fd3sls2

iTrader: (3)

Well, I'm not on here much, but I figured I'd give this a shot. I bought my 93 rx7 touring in 2005. After applying some subtle modifications, and reliability modifications yielding 355rwhp, the rotary engine failed. I then rebuilt, 3mm apex seals, 99 spec turbos and all the other goodies etc etc, yielding 370rwhp, and that bit the dust 17k miles later. At which point I gave in, and turned to "the dark side" in February 2009. I purchased an ls2 out of a trailblazer ss, and a GTO transmission. Upon purchase I had a mild port, new head gaskets, and a decent cam on the stock 243 heads, hoping to squeeze a little more power from them, putting down (with valve floating issues) 431whp/410tq. The following winter, I came upon a set of dart pro 1 heads, and paired them with a solid lifter and heavier spring combo, which yielded a modest 470hp/425tq. Engine ran great for approximately 6k miles, but succumbed to a spun bearing due to lack of oil pressure at high rpm due to a restriction from the transmission cooler, which was sold to me as an r1 oil cooler (mistake on my end, noted). I was back to the drawing board yet again, with the car back on jack stands, I had a decision to make. There had been a lot of money spent since acquiring the car, and as much as i love it, the constant down time, and nagging of my wife was really getting old to me. I made an executive decision, after putting my big boy pants on, I purchased a brand new bare LS3 block, and compstar rotating assembly. I then stepped up the plate again and contacted Tony Mamo, for some V2-230 heads, molested by Tony himself. During the process he also spec'ed a cam, and ported a fast 102 to meet the high rpm power demands I had set forth. At this point in time, the GTO transmission was no longer desired, due to the poor gear ratio spacing, So I contacted RPM transmissions, and purchased a level 6 T56 magnum transmission with F-Body tail housing, as well as a quick time bell housing. I then assembled the engine at a local machine shop. With a little down time and some more decisions to be made, i purchased a Samburg subframe, tranny mount, and rear diff mount, along with a radiator/OTR intake setup. Shortly there after I picked up a nick williams 102mm throttle body, a set of hinson's long tube 1 7/8 diameter headers, as well as a monster level 2 twin disc clutch. I then personally machined my engine/transmission mounts, while waiting a few weeks for my drive shaft shop 3.5in driveshaft to arrive. With all the pieces in hand, I set forth to assembling this conglomeration of parts into a working car, again. Now for the pictures...enjoy!

The beginning...
[img width=800 height=600]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/jaredrx7_zpsff66f0e8.jpg[/img]

ls2 powered (hinson subframe, radiator, TQ arm)


carnage...


now the rebuild...block, pistons, rods, etc...
out with the old in with the new (old block used for a friends 402)



[img width=800 height=450]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/rods_zpse8aba8ac.jpg[/img]


opted not to buy a $600 torque plate and made my own...
[img width=800 height=450]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/tqplate_zps8a37436d.jpg[/img]
[img width=800 height=450]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/tqplatedone_zps4ab9d7d2.jpg[/img]
[img width=800 height=450]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/honingwithtqplate_zps2e4cfd61.jpg[/img]
[IMG]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/dudekperformance_zpsf0b240c9.jpg[/IMG

preparing for the line hone


clearances checked, rings gapped, short block assembled

fd3sls2

iTrader: (3)

oil galleries for D.O.D. tapped and plugged


Cam installed (248/251 114 LSA .623 lift, based on a 1.7 ratio rocker) (not pictured: johnson short travel hydraulic link bar lifters)


degreeing in the Mamo spec'ed cam



AFR Heads Courtesy of Tony Mamo (specs: 2.100 Hollow stem intake valve-92g, 1.600 inconel exhaust valves 96g) (AFR's 8019 spring set with titanium retainers)




[IMG]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/363F3781-B9E6-4C90-BE99-074088D7FFD8-4392-0000023B76D363CB.jpg[IMG]
block was fly cut to allow the pistons to be out of the hole.005. I also utilized a .040 thick cometic head gasket to obtain .035 distance between the pistons/head yielding an 11.7:1 static compression ratio, ARP hardware was used for clamping.

