sim_rx3 daily - 1990 HC royal classic luce

[sim_rx3]

ok thought id post some pics of the Luce.

she is a import 1990 model with a FACTORY series 4 rx7 13bt auto engine.

ive been told that there are only 15 in the country but all of them are series 1 apart from mine which is series 2.

the fridge in the parcel shelf was an option for the series 2 (mine doesnt have it :cry: ) would have been cool (pardon the pun)!! :lol:

some of the options -

6 speaker stereo (there are even volume controls for the rear speakers in the center pull down arm rest for the rear passengers)
driver 6 way electrical adjustible seat
front passenger 4 way electrical adjustible seat
rear seats split in to 3/4 to 1/4 style and are 2 way adjustible (ie move forwards or backwards for your comfort)
a/c
powersteering (which is heaps light considering the weight of the car)
full electronic dash
abs
electric windows front and rear
electric mirrors (with a parking pull in button)
factory fog lights
cruise control

atm it has stich 17" rims and i plan to keep them as it makes the car i reckon

future mods -

maybe an aftermarket ecu later (as she get 550km to 65ltr tank on highway now)
exhaust (as the rear tip scraps on everything and it is ****ting me)
maybe some series 6 brake calipers for the front brakes and some slotted rotors.
paint job (as she is a little shotty up close)
series 5 turbo (to stop the boost spiking)
black out boost gauge
black out oil pressure gauge (as it doesnt have one :? )
upgrade the auto (as its an fc box it doesnt handle the extra weight of the Luce to well, so either upgrade internals or install a jc 20b auto box)

just ordered the plates - IT 13 BT in black and white plates...


here are the pics -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_8652.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_8635.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_8677.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/51242805.jpg

boost gauge gone as it got stolen out of the car just 3 days after purchasing the car!! :x
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/51242501.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/51242800.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/51242802.jpg

scale change - when the fuel get low you hit the scale change and it will turn the empty-full scale to 5litres-15litres letting you know exactly how much fuel you have left in the bottom of the tank.
it holds the litres scale for about 5 seconds then reverts back to the empty-full scale.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/51242005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/51242803.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/51242399.jpg

intercooler - gets its air from a ducting system taken from half of the front grill you will see the plastic duct just behind right of grill in picture.
air is pushed up into the bonnet where you see the first little opening in the front of the bonnet right of the bonnet clip.
then ducted to the intercooler out of the rear larger opening in the middle of the bonnet via the usual series 4/5 seal to the intercooler.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/482000-482999/482284_17_full.jpg


ps also to im trying to track down some window sheilds like in this pic (above the doors) -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/nice%20cars/luce34dv.jpg


pps if anyone has any manuals electrical/service i would like to buy them.

[sim_rx3]

ok replaced the TPS on the Luce as it was buggered.

took here for a spin and wow what a different car!! it drives so smoothly..

couple of problems has arose now..

fuel milage has gone down (lost about 100km's to a tank)

when breaking hard or the gearbox changes gears hard the hold button starts to flash on the dash and the gearbox locks you out of overdrive (quite annoying on the freeway to newcastle and back on the weekend).
slow down to a stop and accelerate again and the hold button turns off and overdrive can be used again!! :?

also the inherant gen 2 flooding issue rose its ugly head this morning..
so going to either wire a switch onto the fuel pump to shut the pump off so she clears the flooding and when she goes to start flick the switch and she will be running properly.
or ecu change soon..

can anyone point me in the direction of fixing the auto with out turning it manual.as i want to keep the originallity of the vehicle..

[travellinbob]

That looks great. It loks like it would be a great daily driver too. Real comfy and the economy of it isnt too bad either. Sorry I cant help out with the manual though :(
Cheers for posting. michael.

[sim_rx3]

thanks man long time no speak to as well. how things??

some more pics and movie of rear seats moving -

full photo of dash led display
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_420.jpg

rear stereo controls
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_413.jpg

storage compartment (yes thats a speaker grill in the rear door)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_414.jpg

rear passenger fan controls
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_415.jpg

rear seat control on door and powerwindow switch
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_416.jpg

center console cushion for driver
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_423.jpg

center console cushion clicks forward for shorter driver that has to move seat forward
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_424.jpg

another storage conpartment in center console
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_425.jpg

photo's after suspension fixed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_426.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_427.jpg

fuel scale
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_429.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_430.jpg

intercooler duct
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_432.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_431.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_433.jpg

rear seat adjusting

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/th_IMG_417.jpg (http://photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/?action=view&current=IMG_417.flv)

[travellinbob]

Hey Sim yep things are pretty groovey over here. Everyone seems pretty busy getting their cars ready for rotorstockIII in a few months. Your car looks moer and more plush everytime I see it! Have you managed to put many miles on it yet?
cheers, michael.

