FD3s Version II

The introduction of the RII coincided with the minor change to the FD. The potential increased in showroom models as BBS rims became optional in 17" designs. Other external design changes were minimised to the addition of white front fog lamps instead of yellow. Internally, the centre console received a bigger armrest and the type R dash eliminated the chrome trim in favour of less offensive black metal designs.

Aircon was converted to the new type R134a greenhouse safe gas, so we can protect the universe while we pump out O3 killers through the exhaust... Automatic options were removed from the entire range and became only available in the Type S and X. Other variants were the type R and Touring X with the soft options, sunroof and leather seats.

This evolution model also included a bunch of reliability upgrades to unseen components. Weight decreasing options from the RZ were also offered on standard models and a bit of rigidity was added with the rear crossmember tower bar becoming standard. Damper sizes were increased and the rear trailing arm design changed.

Improvements all round made a better FD, While the version I cars are generally known to be unreliable second hand, the version II models seem to be much more reliable whilst still being very cheap these days making for a great entry level car. I was lucky enough to grab one of these and it performed very well indeed.

Russ.


1993/8~
Type RII E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 2Seat 7.3km/l 3,380,000Yen
Touring S E-FD3S 1308cc 3 4AT FR 4Seat 7.0km/l 3,740,000Yen
Type R E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat 7.3km/l 3,910,000Yen
Touring X E-FD3S 1308cc 3 4AT FR 4Seat 7.0km/l 4,230,000Yen
My Car...

FD3s Version I RZ

300 cars were produced in the first special Rx7 version of the the Efini FD3s. Designated the "RZ", the Z was for Zero. The Zero Fighters of Japanese war time were inspirational during the development of the FD and were studied by Mazda engineers for their use of lightweight materials. This didnt help Japanese pilots as they were ripped to shreds by US bullets, but it helped the FD shed some unwanted kilos.

The RZ version went 30 kilograms lighter that your regular car by using kevlar racing bucket seats from the utimate seat manufacturer, Recaro. Combine this with the removal of rear seats in favour of light plastic storage and you are on your way to a bit more performance. Air-conditioning and Audio were optional with many customers chosing to leave them out in search of even less weight. Automatic was not an option either to keep the car as a drivers special.

Based on the type R, this version was not just an optionless car. Additions were the Bilstein Dampers with a much harder setting, and many reporters complained of the harsh ride in the cities. More contributing factors were probably due to the drivetrain and wheel / tyre package. Diff and Engine mounts were strengthened and the 4.3 diff was changed from 4.1 for better accelleration. Wheels were also finished in Gun Metallic paint and surrounded by Pirelli P Zero tyres, which I think were chosen by name only.

Brilliant black was the only colour chosen for the body which suits this car that had the hard edge styling of the deepest Japanese underground. With such a performance focus in this car a few extras could be found to aid the occupants as the driver tried to wring it's neck. Knee pads on the door and centre console for lateral support and a passenger footrest to brace your navigator, all contribute to the subtle list of changes to the RZ. A true collectible FD3s Efini Rx7.

Russ

1992/10~
Type RZ E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 2seat ----km/l  4,050,000Yen

FD3s RX-7 Version I

The start of the FD was the 3rd generation of Rx-7 and this one carried the name of Efini RX-7 in Japan while elsewhere it was simply called Rx-7.

The major selling point of the RX7 at the time was the shape.

Curved Doors and vented outlets!

door mounted mirrors and crazy door handles! The car has some pretty ground breaking design elements in a time when duel exhaust tips were a premium item.

Utilizing the rotary engine to the maximum, is this real sports car adopting the 13B type 2 rotor rotary engine that generated 255 horsepower with the addition of a sequential twin-turbo system. Front and rear double wishbone suspension was made utilising aluminum that decreased unsprung weight substantially.

The front and back weight distribution was 50:50 allowed by the front / midship relationship of the engine location. Power to weight ratio achieved 4.90kg/ps with the light weight version which is 50kg lighter, including the aluminum bonnet.

The front lip was an option as was the rear wing although included on Type R models as standard.

 

Many other option packages included sunroofs and rear window wipers. Cruise control, bose acoustic wave audio systems.

Only one style of wheel was available, 16" lightweight alloy wheels.

Best fuel economy was 7km/l which was not great but for a sports car, it was still pretty good. Available versions twere the “type X”, “type R” and “type S”. The type R was a 5 speed manual only, while the others versions had options of a 4speed AT.

The type S was the entry model and had less power and usually distinguishable by the single oil cooler.
Started at 3,700,000 Yen while the optioned up models with leather interior in the Type X started at 4,400,000 yen which was pricey indeed. But this was at the height of the Japanese economy.

Production of the FD had begun and what was to follow just refined this awesome machine.

Introduction colours were.
Brilliant Black, the amazing Montego Blue Metallic, Vintage Red( The colour most faded in the world.) and classy Silver Stone Metallic.
Competition Yellow Metallic was the most desirable.

White was not offered on the initial batch.
Russ

Type R E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat 7.3km/l  3,850,000Yen
Type X E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat 7.3km/l  4,340,000Yen
Type X E-FD3S 1308cc 3 4AT FR 4Seat 7.0km/l  4,440,000Yen
TypeS E-FD3S 1308cc 3 5MT FR 4Seat 7.7km/l 3,600,000Yen

TypeS E-FD3S 1308cc 3 4AT FR 4seat 7.0km/l 3,700,000Yen
 

FD3s History Links

The FD Rx7 is now almost 20 years old and there has been numerous changes to the basic showroom supplied models over those years. There have also been more than a few special versions that have sat beside the stockers on the showroom floor. Whether you have an FD3s already and want to know a bit more about it's origins or you are looking to buy one. I hope this reference can give you a bit more info than your tanulated model listing. Check through the old archives and your trace the FD history from the first FD3s Efini version in1991 to the final Spirit R in 2002.

