carl0s Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 I just boought a '92 FD3S RX-7. It's got a broken engine but other than that (yeah.. not like that matters much ) it's nice. I'm pleased with it. Paintwork could do with a proper polish. It's got one of these Apexi Power FC & FC Commander handheld gadget thingys in it.. programmable-ish ECU or something (suspect it's programmable as far as fuel management goes). I just need to find out how to get the engine out of it now. I have the DIY engine rebuild videos, and like the look of that job, but don't know how to get the engine out. Picking it up tomorrow. Cool huh? :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kslb Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 Pics? I'll post some tomorrow when it's home. It needs to be trailered back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Apexi Power FC and commander is a great ECU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTRickeh Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Cool huh? :-) Cool indeed Would love to get an FD and put a V8 in it, although all the rotary boys would hate it. Looking forward to the pics. What colour is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 The engine itself is tiny. Once you take off all the ancillaries (sp) and connections. you'll probably be able to lift it out and carry it on your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 The engine itself is tiny. Once you take off all the ancillaries (sp) and connections. you'll probably be able to lift it out and carry it on your own. I'm just building a worktop in the shed now for working on it. Really looking forward to pulling it apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 Cool indeed Would love to get an FD and put a V8 in it, although all the rotary boys would hate it. Looking forward to the pics. What colour is it? It's midnight black or something. It's black with a very subtle hint of blue in it. My initial plans were to sell my r/c heli or swap it for a rolling shell or car with a blown engine, and maybe find some other engine to put in it, but I like the idea of fixing the rotary now because it looks nice and easy & fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 The engine itself is tiny. Once you take off all the ancillaries (sp) and connections. you'll probably be able to lift it out and carry it on your own. What I don't know is what to do though.. I mean, I suppose I get in under the car, and unbolt the gearbox from the flywheel or something, pull off all hoses that go somewhere (rad hoses, a/c hoses etc), take off all turbo stuff, manifolds and what not, unbolt engine mounts and take engine out, but I have no clue and particularly don't know what I'm doing as far as the gearbox side of things goes. He gave me a CD with service manuals on it, and I have the EPC downloading, so maybe that'll shed some light, or I'll search the RX7 forums properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkR Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Enjoy, keep us updated. Maybe a little project thread ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest krakkos Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Holy shit dude, 10 out of 10 for balls... I just got rid of my RX7 when the engine died. The engine itself is very simple (only 3 moving parts inside ) but the bad bit is all the 'rest nest' of pressure hosing on top of the engine that controls when the turbos come in etc... You should probably try rebuilding it with a single tubby attached, cos then you can ditch 99% of the 'rest nest' As for actually rebuilding it, it fairly simple once its all out and on the bench (if you're that way inclined), but its very important to use top quality components (the apex seals and gaskets etc)... there is a very good series of DVDs out there (you can find info on them on http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com and http://www.fduk.org those are the 2 main RX7 forums)... Once its built, you'll need to get it properly mapped, Its good to hear its got an Apexi ECU, this means you can get it mapped properly, and obviously you now have control over every parameter in the ECU. The Commander is useful, but is only really used to set very minor engine parameters and for giving a read out of the more detailed ones... you can't change the map with it for example. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Power FC controls everything, the FD model is probably the best of the Power FC ECU's. The default map is based on a stock car with maybe an exhaust on it. BE SURE that whoever maps it understands rotaries. Although simple, if the engine has housing corrosion into any waterways or O ring grooves, it can be costly to fix. Similarly, rotor housing wear or rotor tip groove wear needs addressing properly. You need to have advice from an expert on the first one you tackle, IMO. Most of the rats nest of pipework should be renewed, and with proper "rubber" hose, not silicone, and consider changing the solenoids too, as heat makes them die or play up. All this mounts up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 Holy shit dude, 10 out of 10 for balls... I just got rid of my RX7 when the engine died. The engine itself is very simple (only 3 moving parts inside ) but the bad bit is all the 'rest nest' of pressure hosing on top of the engine that controls when the turbos come in etc... You should probably try rebuilding it with a single tubby attached, cos then you can ditch 99% of the 'rest nest' As for actually rebuilding it, it fairly simple once its all out and on the bench (if you're that way inclined), but its very important to use top quality components (the apex seals and gaskets etc)... there is a very good series of DVDs out there (you can find info on them on http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com and http://www.fduk.org those are the 2 main RX7 forums)... Once its built, you'll need to get it properly mapped, Its good to hear its got an Apexi ECU, this