This FD3S Mazda RX-7 doesn’t want a lot of an introduction – it’s considered one of many vehicles over right here in Japan that I’ve had on my ‘to shoot’ listing for much too lengthy.
However lastly, after the celebrities not too long ago aligned, I managed to get the cool guys at Automotive Store Glow (CSG) to deliver their time attacking Mazda to a quiet location away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s day by day chaos.
I can keep in mind the primary time I laid eyes on this RX-7 – it was in all probability the second Battle Evome spherical that I coated in February 2015, and it sat dramatically lit by the primary few rays of morning mild breaking over the horizon. The {custom} bronze shade shined and mirrored, and I immediately thought, ‘Rattling, that 7 seems to be sizzling!’
Like all of the vehicles that take part in Battle Evome, CSG’s RX-7 has advanced through the years, aerodynamics maximising its efficiency all the way down to a 56-second lap finest at Tsukuba Circuit. That, my buddies, is very quick – particularly contemplating that it’s not pushed by a professional driver however quite the person who runs Automotive Store Glow, Yukimitsu Hara.
Essentially the most shocking factor of all is that CSG can’t be classed as a tuner, as its predominant enterprise revolves round {custom} automotive LED options and lightweight upgrades. Hara-san, nonetheless, likes to race, and time assault is of particular curiosity, main him to remodel this RX-7 – which was as soon as his road automotive – into one thing that’s way more track-focused than road-friendly.
The FD3S should still be fitted with a navigation system, audio system, and even an ETC machine for paying freeway tolls in Japan, however the days of taking it out for a brisk Sunday drive are all however over.
The Mazda sits low on a set of Aragosta dampers custom-set by Pisto Racing. Suspension hyperlinks are rose-jointed, and each bushing has been changed with a polyurethane equal or, the place doable, strong mounted to the chassis.
As I alluded to a second in the past, the way in which the RX-7 cuts by the air has been refined through the years with a bunch of upgrades that construct on the already-impressive RE Amemiya AD GT huge physique package. All the pieces is superbly and exquisitely executed; Automotive Store Glow takes pleasure within the moist carbon elements they create.
However let’s take a more in-depth look – firstly, up entrance the place the RE Amemiya bumper is well recognisable due to that signature central air consumption. All the pieces else, nonetheless, is masked by some serious-looking aero additions.
The large predominant splitter is capped at every finish and joined by a pair of canards which are hinged in place with help bars to make sure that flexing is saved to a minimal. It couldn’t be a severe JDM time attacker if it didn’t commerce its aspect mirrors for a pair of Craft Sq. carbon gadgets, which can immediately change the profile of any automotive – as they do right here. An RE Amemiya diffuser has been modified and joined by a pair of vortex turbines, whereas a CSG carbon wing graces the FD’s deck.
All of it combines to create a targeted machine that oozes presence and requires time to soak up absolutely. The extra I checked out it, the extra particulars and small touches I observed.
From this angle, for instance, I used to be blown away on the variety of air shops which have been labored into the entrance finish. As aero engineer Andrew Sensible has all the time informed me when trying to clarify a number of the secrets and techniques of aerodynamics (which I can normally comply with for about 30 seconds earlier than zoning out), it’s important to dump as a lot air as you’re taking in and accomplish that as easily as doable whereas utilizing it to your benefit. Or one thing like that anyway! The FD’s entrance finish channels air away from the engine bay in addition to the wheel arches, which have not too long ago been fitted with louvered aspect and high shops in an try to seek out extra front-end downforce.
The air that flows across the profile of the automotive additionally must be managed well, and right here, further skirts just do that.
They meet at what is without doubt one of the hottest rear over-fender sections for the FD – it’s easy, however it provides a lot impact to the general stance of the automotive. The sweet paint is one thing I’ve to elaborate on, too – the bottom bronze hue is definitely impressed by a Nissan Dice shade, however there are further metallic flakes added to essentially make it pop.
Ending issues off are RE Amemiya fixed-projector items rather than the unique pop-up headlights and Automotive Store Glow’s newest LED small mild and indicator items.
Then, in fact there are the wheels. Up till some time again, the RX-7 used to run on considered one of my favorite wheels on the market: the Volk Racing CE28N from RAYS. It’s now sitting on a set of ZE40s, which aren’t solely stiffer but additionally lighter.
Then we get to the brakes, and that is one thing that all the time makes me chuckle with regards to RX-7s. It is a 56-second automotive at Tsukuba – 56.4 seconds to be actual – but it manages to realize this time operating inventory brakes. Okay, so the entrance rotors are of a better spec as they’re off-the-shelf PFC gadgets, as are the pads entrance and rear, however that tells you all you should find out about racing and monitoring a light-weight automotive. Good luck operating sub-60-second lap occasions at Tsukuba in a GT-R with manufacturing unit stoppers!
