| 12A |
engine designation of all 2 rotor engines with 1200cc of displacement;
engines were all made from 1985 and prior |
| 13B |
engine designation of all 2 rotor engines with 1308cc of displacement |
| 20B |
engine designation of 3 rotor engines that were only offered in Japan-only
Mazda Eunos Cosmos; stock 20B's in Mazda Eunos Cosmos were all twin,
sequential turbo and mated only to automatic transmissions |
| ACV |
"Air Control Valve" - one of the primary air control units for
emissions; located right above the turbocharger |
| AFAIK |
"As Far As I Know" |
| AFK |
"Away From Keyboard" |
| AFC |
"Air-flow Converter" - usually referenced to the A'PEXi S-AFC;
this electronic unit can modify fuel delivery curves; see our
"Fuel Computers" section in Tech | Mods | Electronics for more
details |
| AFM |
"Airflow Meter" - primary metering sensor component that detects
the amount of air entering the engine; also known as MAF (mass
airflow meter) or MAS (mass air sensor) |
| AFR |
"Air/Fuel Ratio" - term usually used with the word "gauge; used to
describe the ratio of air to fuel in the intake charge mixture |
| AIC |
"Additional Injector Controller" - electronic unit that can control
additional fuel injectors added into the intake; HKS uses the "AIC"
moniker |
| AIT |
"Air Intake Temperature" - term usually used with the word "sensor";
the AIT sensor monitors intake charge temperatures, and relays signal
back to the ECU |
| A'PEXi |
"A'PEX integration" - Japan aftermarket sutomotive tuners that offer a
wide range of products for most Japanese vehicles; founders of A'PEXi
were ex-employees of HKS (see HKS); U.S. website >
http://www.apexi-usa.com/;
Japan website >
http://www.apexi.co.jp |
| ATDC |
"After Top Dead Center" - referenced in degrees, it's the relative
position after TDC; see related "TDC" and "BTDC" |
| BAC |
"Bypass Air Control" valve - primary air bypass valve that controls
idle on the engine against varying engine loads |
| bar |
unit of pressure used to describe boost; 1 bar = 14.5 psi; also
see kg/cm² |
| BBIAB |
"Be Back In A Bit" |
| BBL |
"Be Back Later" |
| BOV |
"Blow-Off Valve" - intake relief valve that opens up when engine is
under boost and throttle plates are shut abruptly, like under shifting;
if excess boost isn't relieved, the pressure will back up to the
turbo compressor causing an undesirable condition called compressor
surge - compressor surge will cause damage to the turbo! |
| BTDC |
"Before Top Dead Center" - referenced in degrees, it's the relative
position before TDC; see related "TDC" and "ATDC" |
| BTW |
"By The Way" |
| CARB |
Not short for "carberator", but an acronym for the "California Air Resouce
Board"; this particular CARB initiates the strictest guidelines for air
quality in the state of California; CARB controls all aspects
of automotive emissions testing in the state of California |
| CARB EO |
CARB "Executive Order" - all aftermarket automotive parts that have a
CARB EO number have been subjected to (and passed) rigorous automotive
emissions testing by CARB themselves; a CARB EO # allows aftermarket
components to (easily) pass a visual test when undergoing an extensive
emissions test in the state of California; see related "CARB" |
| CBV |
"Compressor Bypass Valve" - what Mazda calls the stock BOV; see "BOV" |
| CHRA |
"Center Housing and Rotating Assembly" - turbocharger term used to
describe the center housing, shaft, turbine wheel, and compressor wheel
assembly; this basically describes the whole turbo minus the turbine and
compressor housings |
| CPU |
For the FC3S, it uses a CPU to control: horn, hazard lights, turn
signals; a common component that has cold solder joints that crack and
fail, rendering the horn (usually) inoperable |
| DIY |
"Do It Yourself" |
| DTSS |
"Dynamic Tracking and Stabilizing Suspension" - designed into all FC3S
models, this rear passive steering system controls toe settings depending
on load to the rear tires |
| DOT |
"Department of Transportation" - U.S. governing body that controls all