There has been six relatively distinct changes that result in version differentiation. Some more minor than others and within those versions the range of models varied quite dramatically in Japan. While overseas models were void of the automatic transmission and usually laiden with leather and optional extras, You could buy a cheap stripped out version or a more expensive luxury spec version in the Japanese Domestic Market, which may have included mechanical, visual or optional enhancements. All just a customised tick away on the option sheet. So determining the Version of FD can become difficult at times when the Version and Type separations can be overridden by the options listing. Whether a Type R is a Type S with extras or a Touring X has the features of an Rz is all posible somewhere during the FD life cycle. But I am glad its complicated. It would be pretty boring if there were just one version.

So let's begin with the earliest FD that earned its Japanese name from the skunk works projects at Mazda engineering in the late 80s. The "Efini".

1991/12 - FD3s Version I - Efini Rx-7

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1991/12/fd3s-rx-7-version-i.html

1992/10 - FD3s Version I - Efini Rx-7 Type Rz -300

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1992/10/fd3s-version-i-rz.html

1993/08 - FD3s Version II - Efini Rx-7

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1993/08/fd3s-version-ii.html

1993/10 - FD3s Version II - Efini Rx-7 Type RII Rz -150

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1993/08/fd3s-version-ii.html

1994/01 - FD3s M1020
http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1995/04/fd3s-version-iii-m2-m1020.html

1994/09 - FD3s Version II - Efini Rx-7 Type RII Bathurst -350
http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1994/09/fd3s-version-ii-r-ii-bathurst.html

1995/02 - FD3s Version II - Efini Rx-7 Type R Bathurst - 500

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1995/02/fd3s-version-ii-r-bathurst.html

1995/03 - FD3s SP (Special Preformance) - 25 + 10.

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1995/05/fd3s-rx-7-type-sp.html

1995/03 - FD3s Version III - Efini Rx-7

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1995/03/fd3s-version-iii.html

1995/07 - FD3s Version III - Efini Rx-7 Type R Bathurst X - 777

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1995/07/fd3s-version-iii-bathurst-x.html

1996/01 - FD3s Version IV - Efini Rx-7

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1996/01/fd3s-version-iv.html

1997/01 - FD3s Version IV - Efini Rx-7 Type RB Bathurst X - 700

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1997/01/fd3s-version-iv-bathurst-x.html

1997/10 - FD3s Version IV - Efini Rx-7 Type RS-R - 500

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1997/10/fd3s-version-iv-type-rs-r.html

1998/01 - FD3s Version IV - Efini Rx-7

1998/12 - FD3s Version V - Rx-7

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/1998/12/fd3s-version-v.html

2000/10 - FD3s Version V- Rx-7 Type Rz - 175

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/2000/10/fd3s-version-v-type-rz.html

2000/09 - FD3s Version VI - Rx-7

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/2000/09/fd3s-version-vi.html

2001/08 - FD3s Version VI - Rx-7 Type R Bathurst R (RR) - 500

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/2001/08/fd3s-version-vi-type-r-bathurst-r.html

2002/03 - FD3s Version VI - Rx-7 Spirt R - 1500

http://rextreme.blogspot.com/2002/03/fd3s-version-vi-spirit-r.html

2002/03 - FD3s Version VI - RX7 Type R Limited Edition - 50

Click on the links for more info on any of the above models. Some of them might surprise you. Not all are the all out ball tearers you may think. Others have a true heritage and others become common. So whatever model you have or choose, enjoy it knowing its true origin.

Russ

FD Model 1/24 - Hotworks RE-Amemiya 2004

Mazda FD3S RX-7
Hotworks RE-Amemiya D1 Rx7
RE-Amemiya D1 2004 season drift car
Wheels are RP03 with N1 and RE-AD GT Body, AD9 Hood
Engine detail has single torbo and triangle strut brace. Fender Mirrors and D1 interior with belts and bucket seats.

RP01 are a bit large. later replaced wit Mazdaspeed MS01. Able to lower the height now.

Another hotworks model gets added to the collection. On sale at D1 event. I couldn't resist.

Russ.

FD Model 1/24 - Aoshima Cwest

Mazda FD3S RX-7
Aoshima C-West ver R Kit
British Racing Green
Pivot Light Kit,Custom Lowering
18" RAYS LMGT4 Nismo Wheels
Sleepy Lights, Vertex Canards
Green dash panels and white gauges
Nice polish.
mini shoot shows that I forgot to paint the brakes... oops.
But it still looks cool. Rear lights have a little more work than usual. small holes cut into the outer layer expose the bulbs.

Russ.

FD Model 1/24 - Aoshima D1 Asamoto

Mazda FD3S RX-7
Aoshima D1 Asamoto Pan Speed CWest Kit

Decided not to go with the Asamota scheme as I have another similar.

Colour Light Titanium Silver Blue (need new pics)
Custom lowering, Hotworks Seats and Belts
Custom rear Lights
18" Nismo LM GT4 Wheels with Hotworks tyres
Missed the spray on the rear wing... oops.

Interior has Hotworks left overs. They really brighten up these kits.

FD Model 1/24 - Aoshima RE-Amemiya D1 2004

Mazda FD3S RX-7
Aoshima RE-Amemiya 2004 D1 Masao Suenaga Kit Minus D1 Parts
Flat Black with Clear (prototype style)
2005 S-Package Interior Used
Custom Lowering
Carbon Interior Decals
17" Advan RG Style Wheels

Check out the build pics on my Photobucket

Deep Tint on the screens finish this midnight runner nicely.
Up close the details are cool. The bumpers are a little more squared than real RE-A N1 Bumper. But pretty close.

Russ.