Esser's LS3 Powered FD3S RX-7 R1

Esser

Put the FD back up and jack stands and I tore everything back apart so I could get the cam ready to go in. I worked with Cam Motion and EPS to get a cam designed that would meet my needs (road course, auto-x). We agreed on a grind that would hold the lobes stable at high RPM and still make some pretty good power up top. 228/240 sized cam.

List of items I bought to install:

Camshaft
Katech C5R timing chain
Melling HP oil pump
BTR valve springs
Titanium retainers and hardened push rods
Ported throttle body
LS2 style tensioner (ditched the LS3 style)





I previously made it so that the radiator and fans could be disconnected fairly quickly so that future projects like this would go quick!






Started with taking the valvetrain all apart and keeping everything organized:



BTR platinum springs and Ti retainers in!


The I went on to the cam and oil pump. The Cam motion ground cam was made of their 8620 alloy, which has a bronze like finish to it, and it was nicely polished up! It's an impressive looking piece of machined metal!



I primed the engine again, flushed a bunch of oil through it because im super anal about keeping this engine clean, and put on a fresh filter. I overlooked all of my connections for a few minutes to make sure I didn't forget anything and fired it up. It started on the first go, and idled like a champ. I'm on a speed density tune, so it will need some attention at the tuner soon. I am hoping for about 50hp gain and some strong midrange power inceases. Although the cam is somewhat small for most LS3 cams it does have a pretty choppy idle, the volume of the exhaust has increased tremendously. Idle video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mY0umGbHUk

__________________