RE-Xtreme Logos and Stickers

I've just been playing around thinking about an actual logo for my site. I have been using a particular font for a while. So I thought a sticker might look good.

Another place I think would be great is the fuel filler cap which is commonly changed for carbon so an aditional feature may be the RE-Xtreme version or the rear pilar.

Initial designs look like these.

But in reality the Japan Map may be a little complicated. They do look cool though.

Hmmm. Would have been good on my old car.

Russ.

Champions Motorsport RX7 3-Rotor Widebody

I've been conversing with Rob from Champions-Motorsports.com in the US for a while now, when he told me had a really nice Rx7, I didn't understand what "really nice" really meant. It means REALLY NICE!

Rob's amazing 20b powered beast is a no expense spared "built the way I want it" car with more than enough well selected components to be capable in any and every situation, be that show, street or track. However you can tell that this show level car falls into a different category than the blingfest that becomes many a showcar these days and should hit the sweet spot for many who own an FD. It's a showcar that showcases the point to point driving experience.

From any angle, the car is a masterpiece. The BRS Autodesign, Super GT inspired widebody kit is enhanced over the standard version with custom carbon mouldings. Rob then went further to add and integrate additional components to get the desired look.

Personally, the rear views reveal more about this car than the front. The additional oppenings from the fenders, and the way small peeks of the ultra wide tyre selection are offered, entice you to find out more about the details that jump out as you get closer.

The R-M Diamont Mazda red definately looks good, but the looks go further than you would think. An engine bay that wouldn't be out of place at a Concours de Elegance event, releases this cars secret. Lurking beneath the large vented hood is this polished 20b 3-rotor with Greddy T-88, producing an ultra reliable 550hp (at the wheels) at only 12psi.

When you read the attached spec, you will understand why I'm using many superlatives with this car.

From a distance the car looks relatively small. The black wheel centres do a good job of disguising the widebody's true size. Don't be fooled. The wheels are huge! Large offset 18x10 on the front and 18x11.5 on the rear are fitted with 275 and 315 respectively.

I like the fact that the standard rear bar remains on this kit. It emphasises the true width of the car that the RE-Amemiya version does not. The rear bar however has been enhanced to integrate the diffuser and additional winglets at the rear of the car.

You might also be surprised to know that most of the good things on this car are not Japanese. Rob has used a lot of US made componentry and the car definately showcases the alternatives and advantages of utilising the best of the best that exists outside Japan for Japanese cars.

Enjoy this specification list.

Engine and Support

Race ported and Pinned 20B with 3mm seals 550WHP@12PSI

Greddy T-88 Single Turbo Upgrade
HKS Competition external wastegate
Custom 3” 3-Rotor Header with Jet-Hot System 2000 coating
Custom 3” Turbo Downpipe with Jet-Hot System 2000 coating
Greedy / Trust V-Band Clamps
Greddy 3-Row Front Mount Intercooler with Champions Custom Intercooler Piping
Custom Elbow with Greddy BOV
Greddy Racing Full Titanium Exhaust
MicroTech LT-12 stand alone ECU with MicroTech Dash
MicroTech Custom Wiring Harness
MicroTech Coils for 20B
Mazda 13B Throttle Body
BeCool heavy duty aluminum radiator
Nitrous Express Intercooler fogger with Chrome bottle
Custom Fuel System with twin in-tank pumps, Rail, Hi-flow injectors, braided lines, fuel pressure regulator, and in-line fuel filter
Custom mid-pipe
ACT lightweight flywheel
Rebuilt and upgraded transmission
Goodridge braided clutch line
ACT Clutch
Polished Aluminum AST and Rotor Oil fill cap
Greddy Aluminum Oil Catch Can
Custom ABS removal and Front Brake Lines by Champions
Polished UIM, LIM, TB, elbow, Turbo, Intercooler piping, hard lines
Poweder coated Mazda Alternator
Heavy Duty Race Axles
Unorthodoxed Pullies
Magnecore 10mm Ignition Wires
Pettit Racing Grounding Kit
Pettit Racing Super Short Shifter
Goodridge Braided Oil Metering Lines
Pettit Racing Battery Relocation Kit

Wheels and Tyres
Nitto NT-01 315/30ZR18 Rear and 275/35ZR18 Front
JLine Custom Fit 10rl2 Wheels 18x11.5 Rear 18x10 Front

Body
Custom molded BRS Autodesign widebody kit for RX7 FD with:

