. In installing the front mount, i had torn the line from turbo to boost controller. Duh. So instead of running 9psi, i was running ALL OF IT.

I'm surprised the car didn't stutter or notice any detonation, but i'm sure my AFRs didn't look good.

But hey, now i'm REALLY psyched to see what it does on 20psi when i finish the next step. It was REALLY fuckin fast. :D


9/16/10

Scored the following for $600:

Garrett TKT 50trim hybrid
3" downpipe and full exhaust (get rid of bumper dump exhaust, though i'll still run my wastegate dump out there since the hole is already there.)
440cc Supra chipped ECU + 440cc supra injectors
Port and Polished head (will wait on this. This will be head to work on on the side. Cam and 8v valve springs will go in this)
"Mazdaspeed" intake manifold. (As in, has a sweet sticker and it's painted a nifty color :p)
Short shifter
MSD Blaster coil
Rear mudflaps (WOOT!!! :p )
Headlight washers

[concealer404]

12/7/10 (After not doing a damn thing to it for 3 months.)

Alrighty, small update, and pictures will follow in the next day or two. (Much of this stuff didn't happen, ended up going back to stock fuel and electronics.)

My [shizzle]ty "weld" finally failed on the flange adapter. So i took the manifold off to get it re-welded. Found that the weld had failed completely and that the adapter was held on by 2 of the remaining bolts from the adapter when i first got the car. (bolt on adapter) Decided to just get new better quality bolts and just roll with that rather than take the crap shoot of welding 20 year old cast iron that had been heat cycled thousands of times.

Of course, as i am prone to do.... one thing led to another led to another led to another.

The front half of the car is all apart again.

Installed new Addco front endlinks. (that kinda sucked.) Fog lights are installed.

Innovate Auto Timer/Wideband display is flush mounted in the trim panel in front of the sunroof controls. Greddy Profec B Spec II and Greddy Turbo Timer are flush mounted in the cigarette tray. MSD Blaster2 coil is installed. Right now i'm fighting with the LC-1 and wiring it up to do narrowband simulation so i can stop running so rich after the car realises that it doesn't have an o2 sensor.

I decided NOT to do the TKT hybrid setup, so if anyone is interested in that setup, let me know. (Lacking ONLY a wastegate. Have manifold, dump tube, full 3" exhaust, and turbo. Uses stock oil feed.)

The Moroso catch can is mounted, but i don't have all the lines run to it yet. Gotta go get one of my spare valve covers tapped for AN fittings.

I'll be using the ZombieSS 440 ECU with Supra 440cc injectors on my current turbo setup until this turbo starts to fail, then i'll be jumping up to the DriftMotion CT26-57 come spring/summer. I have an Aeromotive 13109 AFPR that i'm waiting on two fittings to come in for. (FYI, the KL fuel rail adapters for aftermarket afpr work on 1st gens, too.)

The port polished head will be dropped off next month to have it gone through, might be putting in oversized valves, and WILL be doing dual valve springs. Have already talked to Delta Cams, and will be running their Stage 3 cam.

My ported and extrude honed intake manifold will be sent to a machine shop next month as well to be shortened, then i'll have to start figuring out what throttle body to try to make work on there. I see no reason why the car shouldn't make 300whp using Gavin's ideas of making the motor work smarter, not harder.

I also picked up a set of FD RX7 wheels that i'll be refinishing/polishing over the winter, and then i'll be cramming those with a set of 245/45-16 RS2s under the car, i anticipate needing to roll the fenders pretty drastically.

Pics will follow when i get back out to the car. It's currently sharing a garage with a built to the hilt drift 240/Silva with a built KA-T in it, so space is a little limited, but it works.

I'm HOPING the car should move under it's own power again this weekend, but i'd rather make sure that everything is set to go rather than rush it. But it's gotta get out of that garage so i can start tearing into the Celica, which is more important to me. (Sorry. :p)




1/16/11

Ugh i hate wiring. :(

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2905/wiringugh.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/i/wiringugh.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)



1/21/11

They aren't sticking too well, and the dash is too brittle to set screws in there, and they're way bigger than i thought they would be.

I may try some Autometer pods, but i kinda doubt i'd like those either. Ricey A-pillar is probably my best choice unfortunately.

Probably going to get a different wideband as well.

