7's day countdown.

Almost that time... 1 week to go!!!! Let the countdown begin.

Good News.

Ama-san posts that Hot Version guys will be making a special video of the event for release on August 30.

They were already at RE-Amemiya filming the Boost Up 9. Taniguchi and other GT pilots Kinoshita etc, will be piloting a lot of cars at the event.  If you can't wait that long. I'll be taking some small vids too.

Here is some History.

Images like these from 2001 brought me to Japan. Hundreds of Rx7s at Daikoku.

7's Day 2002 was my first time. This was also the day of the infamous Tomei highway race to get to Fuji circuit! You know there was awesomeness on this day! Every Demo car and hundreds of tuned Rx7s.

Power Tour returned in 2003. For newbies. They simply can't grasp over 500~1000 FD3s rx7s in the one place. 2003 was the last year before Fuji Speedway was close for renovations.

2004 I returned to Australia, but I still watched in Awe from Afar.

In 2005 I was back in OZ and Fuji was closed. Newera headed to Central Circuit for the biggest meeting.

2006 saw a return to Tsukuba for a huge "RX7 forever" meeting. Newera were again there in my absence.

2007 I was back... couldn't stay away. No Tsukuba, but Daikoku was Rockin!

2008 was awesome as well at Daikoku, but when there are circuit and street meetings, the turnout is awesome.

Last year 2009, Tsukuba, Daikoku, AquaLine, You'll never know what kind of craziness you'll find.

You have seen the posts before. If not go back over my blog, you'll find them.

If you are coming over, see you next week.

Russ.

D1 with Dino

When me 'ol mate Dino gets to an event, I thank him for some creativity. Some awesome long shots!

This one of Suenaga is far enough to make the Super Drift Frog FD look almost like an FD again. Awesome smoke.

Takayama on the brake. Do some weights for some left arm handbrake power. Right hard drive...

Yoshioka's 4 rotor Machine with the bonnet closed. He's be shooting this more in the future.

These days Dino's packin' a Canon EOS-1D Mark IV with his lens selection. We'll meet up again at Daikoku for the 7's day action. Make sure you check speedhunters.com as my posts will be a little delayed from 7's day. 1 week to go.

Russ.

Colin's 1JZ-GTE FD3s

ETCS? WTF?

This car has a few secrets. Another Canadian car with another super clear skyline.

Out on the street there's a GT-Wing that's been removed, and the older Efini lights don't shed much light on whats inside.

Look a little closer and you'll see some Amemiya and Scoot with the Sleek lights being Off for a good picture.

As the light is brighter the AD9 Skirts and N1 2000 bumper (the best one) with the small indicators is revealed.

This daylight shot reveals the true colour and image of the beast. There is a reason for the Scoot bonnet though. It's basically the only one thats lumpy enough to hide a 1JZ-GTE VVTI engine!!!!

Colin's Email was like this.

"Heres my story, I'm from Vancouver, BC, Canada, and used to import cars from Japan for a living.


2.5 years ago, I managed to find a FD with a bunch of RE-Amemiya parts (front bumper/skirts/gt wing/mirrors/headlights) and other goodies, but the motor / whole car was sitting for so long the coolant turned to rust and clogged up lots of the motor, long story short it let go within 6 weeks of me owning it.

After much decision of selling it or keeping it, I decided to keep it and have a 1JZ-GTE-vvti motor swapped into it instead of keeping the rotary.

Long story short, after a painful year and half to do the swap due to financial troubles..it Lives!!
Its just a weekend warrior..super fun to drive on weekends.

Mods are Exhaust, Intake, boost controller, intercooler etc, & divorced downpipe with external screamer for kicks! Going to bring it to the track once I upgrade my fuel pump and do some more small tweaking! (Just got running recently) "

and finally he adds


"With these mods it has I figure its putting out around 300rwhp right now more or less.. It really hauls ass. Breaks loose the brand new tires easily...but cant expect much out of rear 255 nexan n3000's, ha ha."

True. True.

His spec sheet is pretty impressive, but there are plans for more. I love the sound of a 1JZ on full song. "GZZZZZZZZZZRRRRRRRRR" The 13b rotary is an aquired taste. Bwwwwwaaaap!!!

