Car RX-7 Turbo -- Birth of a Champion

I've always loved the classic lines of the Mazda RX-7 since long before I could even drive, unfortunately my first car was a Honda civic (auto) and my second car was a Toyota camry (auto).... Since those cars were so boring and very reliable I never had the motivation or opportunity to learn much about vehicle maintenance or performance.

Then I started watching an anime series called Initial D, which opened my eyes to the enjoyment that modifying cars could provide. I really wanted a 3rd gen RX-7 (FD3S) but sadly that was out of my price range. It's older brother however the 2nd gen (FC3S) would be far easier to attain.

So I studied ,read, researched, and learned all I could about rotary engines , internal combustion, brake systems, suspension, and everything I could get my hands on during an 8 month internship, and when I returned I sold the Camry on eBay and dove in head first with this....


I'd like to introduce you all to Naomi...






First Mod... (actually it was a Personal steering wheel, but no pics of that)

 

8 years give or take... more updates forthcoming.

 

Despite appearing 100% stock for some reason this car had a walbro 255 installed. While this sounds cool, it is not on an otherwise stock car, and tends to cause hot start problems, smoking on start up and excessive pump noise pretty much all the time. I removed the Walbro and installed an FD pump. Problem solved.

Unfortunately Naomi also came equipped with ABS, which even when working properly, leaves much to be desired. This particular unit however had some kind of malfunction and would groan and croak while stopped, and randomly loose pedal pressure...no bueno.

Since I was removing the ABS, I decided to remove emissions as well and install an S5 turbo and manifold while I was at it since the S4 had started smoking.

--- Double Post Merged, Jul 9, 2014 ---

Got a chance to take her to the 1/8th mile which my brother (74' Chevy nova 350ci w/ a turbo 400) and friend (07' Honda Fit)




Not particularly impressive, but I beat the V8 running heads up, so that made my night. Of course he swore (still does actually) that if he had a manual trans and a posi he would walk me.....still waiting to find out on that one.

 

Haha, yea, pretty much

--- Double Post Merged, Jul 22, 2014 ---

A short while later I scored this deal on Craigslist for $180 actually less once I sold the bonez pipe I didn't need. For those who might ask, its a Greddy Power Extreme catback (listed as "Greedy" on CL).


Before I got a chance to install that I found a deal on some tokico blues w/ ground control coilovers. So I installed and gutted my stock cat at the same time.

A little later a friend of mine decided to do a mini photo shoot, the full details can be found here:
Since I finally got around to clay bar-ing off the paint dots that my apt complex accidentally sprayed on my hood/bumper :wallbash: and re-attaching the passenger side door trim, I figured the young lady deserved a lil photo shoot (before something else happens to her )...

So I went to a local spot and finally got some pics w/ something better than a camera phone, or rather got a friend to get some pics cuz my $$$ goes towards mods not cameras lol.


#1 - makes me want to install my S5 bumber w/ fog lights and find a nice lip...


#2


#3 - an interesting effect we discovered ...


#4


#5 ...to wing, or not to wing...?


#6


#7 ....yes...they are.


#8


#9


A few weeks after that I took a long road trip down to south Florida and then back up to a rotary meet in Orlando before heading home, sadly, despite the fact that we made it through over 800 of the 1000 miles without incident we would not make it all the way home safely...

Ford Explorer....0




After DRIVING away from the scene (not to be confused with leaving the scene)