aspects of highway travelling; lighting lenses are embossed with "DOT"
to certify them for safe use on U.S. roads; brake fluids are also
graded with a "DOT" scale - always use DOT3/DOT4 minimum rated brake
fluid |
| EBC |
"Electronic Boost Controller" - any number of electronic units used to
control boost on a turbocharged engine via a solenoid valve on the wastegate
vacuum hose |
| ECU |
"Engine Control Unit"/"Engine Computer Unit" - main computer that
controls all facets of the engine |
| EGR |
"Exhaust Gas Recirculating" valve - critical emissions control
valve; located on the back of the lower intake manifold, it
recirculates exhaust gases into the intake charge to keep
combustion temperatures low |
| EGT |
"Exhaust Gas Temperature" - usually used with the word "gauge";
describes the heat of the exhaust that's exiting the engine |
| EMS |
"Engine Management System" - used to describe any electronic unit
that can control either fuel delivery or ignition timing or both;
usually used to describe a stand-alone, aftermarket computer; see
related "ECU" |
| EVC |
"Electronic Valve Controller" - HKS line of electronic boost
controllers |
| FC |
shortened form of "FC3S"; see "FC3S" |
| FCD |
"Fuel-Cut Defensor" - electrical unit used to prevent programmed
over-boost fuel-cut in the stock ECU; the FCD is usually spliced
into the boost sensor and modifies it's signal |
| F-CON |
Short for the HKS PFC F-CON, this unit is able to adjust fuel
delivery via a piggy-back computer unit that attaches to the
stock engine harness and ECU via plug-through connectors |
| FC3S |
Mazda internal code name for the 2nd generation RX-7 made from
1986-1991 in the U.S.; Japan automotive enthusiasts also use this
nomenclature |
| FD |
shortened form of "FD3S"; see "FD3S" |
| FD3S |
Mazda internal code name for the 3rd generation RX-7 made from
1993-1995 in the U.S.; Japan automotive enthusiasts also use this
nomenclature |
| FMIC |
"Front-mount Intercooler" - aftermarket intercooler installed in
the front bumper |
| FSM |
"Factory Service Manual" - official reference material the (Mazda)
manufacturer uses for repair; contains all material relavant to
the vehicle regarding specifications, repair, and maintenance;
available from the (Mazda) dealer |
| FWIW |
"For What It's Worth" |
| FYI |
"For Your Information" |
| GCC |
"Graphic Computer Controller" - HKS line of electronics that allows
RPM-based control of other HKS electronic components |
| HKS |
Famed Japan tuner company; the letters "HKS" stands for the co-founders
and company names: Hasegawa-san, Kitagawa-san, and the Sigma Company;
U.S. website > http://www.hks-usa.com;
Japan website >
http://www.hks-power.com |
| HP |
"Horsepower" - fundamental unit of power in the U.S.; see related
"PS" |
| IAT |
"Intake Air Temperature" Sensor - sensor which signals intake
temperature back to the ECU; located on the throttle body "cap"
right before the throttle body itself |
| IHI |
"Ishikawashima Harima Industrial" - manufacturer of turbochargers, most
notably those kits for A'PEXi |
| IMHO |
"In My Honest Opinion" |
| IMO |
"In My Opinion" |
| kg/cm² |
unit of pressure used to describe boost; 1 kg/cm² = 14.2 psi; also
see "bar"; a lot of Japan boost gauges use this unit |
| KKK |
"Kuhnle, Kopp & Kausch" - Famed European turbocharger manufacturer; recently
changed name to "KKR" |
| KKR |
Famed European turbocharger manufacturer; see "KKK" |
| Kouki |
Japanese word loosely translated as "after"; denotes RX-7s (in this
case) after the minor/model change, which covers 1989-1991 models;
term is commonly used by Japanese auto enthusiats; see related "Zenki" |
| LIM |
"Lower Intake Manifold" - the 13B intake manifold is divided into two
pieces - the lower section mates with the engine block itself; see
related "UIM" |
| LSD |
"Limited Slip Differential" - component located in the rear differential
that allows left versus right tire slippage when turning but locks up
(i.e. left and right side tires) under "demanding" conditions especially
when power is being applied; this is desirable for superior traction |
| LOL |