Lights off.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/S10mafia50/2011-01-20_19-03-44_781.jpg

Lights on.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/S10mafia50/2011-01-20_19-03-57_775.jpg

Mess.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/S10mafia50/2011-01-20_18-05-08_713.jpg

Ugh.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d139/S10mafia50/2011-01-20_18-04-50_180.jpg

[concealer404]

2/12/11

Maiden voyage was today.

Impressions:

I hate this Greddy Profec B Spec II. It's awful to set up, and i still haven't figured out how to stop it from giving me ALL the boost.

Now that i FINALLY have no exhaust leaks at all, the spool up on this thing is crazy. Time for a bigger turbo.

The Greddy RZ blow off valve is obnoxious. Not sure if i like it.

Addco front endlinks make a BIG difference. This thing feels really tight now.

For some reason, if i turn my lights on or present an electrical load to the car, my water temp gauge goes UP. Which is... weird. And annoying. Ideas?


I seem to be cruising at about 13:1 AFRs, and accelerating it'll climb into the 14s before richening out under boost. Little strange, but it seems to run great. (Stock ECU right now)



I also hate that i can't heel/toe this thing. I kept jamming my foot into the side of the console.

[concealer404]

10/24/11


Well... update on the car i guess.

Trying out a generic dash pod right now for my gauges. Looks like crap.

FINALLY seeing sane water temps though, as of yesterday. This makes me happy.

Bought another POS Spectra 248 radiator because my old Spectra 248 radiator exploded. Mounted it in yesterday, dropped in a 180 degree t-stat, and mounted my ebay (facepalm) fan as a puller unit on the driver's side instead of the pusher on passenger side as it was prior.

WINNING!!!! Never gets above 205 degrees in traffic, and i can actually even WATCH the temps go down when the fan kicks on. Solid 185-190 degrees on the highway, so THAT at least is taken care of.


Bad news: My friggin' turbo manifold is leaking. AGAIN. I'm so over this piece of [shizzle]. Looks like this weekend i'm taking it apart again and trying to figure out where it's leaking. I'm hoping that one of my bolts just came loose on the flange adapter, but holy hell this is a pain.

Oil is leaking from... what looks to be the timing cover. Looked like head for a minute, but it's only on passenger corner. Also leaking from distributor. (LOL PART NLA!!!!) Also think my brand new valve cover gasket is leaking.

Fog lights are actually functioning now, which is good. I just have to clean up the wiring.


Probably going to order this to make thing easier and cleaner, especially for the future when the HKS "Tower Of Power" gets installed in spring.

Detailed Specifications for Array.Title - PN 5026—Blue Sea Systems (http://bluesea.com/category/81/21/productspecs/5026)


And i've put 12,500 miles on the car since i bought it two years and 4 months ago. Blargh.

Oh well. At least it drives well.

[concealer404]

And now we get into the "I ain't fuckin' around no more" Era, in which i finally install many parts i've been stockpiling for 2 years and turn the car from "Oh god this thing sucks" to "BEAST MODE." This will bring us up to present day.


3/4/12

I was going to rebuild the motor next month, but i compression tested it today.

150, 151, 150, 148.

Not touching the motor, that's plenty good enough. :p

[The Driver]

I got a soft spot for those MX-6 Turbo, txs for the rescue and the updates!

[concealer404]

5/2/12

Ok so... shit went pretty bad on this car in the last couple weeks. I spent about 30 hours on it from Thursday night until Saturday early afternoon getting it back up and rolling.

Problems.
1) Oil leaks. Dizzy o-ring, oil pan, valve cover, oil return line 2) Exhaust leaks. Everywhere. 3) Coolant leak. Out the turbo.

So the exhaust leaks were getting bad, and come to find out, i could actually grab the turbo and wiggle it around on the manifold. Why? Well, the IDIOTS that built this (cough cough McCormick Motorsports cough cough) had the most fucktarded solution to mounting a CT26 to the factory flange as i've ever seen.

They had welded together a T2 and a CT flange, and THEN bolted that to the tapped stock manifold, so it all went IHI flange -> T2 flange -> CT flange. To make matters worse, the bolts used to hold it on were about 3mm too long, so they would bottom out before the flange ever sealed. BRILLIANT. I don't know how this car boosted at all.