Front Bumper with carbon fiber lip, front fenders, Seibon Carbon fiber hood, side skirts, rear fenders with carbon fiber canards and carbon fiber rear diffuser.
RE Amemyia Carbon Fiber Rear GT Wing
Seibon Carbon Fiber Doors
Seibon Carbon Fiber Hatch
APR Carbon Fiber Mirrors
APR Carbon Fiber Canards
RE Amemyia Carbon Rear Light Cover
EVOR HID sleek headlight kit
Pettit Racing Carbon Fiber Door Handle covers
R-M Diamont Mazda Red paint
H-N Body Clear Coat Paint
Mazda Enfini badges and key

Chassis
Custom Sub-Frame for 20B Engine
A’PEXi N1 Dampers ExV (Expert Type V)
Brembo Gran Turismo 13.1” Front Brakes with red 4 pot calipers
Brembo Slotted and drilled Rear Rotors w/ upgraded pads
Goodridge Steel Braided Front and Rear Brake Lines
Pettit Racing TKT Track Pro Launch Kit (Race)
Pettit Racing Front Sway Bar with Bushings
Cusco Carbon Fiber Rear Strut Tower Bar
GRT Custom Tie Rod Ends for bump steer correction
All new OEM Pillow Ball joints + control arms
New Mazda front wheel hubs & bearings

Interior
Seibon Carbon Fiber Door Panels
Custom Molded and painted Dash and Door Pieces
Bride Vios III seats with Low Max mounting system
Momo Millennium Sport Steering Wheel
Sparco Globe-R Shift Knob
Sparco Luxor Shifter Boot
MicroTech Dashboard & Controller
Auto Meter Boost, Oil Pressure, Water Temperature and Air / Fuel gauges
PLX Devices DM-100 Universal Digital Display Module
PLX Devices SM-AFR Wideband Air/Fuel Sensor
PLX Devices SM-Boost Module and Guage
Greedy Profec Type S boost Controller
Greddy Turbo Timer
Pettit Racing Center mount Gauge Pod
New Mazda OEM Carpet
Pettit TKT floor mats
Ignite Performance Push Button Starter
Ultimate Audio Custom Glove Box

Sparco 4-point Safety Harnesses
Sparco Quick Release Steering Wheel Adapter

Not many FD owners go to this extent when modifying a car. This is one of THE ultimate RX-7's in the world. As we all know, priorities in life change, so his ultimate FD has recently gone to a new home. But don't think Rob is done yet. He has another one underway!

For most of us, I'll leave you with this image that we would see as the car disapears into the distance. Sayonara!

Russ.

Adam's Monster 1300rwhp!

I saw a small image on the web and tracked down the owner of this amazing RX7 through a V8 tuning site LS1tech. It's an amazing story you all should read.

Adam told me he has a real shoot coming up so he pointed me to the build pics of his car. As I was reading through hos build I came across this quote that blew me away. "I'll tune it in safely to 1300rwhp and see how she does."

So he offered the pics from here. I have condensed his account of proceedings, but its a better read on the LS1tech forum as there are more pics and further info.

Adam's Account.

"I've been working on this car for a year and a half now and things are nearing completion. I started from scratch: What car can I build to have the ULTIMATE power to weight ratio, handling capability, looks, and be relatively affordable. Basically, what could I build that would whoop any multimillion dollar supercar in existence. My first pics were; TT 05+ viper coupe, TT 05+ vette, FFR GTM supercar with TT lsx, or RX7 with SC ls7/x. Any way I went I decided it had to have leather stock interior, Ac, heat, cruise, PS, etc.

After months of contemplation and crunching numbers, I decided to go with something COMPLTELY unique that would be the baddest, fastest, and most exotic thing out there; I decided to start with a capable and proven platform and redesign the exterior to suit my tastes. RX7 was in. Being that I was originally headed to auto design engineering school, I've been sketching concept cars and bikes for years. I sat down and drew up my personal supercar. I then listed every part I would want to go in it. Everything was on paper and I had acquired the funds to get a good jump start on the project.

2 weeks after purchasing an 3rd gen RX7 I sent it to the bodyshop whom I had been talking to and planning with for 4 months. I also ordered a tranzilla T56 from RS Gear with full custom hardened gearset. I then ordered a custom spec LS7 longblock from Shawn @ VA Speed which we had been PMing back and for on for months as well. The list goes on and on and I'll list most the major components below.

The ultimate goal of the car was to be a TXMile car as I LOVE going fast but not so much in the 1/4 mile. The speed goal is aimed at exceeding the current record of 242mph. The drivetrain I am putting in the car is capable of 1500hp. I have the current gearing set to top out at 265mph. Ok so enough talk lets get to the goods:

The car in the bodyshop - took 8 months. A one off set of Makaveli forged 3pc wheels increased width by nearly 12" per corner in the rear and 10" per corner in the front. 19x11.5 4" lips front with 305/30/19 and 20x13.5 6" lips rear with 345/25/20.