[clive]

Real nice Sim, thanks for putting all the pics and things up :)

I would have thought Japan would be the only place you may source your sheilds

[sim_rx3]

hey micheal, yeh drove it around for about 4 months. man its so comfortable to drive and when ya need the power you just put ya foot down turbo spools - well you know the rest!! lol
but poped the engine a couple of weeks ago due to a blown water seal in the second rotor. so pulling engine out now and rebuilding to standard as its a daily and i dont need big numbers out of her..


thanks clive, yeh have been trying to get in contact with people over there in japan but coming up short atm.

a friend of mine that works for mazda over hear, even went through the mazda parts system of assesories and mazda stop making assesories for vehicles after 5 years of the end of a release of a vehicle.. so im **** out of luck there.

if you guys know any contacts over there in japan id be very greatful as i want the electrical and service manuals as well as the windsheilds and body kit. dont care if the manuals are in japanese, ill get them stranslated.

thanks guys

[dubber91]

wow, that a really lovely car.....

Is it me or does it cry out for hydros and wires?

[sim_rx3]

wow, that a really lovely car.....

Is it me or does it cry out for hydros and wires?

thank you..

um its just you!! lol

to rare a car to be doin that sort of stuff with it..

[dubber91]

its NEVER to rare a car ;)
http://www.volksrods.com/1fff4770.jpg
http://www.volksrods.com/8bbf4110.jpg
http://www.volksrods.com/0c5f4770.jpg

just MHO.......plus there would be no irreversible damage :)

Not that im trying to convince you to do it! its pimp already
:chat

[sim_rx3]

update -

started striping the engine bay yesterday to get the block out for a rebuild.

what a nightmare.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_2391.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_2392.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_2393.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_2397.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_2401.jpg

whats happening -

13b will be rebuild to standard except a few reliability mods like FD engine seals etc and going to run FC NA rotors to give here a little more low down grunt.

turbo will be rebuilt and highflowed with 56mm p trim front wheel.
internal gate sealed and external gate installed to stop boost spike issues..
boost level will be kept below 10psi

gearbox is getting rebuilt with a stage 2 kit installed.
basically kevlar bands and higher oil pressure in the box and a upgraded torque converter.

ecu change to a Haltech e8 (with closed loop boost control function)

looking forward to driving the finished product. then time to focus on my rx3!!

[t2rew]

interesting car.

[sim_rx3]

thank you

another feature of the car

auto headlight system -

sensor in the top of the dash in the demister vent -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_2572.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_2573.jpg

combination switch control for auto light feature
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_2575.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_2576.jpg

[20B_boy]

The dash is cool as :D Not sure I'd be gambling with the last 5 litres in the tank tho lol

Looks like it has a lot of eleccy stuff to go wrong, was looking thru your info on ausrot. - guess it wont be any sweat for you to sort out :)

Give us some more pics as you get on with it dude.

Rich

[sim_rx3]

well i let this thread slip

update -

well here is a few progress pics (engine and box is out now just dont have pics yet)

e8 with patch loom and boost adjusting solenoid
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_022.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_023.jpg

some of the troublesome rust
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_027.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_028.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_029.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_030.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_031.jpg

[sim_rx3]

also decided on doing the stage 4 rebuild of the turbo from BNR

didnt want the turbo to be sluggish with a back cut original rear wheel.

stage for has t04 rear wheel with the original housing machined out to match it up..so should spool better

Well engine finally pulled down

Engine = fubar

Basically the rotors and rotor housings are not worth using

she has carbon biuld up and rust build up in both rotors so id say yes was buggered well before she stopped running.

Note scoring at 12 o clock and 6 o clock on rotor housings.

End plates yet to be measured to see if they pass. im not confident.

Eccentric shaft is fine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/100_0955.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/100_0956.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/100_0957.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/100_0958.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/100_0959.jpg

[sim_rx3]

yep she is special guys..

no matter what i did it was a goner.

rear plate warped and bearings and gears gone.

all that is saveable is the oil pump sump and ecentric shaft and front cover.

ah well.

ive got a low km import series 4 13b rx7 bare block engine i got in the mid 90's sitting in the rx3.

ripping it out tonight and it will be pulled down on the weekend. might be able to use it..

[sim_rx3]

ok carpet is fubared

anyone know an aftermarket supplier for my model car??

[sim_rx3]

okies. engine pulled from rx3 and pulled down.

its spot on. just some measurements to make sure everything is ok. but its lookin the goods.

there is still machine marks in everything..

[sim_rx3]

Turbo is back.

Here are the pics of a stage 4 BNR turbo and bolts back into the factory manifold!!

to4e front wheel
to4 front and back plate
t04 rear wheel in factory rear manifold
360 degree thrust race
35mm internal gate

$925US

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/new%20turbo/IMG_662.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/new%20turbo/IMG_661.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/new%20turbo/IMG_659.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/new%20turbo/IMG_658.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/new%20turbo/IMG_657.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/new%20turbo/IMG_656.jpg

[sim_rx3]

had a request for a picture of front guard badge



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/IMG_664.jpg

[sim_rx3]

just bought a B&M auto transmission cooler with thermo and trigger switch already installed.

oil temp is an important thing in auto boxes so this give the box a chance of regulating its own temps.
which should help the box be more reliable.

going to mount it in under the passenger side inner guard and cut a portion of the bottom of the plastic guard below that to aid air flow

here it is

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/0fc3_1.jpg

[sim_rx3]

interior is at the interior dude now getting done, should be finished soon.

should be finishing paying for my engine next week and have it back when stve has finshed her off..

there is a guy in the states thats getting custom nulerthane bushes for the rack and rear diff mounts that ill be getting soon as well as a coil over kit

im also currently modeling the front hubs on autocad minus the disk and will get them made up so they can fit aftermarket disks..
apparently these will fit HB mazda as well. im going to be making a few sets to sell..


im starting to get a little excited about it all.. haha

[sim_rx3]

got a call from engine builder. it will be built on saturday the 6th of december and my presents is required or it dont get built!! yay

took me a while to pay it off since were on one wage now days..

interior is still being done atm

currently modelling on Autocad a front hub for custom 2 peice disk assembly

looking at getting my rims modded to 19"

and going the Falken FK452 - http://www.falken.com.au/tyres/passenger-FK452.html

225/35 ZR 19 for the front

235/35 ZR 19 for the rear

[sim_rx3]

the engine is built (dont have a pic of the finished product yet but steve (69r1 off ausrotary) did an awesome job!!

painted bits before build

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/0_IMAGE_285.jpg

Guru coated Ecentric shaft before it went in

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/06122008_002_.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/06122008_003_.jpg

[sim_rx3]

some engine picks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/29122008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/29122008004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/29122008003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/29122008002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/29122008001.jpg

[sim_rx3]

just ordered coil over suspension

also ordered an auto dimming rear view mirror which was in the Kia Potentia (rebadged HC 929).

[sim_rx3]

thus concludes my up to speed update for you guys/gals!!

hope you enjoy

[Brett]

Love this car :) :god

Is it also on the Japanese Nostalgic Car forum?

[shaunwil]

Outstanding work, going to be very nice :D

Shaun

[clive]

Happy New Year and thanks for the update, but blimey you got a lot done in the space of a day,

You put us all to shame :Giggle

Never knew about the Kia Potentia or that there was ever any connection between Kia and Mazda,

Did a search and found loads of pictures, always learning :wiggle

[sim_rx3]

Love this car :) :god

Is it also on the Japanese Nostalgic Car forum?


yeh its pretty sweet

not that im aware of yet..

although my mate Kevin (lives in sydney as well) has a charcoal coloured one and he is on there i think..

[sim_rx3]

Outstanding work, going to be very nice :D

Shaun

thanks man. i hope so.

if it scrubs up enough im going to go the show car circuit and magazine run as well.

[sim_rx3]

Happy New Year and thanks for the update, but blimey you got a lot done in the space of a day,

You put us all to shame :Giggle

Never knew about the Kia Potentia or that there was ever any connection between Kia and Mazda,

Did a search and found loads of pictures, always learning :wiggle

same to you man!!

lol funny bugger. all that work took it out of me as well.. :rollin

yep

HC Mazda = Kia Potentia
HD Mazda = Kia Enterprise

as well :cool


my coil overs are for the Kia Potentia. bolts in with adjustable strut tops with 2 way valve adjusting on the shocks for all four corners for $1050US :cool

[sim_rx3]

update

850cc secondary injectors

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/P1050003.jpg

[sim_rx3]

coil over suspension from the Kia Potentia (rebadged HC 929)

was supost to come with chamber tops etc but it didnt. supplier s looking into what went wrong.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/suspension/P1050004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/suspension/P1050005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/suspension/P1050006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/suspension/P1050007.jpg

rear shocks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/suspension/P1050009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/suspension/P1050010.jpg

front shocks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/suspension/P1050011.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/suspension/P1050012.jpg

adjuster under front shock

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/suspension/P1050013.jpg

[BlitzBoy]

looking good for a :censored::censored::censored::censored::censored:in pimpin mobile, wow never seen Rotors in the failed motor that rusted seems the water seals failed on it for a long period of time.
The new motor looks sweet

[sim_rx3]

okies just ordered my gauges

SPA Design Dual Gauges

here - http://www.spa-uk.co.uk/design/dualgauges/

(there all black face with green illumination)

turbo boost - exhaust temp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/gauges/DG211z.jpg

intake air temp - oil trans temp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/gauges/DG210z.jpg

Water temp - fuel pressure

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/gauges/DG202z.jpg

oil pressure - oil temp

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v255/sim_rx3/my%20car/luce/gauges/DG201z.jpg

:icon_tup:

[Brett]

Those look very cool - how much did they set you back? Where do you plan to mount them?

:wave

[sim_rx3]

hi mate,

$1400AUS to my door.

but the features and alarms and data logging it runs are worth it IMO

was thinking ander the tv in the original stereo possition.

or do an overhead console and put them around the sun visor area. this way there not as vissible to theives as well..

[Brett]

That would be cool - do an overhead unit like the Rx4.... :)

[sim_rx3]

i know

thats why i thought of doing it

:cool


also should this thread be here??

or should it be in Cosmo and other rotary powered vehicles??

[Brett]

I can move it over if you like?

[sim_rx3]

yes thanks..

it doesnt have chrome bumpers so not really "oldschool" IMO

cheers

[Brett]

Moved! :wiggle

[rei99]

New photos? :D

[vonrumble]

pimpin........

[sim_rx3]

nothing to report as of yet fella's..

just got to strip the engine bay and remove the door windos and chrome trim and she is off to the beaters..

just need time to strip it!!

if only there was more than 24hrs in a day!! haha

[sim_rx3]

well bit more of an update

the intercooler is going water to air. this is the style im going -

read here - http://www.ausrotary.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=164573

how im doing mine -

cause of the backpressure the original core will give to my t04e turbo. cause after 12psi not much gains are had. (been shown there is only a 5hp gain from 12psi to 14psi on another forum on the stock cooler)

now since im capping at 14psi id like to to be better flowing.

my issue is i want a good intercooler but dont want it to look like a water to air system as i want it to look like factory cause of the rarity of the vehicle..

so looking at using this system and mounting 4 of them water cores in a row and run the cooler the same configuration as the factory cooler.

ie air for motor runs from front of cooler (front of car) to back of cooler (back of car)

water cores run east to west.

then mount it so its slightly lower than the factory unit (cause all up it will be about 50mm thick so should be room)

then saw the top face section off the original intercooler off itself and also take off the original gaurd. then tac weld them to the top plate of the new water to air cooler to give it the "factory look".

water pipes run under the top guard so unless ya looking for them you wont notice and run a custom radiator for the intercooler at the front of the car painted black..


id like to run an ecu water temp sensor in the exhaust side of the water jacket of the cooler.

run the sensor through the haltech e8 ive got and get it to run 2 outputs..

output 1 - set at a temp so when it starts to heat up it will start circuilating water with electric water pump

output 2 - set to a higher temp so that when it gets hotter it will turn the thermo fan relay on

this should eliminate alot of heat soak too i would hope..

[sim_rx3]

well a bit has happened..

front radiator has been fabricated with dual 12" thermos.

my 4 Laminova cores have shown up. just need to engage a fabricator to build it (have someone that has worked on them before)

as for the controoling of the temps in the water to air setup

im going to use a EWP with controller to push the water - http://www.daviescraig.com.au/Electric_Wat...30-details.aspx

using an electronic controller for the thermo fans

im in 2 minds for the thermo controllers -

mind 1 - static on off control by electronic controller - http://www.jegs.com/i/Perma-Cool/771/18907/10002/-1

mind 2 - use a progressive speed controller. so when the water starts to get warm it will run the fans at 25% of there duty cycle.
as the water temp lifts the controllers lift the fan speed to suit -

http://www.jegs.com/p/Be+Cool+Radiators/1180909/10002/-1



also im now getting a full 3.5" SMB exhaust for her.


body kit ive been chasing since day dot i have got in contact with the supplier. im ordering the front apron and side skirts.

the mazda factory bushes have shown (just waiting on the front ones) then the crossmember nulerthane kit will be constructed.
looking at the factory bushes, i now understand why there is so much movement in the rear member. when i post up pics it will show why..


my FD front brake calipers and FD brake master cylinder has shown up. just need to talk to fabricator for custom hubs..

this is so far since last update... lol