fd3sls2

iTrader: (3)

Both AFR heads installed and torqued, manton 11/32 .120 wall thickness push rods and yella terra 1.7 ratio ultra light rocker arms, fitted with 10mm hold down bolts.


modified windage tray for clearance


long block assembled


fast 92 vs fast 102 (improved racing strut tower bar will not fit


mocking up the "mamo'fied" fast 102 and long tube headers



Modification was needed for the Nick Williams 102 to clear the ls1 style water pump


fabricated motor mounts


poly mount vs fabricated mount
[img width=800 height=450]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/trannymountpt1_zps88d7924e.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=450]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/trannymountpt2again_zpse8d4b38c.jpg[/img]

Monster twin disc clutch



verifying balance



custom shim for slave cylinder (needed due to quick time bell housing)



Level 6 T56 Magnum with F-Body tail housing (courtesy of RPM Transmissions)



with quick time housing


Samburg subframe, powdercoated gloss black


Transmission mount backing plate welded to tunnel

fd3sls2

iTrader: (3)

transmission mount (courtesy of Samberg Performance)


Fire wall modified to accommodate the fast 102


finally putting the motor in



milling .5in off fuel rail so 90 degree fitting cleared the fire wall


clearance was very tight, ground off the "LSXR" logo, to retain factory hood


firewall clearance of intake, thank you solid mounts for allowing this to be possible


motor in with solid mounts


long tube headers (courtesy of hinson supercars, ceramic coated by Dynoport)


3.5in custom drive shaft high RPM balance with 31 spline strange billet yoke (courtesy of Drive Shaft Shop)



300m Axle bars (courtesy of Drive Shaft Shop)



Changing out the fuel tank baffle hyperion vs 99 spec



fuel pump (300lph rx7.com) and regulator



Custom fabricated fly by wire pedal mount (prior to samberg production)


Had some time to perform some suspension work

tri point engineering .188 wall thickness swaybar and samberg bump steer kit


New Superpro bushings



Superpro bushings, new OEM Mazda pillow *****, rx7.com trailing/toe links, apexi N1 coilovers


Radiator and OTR intake (Courtesy of Samberg Performance)




Some interior shots...



At the dyno...


561whp/488tq


some love



videos
rx-7 65-170mph
rx7 vs r6

I want to give a big shout out to Tony Mamo @ AFR for all of his help on this build. He worked with me and my many questions (half of which probably weren't even related to what i purchased through him) and answered them in a very timely fashion, at all hours of the day! I don't think he sleeps! I have "OCD" if you will, and fuss over stuff I probably shouldn't, never once did he give me a hard time (except jokingly of course!). But in all seriousness, I am very pleased with my results, which wouldn't have been the same hadn't it been for Mr. Mamo. It may cost some $$, but its much better do do it once, and do it right- then to have sub-par results and not be satisfied (as I previously had done). I can't say enough good things about my dealings with him! Thanks Tony!

As for another note: Tony feels the tune was "conservative" and there is more on the table to be had. The car is going to be re-tuned this spring by someone more familiar with LS Engines, stay tuned for results!

fd3sls2

iTrader: (3)

opted not to buy a $600 torque plate and made my own...
[img width=800 height=450]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/tqplate_zps8a37436d.jpg[/img]
[img width=800 height=450]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/tqplatedone_zps4ab9d7d2.jpg[/img]
[img width=800 height=450]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/honingwithtqplate_zps2e4cfd61.jpg[/img]
[IMG]http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k134/geclipse/dudekperformance_zpsf0b240c9.jpg[/IMG

fd3sls2

iTrader: (3)

For whatever reason, my torque plate photos wont show up---oh well I guess!

rotor vs. piston

iTrader: (3)

Do you have a video at idle?

Extremely nice build, my first was a SBC FB. I'm trying not to be nostalgic and do an LS1 in an FB, sooo much better driveability to the Gen3 engines.

yonerhottlt1

iTrader: (21)

That's a lot power, and a nice project!

fd3sls2

iTrader: (3)

I dont, but my friend may... ill ask him, or ill make one and post it up. Thanks guys!