BBS

2012-01-22T08:29:00.001-05:00

Another year and a new GT wing!

After having a Sard wing for sometime I thought I'd try something different, so I decided to go with a huge 1810mm Esprit wing as it had more depth than the Sard. I'm currently deciding whether to mount it centre (like the Revo TA car) or at the boot lid edges.

I'll post some better pics when its not raining!

2011-12-22T08:38:00.000-05:00

I've had a Cusco RS LSD in the garage but never got around to installing it. With the subframe and arms being changed it seemed a perfect opportunity to install it. Filling the diff is an interesting mission, I ended up getting a small hand pump to fill it as a tube through the fuel pump cover just wouldn't work!

The diff is currently set up as a 1.5 way with 80% lockup. I'll let you know how much of a learning curve it is compared to the stock torsen unit that I've been used to.

2011-12-16T08:23:00.000-05:00

While replacing the arms I decided to replace the front and rear sub frames with some new units which I painted light gold to match my wheels. It was one of the worst jobs I've had to endure! Its been pretty cold and dark but I'll get some better pics when the sun comes back in the spring!

2011-11-11T08:08:00.001-04:00

Purchased a few new goodies for the FD!

First up were a set of Moonface Super lap front lower arms, these enable me to run low but still maintain the correct roll centre, essential for grip!

To compliment these I also got some Moonface Super Lap Tie rods which are angles to work with the front arms, goodbye bump steer!

Moving on to the rear I got an Ikeya Formula adjustable rear lower arm with trailing link, which like the front maintains the correct roll centre when lowering the car.

Finally I put Super Now Japan solid bushes in place of all the stock rubber bushes to really tighten the car up!

2011-10-01T11:51:00.003-04:00

Saturday morning car tuning. I've been eagerly waiting to get the tune on my car adjusted since fitting the race swirl pot system. I was in luck as Jaydee had an opportunity between building engines, so grabbing his laptop - off we went. After a few successful runs we decided to try the water injection... but soon discovered the nozzle was blocked!! We couldn't finish the full power run, even so it felt quick and spooled up well. Stay tuned for part two!

2011-07-29T05:50:00.002-04:00

After finding a few electrical gremlins and buying a flat WITH GARAGE (essential lol), I've finally got the car ready for a remap with Jaydee, looking forward to finally putting some boost through the car!

2011-07-01T05:54:00.000-04:00

After suffering from fuel cut during a run at Brands Hatch, I decided it was finally the time to upgrade from the in-tank Bosch 044 to a Swirl pot setup. Using a 2L swirl pot, Sard 280lph lift pump and two Bosch 044 feed pumps, I should have enough fuel for the most demanding high G corners! Although they are a bit noisy, I'll be making a cover for them next...

2010-11-03T05:46:00.000-05:00

After the water issues I decided to go for a V-mount setup whichj many of the Japanese Time Attack cars run. Using a thick core rad and thick core intercooler I have managed to reduce intake temps to a couple of degrees above ambient. Water temps are also very good since air is split between the rad and IC, rather than warm air being passed from the IC through the rad in a typical front mount application.

2010-10-03T05:44:00.000-04:00

Decided to try out a Mazdaspeed R-Spec rear bumper on the car.

2010-10-02T06:20:00.001-04:00

Decided to lighten my Scoot bonnet since its not that light compared to some of the other aftermarket alternatives, a few holes later and almost 1kg saved!

2010-10-01T06:18:00.000-04:00

Engine dropped back in!

2010-09-16T06:12:00.000-04:00

After trying various things to reduce the water temps and bleed any air out of the system it was decided the only route to take was removing the engine and inspecting the internals. Jay and Stuart came out in the evening and worked like a pair of Ninja's to remove the block from the car.

Upon inspection Jay discovered that the rear rotor housing had a hairline crack along the leading spark holes thread! So the housing was replaced along with all side seals and springs. Now I just need to reinstall the engine and put a few miles on the engine to bed the new seals in.

