Jun 4, 2015

The RE | Ameer's Ride Everywhere RX7


The Mazda RX7 have and still is a dream ride for young JDM enthusiast everywhere. Whether it is from the iconic shape and curves of the body or the handling of the chassis or the fascination of the rotary engine, it has capture the imagination ever since its release in the early 90s. Even for myself, I still am a fan of the RX7 FD3S as a timeless iconic rear wheel drive sports car. But not many are willing to own one due to how tedious maintaining an RX7 can be due to the terrible fuel consumption and sensitivity of the rotary engine.




For Ameer's case, his FD3S shows otherwise. His ride is a one that so far have been reliable thus proving that the RX7 doesn't necessarily have to be a princess to drive. Of course, this being said, it is obvious this can only be achieved when the proper tuning formula is applied to the car with a realistic purpose of use.



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 potentials, 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, Ameer haven't overhauled the motor even once. 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 88steering 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. Thus giving it the name the 'ride everywhere' RX7. From top to bottom, this RX7 is a model of balance between performance and reliability that looks sexy.




TUNING MENU
Owner: Ameer Mashal
Model: 1992 Mazda RX7 FD3S
Location: Subang Jaya, Malaysia

ENGINE:
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 pumpStock 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

SUSPENSION, CHASSIS AND BRAKES:
Mazdaspeed Reinforced Powerplant frame
J's Racing fender bar
Cusco Front tower bar
Mazdaspeed Rear tower bar
Ultra racing front underbody frame bar
Goodrich steel braided brake linesF
D3S 99 spec calipers front and rear
Endless brake rotors and pads
JIC Magic ALT-A2 coilovers with top mount pillow ball
12kg/mm spring rate (F/R)
Super-Pro polyurethane suspension and rear differential bushings

WHEELS AND 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: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:
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


BONUS IMAGES









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