This FD3S Mazda RX-7 doesn’t want a lot of an introduction – it’s one in every of many vehicles over right here in Japan that I’ve had on my ‘to shoot’ listing for a lot too lengthy.
However lastly, after the celebs 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 every day chaos.
I can keep in mind the primary time I laid eyes on this RX-7 – it was most likely the second Battle Evome spherical that I coated in February 2015, and it sat dramatically lit by the primary few rays of morning gentle breaking over the horizon. The {custom} bronze coloration shined and mirrored, and I immediately thought, ‘Rattling, that 7 seems scorching!’
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 mates, is very quick – particularly contemplating that it’s not pushed by a professional driver however somewhat the person who runs Automotive Store Glow, Yukimitsu Hara.
Essentially the most stunning factor of all is that CSG can’t be classed as a tuner, as its important enterprise revolves round {custom} automotive LED options and light-weight upgrades. Hara-san, nevertheless, likes to race, and time assault is of particular curiosity, main him to rework this RX-7 – which was as soon as his road automobile – into one thing that’s much more track-focused than road-friendly.
The FD3S should 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 potential, 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 large physique package. The whole lot is fantastically and exquisitely executed; Automotive Store Glow takes pleasure within the moist carbon components they create.
However let’s take a better look – firstly, up entrance the place the RE Amemiya bumper is well recognisable due to that signature central air consumption. The whole lot else, nevertheless, is masked by some serious-looking aero additions.
The large important splitter is capped at every finish and joined by a pair of canards which can be hinged in place with help bars to make sure that flexing is stored to a minimal. It couldn’t be a critical JDM time attacker if it didn’t commerce its facet mirrors for a pair of Craft Sq. carbon objects, which can immediately change the profile of any automobile – as they do right here. An RE Amemiya diffuser has been modified and joined by a pair of vortex mills, whereas a CSG carbon wing graces the FD’s deck.
All of it combines to create a centered machine that oozes presence and requires time to absorb 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 retailers which have been labored into the entrance finish. As aero engineer Andrew Sensible has all the time informed me when making an attempt to elucidate a number of the secrets and techniques of aerodynamics (which I can often comply with for about 30 seconds earlier than zoning out), it’s a must to dump as a lot air as you’re taking in and achieve this as easily as potential 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 facet and high retailers in an try to search out extra front-end downforce.
The air that flows across the profile of the automobile additionally must be managed neatly, and right here, further skirts do exactly that.
They meet at what is without doubt one of the hottest rear over-fender sections for the FD – it’s easy, nevertheless it provides a lot impact to the general stance of the automobile. The sweet paint is one thing I’ve to elaborate on, too – the bottom bronze hue is definitely impressed by a Nissan Dice coloration, however there are additional metallic flakes added to essentially make it pop.
Ending issues off are RE Amemiya fixed-projector models instead of the unique pop-up headlights and Automotive Store Glow’s newest LED small gentle and indicator models.
Then, after all there are the wheels. Up till some time again, the RX-7 used to run on one in every 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 relating to RX-7s. It is a 56-second automobile at Tsukuba – 56.4 seconds to be precise – 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 objects, as are the pads entrance and rear, however that tells you all it’s worthwhile to learn about racing and monitoring a light-weight automobile. Good luck operating sub-60-second lap instances 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 automobile: a moulded moist carbon trunk spoiler that wraps across the RX-7’s taillights.
The lights include {custom} Automotive Store Glow LED inners, leading to a unit which is gaining numerous publicity due to social media.
Right here’s one other angle of CSG’s {custom} carbon fiber rear wing which options some giant finish plates. It form 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 automobile manages to interrupt the mould relating to standing out in a sea of tuned FDs that Japan repeatedly throws at us.
However the factor that makes this RX-7 the performer that it’s, is what buzzes away below 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 form of energy and supply {that a} automobile competing in time assault wants, so that you received’t discover a 3-rotor monstrosity growing four-figure output, however somewhat a well-tuned 13B that ticks all the precise bins. 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 identified for, Zest got here up with a {custom} v-mount setup for the intercooler which retains the pipework as quick and as straight as potential. 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 below the automobile is put to good use operating by a small however environment friendly transmission cooler.
Hara-san will proceed to excellent his FD with the fast purpose of breaking the 55-second barrier. That after all received’t be the top 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 automobile isn’t enhanced or developed ultimately. It’s the core of this self-discipline, and to see folks and retailers put collectively these form of machines continues to be probably the most inspiring factor within the Japanese tuning scene.
In contrast to in different nations, time assault in Japan remains to be very small. Except for what are primarily small observe day occasions and journal classes organized by titles like Rev Pace and Possibility, there’s nothing like a nationwide collection. That’s precisely why no big-name tuners or components makers are concerned anymore, which on one facet of issues is a bit unhappy and miserable, however on the opposite facet retains this sport at a grassroots stage which helps make it all of the extra particular.
There are a few facets of automobile 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 varied areas for added energy and rigidity. It actually helps get probably the most out of the FD’s shell, which by fashionable requirements is missing within the stiffness facet of issues.
The cage extends rearwards behind the Recaro driver’s seat to hitch 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 enhance controller, HKS Circuit Assault Counter lap timer and three A’PEXi gauges. You may also 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 automobile, 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 all over the world, I hope it received’t overlook a few very particular group of diehard supporters – a uncommon breed that may most likely by no means hand over on their ardour for the Wankel engine.
So long as guys like Hara-san at Automotive Store Glow and different rotor-heads all over the world proceed to point out how this timeless basic stays greater than related in as we speak’s tuned automobile world, the RX-7 will shine for a few years to return.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
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