2009-11-29T06:35:00.002-05:00

After removing the loom from the car I decided it would be a good idea (at the time) to relocate the remaining relays from the front of the car to the inside along with removing all the wires that loop around the front of the car. So I should only have the headlights, sidelights and popup cables running to the front of the car.

Certainly looks like I may have my taken on a bit of a challenge!!!

2009-11-22T06:40:00.002-05:00

After finding my turbo wasn't spooling up as well as usual I decided to check the rear blades for damage (thinking the worst) but to my relief all was well!!

After a search over the car I discovered that it was my new intercooler that was leaking between the Greddy BOV and its mounting plate! So the BOV has been removed and the hole welded up... now I have some boost to play with!

2009-09-27T08:39:00.004-04:00

Got a new camera for my birthday after taking years to finally decide on one, there really is too much choice these days! I took the car out to a local car parking area, the weather was great for a few pics - so an excellent opportunity to test the new camera and hopefully get some nice pics of the FD too. Let me know if you'd like a bigger size!

2009-08-04T11:35:00.006-04:00

Here is the spec the car is currently running for those that wanted to know! I think the next thing on the list for improvement is my driving, so I think I will book myself a training session with a pro driver.

Time Attack specification - 2009

----------------------------------------------------

Model Mazda RX-7 FD3S

Year 1992

Engine Mods

Rotary 13B running a 'Jaydee special port'

Trust/Greddy T88-34D 18cm single turbo with v-band

Trust/Greddy 4" v-band downpipe (heatwrapped)

Trust/Greddy large bore manifold

Trust/Greddy 4" midsection (heatwrapped)

HKS GT II wastegate

R-Magic 4" exhaust

Apexi exhaust valve

Super Now pulley set

Stillway solid engine mounts

Apexi FMIC

Koyo radiator

Feed plug leads

Trust/Greddy Iridium plugs 10/11s

WAKOS ignition system and coil

Apexi Power FC with commander

Coolingmist water injection

Relocated coil packs

Custom aluminum heat shielding

All fuse boxes and wiring moved to inside the car

Handling Mods

Seam welded chassis

Feed Pro-F05 suspension

Nagasa auto support plates

Multipoint roll cage with additional bars in engine bay (welded)

Rays Gram Light 57 F-Pro 18" rims

Brembo 8pot calipers

Super Now Toe-links and trailing arms

Super Now Solid diff mounts

Style Mods

Kazama Auto Wide body kit with one-off Kazama canards

R-Magic carbon side diffusers

R-Magic carbon rear diffusers

Sard 1800mm carbon GT wing

RE Amemiya diffuser with carbon bowtech and vortex generators

Scoot bonnet

Rasty FRP doors

Craft Square mirrors

Custom undertray

Front and rear toe hooks

Audio Mods

Removed

Interior Mods

Flocked dash and panels

Custom carbon dash, heater panel and transmission panel with all buttons removed

Feed carbon sill covers

Mazdaspeed rear view mirror

Momo suede wheel

Multipoint roll cage (welded)

Stripped out and sound deadening removed

All excess wiring removed and simplified

Recaro RZ Carbon Kevlar bucket seats

Apexi AVC-R

Custom aluminium floor plates

2009-08-01T08:03:00.001-04:00

After a break from the car, I came back ready to get the car back together and fix the water leaks, also to clean up the engine bay after it got covered in green coolant. I also finished adding all the roll cage padding so no more bruises!

2009-06-29T07:56:00.005-04:00

Brands hatch was a great day but unfortunately even after changing the water pump I was still plagued by high water temps which crept up after the practice session so I was unable to put in a good time. The day unfortunately ended up with the car going home on a trailer, many thanks Ash for your AA support!
Jay and Kerim kindly came over to pressure test the engine and to everyone's relief its all fine and the fault is down to a block off pipe and a leaking water level sensor!

2009-06-28T08:42:00.004-04:00

Brands hatch! I really like this little twisty track - the g-force coming down the hill is a major buzz, but the high water temps sure aren't!! I had a great practice round but as the day progressed the temps suddenly jumped, not good. More to follow!

2009-05-31T09:07:00.004-04:00

Two vids from Time Attack, they are a tad washed out (I think a new camera is needed)! But at least you can see the car in action!

