This FD3S Mazda RX-7 doesn’t want a lot of an introduction – it’s one in every of many automobiles over right here in Japan that I’ve had on my ‘to shoot’ listing for a lot too lengthy.
However lastly, after the celebrities not too long ago aligned, I managed to get the cool guys at Automobile 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 bear 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 gentle breaking over the horizon. The {custom} bronze shade shined and mirrored, and I immediately thought, ‘Rattling, that 7 appears scorching!’
Like all of the automobiles that take part in Battle Evome, CSG’s RX-7 has developed over time, aerodynamics maximising its efficiency right down to a 56-second lap finest at Tsukuba Circuit. That, my pals, is very quick – particularly contemplating that it’s not pushed by a professional driver however reasonably the person who runs Automobile Store Glow, Yukimitsu Hara.
Essentially the most stunning factor of all is that CSG can’t be classed as a tuner, as its major 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 remodel this RX-7 – which was as soon as his avenue automobile – 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 potential, strong mounted to the chassis.
As I alluded to a second in the past, the way in which the RX-7 cuts by way of the air has been refined over time with a number of upgrades that construct on the already-impressive RE Amemiya AD GT large physique equipment. Every little thing is superbly and exquisitely executed; Automobile Store Glow takes delight 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 because of that signature central air consumption. Every little thing else, nevertheless, is masked by some serious-looking aero additions.
The massive major splitter is capped at every finish and joined by a pair of canards which can be hinged in place with assist 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 gadgets, 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 turbines, 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 seen.
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 at all times advised me when trying to elucidate among the secrets and techniques of aerodynamics (which I can often comply with for about 30 seconds earlier than zoning out), you must dump as a lot air as you’re taking in and accomplish that 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 prime shops 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 just do that.
They meet at what is without doubt one of the hottest rear over-fender sections for the FD – it’s easy, but it surely 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 shade, however there are additional metallic flakes added to actually make it pop.
Ending issues off are RE Amemiya fixed-projector models instead of the unique pop-up headlights and Automobile Store Glow’s newest LED small gentle and indicator models.
Then, in fact 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 in addition lighter.
Then we get to the brakes, and that is one thing that at all times makes me chuckle in terms of RX-7s. This can be a 56-second automobile at Tsukuba – 56.4 seconds to be actual – but it manages to attain this time working 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’ll want to learn about racing and monitoring a light-weight automobile. Good luck working sub-60-second lap occasions at Tsukuba in a GT-R with manufacturing unit stoppers!
Soaking within the particulars, I additionally noticed what regarded 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} Automobile Store Glow LED inners, leading to a unit which is gaining various publicity because of 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 may 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 way of the corners.
We’ve just about established that this automobile manages to interrupt the mould in terms of 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 underneath the vented bonnet.
An engine of this nature is unquestionably outdoors of Automobile 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} automobile competing in time assault wants, so that you received’t discover a 3-rotor monstrosity creating four-figure output, however reasonably a well-tuned 13B that ticks all the best 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 brief 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 underneath the automobile is put to good use working by way of a small however environment friendly transmission cooler.
Hara-san will proceed to good his FD with the instant objective of breaking the 55-second barrier. That in fact received’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 may push issues.
No low season goes by the place the automobile isn’t enhanced or developed not directly. 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.
In contrast to in different international locations, time assault in Japan remains to be very small. Other than what are basically small observe day occasions and journal classes organized by titles like Rev Velocity and Possibility, there’s nothing like a nationwide collection. That’s precisely why no big-name tuners or elements 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 degree which helps make it all of the extra particular.
There are a few elements 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 worried, the CSG RX-7 is on one other degree, one thing that turns into apparent when you open the door.
The steel outer shells stay, however the internal 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 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 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 heart stack part stays; each little bit of further trim having been eliminated to reveal naked steel. However in true JDM type there are just a few digital additions within the combine, together with an HKS increase controller, HKS Circuit Assault Counter lap timer and three A’PEXi gauges. You too can 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 neglect a few very particular group of diehard supporters – a uncommon breed that may in all probability by no means quit on their ardour for the Wankel engine.
So long as guys like Hara-san at Automobile Store Glow and different rotor-heads all over the world proceed to point out how this timeless basic stays greater than related in at present’s tuned automobile world, the RX-7 will shine for a few years to come back.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
