Although a specialty vehicle
can never be described by it's technical components and must ultimately
be judged as a whole product, we have provided the preceding list
of essentials which make up this very special Mariah Mode Five.
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It is the installation
of a rare 3-rotor Eunos Cosmo (2.0 Liter) twin turbo rotary engine
in an equally rare 10th Anniversary Edition 1988 Mazda Rx-7 which
makes this vehicle a very rare product to be sure. With the original
RX-7 priced at $23,800; with over $12,000 in aerodynamics, brakes,
suspension, wheel and tire upgrades; and with over $38,000 in engine
and powertrain modifications related to the three rotor powerplant,
this project was developed at a documented cost of over $73,800.
NOTE: This RX-7 project began in 1993.
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The intention of the project
was to build a rotary powered street machine which was equal to the
torque and power of any large displacement V-8, V-10 or V-12 engined
sports car available today. The emphasis was on overall performance,
requiring a balance of acceleration, driveability and top speed. It
was not meant to be a drag racing vehicle nor a road racer. This is
a very high performance grand touring automobile.
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A careful review of the
features of the vehicle will highlight some recently installed
upgrades. Since it's inception this project has never stood still.
As new equipment becomes available which will improve the vehicle
noticeably, it was added. Most recently we added the latest version
of Electromotive's engine management systems. This new TEC II computer
adds a dual ignition capability with 3-coils for the leading spark
plugs and 3-coils for each of the trailing plugs. The leading and
trailing plug firing interval is separated by 15º to effectively duplicate
the ignition parameters used on all original equipment turbo rotary
applications. This feature benefits idle, tip-in throttle response,
mid-range power and EMISSION compliance. Full throttle performance
has never been compromised. Additionally, this new computer offers
the capability to program three primary injectors and seamlessly layer
a second program controlling the three secondary as needed. This injector
control system is solid state, lap-top programmable and virtually
maintenance free when compared to the previously mechanically switched
secondary injector control system.
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The recent relocation of
the oil cooler from in front of the radiator to the right side of
the bumper/airdam was to provide the new heavy duty cooler with it's
own fresh air supply. Oil cooling is essential to safe high performance
rotary operation. Over forty percent of engine cooling is by way of
the oil cooling system. This component relocation benefits both the
oil temperature and the water temperature alike. By relocating the
centrally mounted oil cooler to the right side, the radiator also
sees a much cooler stream of air through it's core, providing substantially
improved cooling. This revision was implemented to permit uncompromised
high performance driving in California's inland deserts where road
surface temperatures often exceed 140º F and air conditioned operation
is a must.
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Other details such as additional
air intakes vents in front of the bumper/airdam and in the side of
the high rise hood are designed to eliminate a heat soaking problem
which can occur when driving aggressively in town where high under-hood
temperatures are aggravated by low vehicle speed. The new hood vents
allow under-hood heat to dissipate quickly even when the vehicle is
standing still.
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A complex project car
like this is not for the timid or uninitiated auto enthusiast. Although
all efforts have been made to make this vehicle extremely reliable
and useful on a day-to-day basis, it belongs in the hands of a performance
enthusiast who understands and acknowledges it's uniqueness.
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Mariah Mode
Five 3-Rotor Project Technical Specs / Notes |
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| Base
Car Features |
| 1988 Anniversary Edition
Turbo II with Black Leather Interior, Power Windows and Sunroof, Power
Assisted Steering, Air Conditioning, Clarion, am/fm, 4-speaker stereo
w/graphic eq, Dolby cassette player |
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| Engine
and Driveline |
| Eunos Cosmo 3-rotor (reliable
480-580 hp capable) 12,000 miles |
Electromotive TEC II
Fuel Injection Management System
Features: Laptop programmable using WinTec software, 6-coil ignition
with dual pick ups, and staged primary and secondary fuel injectors |
| HKS front mounted air-to-air
intercooler with custom large diameter piping |
| Twin sequential turbochargers |
| Dual HKS Super Power
Flow air filter system |
| Mariah Electric Fan with
thermostatic control |
| Griffin 3 inch core (NASCAR)
heavy duty aluminum radiator |
| Permacool 3 inch core,
8-pass, 14 GPM, aluminum oil cooler |
| Stainless Steel Braided
Oil Lines |
| Wrangler Power Products
140 amp heavy duty alternator with remote voltage regulator |
| Custom Aluminum front
skidpan |
| Lightweight steel 240mm
flywheel |
| Centerforce Dual Friction
Clutch Disk and Pressure Plate |
| Factory Mazda Turbo II
5-speed transmission |
| Factory Mazda Turbo II
- 4.10:1 ratio limited slip differential |
| Factory Mazda controlled
emissions system |
| HKS high performance
cat-back exhaust system |
| Dual high flow catalytic
converters |
| HKS Turbo Timer |
| HKS Electronic Turbo
Boost Controller |
| HKS Turbo Gauges: Peak/Hold
Manifold Boost, Peak/Hold Primary Turbo, Peak/Hold Secondary Turbo,
Peak/Hold Exhaust Gas Temperature |
| VDO Engine Gauges: Oil
Temperature, Water Temperature, Fuel Pressure |
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| Exterior
Mods |
| 17 x 8.0 inch and 17
x 9.5 inch Simmons F40 3-piece Alloy Wheels |
| 255/40 front and 255/40ZR17
rear Dunlop SP Sport 8000 tires |
| Mariah Mode Five Front
Bumper Airdam and Valence Panel with custom front vents |
| Mariah Mode Five Ground
Effects Package |
| Mariah Mode 5 E-Production
Flared Front Fenders |
| Mariah Mode Six Aerowing |
| Custom Vented Mariah
Mode Six Hood with racing hood pins and key-lock system |
| Mariah NACA Duct Headlight
Lid and cold air intake |
| PIAA 40 85 Watt Driving
Lamps |
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Suspension
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| Custom Mariah 4-point
Strut Tower Brace with integral engine torque brace |
| Suspension Techniques
Performance Springs |
| Custom Mariah Front Anti-Sway
Bar |
| Suspension Techniques
Rear Anti-Sway Bar |
| Tokico Gas/Hydraulic
Front and Rear Struts |
| Rear Upright Toe Control
Bushings |
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| Miscellaneous |
| Stainless Steel Braided
Brake Lines |
| Axxis Metal Master Brake
Pads |
| Heavy Duty Optima 12V
Battery |
| Mariah Battery Relocation
Kit |
| In-Cockpit Battery Cut-Off
Switch |