2009-05-31T08:57:00.001-04:00

At last the first outing for the FD! After many months of tweaks changes and running in the car was ready for round three of Time Attack at Silverstone circuit (or so I thought)!

The first warm out session went well but intake temps were a tad high since the water injection wasn't working (turned out to be the one way valve) and oil was getting out of engine (fixed thanks to Jay for the pipe and a water bottle for a true JDM oil catch tank).

I did better in the qualifying but water temps suddenly jumped up which would suggest my water pump is on it way out. My time was 1.08 - four seconds off the top cars so not bad for the car and drivers first test outing. Roll on Brands Hatch on June 28!!

2009-05-29T07:45:00.002-04:00

After many thoughts on design I got the new 'flaming rotor' graphics on the car, not long to get it finished since I'm off to Silverstone Saturday evening! Massive thanks to Si at SJS Design Factory www.sjsdesign.com for cutting out my designs.

2009-05-16T19:04:00.003-04:00

For some reason my windows decided to stop working, after checking the Mazda wiring diagrams and tracing wires it turned out to be the black F100 box. Happily the windows now work! I also took the opportunity to seal up all the loom since all electrics worked for the trip to Oulton Park. A huge job!

2009-04-28T18:55:00.002-04:00

Round one of Time Attack at Oulton Park, what a trip!! Unfortunatly I was still running in my engine so I couldn't compete, although it gave me the chance to check out this years competition. The car didn't miss a beat and 500 miles later the car is almost run in! Thanks for the nice pic of my FD DogBoxMedia!

2009-04-20T18:53:00.001-04:00

With noise becoming more of an issue on the circuit it seemed a good idea to fit an Apexi adjustable valve making it easier to pass noise tests. One problem was getting under the car to weld it in place, luckily a D1 forklift happened to be passing by!!

2009-04-19T08:24:00.000-04:00

Finally got the chance to turn the key on the new engine! It slowly cranked into life and sounded awesome! I started it with 10's all round and didn't need to bump start which was a result too!

2009-04-18T18:45:00.002-04:00

Back in the engine bay, its starting to look more like a car again! I'm eager to turn the key and get some milage on the new engine.

2009-04-15T18:48:00.003-04:00

With the interior all stripped out it was time to re-spray in a shiny black... it certainly came up nice!

2009-04-13T18:42:00.004-04:00

The engine is back from being rebuilt! Big thanks to Jaydee engines!

Pics of the seals that went, the tips weren't bad.

2009-04-09T09:47:00.004-04:00

The engine build is almost complete (Along with some new porting)!
...It turns out I had four side seals fail, no wonder the car had issues starting.

2009-04-06T09:56:00.002-04:00

One of the new modifications for 09 is a carbon fiber dash and centre console. I've simplified it so only the necessary engine/electric/kill switches will be used along with the Race Technology Dash2, an all in one monitoring system.

2009-04-06T09:44:00.002-04:00

New changes to the Time Attack regs meant another bar needed to be added to form an 'X' bar.
I also had the rear side reflectors welded up and smoothed over to tidy the quarter panels.

2009-03-21T09:40:00.003-04:00

Whilst doing the electrics it seemed a good idea to have the engine looked at. It had issues starting from hot last year so I felt it was best to examine before further problems developed.

2009-03-14T10:53:00.000-04:00

A selection of the wires removed... roughly 3kg of weight saved so far!

2009-03-07T09:24:00.001-05:00

At last some updates for 2009!

With my entrance in to Time Attack for 2009 secured I decided to look at improving aspects of the car. Firstly were the electrics... Since a lot of the cars electrical items have been removed I decided to split open the cars loom and remove all unnecessary cables such as the ABS, rear demister, radio and speakers, door light, fog lights and much more!

2008-12-06T08:01:00.005-05:00

For the 2009 Time Attack season I'm currently seeking sponsors for my car.

In return for your support I will provide publicity for your company, including displaying your logo and speaking about your company. I would also be happy to participate in any publicity or public relations activity you would like to organise regarding your sponsorship, such as photographs and interviews.