Specs

Year: 1993
Make: Mazda
Model: RX-7
Odometer: 54,000kms
Motor: 1JZ-GTE VVTI, Single turbo
Transmission: R154, 5spd

Body specs:
-RE-Amemiya front bumper
-RE-Amemiya Headlight kit
-RE-Amemiya Side skirts
-RE-Amemiya Aero mirrors
-RE-Amemiya Carbon fiber side skirt diffusers
-RE-Amemiya GT carbon fiber wing
-ViS Scoot style Vented Carbon fiber hood

Suspension / Brakes/ Wheel Specs:
-Ohlins Coilovers
-17 inch KOENIG Special rims (staggered)
-Brand new Nexan N3000 tires
-Lots of new suspension bushings
-BREMBO pads (new)
-BREMBO rotors (new)

Driveline/Motor Specs:
-1JZ-GTE VVTi, 2.5L Inline 6cyl
-CT25 Turbo, External dump tube w/ screamer pipe
-R154 5spd trans/bellhousing
-Custom Light weight flywheel (10lbs)
-GODSPEED Front Mount Intercooler
-GReddy knock off BOV
-Custom 3 inch thick aluminum radiator
-E-Fan
-Custom driveshaft
-Full 3” stainless Exhaust
-High flow cat
-BLITZ NUR muffler
-K&N filter

Interior:
-Mazdaspeed cluster / 10k tach
-Sparco Fighter bucket seat
-Custom shifter
-Flipout dvd player
-MOMO wheel / Spacer

Thanks for the unique look at this unique machine. including the little Rabbit?? on rear.

Russ.

Matt's RX7

Canada... beautiful mountain backdrop!

 The city skyline aint bad either, but the foreground is for us.

Matt's email was like this.

"I'm from Vancouver Canada and I was wondering if I could contribute something to your site? I made a short film of my fd along with my friend's s14, I'm not sure if it's appropriate but it'll mean alot to me if you could post it. "

I think the FD3s community would love to see this FD. Well we can ignore the S14. The real coolness starts at 1m:14s. Here's the link : http://vimeo.com/12759801

RE-AD GT Skirts with carbon covers, N1 2002 front bumper and Carbon Undersweep and Canards, Hood 9, Diffuser, Gt-Wing and Sleek lights all RE-Amemiya.

Flat Black Advan RS look Awesome!!!!!! Tyres are 255/40/17 Michelin Pilot

480hp to burn and all you need to go fast. Track ready and used as such. Bride seats and a cage help g-force against the body and Nardi and other names go toward making this one of the best.

Thanks for sharing. I'll let everyone else decide if it's orange or yellow.
My guess is similar to the NCEC Miata Mx5 Sunflower Yellow.

Russ.

Rotor Mania

Stock FD in action never gets old. Rotor Mania offers a chance for Rotor Manics to get together.

Rotor Mania is held by the VMRC in Stamford and attracts all era of RX models.

Stock body FD is simply great. Montego blue is also on of those car specific colours, that can easily identify an early RX-7.

C-West and Enkei with some sleek lights harden the shape a little.

Sometimes nasty things lurk underneath a hood. It's only at events like this, that you get a chance to show off a bit. This powder coating is great. Turbine, hard intercooler pipes and dark matched pulleys and V-Mount look awesome.

Back on the street. RX-7s live here. Get out and Drive. Thos Veilside D1-GT kit looks great! When people see the FD3s in  motion, they do get a reaction.

Red seems to be a popular colour in America but I don't really see that many Red RX-7s here in Japan.

Of course I'm only posting the FD, but there was more on offer, do your research for more.

Thanks for the pics Dennis, keep us all posted on the US scene.

Russ.

Deals Gap 2010

Deals Gap Rotary Rally is a drawcard for many from all parts of America.

Getting to an event is half the fun. If you are driving a long way to show off your pride and Joy at a meeting of rotary enthusists, some go to great lengths to protect from stone chips. Painters tape is a cheap option.

Once you get there the tape comes off and the polish comes out.

The range of cars on display includes many the FD3s. The US tuning scene gladly embraces the Pettit rear fender, V8 conversions, and some copied JDM panels.

Seibon copied bonnets, etc etc, all link together somehow with some real stuff, DIY inginuity and customisation. It's easy to be critical, but it's a fact of cost vs availablity and great marketing by faceless companies.

Bride, Nardi, PFC are true JDM. The dash mount for the Defi guages is one of the great products that simply clips into the centre speaker hole. Thats one I do support.

Anyway, I digress. This event is about meeting and DRIVING! Driving events allow guys to see other cars in action. One view you don't get is of your own car in motion.

Someone else has to have a camera to capture you and you can capture others. So driving with friends is all worth it.

Deals Gap offers great driving roads around a lake area.

For me the speed needs to rise in this environment, but at low speeds offers chances to take a few shots.

2010's event was blessed with great weather. I'm glad Dennis was there to get these pics. Truely great.

If you go with friends, the trip home can be fun too.

Russ.