Mazda FD3S RX-7 - Rando Sports
Bodylines
Wide fender body kits, box flares, carbon-fiber lip kits-sure, they might look trick on an import car and give a sporty appearance, but besides adding some flair to the car's aesthetics, what do these kits really have to offer the performance-minded consumer? Rando Sports took the theory of building a body kit for the sole purpose of performance to another level by creating its kits for one specific thing: enhancing performance. With the markets flooded with all types of body kits, Rando Sports set out to be unique with its FD3S kit by offering a unique look but retaining the natural silhouette of the RX-7.
Setting out to prove a point, Rando Sports purchased an RX-7 in poor condition with plans to rebuild from the ground up. Once the haggard car was in their hands, the long and tedious process of stripping it for weight reduction, engine rebuilding and bodywork got underway. The first part of the car to be addressed were its visual aspects. A full aerokit was fabricated on the FD skin with a trick front end, projector lights, side steps, and Rando rear bumper. A 3-D carbon GT-wing "Type II" supplies the needed downforce to keep the drive wheels down at high speeds on the circuit, and has been vigorously tested and approved in Super Enduro Racing. A FRP (fiberglass) bonnet replaces the factory hood to minimize the car's curb weight. With the body kit complete, black pearl metallic paint was generously sprayed onto the shell. In order to give the car its race bred appearance, Rando Sports enlisted the help of BLAST inc. to lay down custom body graphics complete with the bright red and white Rando logo.
13B Powerplant
The 1994 factory 13B-REW underwent a full engine overhaul to produce a significant horsepower increase over stock but also to retain its reliability. The rotor housings received much of the attention with the stepped ports being modified for full race trim applications. Larger apex seals replace the factory units to ensure a more boost friendly motor. The factory sequential turbos were modified in favor of larger snails but the exact specs are kept under wraps by Rando Sports. The only indication that these turbos are not your typical turbines is the M's high power filters and custom Tanabe exhaust manifold. On the hot side of the turbines, spent exhaust are evacuated through a Rando downpipe and Tanabe Super Medallion Racing Spec exhaust system. The small, often heat-soaked factory intercooler has been replaced with a larger Knight Sport kit in conjunction with custom aluminum intercooler piping. Although the factory fuel injectors are still being used-a testament to the spectacular engineering of Mazda-the fuel pressure has been increased with the aid of an aftermarket fuel pressure regulator and Skyline GT-R fuel pumps. Splitfire ground wires provide the proper voltage for the various electrical components in the car, while an F-Win aluminum cooling circulation system enables the car to run at peak operation temperatures at high RPM. The task of controlling fuel, spark, and a number of parameters for the FD3S falls to an A'PEXi Power FC, calibrated to racing specs by Fujiwara-san of Poll Getti racing. With the engine build complete, it turned the dyno to the tune of 397.4hp at 7320 RPM and 271.5lb-ft of torque at 6088 RPM. Impressive indeed!