Weight reduction pieces and their crazy skills dissecting the bumper and putting it back together. Things were a bit scary at this point as it was looking a bit odd.

The color choice was made well before I even bought the car. Bright metallic orange with diamond pearl racing stripes. It took 20 paint samples being sent to me in the mail before the right shade of orange was found.

Goods from Shawn @ VA Speed: forged ls7, copper gaskets, hand ported warhawk heads, large custom spec hydro roller, ported ls7 intake, custom made chromoly SC brackets, F2 procharger cog drive sprag, SPEC twin carbon disk, tranzilla.

One off 2 1/8" LT race headers ceramic coated. Hand made engine cradle, tranny mount, C5 motor mounts, and 03 Cobra 8.8 conversion subframe

Custom sprung and valved coilovers. 14" 8 piston front brakes -sadly look small behind the 19s Also, full delrin bushing set installed along with russell braided brake lines.

Out with the old and in with the new. Did the motor swap in my garage over a weekend. Everything went relatively smoothly. Cobra 8.8 IRS mounted, 2.73 Ford Racing gears, Detroit locker, Steeda bushings, rockcrawler 1/2 thick diff cover (for strength and clearance), DSS 3.5" chromoly DS, and their $2K set of 300m axles with chromoly inner and outer CVs warrantied to 1K rwhp.

The cooling system - had to be uniquely engineered due to space. 1600hp A2W IC, FMIC fabbed into a radiator, two custom A2W heat exchangers, and 3500hp worth of fuel pump (magnafuel 4301 and 4303) -going to run e85 all the way.

The plan was to make the OCT TXMile race but as we all know, things don't work out as planned. Currently the spindles are out getting the DSS chromoly hubs with new bearings pressed in and the gas tank is out getting the external sump and fuel pump brackets welded on. Next I'll be getting the fuel lines and filters and installing the in cab battery with cables, starter, IC couplers (one 3.5" straight and one 3.5" to 4" 90 elbow connects blower to IC to TB and that's all), and should be able to turn it over.

The wire harness was done by a member on v8rx7forum to be plug and play, car is running 160lb injectors, Nasty ls1/7 conversion rails, and AEM driver box. Car also needs 4-6pt cage and set of rear race rims with hoosier slicks before she is ready for the Mile.

The car is mainly a streetcar however and retains all factory functions

It's not only about power. Since I'm anywhere from 600-1000+lbs lighter than the other big power cars (vetts, vipers, supras etc) it won't take as much power. Power to weight ratio on this car is 1.7lbs per horse. Run the calculations for any of the current record holding cars... For example, a 3800lb turbo supra would need 2400hp to have an equivalent power to weight ratio."

"I'll tune it in safely to 1300rwhp and see how she does. Anything beyond that will be taxing the drivetrain beyond what I had originally planned and what it is built to withstand. "

What a story.
I'm sure it will be an absolute weapon!
I'll check on Adam again in a few months for an update.

Russ.

Stance

Stance for the Street.

WOW! it looks good. But it's an illusion.

There is a lot of interest in ultra low cars these days and the term "Flush" has come to create a whole bunch of people creating cars as low as possible with super stretched tyres and rims that stick way out side the body.

Now. I don't usually rant on this blog but after sevenstock in the US, it's time to.

Benefit of stance. = Race car looks. (although this is debateable in extremes)

Negative of stance. = NO ACCESSibility, Legality, Servicability, Reduction of Grip, Generally Poor Handling, Body Damage, Fender damage, Tyre Damage etc etc etc.

For a few extra mm there is a whole bunch of downsides to think about.

Don't forget this image had predominantly come from drifting. Most D1 cars have entirely redesigned adjustable race suspensions (check Ikeya Formula) to get this stance without some of the negatives. Benefits of a low centre of gravity (CG) only applies to handling if other things like suspension mounting points,arms and other components are also re-designed. Roll Center is the main killer.

Bumpers are usually destroyed at every event and cars start to look tired very quickly with cracks in body kits etc etc. They arrive on expensive custom trailers to track only events and people usually spend 30 mins preparing to drive them. These are not street cars.

I used to run my Ver. 1 FD very low with lightly stretched 225 on the front on 8.5" inch rims. Turn in was almost non existent. Thats where the handbrake came in. While it was fun to drift. It was never really controllable. It never achieved the point to point speed of my second car. Ultra high levels of grip and controllable handling at any time. I even had to make a custom steel plate so I could get to my own driveway without destroying the bumper.

In the above pic. I am totally focussed on avaoiding that curb as I pull over to pick up my friend, That was before a photoshop height drop. Driving was a chore. If i dropped the suspension 15mm more. It would leave approximately 35mm of ground clearance at the front. at that height small potholes and roadworks become bumper shattering items.