"Laughing Out Loud" |
| MAF |
"Mass Airflow" meter - see "AFM" |
| MAP |
"Manifold Absolute Pressure" sensor - a fancy name to call a pressure sensor;
also used to describe a type of engine load-sensing ECU system |
| MAS |
"Mass Air(flow) Sensor" - see "AFM" |
| MIG |
"Metal Inert Gas" - welding technique usually for mild steel applications;
this welding technique is very quick and cheap, unlike TIG welding; see
related "TIG" |
| MOP |
"Metering Oil Pump" - see "OMP" |
| NOS |
More widely known for being "Nitrous Oxide Systems", old domestic V8
enthusiasts use this acronym to stand for "New Old Stock"; "New Old
Stock" stands for original automotive parts that have been kept stashed
away for many years and then recently uncovered or found (by choice or
accidently) |
| OEM |
"Original Equipment Manufacturer" - refers to a stock, (Mazda) dealer
item |
| OMP |
"Oil Metering Pump" - Mazda uses an oil injection system that injects
engine motor oil into the combustion chamber. The OMP is the main
controlling unit that dictates how much oil should be injected. |
| OT |
"Off Topic" |
| OTOH |
"On The Other Hand" |
| PITA |
"Pain In The Ass" |
| PS |
"Pferdestärke" - German equivalent to "horsepower"; "PS" unit is
used almost exclusively by Japanese automakers and Japanese auto
enthusiasts; 1hp = 1.01387ps; 1ps = 0.98632hp |
| PST |
"Pipe Sealant with Teflon" - paste thread sealant; "PST" is a brand
name by Permatex |
| ROFL |
"Rolling On Floor Laughing" |
| RPM |
"Revolutions Per Minute" - usually used to describe speed of the engine
turning; one RPM = one full revolution of the engine "crankshaft" or
eccentric shaft on a rotary engine |
| RTV |
"Room Temperature Vulcanizing" silicone - a fast-curing sealant used in
engine components assembly; use only "automotive/O2 sensor safe" silicone
sealants, as this does not contain acetic acid which can harm O2 sensors |
| SEMA |
"Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association" - industry association that
governs the automotive aftermarket industry; website >
http://www.sema.org/ |
| SST |
"Special Service Tool" - used by Mazda dealers for specialized work |
| SSR |
"Speed Star Racing" - one of the top rim manufacturers in Japan |
| TB |
"Throttle Body" - primary component that controls the amount of air
that enters the engine via butterfly plates |
| TDC |
"Top Dead Center" - used to describe when the engine's "#1" rotor (or
piston) is at the peak/highest of it's compression cycle; see related
BTDC/ATDC |
| TID |
"Turbo Inlet Duct" - stock, black, rubber duct that connects the AFM to
the turbo itself; stock TID tends to crack and lead to intake vacuum leaks |
| TIG |
"Tungsten Inert Gas" - a specialized and expensive welding technique,
usually for chrome-moly, stainless steel, and aluminum; this time-consuming
welding technique produces very nice and neat welds; see related "MIG" |
| Torsen (LSD) |
Short for "torque sensing", this particular type of LSD is the most linearly
locking of all the various LSD types; the "Torsen" name is owned by the
Zexel-Gleason company; see related "LSD" |
| TPS |
"Throttle Position Sensor" - sensor used to measure the amount of throttle
input back to the ECU; located on the throttle body front-side |
| TSB |
"Technical Service Bulletin" - internal Mazda memo for Mazda dealerships
that provide tips for problems; note: dealers are not required to
acknowledge TSB's to customers who are aware of them |
| UIM |
"Upper Intake Manifold" - intake manifold is divided into two pieces -
the upper intake manifold is directly after the throttle body; see
related "LIM" |
| WAG |
"Wild Ass Guess" |
| WG |
"wastegate" - primary component that controls boost levels on a turbo |
| WOT |
"Wide Open Throttle" - term used to describe the throttle (plates) being
fully open or the gas pedal being fully depressed |
| Zenki |
Japanese word loosely translated as "before"; denotes RX-7s (in this
case before the minor/model change, which covers 1986-1988 models;
term is commonly used by Japanese auto enthusiats; see related "Kouki" |