Solution
Remove old shit. Buy new bolts. Shorten said bolts a bit. Blast old shit. Grind off the brazing crap that was on there. Bolt on stuff. Have baller older dude weld up the adapter to the manifold to doubly ensure it will never leak. Have baller older dude weld bolts in place to triply ensure they will never come out. PROFIT.

Finished product:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UUCQL9fqrmM/T7uh9Xz-EZI/AAAAAAAAAqE/5dhumQ7ZLF4/s800/20120518_143232.jpg

NEXT.
As those of you who have watched the Escort build, i suffer greatly from "Project Creep." Let's examine.



"While I'm In Here..."
1) Walbro 255lph HP
2) Aeromotive 13109
3) Supra 440cc injectors
4) ZombieSS 440 Revision II ECU
5) Moroso oil catch can
6) Outlaw pheno spacers
7) New fuel filter

(All parts were previously accounted for in budget, this is just me finally getting around to installing parts that i've had for 2 years.)



Thursday night:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-T-ZbM8RiX2M/T7ug2dYFWsI/AAAAAAAAAps/dWgOTlnS7ow/s800/20120517_215255.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8MqzSSQ6wEY/T7uhUn-WC4I/AAAAAAAAAp0/dkQv4TF9lZk/s800/20120517_215308.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pXWV4lApMkE/T7uhpqUhUiI/AAAAAAAAAp8/CmPS8ubInrg/s640/20120517_194816.jpg

More tear down. (Had it down to just block/head and trans, but no pics, sorry)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CDo3AyzMBFY/T7ugeRmsdVI/AAAAAAAAApk/VkgocTEucVU/s800/IMG_20120518_171822.jpg


First step of re-assembly, figure out fuel rail. WE GOT ALL THESE -AN FITTINGS AND I USED BRASS FITTINGS LIKE A BALLER.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OAomO1TOrfY/T7ugB98lVLI/AAAAAAAAApc/kXQX3ZgoXtc/s800/20120518_201834.jpg

Fuel rail and 440s in:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GRs1_Fyw--s/T7ufqgI5doI/AAAAAAAAApU/pRD-X8stvHQ/s800/IMG_20120519_012540.jpg

I worked through the night. This is about 6am on Saturday.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8NU2jkqJhyU/T7ue9PjH3GI/AAAAAAAAApE/cJWwKWjcCXk/s800/IMG_20120519_060515.jpg

7am on Saturday.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PYVBmSUHf8I/T7uecZJbOnI/AAAAAAAAAo8/j2_pLvbh810/s800/IMG_20120519_073127.jpg


Like a boss.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TepAlTWZ3eo/T7udDsU0RUI/AAAAAAAAAok/4xZpaMFgtLE/s800/20120520_163437.jpg

Where the magic happens: (Placeholder for now until i repin my FCON harness)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZR0O1REANN4/T7ufV5_3CGI/AAAAAAAAApM/TshZJDupZ1Y/s800/IMG_20120519_083530.jpg


After that thrash, making it to an MX6/Probe meet where you're still the fastest car by a WIDE margin, priceless.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gl4MJXm5-Bg/T7ud-_D8h1I/AAAAAAAAAo0/DB0ZrkOj_vs/s800/20120519_171340.jpg

End results:
Well, it sounds better, pulls much better off-boost (no exhaust leaks and big timing advance from the ZombieSS ecu), doesn't mark its territory, and is getting over 30mpg.
My super reliable happy fun time butt dyno says it's a mid-low 13s car on 7psi now. This ECU has maps to 18-19psi and i'll be dynoing it on the 10th @ 15psi in a showdown against some turbo Dodges where i will be asserting F2T dominance.
I'm laying the throwdown now: The F2T is the unsung hero of the 80s turbo 4 bangers.
Next up: I finish suspension and attempt to fit 245/45-16s "under" stock fenders. Then FCON time and over 20psi of boost.