To achieve these images was almost impossible on my Ver II FD. 18x10+25 with 255 would not fit at lower ride height. Literally hitting the fenders and inner fenders on compression. At the rear I initially had 30mm spacers to get stance and these proved too wide for the tyre selection. So you are forced to sacrifice your 30mm or so of width or contact patch to get clearance. A 225 also exposes the rim to easy damage prevented by the tyre bead. And in my opinion. That exposed rim looks questionable at extreme stretch.

I like the idea though and have photoshopped 19" rims onto many the FD and thought... cool.

But unfortunately photoshop is not reality.

I wish it weren't true but, Street car practicality and Stance shall remain enemies.

Purple Striker

I got around to re-painting the god-aweful pink strikers 1/64 scale Re-Amemiya car

As I was doing it. A thought went out to all the Vie-thai-chi-nasians who made these little things. It took me about 2 hours to repaint it. And I was freaked. Those guys make 5000 of them and paint little details and attach the tiny decals all day for 1 c each per car.

Thank you all very much. I hope you had an easy day today.

I chose Mettalic Purple for the beast. Came out ok.

Russ.

.

FE3s Concept

Whats the FE3s... E for (dare I say the word) Eco.

Tokyo Motor Show '09 and Tokyo Auto Salon '10 are going to feature "Eco" concepts. What does the FD have to become for it to be Eco friendly?

I will choose the following concept along the lines of recent Mazda Superlight weight reduction and recent Hydrogen Fuel cell concepts.

WEIGHT

There is of course the obvious benefits of lightweight for performance and the requirement for less fuel to propel lighter vehicles. This also assists in handling, braking, less wear on components etc etc. From the FD3s point of view of weight, the best we could hope for is approximately the 850kg mark. Going to extremes resulting in weight reductions from items like carbon brakes, prop and driveshafts, utilisation of titanium for all bolts and the previously tried Aluminium body panels in construction. LED lighting, thinner plastics(friendly versions) and removal of unneccessary items. All incredibly expensive of course.

Exterior modifications must include the following dry carbon items. Bonnet, front & rear bumpers, front fenders, doors and rear hatch. Mirrors, perspex windows and a thin front glass screen. Wheels would probably be similar to Dymag carbon magnesium items. Inside including a taiki style minimalist dash and carbon seats. All of these are currently available so you could look take the first step towards eco friendliness even if power remained kick arse Fuel Hungry Turbo 13b REW.

POWER

The RX-8 Hydrogen concept is good news for rotary engine lovers. This has been in testing for a while and these dual fuel cell vehicles, are extremely kind producing only H2O on Hydrogen (yes I know its unfriendly to make atm). The renesis rotary engines have the ability for electric assist turbocharging also which can bring back the performance lost to burning less dense Hydrogen. About 50% less power at the moment on the RX8. I do not think the electric motor is the answer for us rotary enthusiasts or anyone.

Lastly, a sunroof model should be chosen and filled with solar panels powering additional items and you can feel the earth's harsh sun roasting your head just to let you know you are helping.

So is a Hydrogen RE Turbo FE3s a possibility. Give it 20 years, then I might be retrofitting some crazy fuel cell powerlant into a lightweight chassis. Or maybe they could invite me to make the first one. Give me a call Mazda.

Russ.

痛G Festa.

痛G or ItaishaGraphics  is a magazine devoted to Anime car decoration. They recently held an event in Tokyo's Odaiba (same as D1 venue) to celebrate.

RE-Amemiya and Art-Factory are cashing in on this craze.... It really is popular among a growing following.

Last week I noticed movement with RE-Amemiya sending a new RE-ADGT car to Art Factory for graphics. I prayed it was going to be a race livery but I was wrong.

So the new car is on the right. Looks harmful enough from a distance and the livery is quite cool until you see the child. Notice the car is also useless AT.

Half robot school girl with a sword. I swear it is soooo unrealistic it could only come from the head of japanese schoolgirl obsessed Robotics IC Chip developer who has gundam robots all over his desk. It's his fantasy come true.

But it's popular...Why? because the underage schoolgirl fantasy is (in its own freak world) accepted.
If you tried to do this in any western country you would have womens groups all over the front page. In japan unfortunately Womens groups have no power.

Back to the car. The rear of the car and the concept of half yellow/gold and black diagonal is quite cool.

But it's this huge baby doll eyed and headed monstrosity covering the doors that is wrong!

As you can see, the graphics application by ART-Factory Inc is quite good. Replace the girl with a big LOGO and I can accept the concept.

It's getting out of control though. Today I saw a race prepped DC2 civic with a 45 year old guy driving it and a big girl character in the back window. I can't understand it. Leave you're whack fantasies in the closet.

Russ.