magnumP5's RX-7 Build Thread

[magnumP5]

Changed the oil (again). Just going through the motions now...

Going to be ordering an AWR adjustable vertical link and Racing Beat DTSS eliminators today. The lateral link will finally let me get the drop+aligment I've been after and with the DTSS eliminators I'll have all the replacement suspension bushings I need. Just swaybars, endlinks and strut bars after that.

 

[ucMP3]

What is the benefit of removing the DTSS?

 

[magnumP5]

What is the benefit of removing the DTSS?

I assume you're familiar with the rear-steering feature the FC's had? Removing them just makes the car behave more predictably near its limits. It's hard to explain but right when you'd think oversteer is about to kick in the rear of the car turns in. I see it as just removing another complicated, not needed feature (like AAS).

 

[PrinceValorum]

I assume you're familiar with the rear-steering feature the FC's had? Removing them just makes the car behave more predictably near its limits. It's hard to explain but right when you'd think oversteer is about to kick in the rear of the car turns in. I see it as just removing another complicated, not needed feature (like AAS).

If you learned how it behaves with the DTSS, wouldn't it be predictable then, or is it inconsistent/too much work to re-learn?

 

[magnumP5]

If you learned how it behaves with the DTSS, wouldn't it be predictable then, or is it inconsistent/too much work to re-learn?

Seems logical, and I'm sure some people have done this. For me, because I'm also replacing all the other bushings with urethane ones, I might as well get rid of the DTSS bushings as well. I'd also rather just have the car oversteer when it's ready; not get close to breaking loose, catch itself and then suddenly break loose when it's pushed further.

Tomorrow I pull apart the front control arms for the first phase in bushing replacement. I promise I'll have pictures this time

 

[Lewis7789]

I'm bummed you won't make it up but I completely understand about not wanting to drive 4 hours with a potenially bad alignment. Take pics and good luck, mate.

 

[magnumP5]

Picture time. It's been too long since I've done this. The goal of the day was to install the Energy Suspension bushings for the front suspension. When I took these pictures I had already installed the driver's side (with much less difficulty).

1. Remove wheel. Everything still looks pretty good after 5000 miles and a track day.

2. Just an idea of what I was dealing with. Goal is to remove the lower control arm. Note the size of the endlink, LOL!

3. Everything unbolted. LCA is a bear to remove without an air chisel (ask me how I did it).

4. Removing bushings from LCA. This is what happens when you don't have access to a press.

5. New bushings installed (with aid of vice). Messy work that lithium grease.

After that everything is reverse to reinstall. This was by far the most difficult mod I've done mainly due to the car being stubborn. Had a scare with the driver's side outer tie rod, which was fixed with some ingenuity and the passenger's side LCA refused to come loose and required "persuasion". Truthfully, I didn't notice any improvement in feel but my wife says the car is "louder" and "stiffer". I guess that means the new bushings are doing their job. At least it's nice to know those 20+ year-old rubber bushings are gone. New adjustable rear vertical link and DTSS eliminators are on their way. Once those come in they'll be installed along with the remaining rear bushings and I'll be happy the job is done.

I really need to sell my Sparco seats. I'd like to have a rollbar, fixed-back driver's seat (Sparco Rev Plus or EVO) and harness installed before the 2011 NASA season starts.

 

[PrinceValorum]

Install looks awesome. You're lucky to have a car that's not covered in rust!

 

[Lewis7789]

Hmmm, I was wondering how you were going to replace your bushing without a press. Clever, Jon. Veeeeerrrrrry clever. Good job, mate.

 

[THE Phen]

Good stuff. Another fun way to install those bushings is using a set of spring compressors, a brake pad, and a coat hanger...

Sounds weird... but it worked.

 

[Signal 2]

Nice job Magnum.
FWIW...yet another option (for most bushings) is one of these...... http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-ball-joint-u-joint-c-frame-press-service-kit-38335.html

But a real press is SO much easier... and safer. The outer FD toe-link bushing is in an aluminum sleeve and distorts if you look at it wrong. Ask me how I know.

 

[magnumP5]

^^^ I'll definitely have to look into that as there's a Harbo Freight not too far away. But yeah, the LCA's are aluminum and I had to take great care not to damage them (too much, LOL). I'm not really sure what they're called, but I tool to separate the LCA from the spindle would also have been nice.

So the Racing Beat DTSS eliminators have arrive and I'm waiting on the AWR vertical link (has been shipped, finally). Unfortunately I won't be able to install them for something like 3 weeks due to being busy with travelling and other commitments.

One thing I've noticed, and which has really gotten to bother me lately is a "creaking" in the suspension. I first noticed it after the coilover install way back when but now it seems even worse with the colder weather and/or the polyurethane bushing install. Any time the car pitches (accel, decel, braking) it sounds like the noise an old door makes when it's moved slowly, but obviously with a short duration. Unfortunately, being deaf in one ear prevents me from tracking down the source and my wife conveniently never hears it.

 

[Signal 2]

I'm not familiar at all with FCs, but I have forks for my air chisel that make ball-joints and tie-rod ends alot easier. Also, reference your creaking noise....had something similar on my FD and it ended up being badly worn sway-bar endlinks. They "looked" fine, but would bind and creak like an old wagon on corners. If your coilovers have heim joints they can make that noise too.....depending on the setup, you might have to live with it.
Anyway, enjoying the thread. Keep up the good work.

 

[magnumP5]

^^^ I'm thinking it's something in the rear as well. No heim joints in the coilovers as far as I know. When I do the DTSS eliminators and adjustable vertical link I'll make sure everything is snug back there.

Also, new plan. 17x9 +22mm Enkei RPF1's with 255/40R17 tires all around (gonna need 20mm front fenders). Should stick, no?

 

[THE Phen]

Yeah... I would think so...

 

[PrinceValorum]

Save up for a neck brace, too..

 

[Lewis7789]

Also, new plan. 17x9 +22mm Enkei RPF1's with 255/40R17 tires all around (gonna need 20mm front fenders). Should stick, no?

Epic awesomenessesesssesss. I'll have to get a ride in her one of these days.

 

[magnumP5]

Yep, looks like the engine plans are getting pushed back even further. Since I'll be picking up new fenders I might as well get a fiberglass hood (if I can find one) and may just also try to find some TII sideskirts and front lip for an over all appearance upgrade. I suppose it would just make more sense to get it all and paint it at once.

In other news:

Good: AWR adjustable vertical link finally came in and this thing is huge! It's much bigger than the pictures lead on. Also the "bushings" in it are aluminum, not polyurethane like I thought.

Bad: I can't intall the Energy suspension bushings for the rear control arms because my AWR camber links would no longer work (they require the bushing to be flexible or moveable). So, I either have to live with the stock rubber bushings (likely worn/torn) or go with some MMR bushings with spherical bearings ($160).

 

[magnumP5]

So it's been a while. Still haven't installed the RB DTSS deletes or the AWR bar - I'm waiting on a few other parts and I'm going to rip apart the rear end and install everything at once. I've ordered some spherical bearings for the rear control arms (to work with the camber links) and the remaining Mazdaspeed competition mounts (rear differential, subframe, etc.). Unfortunately the mounts are all backordered until a new shipment arrives from Japan. Hopefully I'll receive them sometime with the next two weeks. As for the spherical bushings, I need to call MMR and see what's up (going on four weeks now)..

 

[2.0t03speed]

Nice man looks like its coming along good. Do you miss the p5 at all? whens the next time you are going to come down to va?