Street Prepared build

[xelderx]

Some pics form the build

Not a whole lot. I have a very small memory card.

1. Reseating the valves. (should have replaced the seals too...duh)

2. Bored block with new squirters. Those things are a pain to replace. Took 3 hours since we had to invent tools to do it with.

3. New pistons (.025 over)

4. Brand new crank

5. Toga crank bearings going in.

 

[xelderx]

1. #1 and #4 rods in.
2. From the top.

3. It's not what it looks like.

4. Loi and Pat...2 turbo heads wondering how they got stuck working on a N/A Protege.

5. That's me doing the hardest part of the whole swap. Regreasing and installing those stupid ball bearings in the CV joint. Those used to be my good pants.

 

[xelderx]

1. Bringing back the old school. nothing like using grease in your car that is actually older than you are.

2. Ye Ol' Accusump. mounted in the passenger floorboard.

3. Almost ready to start.

 

[Rogue]

when are you bringing this beast to that ATL autocross?


**edit - nevermind, i don't want you to run in my class and KILL me!!

 

[xelderx]

when are you bringing this beast to that ATL autocross?


**edit - nevermind, i don't want you to run in my class and KILL me!!

Looks like a month or two before my schedule lines up right. Don't worry...i'll just come down and run Novice.

 

[xelderx]

1. Pressure solenoid and electronic valve for the Accusump.

2. The T fitting that routes to the block is right behind the Intake mani...it continues on along the firewall to the oil filter.

3. Chevy 350 filter. It holds a quart of oil all by itself.

4. Racing Mazda 4-2-1 header all wrapped up and cozy.

5. The new Azenis RT-615. Better wet traction over the RT-215's, but not sure about dry yet. I'm still working on the suspension so I can't quite tell how the tires are working yet.

 

[Lord_Zath]

Maybe a stupid question but why is the header wrapped up?

 

[xelderx]

Maybe a stupid question but why is the header wrapped up?

It's heat wrap. It's an insulator so it keeps more heat inside the exhaust instead of radiating out into the engine bay. Also, since the exhaust gases are hotter they flow faster. I can run the car hard and immediately tap the exhaust with my hand. It's hot, but not hot enough to immediately burn me. Underhood temps are much cooler now.

 

[Lord_Zath]

hmm interesting! Did you just get a bunch of this material somewhere and wrap it up? Or did you have a place do it?

 

[xelderx]

hmm interesting! Did you just get a bunch of this material somewhere and wrap it up? Or did you have a place do it?

I bought it at a performance shop. Can't rememeber the price...it isn't very cheap though. Then I spent about an hour wrapping the header before I installed it.

 

[xelderx]

I seem to be having very bad luck this year. It looks like I'm going to have to rebuild my spare block and swap motors again. I cannot get it to stop burning oil. Replacing the valve seals didn't do s***. I haven't done a compression check yet, but I noticed when I replaced the head on Saturday that the new honing on the cylinder walls was already scored. My best guess is that the car is running so lean that it's frying the rings. It was raining really hard on Saturday and the car ran better then, since I'm assuming it was running a little richer. My sparkplugs come out nice and white. The new motor has less than 1,000 miles on it and it burnt up over 2 quarts of oil just driving around town yesterday. Hopefully I can order the MPI tuner this week. If not, I'll have to track down another stock cylinder head to install since both mine are ported rather largely.

 

[xelderx]

Well...how about a little update.

I raced the car last sunday and took home 3 trophies. 1st Place FSP, Fastest Time Street Prepared, and Fasted Time Pax. I missed out on FTD by .18 seconds, but I lost it to a D mod CRX who's driver is a notoriously good left foot braker, so I can't complain too much. The MPI is in the car and working, but I can't do anything with the car right now due to a problem that came up while I was on my way to install the MPI.

Right now the car won't idle or run below 3,000 rpm. I'm guessing bad 1-4 coil, but it could also be a bent valve or something keeping the valve from closing all the way. Either way I should have it sorted out next week since I'm having my spare head completely rebuilt and I think I have an extra set of coils.

 

[Mike R]

Damn, that sucks-about the motor...Great that you got some trophies!

 

[xelderx]

My spare coils didn't fix the problem so it sounds like something internal with the head. I'm taking my other head to the machine shop today so hopefully I can get it back on the car and start tuning the MPI next week.

 

[xelderx]

Couple of pics I took. I finally got a shot of her on the race rims and a few shots of the Accusump plumbing with the head off the car.

 

[Lord_Zath]

Love the Mazda stickers. Cracked bumper I see?

 

[xelderx]

Love the Mazda stickers. Cracked bumper I see?

Yea...ran off the road trying to dodge a fox in the mountains. About $500 in suspension damage. I figured the bumper could wait. Hopefully someone will have some pics up from last Sunday's race soon.

 

[xelderx]

Well...I just found out that my credit card account has been put on hold since I'm a month behind on my payments. i can't afford to pay for the parts to rebuild the head right now. Looks like it's going to be a few weeks before the car will be running. i can't get any luck going with this thing at all.

 

[scorch70]

Well...I just found out that my credit card account has been put on hold since I'm a month behind on my payments. i can't afford to pay for the parts to rebuild the head right now. Looks like it's going to be a few weeks before the car will be running. i can't get any luck going with this thing at all.

That sucks xelderx. You are having the worst luck on your build. One problem after the other. Sounds about like the trouble Spicy went (continues to go?) through with the DX.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[xelderx]

yea...Spicy and I seem to be mysteriously connected when it comes to car trouble. Luckily I still have the old 323 to drive while the Pro5 is down. I just really want to get cracking on this MPI tuner. Getting my head rebuilt is going to cost over $1000 and thats at my wholesale discount on parts and only $250 of that is labor. Everything should be brand new when it's finished though.