Thirty-three years after its debut, the FD3S Mazda RX-7 stays some of the charming tuning platforms to emerge from Japan.
I first noticed this explicit 1999 FD in Might when it was on show at Wekfest Japan 2024. On the time, the engine wasn’t fairly completed, so I made plans with Masatsuga Chiba of X-Level Import Co., who performed an essential position in its recreation, to shoot the Mazda later within the yr. I used to be eager to take a better look and uncover which route this 25-year-old magnificence had been taken.
Like something that’s stood the take a look at of time in common tradition, sure formulation are likely to get repeated. Take the Mont Blanc cake, for instance – it’s been a favorite since 1915, and through the years, many nice recipes have been developed. Step into any patisserie, anyplace on the earth, and also you’ll discover a pile of chestnut vermicelli topped with whipped cream, resting on some sort of pastry or sponge base. However to search out one which achieves the proper steadiness of bitter, candy, and texture – that’s a wholly completely different story.
Very similar to the Mont Blanc, most nostalgic tuner automobiles constructed as we speak observe a time-tested recipe. There’s nothing incorrect with that – these tried-and-true mixtures of elements and styling cues are likely to work nicely collectively. I’m responsible of it myself, having opted for a WRC wide-body package by myself blue and gold GC8 Impreza.
Usually, FD RX-7 builds in Japan observe an anticipated formulation: customized side-porting, an enormous single turbo, a v-mount intercooler setup, and a physique package from TCP Magic or RE Amemiya. It’s a recipe that constantly delivers a tough-looking and quick road automotive. However the query is – do any of those builds actually have a soul?
However what’s it that provides a automotive its soul? Maybe it’s tied to the proprietor, or perhaps it’s a token of authenticity – like a set of 30-year-old wheels or a classic wing – that provides the automotive a way of historical past and character.
Seiya Inazu‘s RX-7, completed within the gorgeous Nouvelle Blue Pearl (a second-generation Honda NSX color), has gone above and past the standard formulation. It’s extra than simply one other JDM FD3S; it’s the automotive equal of a gourmand Mont Blanc, the sort you would possibly look forward to finding in Heston Blumenthal’s fridge.
Apparently, a Honda S2000 supplied a lot of the inspiration for Inazu-san’s creation.
Inside, the automotive has been thoughtfully upgraded with loads of suede. On high of all of the anticipated aftermarket additions – together with Bride XERO CS seats, a Renown x RWB steering wheel, Defi gauges and a BattleCraft shift knob – it possesses a degree of consolation that nearly feels prefer it was a part of the manufacturing unit’s design.
Outdoors, the mix of a RE Amemiya aero and a Scoot Sports activities vented bonnet provides this FD an aggressive, virtually Dodge Viper-esque look.
However the true magic occurs beneath that hood. Positive, you’ll be able to throw a bunch of tuning elements at any FD’s 13B-REW twin-turbo engine and anticipate a sure consequence – it’s a recipe discovered on numerous Instagram feeds. However making all of it match collectively in a means that’s each purposeful and delightful is one other problem fully.
This 13B was initially modified by Mochi Racing and options customized side-porting, an enormous HKS GTIII-4R turbocharger, Belief/GReddy v-mounted intercooler, a titanium exhaust system from Automobile Store Glow, and extra. Nevertheless, it was later torn down and rebuilt at X-Level, who additionally dealt with the wire tuck and shaved the engine bay utilizing a customized harness from Rywire Motorsport Electronics. That harness helps the Ignition Undertaking ignition system improve (with R35 coil packs) and the Hyperlink G4X engine administration system.
The wheels are Desmond Regamaster EVO IIs throughout, very like these on the 97GT automotive I shot a couple of weeks again. It’s clear the homeowners of each FD3S RX-7s adopted an identical recipe.
If I have been to match the 2 automobiles – that are each sensible in their very own proper – I do know which one I’d drive house. However what about you?
Toby Thyer
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