Kuruma Parts Paradise: FD3S Mazda RX-7

Let’s have a look at some of the more interesting parts available in Japan for the FD3S Mazda RX-7.

Now in its 17th year, the FD3S RX-7 has remained a popular car for Japanese car and rotary enthusiasts the world over. Regarded by many as one of the best designs to come out of Japan, the lines still look fresh after all these years. Couple good looks with a low curb weight, brilliant handling and a twin-turbo 13B rotary engine and you have one very fine sports car that begs to be modified to bring out its best.

Let’s take a look at some new (and not so new) parts available for Mazda’s 1991 – 2002 RX-7.

RE Amemiya FD3S Super GReddy3 body kit

RE Amemiya’s Super GReddy3 full body kit was introduced at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon being the latest in a long line of full RX-7 makeovers by RE and GReddy, starting way back in 1989 with the GReddy I – 7. Available in two parts, the main kit includes: hood, front bumper, front lip spoiler, front fenders, side steps, rear overfenders, rear diffuser, headlights, turn indicators, headlight wiring harness and acrylic covers for the headlights. In order to install the kit a horizontal intercooler set up is needed. All this will set you back 890,400 yen (tax inc)! But that’s not all…

The rear part of the kit consists of a rear bumper, tail lights, tail light wiring harness and a rear hatch which, as you can see in the photos, dramatically changes the styling with a low sweeping curve between the tail lights. It’s possible to leave this portion of the kit out and just install the main kit thus saving the 336,000 yen (tax inc) you would need for the rear parts. At 1,226,400 yen for the entire kit, you’re guaranteed exclusivity!

Total Car Produce Magic FRP Rear Hatch and Doors

TCP Magic in Nishinomiya have some original parts available for the FD3S that are all go and no show. Starting with the rear hatch, it’s made totally of FRP including the rear window so you can imagine how much weight is saved over the standard hatch. TCP Magic say (no surprises here) that it’s only for race use and cannot be used on the street. The FRP rear hatch goes for 78,000 yen and an identical item made from carbon fiber goes for 128,000 yen.

Still want to lose more weight? TCP Magic also produce FRP doors for the FD3S which they say are 60% lighter than the original items. The electric window mechanisms and door rubbers can be still be used. As with the FRP rear hatch, these doors are for racing use only and not for street driving. The FRP version comes in at 98,000 yen for the pair, and identical carbon fiber items (with FRP inner frames) go for 148,000 yen for the pair. Some major weight saving parts for the already light and agile FD.

Knight Sports Carbon Tower Plate

The front strut tower brace to end all strut tower braces… for the FD3S anyway. Knight Sports put a lot of effort into producing the Tower Plate, the original concept calling for a ‘next generation’ of strut tower brace incorporating good looks, light weight and high rigidity. Made of honeycomb fiberglass and carbon fiber, the Tower Plate is very light despite its considerable size. Upon opening the hood, you are met with an expanse of beautiful carbon with a clear coat finish giving a “racy” appearance. Retails for 102,900 yen.

FEED Fujita Engineering High Response Piping Kit

Fujita Engineering have a nice looking polished piping kit for the FD3S that reduces flow restriction by straightening the path of the main pipe and smoothing and enlarging the inside of the throttle body adapter piece. The 16-piece kit comes with polished piping, polished adapter piece, silicon hose and hose clamps. It’ll be in stock again from May 20 and sells for 52,290 yen.

Ikeya Formula Sequential Shifter

Ikeya Formula’s Sequential Shifter has been around for years now and it has won over many friends with its high quality construction and shift action. It uses a drum-like mechanism to change from the standard ‘H’ pattern shift to a proper sequential forward/back shift. The clutch still needs to be operated because the sequential shifter is only changing the shift pattern; it isn’t connected to clutch operation in any way. The Ikeya Formula Sequential Shifter is available for a variety of cars, but the strangest implementation seems to be that of the FD3S RX-7 version. Why? Due to the wide and high profile of the FD RX-7′s center console the standard gear lever is quite short so any increase in lever height is going to look out of place. The Ikeya Shifter mechanism is quite bulky and for the FD3S version at least, it means the very tall shift lever has had to be bent towards the driver in order to give an acceptable position in which to change gears. The result is, shall we say, an ‘ungainly’ appearance with the lever situated very high compared to the stock position. The bulk of the shifter mechanism means that it sits very close to the hand brake lever making it uncomfortable to use (see photos). Prospective FD3S customers may want to consider this before taking the plunge. The Ikeya Formula Shifter is priced at 147,000 yen including tax.

Border Racing Hood Meter Panel

Border Racing have a good solution to the “where should I put my boost gauge?” question with their Hood Meter Panel. It can be attached to the dashboard easily with commercial grade double sided tape and there’s no need to fasten the gauges in place, the holes are cut precisely at 52mm or 60mm for a secure push-in fit. The Hood Meter Panel can even be ordered without holes if the customer so desires. Available in black clear coat FRP and carbon fiber, the Hood Meter Panel sells for 18,900 yen and 42,000 yen (inc tax) respectively.

Words: Justin Karow

Images: Peter Horniak, RE Amemiya, TCP Magic, Knight Sports, Fujita Engineering, Ikeya Formula, Border Racing, Rotarist