Project [Rotary] FD RX-7 Part 1 – Regenesis

Project [Rotary] FD RX-7:  Part 1 – Regenesis

By M-P Spierer
 

The 3rd generation Mazda RX-7, often simply referred to as the FD from its chassis code FD3S, is a world renowned platform for both street cars and race cars alike. Combine its weight, suspension geometry, driving position, and power potential and you have a 100% performance oriented machine. While it has become popular over the past decade to ditch the rotary engine and replace it with Chevrolet LS V8 as seen with our very own Project V8 RX-7, this project vows to keep it real with the triangles!.

Now a reliable, turbo, rotary powered, track car may sound like an oxymoron of epic proportions, it can be done however, and that is what we aim to do. This is technically the second time building this car and it is truly a new build due to how much is changing. On the list of engine upgrades for this project include an entirely new turbo setup, engine management, ignition and fuel systems, auxiliary injection, and much more. Beyond the engine, the suspension, brakes, wheels/tires, and chassis are going to be reworked as well.
 

The original engine setup that was installed in this RX-7 would have been a great setup in the early 2000's, but the turbo, ignition, fuel, and engine management options of today are far superior. The HKS R-Type v-mount intercooler is a different story though and is the crowned jewel of the car in its current state. Purchased before the dollar-to-yen exchange rate started to decline in 2007, these are now hard to come by and cost a pretty penny.

The engine components used in the original build of this RX-7 are fairly standard in the world of single turbo RX-7's, so it was by no means a terrible build, however, nearly every area of the original build can be improved upon in some major way. Listed below are a handful of aftermarket parts included in the previous build that are on the chopping block for the first several articles.

– Garrett T04Z ball bearing turbo
– Tial 46mm wastegate
– Apex'i Power FC and FC-Datalogit
– Bosch 1680cc secondary injectors and KG fuel rail
– Greddy Profec-B boost controller and various gauges 
 

The engine itself is another component that is not changing for the time being. It only has a few thousand miles on it and features a custom large street port, upgraded 2mm apex seals, an Atkins thermal pellet, and Viton oil control O-rings.

The interior of the car from the previous build is changing as well. This is the last time anyone will see these gauges, boost controller, Power FC commander, or steering wheel mounted in this RX-7.