means you can get it mapped properly, and obviously you now have control over every parameter in the ECU. The Commander is useful, but is only really used to set very minor engine parameters and for giving a read out of the more detailed ones... you can't change the map with it for example. Good Luck! That's interesting to know. I wouldn't have realised that the ecu could do more than the commander says. I already have the DVDs which is why I like the look of the job. Seller assures me it's just seals and rest of engine is good, has been out and checked, but I don't believe him and am expecting a gauged (does that say gauge or gowje? You get the idea) rotor and housing. Typing on mobile phone so excuse shortness :-) missus is having a huff, not over the car though thankfully - something much more ridiculous than that! Oh, by the way, surely it's "rat's nest" that's how the cliche/phrase goes anyway, isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 That's interesting to know. I wouldn't have realised that the ecu could do more than the commander says. Had a power fc on my last supra, it needs the datalogit box to have full control and mapping. Ryan.G is your man for this, he did a superb job on my last car and has one of these boxes to save you buying one. Not sure if he does the rotary engines, but is certainly worth speaking to. The commander is pretty useless in the real world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 Power FC controls everything, the FD model is probably the best of the Power FC ECU's. The default map is based on a stock car with maybe an exhaust on it. BE SURE that whoever maps it understands rotaries. Although simple, if the engine has housing corrosion into any waterways or O ring grooves, it can be costly to fix. Similarly, rotor housing wear or rotor tip groove wear needs addressing properly. You need to have advice from an expert on the first one you tackle, IMO. Most of the rats nest of pipework should be renewed, and with proper "rubber" hose, not silicone, and consider changing the solenoids too, as heat makes them die or play up. All this mounts up... If the rotor appears reusable I will certainly check out the groove wear and use appropriately sized seals/springs, but i'll ask questions along the way. I have what i think is a rather good dial test indicator for checking flatness and eccentric shaft runout and what not, but it's like the mints.. imperial. I'll just have to convert units. I don't have the thing that the dti should be mounted to though.. Another purchase I'm sure. Replacing hoses sounds like something i'll do. I was chatting with Stuart (cree) today and he reminded me that you used to be well into these cars. Howard sounded interested in it too.. He's played with rx-3's a long time ago. I was half expecing a 'what have you gone and bought one of those for' but he was interested which is nice. I'll post some pictures along the way... Hopefully you'll see the questions and maybe be able to advise on some things :-) Pleased to hear the apexi is good. You'll be horrified to hear the car hat TVR alloys on it.. Must be at least 18 inches! I've paid two grand. I waved 1750, then 1800, then 1900 under his nose but he was having none of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest krakkos Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Oh, at the way, surely it's "rat's nest" that's how the cliche/phrase goes anyway, isn't it? LOL yeah, its Rats Nest, dunno where 'Rest Nest' came from.... one too many amber necters... Anyway, bottom line is, regardless of how the engine is rebuilt, it needs proper mapping... heat is the enemy of the rotary engine... so you need the cooling system sorted, and proper fueling. The Apexi ECU is perfect for it, and as has been said, you need a DataLogit cable to map it, but all proper tuners will have this.. the commander will just give you some readouts.. there are different versions of the Apexi ECU too which can change matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 cool. Ebay for datalogit then. I wanted to have an ems to playl with/learn on a cheap car. Looks like i may have found one :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 Pictures as promised: http://www.css-networks.com/rx7/1.JPG http://www.css-networks.com/rx7/2.JPG http://www.css-networks.com/rx7/3.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kieren1234 Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Looks very nice mate. What are your plans for it??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 Looks very nice mate. What are your plans for it??? To get it working Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 16, 2009 Author Share Posted May 16, 2009 Hoping to have the engine out today. Might need to buy a gazebo though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted May 16, 2009 Author Share Posted May 16, 2009 Rims are 17s BTW. Tyres are same width as Supra, not sure if that's bad for a Rex. 255 on rear, 235 on front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Very cool car. I have pretty much decided to get another rx7. No other car matches up in terms of beauty, presence and engine sound track for me and for the price. You'll need some gauges as they are v.important for a rx and power fc is not entirely accurate and move that rear fog light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnH Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 i just sold my FD, still got another rolling shell sitting in my garden and a fair few spares, if you needanything send me a PM and with anyluck might have it. Good luck with the project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 i just sold my FD, still got another rolling shell sitting in my garden and a fair few spares, if you needanything send me a PM and with anyluck might have it. Good luck with the project It's not a montego blue rolling shell which had gewalt wheels on it is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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