Kamiko - 93 touring model in red

[~Groll69~]

Dreams do come through.  As many of you know, I have been wanting to purchase an FD.  Well a divorce had to happen and I needed to find myself and an amazing woman that fully supported my dreams too first in order to make  things a reality. 

The Woodward dream cruise has been a huge part of this group.  Last year in 2018, at the dream cruise, while in the middle of my divorce, Bruce Wallace offered me a chance to purchase his beautiful 93 Rx7 touring model in a year or two when he was ready to sell it.  So the following Sept I looked at my finances and realized I had enough to get me close to purchasing it.  I met up with Bruce at the Blarney Stone on Woodward and we struck a deal on the price of the car. 

Since striking the deal, I was then in serious need of a good parking space.  In the mean time I had started dating Carianne.  After a bit we decided to purchase a house together and not just any location would do.  7s were in my blood and the place we found has the address of 777 and has 7 acres with a pond.  My dreams were coming true.

Summer roles around and the money I had set aside to purchase my dream was short because of needing things for the house and down payment.  I was also planning a huge house warming party which included a surprise birthday engagement and full wedding.  Since funds were short, I had to secure some financing to make my dreams happen.  I got that and called Bruce to finalize the sale on the same day as the party 7/13. 
Bruce had paid for storage of the car and wanted to get more summer fun out of it before I was able to take full possession of Kamiko. 
Just over 4 weeks later He was ready to let it go.  We both held to our gentleman's agreement that we struck.  Personally I didn't mind waiting.  I have waited about 20 years from when I first wanted an FD till now when I was able to realize my dream.  I am happy that Bruce was able to let it go right before Woodward Dream Cruise.  He has been a great member of the forum for years.  I had always loved seeing his car when he brought it out for Dream Cruise. 
Since getting the car, I have named her Kamiko.  Kamiko means little goddess in Japanese.  So now I can only say let's cruise.  Life is to short not to enjoy.

[murz]

About time! Seriously, so happy for you man, everything has been really been coming through this year for you. Last night was a perfect night to cruise too. Can't wait to see more of it this weekend!

Also, nice picture of it in the garage, i bet that feels good huh?

[FCwidman]

Man seems like everyone in the club is getting an fd, maybe I should put off buying a house and pick one up instead lol.
Cant wait to see it at the dream cruise

[ITSWILL]

You should

[~Groll69~]

Kamiko is officially put away for the winter.  She is sleeping soundly under her soft cover.  I have also gotten Bella put away too so now i can begin taking her apart and getting ready for painting the engine bay.  Thanks to Itswill for helping me get things moved around in my new barn to park 3 of my rx 7s side by side.

[~Groll69~]

I tried to begin working on Kamiko yesterday.  As I feared, I broke two hoses and found a coupling that was cracked and partially melted.  It also wasn't a very tight connection.  I still have not gotten to the turbos themselves yet.  I believe i have an oil leak at one of the feed lines to the turbo. 

Anyone know a good hose kit to buy to replace all of the hoses with?  I might as well replace all of them.

[~Groll69~]

Itswill came over to help me try to find an oil leak near the turbos.  All the vacuum lines are in need of replacement.  I'm doing those too.  We broke a couple of selonoids and check valve.  We got the rats nest out.  I spent the next evening replacing the small vacuum lines in it.

[~Groll69~]

We took Kamiko out cruising for the weekend on woodward.  The verdict is the clutch is definitely going out on it.  So no spirited type driving.  I put an Exedy Stage one 10802HD clutch on order.  We will try to get the transmission fixed too with it's 5th gear grind.  I think the sychro is shot for it.  I know it has been a common type issue for the cars in general.

The good part is i have managed to get the engine bay clean after replacing the vacuum lines and it looks immaculate.  Practically brand new.  Definitely the best that i have ever seen one.

[~Groll69~]

Thanks to Marcus and Will for helping me get the engine and transmission pulled out of Kamiko.  I now have a list of parts to search up and put on order.  I will be doing even more cleaning on her.  Time to clean the new oil and the old oil that i couldn't get to.

The planned parts are:
Rear main seal
Oil pan brace
Air pump block off plate
Complete exhaust w down pipe
Transmission rear seal
Shifter seal
5th/reverse syncro
5th syncro ring
Reverse syncro ring
Two NTN bearings for the transmission

[murz]

Are you planning to get rid of the air pump entirely? If so, I can show you what I did, and what parts I had to get. It was a PITA while the engine was in the car, but being out of the car it should be fine.

[~Groll69~]

At the moment, im not planning to get rid of it.

[~Groll69~]

After spending nearly the past year apart.  I finally have Kamiko back and running.  I rebuilt half the transmission, replaced the original clutch, resealed all oil surfaces, fixed a differential seal leak, replaced 60+ vaccum lines, had the doors repainted, installed a completely new exhaust and some other minor things fixed.

I have taken her on two shakedown cruises which is as many cruises i had done last year before pulling her apart.  She runs great.  I'm loving it.  I need to finish the wet sanding of the doors and she will be done for the time being.