Don't let anyone else in your work area. They mess with your list.
http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/e49d632ca84411e1aebc1231381b647a_7.jpg

[concealer404]

Some randomness. Car has been largely reliable since then besides destroying front tires and blowing another radiator. (Stupid Spectra junk)

The MX6 likes to crash Miata meets.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nHDumCjVJH4/T89asb8C7sI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/dXPuJ8kfnkE/s640/20120408_174728.jpg

Memorial Day Weekend

I want to get underhood temps under control.
http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/3b3218caa87411e1b10e123138105d6b_7.jpg

Fugly as shit, but it WORKS. (I have a new actual turbo blanket to put on.)
http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/89d3eb2aa87411e1a9f71231382044a1_7.jpg

[concealer404]

5/28/12

Another update: Still no secondary working fan. Turns out that actually my WORKING fan is the "additional" fan according to the FSM, and my "main cooling fan" isn't working at all.
The relay is tripping, fan works independently if i put power/ground to it, but put it all together, and no love.
Anyways, got the narrowband simulation working properly, so it runs even better and idles and cruises dead on to where it should be, isn't pulling timing, and is making MORE power. (Exactly what i needed.)
That said... i filled up again before i hooked up the narrowband simulation.
Drum roll please!
...
...
...
...
33MPG mixed driving.
WIN!




5/29/12

Turns out Axxis Metal Master pads only last about 15-20k miles. I was a bit bummed, since i got those on closeouts from Stillen 2 years ago and wasn't sure if i could find more.
RockAuto has 'em right now. Front set for $20 shipped! SOLD.

Had a slight issue this morning of a really lean idle (18.5:1, it was stumbling) at a couple stoplights before the car reached full operating temps. This was the first time this ecu has been run on this car in temperatures below 85 degrees, and this did not happen previously before i fed it the narrowband o2 signal from the LC1.

My theories:
1) Need to just reset the ECU and clear the codes anyways, then it can "re-learn."
2) ECU immediately gets narrowband o2 signal from LC-1 with a faster warmup than stock. Stock o2 was a one wire unit with no heater. LC-1 is heated, maybe it's in "ready mode" sooner than stock ecu?

Only issue with #2 is that i'm pretty sure "warmup enrichment" is dictated by coolant temp, so i'm thinking #1 is more likely.

No problems at all once car reaches operating temps, so i'm not real worried about it. We're cruising cycling between 14.5:1 and 15.2:1 AFRs, idling in the high 14s, and as soon as you bury the gas, it dips quick down to 11.0:1 and climbs back up a little bit (bigger turbo than chip was designed for) maxing at 12.1:1.

I'm pretty happy with it. Gotta turn up the boost and see how it handles it though. ECU is supposedly mapped to 18-19psi, so i'm hoping the AFRs don't change much.


open loop warmup is determined by the coolant temp sensor, which means it ignores the o2 signal until the coolant reaches a certain temp, so i'd look toward codes or bad signals from your coolant temp sensor, i think the one you want is the one with two wires, the others are single wire, one is for the fan, one is for the gauge (but i think only the probe got a gauge that wasn't just "cold/normal/REPLACE HEAD GASKET") and another i think that turns the a/c fan on if coolant temp goes over a certain temp, then the fourth (some had three, some had four) would be for the ecu i'm guessing.

once i thought the o2 sensor on my probe was acting up, so i drove home at lunch and swapped it out. so the ecu saw warm coolant, but the o2 was cold since it had just been changed. thing ran all crazy trying to figure out what to do until the sensor heated up, but then was fine.

Yeah i've been messing with the temp sensors as well trying to track down why my a/c fan circuit is actually the only one that's working. The main cooling fan circuit isn't functioning properly.
I've got a sensor/switch for 207 degrees and another for 226 degrees (according to FSM), then the one wire that goes to the gauge, and then the one that goes to ECU. So far i've been able to determine for sure that the gauge and the 226 sensors are functioning.
I'm not throwing any codes for bad coolant temp sensor, so i'd guess that the one going to the ECU is ok.
The one on the 207 circuit is the wildcard. If i take the connector off the sensor and ground it with ignition "ON," the fan doesn't kick on, but i can hear the relay click.
It's a bit confusing and electricity is like magic to me.
As for the AFR thing, i'll reset the ECU today or tomorrow and see what happens. Appreciate the help!


6/2/12

Got it. Apparently the relay that was clicking needed a previous circuit completed by the A/C pressure relay/switch before it would actually pass power to the fan. Had to rig up 12v power to the wire that came from the pressure switch once completed. So now it's seeing constant 12v there, but still won't power up until the thermoswitch on the water neck trips and grounds.



Not my favorite solution, but it works and was free.



I guess the radiators are warranteed, but when i left work yesterday, the one in the car had dumped a good gallon of coolant on the ground. I called Autozone to see if they would warranty (i've bought at least one, maybe two from them.) and they're actually lifetime warranty through Autozone.


