The Mazda RX7 have been a famous 90s icon in the JDM car scene. Known for its curves and its potent rotary engine, it has captured the imagination of many young car enthusiasts at the time. But despite that, the rotary have been known to be quite a sensitive engine to thrash, especially in the hot and humid climate of Malaysia. When Ameer got his RX7, all he wanted was a car that can run smooth and not have a difficult time to start up. Of course, this won’t be achieved without a proper set up to the FD.
Around the year 2006, Ameer started his hunt for his RX7 FD. But the hunt was far from easy. He searched everywhere but finding one was really difficult. If there were any potential, it wasn’t in decent condition. It was almost to the point where he gave up on searching and thought of getting a Supra instead. But in 2007 when he was about to give up, he came across one that was on sale. The car itself was parked near a workshop called HNM Motorsport which was just close by.
Shortly, he purchased the car which is a 1992 spec Mazda RX7 FD3S. The car itself was in decent running condition and it was left stock for a few years. To Ameer at the time, it was only a weekend car for him to drive. Nothing more than that. But just like any car guy, it came to a point where he started to get bored and wanted to change something on the car.
Ameer started off by purchasing RE Amemiya aero parts with a friend of his from the RX7 Club Malaysia since they were purchasing identical kits. Shortly after that, he swapped the old 18 inch wheels that came with the car with smaller 17 inch Origin Lab wheels with a meatier tire fitment. After that, he decided to send the car to HNM Motorsport to refurbish the 13B rotary engine to improve its reliability for track use.
With reliability for track and street use in mind, the guys at HNM loaded in the parts and bolt-ons that can improve the reliability of the engine. Leaving the motor and turbines untouched, they installed bolt-ons like HKS turbo and intercooler piping, new apex seals, and a V-mounted intercooler. All the bolt-ons are managed by an APEX’i Power FC ECU unit running at 1 bar of boost outputting at about 350 horsepower. Not much but just enough for the track. So far ever since rebuilding the 13B with the new parts, Ameer’s FD haven’t needed an overhaul ever since. On top of that, the motor is able to withstand frequent abuse on the track.
The chassis itself is already built with lightweight aluminum but it is not enough to negotiate the corners on the track. For handling, a set of JIC Magic FLT-A2 coilovers with pillow balls were installed with polyurethane suspension and rear differantial bushings. The whole set up was completed with Advan Neova AD08R tires for the track and Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec for street use.
Inside, Ameer still uses the full interior. Just he only added on a few bits to make the experience on the track a bit more comfortable. A Recaro SPG-N full bucket seat on the driver side, MOMO mod 88 steering wheel and a Recaro baby sit for his kid. In a whole, the car is purpose built for frequent and recreational track use. But it is also reliable to be driving on certain occasions. In a way, you can say his car can come out of its box any time he wants it to.
1992 Mazda RX7 FD3S
Owner: Ameer Mashal
Engine Mods:
1.3L 13B REW Rotary
Super Seal Apex seal
FAM speed Japan solid polyurethane engine mounting
Stock twin turbo tuned at 1 bar
HKS downpipe
HKS intake filters
HKS intercooler
Pan Speed Throttle body elbow
Custom IC pipe
Greddy Type S BOV
Apex’i exhaust system
KoyoRad aluminum radiator
TRUST twin oil cooler
Custom bubble tank
Custom oil catch tank
HKS twin power ignition
NGK R7420 Iridium Racing plugs #11
SARD fuel Pressure regulator
Walbro fuel pump
Stock 550cc and 850cc injectors
R-Magic APEX’i Power FC ECU
Drivetrain:
5 speed manual with short shift
HKS lightened flywheel with stock clutch
Steel braided Clutch pump line
1.5 way LSD
Chassis Mods:
Mazdaspeed Reinforced Powerplant frame
J’s Racing fender bar
Cusco Front tower bar
Mazdaspeed Rear tower bar
Ultra racing front underbody frame bar
JIC Magic ALT-A2 coilovers with top mount pillow ball
12kg/mm spring rate (F/R)
Super-Pro polyurethane suspension and rear differential bushings
Goodrich steel braided brake lines
FD3S 99 spec calipers front and rear
Endless brake rotors and pads
Wheels/Tires:
OriginLab Japan PL01 17 x 9jj Offset +15 (all round)
Street: Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec 245/40/17 (F) 265/40/17 (R)
Track: Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08R 255/40/17 (all round)
Exterior Mods:
RE-AMEMIYA AD-GT wide body kit
RE-AMEMIYA GT2 carbon GT wing
RE AMEMIYA side mirror
RE AMEMIYA sleek lights
IPF headlights
FD3S 99 spec rear lights
Garage Kagotani Japan rear diffuser
Interior Mods:
APEX’i Power FC commander
Blitz dual SBC electronic boost controller
Defi boost, oil temp, oil pressure and water temp meters.
RE-Amemiya steering column boost meter mount
Mazdaspeed meter cluster
Mazdaspeed carbon-look dash board panel
Mazdaspeed hand brake knob and gear lever
Recaro SPG-N driver seat
MOMO mod 88 steering
1 Comment
cool