RX-7 Build Values Balance Over Outright Horsepower

There's a reason one of the favorite tuner cars is the Mazda RX-7. The combination of its balanced handling and turbo rotary make for a very entertaining car that with a few mods, can handle many more high performance cars. Even though the RX-7 has long been out of production, a lot of Japanese tuners still choose the last version of this platform, known as the FD3S, to showcase their wares and knowhow. In this case, this particular car is from RE-Anemiya, famous in Japan for its string of RX-7 buildups, which have put even 650-horsepower R35 GTRs in their place.

Built for the popular touge events in Japan which take place in twisty and narrow mountain roads, this car has already proven its top dog credentials by winning quite a few events. Touge cars are completely built machines which value horsepower, handling, braking and driver skill in equal measure. As an indicator of the principles guiding the build of these cars, this particular RX-7 has “only” 400 horsepower, which RX-7 enthusiasts will know is still way below what a modified rotary can produce. For this build, the OEM twin turbo setup was retained but the intercooler was upgraded and then repositioned to give the shortest possible routing through the system. The goal here was minimal turbo lag instead of outright power.

DG-5 coilovers replace the original shocks and springs while Brembo calipers and two-piece rotors make up the front braking system. The rear brake setup uses the original calipers but sees the rotor replaced with a high performance component.

The rest of the car has the requisite aero add-ons for maximum downforce, as well as a few carbon fiber bits like the hood and wing to help lighten the car. The rear end was revised to shorten the overhang although the aesthetic qualities of the mod leave something to be desired. Most of the mods performed were done in view of the requirements of the car’s chosen event but even so, the balanced upgrades were enough to make this car a winner.

Source for this article here.
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