However, they couldn't find my info in their system for the warranty, and i ended up talking to about 3 different extremely rude people about it. Ended up going to Autozone and paying for another one. Because i'm mad that they didn't enter my warranty info in their system, and at how i was treated yesterday, i'll be warrantying the old radiator through RockAuto, and then "returning" the new one i get to Autozone.


Also fixed the lean conditions last night. (Well, this morning around 5am.) Turns out i've never had the battery/chassis ground on the car. I noticed when i was limping the car from work yesterday that if i rolled up the window or turned the lights on, the AFRs would go way up and the fuel pump whine would drop in pitch a lot.


Threw on a chassis ground. All is well, and i actually need to take some fuel OUT of the system. (Hitting 10.8:1 under boost onset) My headlights are REALLY bright now!

[concealer404]

To give you an idea how shitty this thing used to run... here's cruising AFRs. #friendsofOPEC.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w0X7u2tOitQ/T7xE71ON1GI/AAAAAAAAAsY/VMsjZQujRNE/s800/IMG_20120512_195326.jpg


6/8/12

Fixed the last of the coolant leaks, the car is leak free other than the oil pan gasket, and both fans are verified working.

I may or may not have tickled the boost controller a bit. No 2nd gear, and 3rd gear is a bit sketchy.


6/25/12
I guess i have updates... i need to take pictures, but:

1) The Greddy RZ has been removed, replaced with an early 90s OG HKS Racing BOV that i rebuilt on Saturday. Shit's rad. Tons of compressor stall if i let off anything 5psi or lower which is fun. Greatly reduced lag.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OQkNnIPabQg/T9aIigCA6WI/AAAAAAAAA4k/j0KG3Fkk_C8/s800/20120611_195843.jpg

2) Got sick of all my bumpers sagging. Fixed it the right way. "The right way" being: Drill holes through bumpers and body, attach zip ties and cinch them closed. VOILA!!!! OEM panel gaps!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-csccq7qTqms/T-j4BKMcaaI/AAAAAAAAA9g/TWXKC-dHVzk/s800/20120625_194239.jpg


Sooo... those horrible rattlecanned black wheels?
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xwbpRqdbE8s/T-9qMmtVgJI/AAAAAAAAA-o/ShfBQgJ4xoc/s640/20120630_085417.jpg

ALL the flakey!!!!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Kt1F5bwNOtI/T-9qaGpFiNI/AAAAAAAAA-4/z59OWQHLVYw/s512/20120630_085430.jpg

Spacers and moar stuffs.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gy_xk-5aJOs/T-9qnkR94LI/AAAAAAAAA_A/91kZcpKlW_s/s640/20120630_170106.jpg

[concealer404]

What's next:

Get the FDs with 245/45-16 RS2s on the car. Will require massive roll and pull. I'm not scared. :lol:

I picked up a nice set of tan seats. They don't match, but they're in good shape, so they're going in.

Refinish my Erebuni front bumper in time for the GRM $2012 Challenge.

Install this stuff:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-diFh9uqhcZk/T9ibWYhnCyI/AAAAAAAAA50/7758EVrgLpg/s800/20120425_202746.jpg

[maharaj]

Any updated pics? It's been a month and looks like you've put a lot of work into this car.

[concealer404]

Actually... i finally put the FD wheels and the new tires on it last night, strangely enough.

Pics to follow! Didn't get done until almost midnite, had to get home.

Also bought a Mach 1 Mustang front lip to fit to the Erebuni bumper.

[concealer404]

Got some Mustang parts!!!!

http://indycarscene.com/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_20120904_210050.jpg


http://indycarscene.com/photopost/data/500/medium/20120904_145426.jpg

http://indycarscene.com/photopost/data/500/medium/20120904_145409.jpg

[I<3flippyheadlights]

I don't care what you think about this car, its awesome.

[concealer404]

Ehhh... it's cheap as hell, fast as hell, handles decently, has great brakes, and has some of the best factory seats i've ever sat in. I like it, overall, i just don't LOVE it like i love my Celica.