Soaking within the particulars, I additionally noticed what seemed like one other new addition to the again of the automotive: a moulded moist carbon trunk spoiler that wraps across the RX-7’s taillights.
The lights comprise {custom} Automotive Store Glow LED inners, leading to a unit which is gaining various publicity due to social media.
Right here’s one other angle of CSG’s {custom} carbon fiber rear wing which options some massive finish plates. It kind of jogs my memory of the Do-Luck wing on the R34 GT-R – simply an prolonged high-mount model of it.
As you’ll be able to see from this picture of the RX-7 from the final time I noticed it out at Tsukuba, the wing is a brand new addition and one thing they’re trialling to see if it makes an precise distinction by the corners.
We’ve just about established that this automotive manages to interrupt the mould with regards to standing out in a sea of tuned FDs that Japan constantly throws at us.
However the factor that makes this RX-7 the performer that it’s, is what buzzes away beneath the vented bonnet.
An engine of this nature is certainly outdoors of Automotive Present Glow’s realm, which is why they collaborated with rotary specialist Zest Racing in Chiba.
Zest have supplied the kind of energy and supply {that a} automotive competing in time assault wants, so that you gained’t discover a 3-rotor monstrosity growing four-figure output, however quite a well-tuned 13B that ticks all the precise packing containers. The bridge-ported engine produces 530hp thanks partially to a large Belief T88-34D turbocharger, however to not uninteresting out the quick spooling and responsive nature that rotary engines are recognized for, Zest got here up with a {custom} v-mount setup for the intercooler which retains the pipework as brief and as straight as doable. An HKS F-CON V Professional engine administration system handles the fueling and ignition and is ready to extract a usable torque curve which peaks at 6,900rpm with 490Nm.
Zest additionally fabricated a straight-through titanium exhaust with an extra-long silencer to clear the bumper and diffuser.
Reverse the exhaust outlet the airflow originating from beneath the automotive is put to good use operating by a small however environment friendly transmission cooler.
Hara-san will proceed to good his FD with the speedy objective of breaking the 55-second barrier. That in fact gained’t be the tip of it – it by no means is – because the love and attraction for time assault naturally makes you need to see how far you’ll be able to push issues.
No low season goes by the place the automotive isn’t enhanced or developed ultimately. It’s the core of this self-discipline, and to see individuals and retailers put collectively these kind of machines continues to be essentially the most inspiring factor within the Japanese tuning scene.
Not like in different international locations, time assault in Japan continues to be very small. Apart from what are primarily small monitor day occasions and journal classes organized by titles like Rev Pace and Choice, there’s nothing like a nationwide sequence. That’s precisely why no big-name tuners or elements makers are concerned anymore, which on one aspect of issues is a bit unhappy and miserable, however on the opposite aspect retains this sport at a grassroots stage which helps make it all of the extra particular.
There are a few features of automotive constructing that Japanese tuners and builders lag behind in – one being engine administration options, and the opposite inside and chassis prep. So far as the latter is anxious, the CSG RX-7 is on one other stage, one thing that turns into apparent when you open the door.
The metallic outer shells stay, however the inside trims have been eliminated and changed with light-weight carbon playing cards.
There’s a {custom} roll cage which is welded to the chassis and boxed up and gusseted in numerous places for added energy and rigidity. It actually helps get essentially the most out of the FD’s shell, which by trendy requirements is missing within the stiffness aspect of issues.
The cage extends rearwards behind the Recaro driver’s seat to affix as much as the rear strut towers.
Solely the primary sprint and middle stack part stays; each little bit of further trim having been eliminated to show naked metallic. However in true JDM type there are a number of digital additions within the combine, together with an HKS increase controller, HKS Circuit Assault Counter lap timer and three A’PEXi gauges. You can too see how the double-DIN navigation head unit has been left in place – one thing that’s fairly unusual to see in a time assault automotive, however a reminder of what kind of machine this RX-7 as soon as was.
Whereas Mazda enjoys the limelight now that its new Roadster/Miata/MX-5 is hitting streets around the globe, I hope it gained’t overlook a few very particular group of diehard supporters – a uncommon breed that may in all probability by no means surrender on their ardour for the Wankel engine.
So long as guys like Hara-san at Automotive Store Glow and different rotor-heads around the globe proceed to point out how this timeless basic stays greater than related in right this moment’s tuned automotive world, the RX-7 will shine for a few years to return.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
