The frog : A new stable mate
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:25 pm
I've got a new track toy delivered on Saturday from England. It's a heavily modified FD RX7 in the Fast & Furious style, with 440bhp at 0.9 bar boost (could also be set to 500bhp at 1.0 bar) weighting approx 1,150kg. It has a ported engine, Greddy T078 big single turbo conversion kit, upgraded intercooler, radiator, de-catted straight through pipe, braces, adjustable coilovers etc. The list goes on. With a better fueling (currently, 4 x 850cc injectors), the frog (it looks like one) should be good for 550 to 600 bhp. The standard FD RX7s weighs 1,280kg with 260bhp sequential twin turbo unit so the difference is significant.
I road tested the frog for the first time this afternoon. Currently, the car is running at fairly safe boost of 0.8 bar producing approx 380-400bhp. The race clutch has a very short biting point and takes some getting used to. The engine feels very strong and the brakes are fine for street use. Of course I'd need to upgrade the pads and fluid before taking it on track. The bushes need replacing. Not sure if the coilovers need changing until I drive the car with the new bushes. There were lots of clonking noise coming from the suspension areas but I have a feeling they were caused by the worn bushes (hope).
It sounds mental with very deep rumbling roar transformed into a howl on boost when the wastegate kicks in and the screamer pipe opens. Even with the current relatively low boost, the acceleration felt good and the power delivery is much smoother than I anticipated. There is a definite increase in the power and eagerness to jump forward when the boost comes in but once on it, the delivery is quite linear and the rev redlines rapidly. The thing which lets the car down most is the stiff gear box. I may put the transmission brace. Hope this cures the problem.
I was stopped by an unmarked police car (blue Volvo estate) which followed me for about 3 miles. They said the exhaust was too loud. I explained the car was imported from Japan in 2006 and has current MOT & tax. All the mods were done prior to leaving Japan and I couldn't change the exhaust system without re-setting and changing the characteristics of the car. Eventually they said there is nothing they can do (apart from giving me a ticket for anit social behaviour
, which of course they didn't) or offer any advise and left. I will be looking for ways to reduce the noise though as I don't want to be stopped unnecessarily. Any good ideas? Does the Supertrapp work well?
The budget tyres on the car will be good for drifting
I may wear them out first and get decent tyres later on for serious track use. The frog does require some work before I take it on track but I am sure it will be real fun when it gets there.
I road tested the frog for the first time this afternoon. Currently, the car is running at fairly safe boost of 0.8 bar producing approx 380-400bhp. The race clutch has a very short biting point and takes some getting used to. The engine feels very strong and the brakes are fine for street use. Of course I'd need to upgrade the pads and fluid before taking it on track. The bushes need replacing. Not sure if the coilovers need changing until I drive the car with the new bushes. There were lots of clonking noise coming from the suspension areas but I have a feeling they were caused by the worn bushes (hope).
It sounds mental with very deep rumbling roar transformed into a howl on boost when the wastegate kicks in and the screamer pipe opens. Even with the current relatively low boost, the acceleration felt good and the power delivery is much smoother than I anticipated. There is a definite increase in the power and eagerness to jump forward when the boost comes in but once on it, the delivery is quite linear and the rev redlines rapidly. The thing which lets the car down most is the stiff gear box. I may put the transmission brace. Hope this cures the problem.
I was stopped by an unmarked police car (blue Volvo estate) which followed me for about 3 miles. They said the exhaust was too loud. I explained the car was imported from Japan in 2006 and has current MOT & tax. All the mods were done prior to leaving Japan and I couldn't change the exhaust system without re-setting and changing the characteristics of the car. Eventually they said there is nothing they can do (apart from giving me a ticket for anit social behaviour
, which of course they didn't) or offer any advise and left. I will be looking for ways to reduce the noise though as I don't want to be stopped unnecessarily. Any good ideas? Does the Supertrapp work well?The budget tyres on the car will be good for drifting
I may wear them out first and get decent tyres later on for serious track use. The frog does require some work before I take it on track but I am sure it will be real fun when it gets there.
not much i can suggest to reduce the exhaust noise however.
Put me on the pax list 
I prefer the std bodywork and no silly rear spoiler though 
Looks a tad Max Power dare I say... Also this Monster will cost a whole lot more than the Caterham if you make it go pop though, when was it last rebuilt, had the rotor tips changed? 