That said, it's been awesome driving it the last couple days after it sat for 2 months while i was sorting out other shit. Felt like a favorite pair of slippers.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Overall a great car. Makes me want one :P

[uni]

at first i was like ew, then it had me wanting one at the end lol

[concealer404]

Overall a great car. Makes me want one :P

I guess it really is a great car. I think i'd like to have a minty one, but then i'm not sure if it'd be as fun to mess with. I can pretty much do anything with this particular one and not give a damn what happens. A nice one, i'd care more about, and i like not caring much about my daily driver. :)


at first i was like ew, then it had me wanting one at the end lol

LOL!!!! Yeah... the first pics of it, it's not particularly attractive.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

I feel that if I get to the point where my Miata can't be a DD anymore, I would want a "shitbox" of a car so I can mess with it. It makes you love the car you care about so much more.

[concealer404]

Well..... Yep.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M_EYgjdC4_o/UGpHihO1BhI/AAAAAAAAB9A/e7b-mkNKb_c/s720/IMG_3012.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BTNBRh2iCzM/UGpHjvpPgxI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/jnQUt58mSZs/s640/IMG_5751.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e21kvtRF2rE/UGpHjUiZ_GI/AAAAAAAAB9I/iwBMpjpLDUY/s640/IMG_5827.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z6EjVed-AnI/UGpHkErGiGI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/S6OBR0lgfWg/s640/IMG_5828.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z7P76I087cw/UGpHkgbAuXI/AAAAAAAAB9g/3UQWNDz6OH4/s640/IMG_5837.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k0EUvn59p_I/UGpHk--_LLI/AAAAAAAAB9k/Syau7Be5H-k/s640/IMG_5838.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-afBunpHUo-o/UGpHlRDpQ0I/AAAAAAAAB9w/bTimy6gpLIM/s640/IMG_5839.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vFtE4r5Now0/UGpHl7UjqTI/AAAAAAAAB94/6T1XC5kHvAs/s640/IMG_5857.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jgeqse0zFCI/UGpHmG8m_KI/AAAAAAAAB98/EV0Qx6gtTqY/s640/IMG_5858.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OMiBY0Q1IAY/UGpHmmOz6yI/AAAAAAAAB-I/8ORwpUoGnfA/s640/IMG_5859.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b1-vcMX_5qE/UGpHnL3DvDI/AAAAAAAAB-M/Mp-tCVoBkm8/s640/IMG_5860.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-clxaaVA-n9U/UGpHn9S_W7I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/E_r3lOx2FfA/s640/IMG_6060.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wXKJ5BAqoXw/UGpHoFsFjBI/AAAAAAAAB-g/eGZX5-eBE18/s640/IMG_6061.jpg

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Swank Force One? That's awesome. I think you are liking this car more than all your others!

[concealer404]

That was the Grassroots Motorsports $2012 Challenge in Gainesville.

Finished 23rd out of 36, but the car had a Top Ten finish overall in it. I didn't know it until it was too late, but my turbo had been falling off most of the autocross day, which was explaining the weird spool up, which was part of why it was impossible to drive. (Pro driver took out the Timing Box and DNF'd his second run in the car, and then refused to take his third run.) I was told that the car had a 40-41 second run in it if the stars aligned properly. (FTD was 38.6... in a Jeep Cherokee, no joke.) The car had tons of grip, great turn-in, was very stable... until you tried to brake or hammer the gas at the same time you turned the wheel.

Then the drags... i made about 3 passes trying to figure out why i wasn't building more than 12psi of boost, cranking the boost controller and getting nothing. (But still trapping 100mph.)

Turns out my turbo had damn near fallen off, and there was a 1/3" gap between the manifold and turbo all around. The fact that it was still building 12psi just tells me that the F2T has insane exhaust velocity. Fixed it with 20 minutes left to go, although the gasket was pretty screwed at that point. Only had time to dial in boost back to 17psi, ended up with a 14.2 @ 105mph. For reference, the track sucked, it was balls hot, and that was the same trap speed as the MK1.5 MR2 that ran a 13.02.

At the time, i thought that if i had another 30 minutes, i could have gotten another second or so out of it, but turns out later that night that my clutch was dead, so that's that.

I put 2500 miles on it from Wednesday to Sunday, it never really skipped a beat, and got 37mpg combined through the whole trip including the weekend of beating the shit out of it.


I'm gonna Top Five this car next year. Currently shopping for clutch, LSD, and will run real tires on it next year. 11s or bust.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Oh shit, we had a local Miata member at that last weekend! I can't believe that thing held up so well through the beatings. Really surprised a jeep won at autocross :P