Your logo will be situated on the car and here on the website under the sponsor section. Thousands of people come through the pits during races so your company logo will be displayed to many people and many audiences. The series will be shown on Motors TV and coverage of each round featured in Banzai and Japanese performance motor magazines. Please email me at benjamin.james@virgin.net to discuss further, thanks!

2008-10-18T20:33:00.003-04:00

I've been looking around at many different ideas for aerodynamic advantages. I decided to continue the theme of reducing pressure build up and took some inspiration from Ferrari's track cars with their large cut-away sections. I started by designing the new vents in Adobe Illustrator as vectors - which meant I could get the exact shape I wanted and mirror it for the opposite side. Once designed I then printed them out to scale and used them as a template to cut the holes. I just need to add the black mesh and its done.

2008-10-12T16:44:00.000-04:00

Fitted my transmission cover. Thanks to Ross at Dragon Performance for supplying me withtthe transmission and rear tunnel braces - they certainly help the underside of the car feel nice and taut! I also wrapped the rear brace with heat wrap to stop the exhaust hitting/rubbing it.

2008-09-21T16:51:00.002-04:00

After the track action at Snetterton I decided to make up better shielding for the brake master cylinder as it was getting to much heat from the turbo downpipe. You can also see the shiled I made to keep the engine inlet manifold temps down too. Along with those modifications I also got a shiny new intercooler pipe for the turbo, as the original silicon was at such an angle it reduced the pipe diameter by half! A remapping will be on the cards soon as I'm sure these changes will affect my AFR's.

2008-09-07T13:49:00.004-04:00

TRAX 2008, it was wet! Still there was a good showing and plenty of interest in the car. I had a few laps of the full GP circuit too, but traction proved to be an issue due to the amount of standing water on the track.

2008-08-12T07:37:00.003-04:00

Snetterton open pit track day, the new 888's really made a difference to the cars handeling on track. It was like the car was on rails in the corners! I even managed to beat a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti around the circuit (540hp £220,000)!!

2008-08-09T07:29:00.001-04:00

Purchased some semi-slick tires for track, I decded to go with Toyo Proxies R888 in 255/35/18 fronts and 275/35/18 rears.

2008-08-08T13:47:00.001-04:00

I was pleased to discover two shots of my car in an issue of Banzai magazine promoting Japshow!

2008-06-22T07:04:00.001-04:00

A few pics of the car up at Santa Pod for Japshow, thanks to Racer86 for the pics! http://racer86.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/jap-show-22-06-08/

2008-06-01T07:08:00.003-04:00

Silverstone Time Attack was a good day, I had the car dyno'd and it made a respectable 493.2hp on pump gas! Even though it still has the temporary turbo elbow, it'll be over 500hp when the new one is put on. It was good to get out on track too, the car felt very firm, just need the semi-slicks now!

2008-05-18T07:01:00.002-04:00

Added an ali shround around the intercooler to stop air going around it and force it through it and the rad. I also cleaned up the calipers and discs.

2008-05-18T06:55:00.002-04:00

After having some problems with the electrics I traced the problem to the main engine harness which I repaired. I also took the opportunity to move the coils from the top of the engine to keep them cool, the new Wako ignition system was installed which replaces the leading coils and prevents ignition breakup.

2008-04-26T07:19:00.003-04:00

Removed the rear reflectors and installed mesh to reduce the air pressure buildup in the rear bumper.

2008-04-05T07:45:00.000-04:00

I finally got some pics of the car now its exterior is mostly complete, I'm really pleased with the result as this time last year it was just a bare shell!

Added front and rear tow hooks and Craft square carbon mirrors.

2008-03-09T06:39:00.001-05:00

Next up were my new R-magic side diffusers, which force air down channels either side of the car to produce downforce. After haveing the FRP side arches blended into the Kazama sideskirts I modified the carbon mounting plates and made up some carbon 'L' brackets to mount them under the font wings.

2008-03-01T07:35:00.001-05:00

The car is now finally back together after a sleepless three day marathon!
Had the fron wheels re-aligned since the track rod ends were replaced, unfortunatly the rear was too low to have aligned. Also got found time to fit the carbon fibre RE Amemiya Bowtech and vortex generators.

2008-02-21T07:31:00.001-05:00

The bootlid had the old holes and washer jet filled and resprayed. Also polished up the rear bumper rather than paint it, a temporary one for the time being until a new one is purchased.

2008-02-13T07:29:00.001-05:00

Had the new calipers and discs powder-coated in gold.

2008-02-10T07:28:00.000-05:00

Put in the newly flocked dash and wired in all the clocks.

2008-02-04T07:26:00.000-05:00

Bonded in the new front screen.

2008-01-05T07:19:00.000-05:00

Test fitted the new FRP doors, reused the existing hinge mounts for added strengh. Sprayed the inside before transferring the inner trim over. Also had a polish of the car, what a difference!

2007-12-25T12:38:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas and New Year!

Here's hoping 2008 brings us all good fortune!!
(And my car will be finished for Time Attck 2008)...

For 2008 I thought I'd add a wallpaper, taken from my J-tuner feature, hope you like it!
Its 1280x960px (look out for more in future)!

2007-11-28T12:32:00.000-05:00

First a coat of primer to help the paint adhere to the interior surface, looks strange benig red.
Then a coat of black, much better and shiny too!!

2007-11-22T12:30:00.000-05:00

Final cleaning and masking for the painting of the interior.

2007-11-17T12:27:00.000-05:00

The gussets for the front and rear of the cage have been added.

2007-11-10T12:24:00.000-05:00

To keep up the 'shiny engine bay look' I decided to polish up the throttle body, how long it'll stay shiny is another thing!

2007-11-05T12:20:00.000-05:00

The new Trust T88 34D was bolted in along with the new heat wrapped manifold.

2007-10-15T07:49:00.000-04:00

Now the engine is back in I decided to install my new Koyo rad from Japan along with my Apexi FMIC.

2007-10-12T07:47:00.000-04:00

To go with the turbo I decided to get a HKS GTII 60mm racing wastegate with v-band for easy installation. I can't wait to hear it!

2007-10-07T07:43:00.000-04:00

The new manifold and downpipe arrived from Trust Japan. Nicely welded with supports on the manifold and super smooth for exhaust flow on the inside. I decided to 'exhaust wrap' them to help keep the bonnet temps down.

2007-10-06T06:58:00.000-04:00

Next up are the side door bars.
The plan was to make getting in and out the car easy but still have the protection of a X style door bar when using light weight doors. Also started to add the gussets between the cage and car frame for extra rigidity, these will be drilled to save weight.

2007-10-01T07:41:00.000-04:00

Door bars are starting to take shape!

2007-09-07T06:55:00.000-04:00

Work starts on the front half of the cage.
Getting the cage nice and tight to the A-pillars and as far forward to avoid cutting too much of the dash was the mission.

2007-08-26T06:51:00.000-04:00

The new turbo arrived! Greddy/Trust T88 34-D
Hopefully its continued use and success in the Japanese tuning scene will enable my car to do the same in the UK?! We'll see...

2007-08-10T06:48:00.000-04:00

Rear of the cage is constructed and put in place.
The centre tunnel brace is curved to allow the seats to tilt without touching the bar.

2007-05-05T06:35:00.000-04:00

Seam welding complete!
Now the car is back on the ground, the engine bay had a respray and its engine dropped back in place along with some solid engine mounts from Stillway.

2007-04-25T11:19:00.000-04:00

The new 370x34 discs fill the 18s nicely. With the caliper theres 3mm clearance so quite tight!!

2007-04-01T10:51:00.000-04:00

Finally purchased a big brake kit to go on the FD!

Decided to go for some huge Brembo 8 pots with 40mm and 36mm pistons per pad and 370x34 discs. Only require some brakets to be fabricated to mount them and some uprated brake lines.
Compared to the standard discs and rotors, these are massive beasts.

Also removed the ABS unit and will be installing a bias valve.

2007-03-24T11:17:00.001-04:00

Some further pics of the seam welds on the front struts and along the front fenders.

