Have I seriously not updated this since July? Wow...
Been a while since I've updated this, despite the car being in storage, so I'll update what I've posted on another forum.
1. The cat is pooched, so that will get replaced by a Bnez high flow one available here in the spring time:
http://rx7.com/store/rx7/fcexhaust.html After doing some further reading, I'm not so convinced that the catalytic converter is finished so I'll be doing a couple of other emission related changes to see what the emission tests say before going through this fairly expensive route.
2. The primary O2 sensor is running a little erratically, so a new one needs to go in as well.
This will still happen and will be part of a small order from MSM
3. Despite putting in a refreshed EGR valve, looks like I'll have to give in and get the revised model as mine is not operating properly. This and the above will be coming from MSM.
eBay FTW on this one; found a revised EGR less then half of retail (brand new) and it's patiently waiting in the basement for springtime...
4. Rear lateral arm bushings are finished, and they need replacing so Megan Racing or Hardrace adjustable ones will go in giving me access to more camber, and being able to put back the stock strut bolts in and selling the Eibach ones I've been using for the past 2 years.
Found a set of Megan Racing links from a TOP member and will be getting my hands on them before end of winter.
5. 2. The front lower control arm bushings are FINISHED. The control arms themselves are defective in terms of the welded nuts being snapped off for now. The plan is to buy some aftermarket OEM-like LCAs and have Pedders bushings pressed in. That will give me back the precise steering I've been missing the last few months due to those bushings slowly dying.
LCAs will be part of the MSM order unless I choose to get aftermarket OEM replacements which should save a bill or two. Got an email today that Pedders bushings have finally reached my chosen distributor and I should get them fairly shortly
6. Mazdas247 is having a huge sale on chassis-stiffening gear that are copies of GTspec so that will complete the suspension rebuild; the vbraces are the only item I don't have.
Received the reinforcement panel/Vbraces this past fall; looking forward to the extra stiffening it will provide
7. The kinks in the header from my incident last winter were repaired in the spring, but I still need to get it "unbent" to bring the exhaust forward an inch or so. Hopefully it can be a quick and easy job, and then it will be ceramic coated to keep the under-hood temps down.
Still planning to have this done.
8. The radiator will eventually go as they all do, and the car produces a lot of heat so I found a good deal on a Ron Davis one (same one Brian has). That will go in at the same time.
This one is up in the air; I won't be going down the proposed route as the person selling it has been unresponsive, and there has been a better (for me) option created by a US racer/Mishimoto. If budget allows, I'll get this in the spring, otherwise it will have to wait.
9. Finally fix my e-brake so it works properly (main cable/proportioning spring being the likely culprit)
Still planning to do this.
10. Under-hood temps will be back to normal with a reverse cowl hood that will hopefully come in this month through a GB. It should look absolutely fantastic once painted.
GB fell through, and savings for an out-of country trip will take precedence over this unnecessary part.
Other items...
1. The battery is starting to go. It still has decent cranking power (worked on the DD Jetta even at -30*C) but would rather get it taken care of rather then get stranded as it is down roughly 30% on CCAs. Deka Batteries makes a 15lb motorcycle battery usable in DD vehicles and I will be going this route.
MMP makes a great battery box and I will therefore get the box/battery from them in the spring and adapt the box to the Proteg platform as they were originally designed to be a bolt-on for VWs.
2. Been wanting to change the pedals on the MP3 for a while for easier heel&toe and will be getting some 2003.5 pedals from the MSP through MSM. I had made this purchase in the past, but was not able to remove the covers from the pedals as the screws were completely seized and therefore sold them off. I will try again to remove them with an impact, but if that doesn't work, I have some spare pedal assemblies in the basement courtesy of John.
3. Again related to emissions, I've read that the PCV system can be a true source of horrible emission problems, while being poorly designed and feeding back gunk into the engine. Signature Sound has designed an oil catch can for me. Hopefully this will be the last piece to get emissions in check. If not, then I'll try to get that further tune before going the new cat route...
4. There are a couple more things sitting in the basement that I've been wanting to get installed for a while now, but that will have to wait for the more important things
5. Autocross tires; mine are pooched, and will be waiting for a local shop's sale prices to decide which ones to get and where I will do so.
Here is the catch can/PCV system:
