My FE3 progress thread

[Wilyb]

I sympathize with you dude...Say is that a JDM FE3 or a KIA? I know it's not cool to laugh and really am not but to bring a bit of humour into your life today I say: Oh well... you always got your pocket bike or moped or whatever that thing is...

[FE3-323]

phil- the moto* is also in pieces

[Racerboy]

Rebuilding your motor would most likely be the way to go... That way you don't have to worry about getting another junk motor. Plus you can upgrade the engine a bit as well.

As for the turbo, would a t28 be to small? My buddy just bought a brand new t28 for his zx2 and then the car caught on fire and he gave up on it. Maybe I can convince him to seperate the turbo from the rest of the turbo kit? But I would need to know by tommorow at noon. Tommorow is my last time having class with him.

[FE3-323]

too small of a turbo- short of that. i don't have spare cash for anything right now

[Hot_Wheels]

sorry to hear this Ryan, Its a kick in the balls! Ive been trying to build a festiva for maybe 8 years now? i had a nice 5.0 mustang, I sold it to fund my festiva 3 years ago, i wanted something different, ive been collecting parts im so close to getting one festiva finished now, but i still need another 1k in parts (all the little ****) i keep telling my self im so close but there are other days where i feel im so far and just want to ebay it all! But its my vision of the project once its completed that keeps me going. What im trying to say is i feel your pain, but your so close! Im sure its all going to work out and this speed bump is just going to make the car much better when its done!

[D323]

That royally sucks Ryan... sorry to hear of the engine & turbo woes.

...and just to be an a$$hat, plenty of BP parts around if you need them :p

[Hot_Wheels]

That royally sucks Ryan... sorry to hear of the engine & turbo woes.

...and just to be an a$$hat, plenty of BP parts around if you need them :p

I tried offering him a BP earlier, it was a sarcastic laugh that i got back lol

[monoxidechild]

where did you get the FE3 from originally? any chance of going after them to get some funds back? sorry about the news on that motor man.

[jesiotrot]

Its been a while since you bought that, I dont like your chances of getting any sort of warranty on it, most places would just wipe their hands clean and say its your fault. Give it a go anyway.

I know they are getting very scarce in the states these days for genuine FE3's, any for sale around ebay etc at the moment? Might have to send one over from Aus lol

[Mazda_Powered]

noooo!!! that's not the news I wanted to hear

any tear down pictures of the damage??

[STW]

it still runs/drives but the following is true:

Motor's junk- Consistant Bearing material in the oil (was sold a junk motor)
Turbo's junk- seals are shot (was sold a bad turbo) yippie

anyone have another $2000 for replacements?

tried & tried but i can't help haveing it bother me today.

Oh crap, had to read that a few times to get it fully sink in... Damn that's bad to hear. Indeed, like a swift kick in the nuts.

Have you opened up the engine yet? if there's no score marks on the camshafts or the lifters, I was thinking you might get away with just a crank shaft repair/replacement.

Does the turbo require anything else than new seals? A new center cartridge overhaul perhaps?

Damn I'm hoping you don't need to spend $2000 on the engine repair.

[FE3-323]

well im thinking for the next turbo replacement i'll stick a borg-warner EFR in there. thats a hefty penny tho.

Regardless im liable @ the same time to cut & modify the current manifold for more angle on the compressor inlet. as im not happy with the current intake setup.

the debris/shavings seem to be reducing - @ least what i can tell from cracking open the oil filters.
Been changing the filters (purolator) every gas tank. im due for another filter ATM.
full tank+ me ~2800lbs (a bit heavy) & with what i've been seeing lately...a fairly consistent 25mpg is achievable.
after i resolve more bugs i expect the MPG to go up more. Id ideally love to see consistant 30mpg
the FE3 absolutely loves timing. even with the GTR ecu's higher timing maps(vs GTX) i've set base timing from 10 to 13 & up to 17(current) with room for more yet. not even a hint of detonation. its incredible - your typical BPT would have grenaded with those timing amounts

[Boosted Escort]

so are you running this na for the moment? And sorry to hear about the bad luck with the engine and turbo.

[FE3-323]

nope. still driving it with the turbo. going back to NA is about as much fun as stabbing myself repeatedly. I.E. not gonna happen.

[STW]

Good thing it's still running somewhat. That EFR turbo thing sounds like good deal, but damn those are expensive. An integrated wastegate designed for the task will even out a bit though, as well as clear up the plumbing on the engine bay considerably.