2007-03-17T11:14:00.000-04:00

Finally my new tires have arrived!

I decided to go with what all the Time Attack cars run in Japan - Advan AO48's. Sized at 225x35x18 and 285x30x18. I'll have to ideally get some 265's for the front, but the 225s were a bargin.

2007-03-10T11:08:00.000-05:00

Now that the tilter has arrived work underneath the car can commence.
The welds from the seams cause the underseal to melt so rather than remove it all and have the car rust in a few years (thats what I get for living in the UK)... I decided to have it all resealed.

2007-03-03T11:05:00.000-05:00

With the engine now out the front struts can be seam welded. The engine can also have a polish up too!

2007-02-17T12:17:00.000-05:00

Some special modifications...

2007-02-09T12:09:00.000-05:00

Preperation on the front struts for welding, means removing the black gunk over the seams.

2007-02-09T12:07:00.000-05:00

Transmission tunnel

2007-02-09T12:01:00.000-05:00

Transmission and engine have been removed.

2007-02-04T11:51:00.000-05:00

Started the seam welding - there's alot of seams to do!

2007-02-03T11:39:00.000-05:00

Continuing with the removal of all sound deadening and removal of the engine in order to weld the engine bay.

2007-01-28T11:04:00.000-05:00

Began the slow task of removing the sound deadning. Using just a flat headed screwdriver and hammer means it will be sometime to remove all of it - its nice when it comes off in large chunks!!

2007-01-21T11:01:00.000-05:00

On with further removal of the interior plastics from the boot....

2007-01-20T10:58:00.000-05:00

Began the new 07 build today, which meant everything had to be removed from the inside of the car. Not a pretty sight - but it'll be worth the effort in the end!

2007-01-01T07:16:00.000-05:00

Its always funny seeing peoples reation to what is essentially a track car parked up along the road.

2006-11-24T19:17:00.000-05:00

Got a nice pic of the FD in the issue of Banzai!

2006-11-10T11:12:00.000-05:00

Purchased a new rear wing for the car, at 1800cm its not small!

I opted for a Sard racing carbon Fiber GT wing, which is the same wing used on the R-Magic time attack car.

2006-10-10T19:10:00.001-04:00

I was asked again by the nice guys at D1 to promote forthcoming events on their stand at Japshow.

2006-05-23T19:19:00.000-04:00

Steve of J-tuner very kindly asked if I'd like to have a featured on my car including the front cover of the magazine! Of course I said yes!

The shoot was certainly a chilly one but well worth it as I got an 11page feature on my FD!

2006-05-13T11:21:00.000-04:00

Attended the Mazda Rotary Club Airfield day organised by Mark, although a bit wet it was alot of fun sliding the car at 70 mph!

2006-04-28T19:07:00.000-04:00

Straight after Rockingham I headed over to MRC's Rotorstock event, one of the largest gatherings of rotarys in Europe!

2006-04-27T19:05:00.002-04:00

Competed in the first round of the UK's Time Attack. Held at Rockingham I managed to get a second place in the RWD Club challenge.

2006-04-11T19:01:00.000-04:00

Brands Hatch track day with MRC, had a great day even if it was a bit wet! Although I did get a black flag due to my noise levels of 130db on the main straight!

2006-03-31T19:22:00.000-04:00

Went up to London's Bluebird restaurant/cafe in a convoy with some of the guys and girls from FDUK! I even had a special passenger!!

2006-02-26T19:29:00.000-04:00

London Run! A now regular meet where we all head down the strrets of London to turn a few heads and make some noise!!

Notice how tight you have to park! ;oP

2005-09-24T18:58:00.001-04:00

Attended the D1 Exhibition Match at Silverstone. Was able to park on the D1 promo stand and got to meet the Apexi D1 champ Immamura too!!

2005-08-09T18:55:00.000-04:00

Out and about for a summer drive over to the MRC meet in Dartford, Kent.

2005-07-24T13:38:00.000-04:00

I was asked to park up on the J-tuner stand at JAE. IAlso did a parade lap and had an interview about the car.