Getting this power through the rear wheels and onto the ground is a different story. It starts with a modified transmission sporting Mazdaspeed 4.30 Final Drive and KAAZ 1.5-way Limited Slip Differential modifications. From there, the spinning motions run through an ACPT carbon-fiber driveshaft. ACPT creates these driveshafts to reduce weight, increase revs and provide superior torsional strength. Besides, who can complain with that much technologically-advanced material sitting underneath the floorboard? The carbon fiber fun doesn't stop there, however; as you can see in the pictures it continues throughout the interior and exterior of the car, adding to the relatively low curb weight of the vehicle.
As far as suspension is concerned, the entire car has been pretty much reworked with top-notch suspension parts from JIC Magic and Cusco, two highly-regarded Japanese tuners. First, a complete set of JIC FITA2 coilovers sit in the four corners, with their movements controlled by front and rear Cusco anti-sway bars. Keeping the suspension geometry in check under hard driving conditions is the job of the front and rear JIC Magic carbon-fiber strut tower bars. Additionally, the toe and trailing arm adjustments are kept constant with K2RDs Toe Link and Trailing Arm bars. To slow down the lighweight, high-velocity monster, Loi installed a set of upgraded Brembo calipers (a few days after the photo shoot and hence their absence from the photos) and Goodridge stainless steel brake lines filled with Red Line DOT4 fluid. Rolling stock consists of a family of Volk Racing GT-Ns (18x9 inches in the front, 18x10 inches in the rear) wrapped in appropriately sized Toyo tires all the way around.
Exterior amenities include several carbon fiber and fiber glass pieces. A FEED 1999 Efini-style RX-7 front bumper was installed and modified with the JDM Efini headlights housing a Slick-branded HID conversion. This piece integrates nicely with the vented Knight Sport carbon-fiber hood. The side skirts and rear wing are also carbon-fiber units from FEED. To continue the carbon theme, Loi accented the door handles with the complete FEED units-no cheesy tape overlays here! The most noticeable carbon-fiber attribute of the FD3S is the RE Amemiya rear defuser which is beastly enough to scare all but the most foolhardy of possible contenders, especially when coupled with the massive HKS titanium exhaust tip. You can never go wrong when you cover all your bases, including covering your car with a fresh coat of paint. Although the car was in excellent condition when he first purchased it, Loi had the entire car resprayed in factory black paint by SDCS in San Marcos, Calif.
Inside the car, the requisite Blitz gauges keep Loi informed of the underhood orchestrations. A Blitz SBC ID boost controller and an A'PEXi FC Commander manage the power production. To keep Loi and his passenger firmly planted, a pair of JIC Magic seats wer eemployed. As if the sounds of the raging rotary and twin bypass valves weren't enough, Loi also had a custom stereo system installed consisting of an Eclipse AV head unit with 6-in LCD screen, a quartet of Boston Acoustics Pro Series component speakers, and dual Apline V12 amplifiers. Loi's RX-7 can ride with the best of 'em and with this system, he can bump with 'em too.
The RX-7 might be discontinued, with the successor RX-8 on the way, but there is a saying among FD enthusiasts: "The Seven never dies." With Loi's car as a shining example of a recent tune and mod of this older generation sports car, you can rest assured that we'll see new versions of this old rotary classic rising up among the "piston and camshaft" masses.