It is really bad ***, but then you think....

wait, I am going to spend a bunch of money to make one of the best looking cars ever made look totally different with no difference in performance.

Or... tell me, does it address the aerodynamic deficiencies of the FD RX-7?

Do we have aero figures on this model?
Coefficient of Drag?
Calculated Frontal Area?
Coefficient of Lift Front?
Coefficient of Lift Rear?

Dreaded FD Coefficient of Lift Side?
Just looking at it it should be better than the FD on this one.

 

great point. i think id be a customer though. maybe i get a second one to keep completely stock.

 

I think it'd be a shame to get rid of the slick bubble roof... Especially if it'd just make the costs more for the overall package.

I really like the direction the front end is going. Hopefully the wing will just be an option, not caring for it.

Lastly, how about making the wheel wells slightly larger, for overall larger/exotic rim, tire, and brake possibilities? Would be amazing, and make the overall impression more aggressive.

 

Lots of questions I can address either tonight or tomorrow evening, really busy at work at the moment. Thanks for the feedback I will try to get to each and every question I can over the next few days.
But to address some of the overview points I am digitally creating the models in Solidworks to fit onto the current FD body minus the fenders and hood. I will be doing CFD analysis to at minimum create a zero lift package, to do this I am partnering with the team at Autodesk that does all the aero testing for Indycar. To give a brief example of that work here is my winning entry for the Local Motors Street Car competition which will be built over the course of the next two years.

Local Motors SF01 - https://localmotors.com/idesigncars/sports-car-challenge/entries/

 

I also have some aftermarket replacement products in development for the FD, some which I will start posting soon enough.

 

I love the design of this and I can't wait to see what it looks like once it's more than just digital!

 

Damn. Kit looks good. Wonder what the price tag would be on it

 

I will be doing CFD analysis to at minimum create a zero lift package, to do this I am partnering with the team at Autodesk that does all the aero testing for Indycar.

Excellent! So it will look bad *** and provide function.

 

Also Most Kits have hte bad habit of making things heavier . Will this kit replace the Doors for example or will it just be a bunch of extra weight added onto them ?

 

It'd be nice if the factory rear fenders didn't have to be cut up /cut off. Probably not possible...

 

Here you go. Maybe too much gap?

 

Can't wait for this to come out because it will add value to my stock body. :]

 

I can't tell if you are being sarcastic or not

There has never been a body kit that has added long term value to an FD that I'm aware of but maybe this will be the 1st

 

That's what he's saying. As people install this kit, the value of his stock-body FD will increase.

 

Yeah it was sarcastic but also true. The kit looks pretty amazing but I like clean looking cars more.

 

I'm with you. This would be a great addition for a second, project FD. Stockish with twins, and this with some sort of freakish 20b

If you need CFD work, I know some guys: Velox Motorsports

 

might look cool next to my kit-car Cobra but I would have to see it in real life before I spent the cash. After all the time, effort, scraped knuckles, cussing, and $$ spent on my FD I might have to find a new project car to modify for this kit.

 

Oh man, my life's plan was to have two RX-7s. One with my dream aero package and a Spirit R I will keep stock. NOW it looks like I might have to have threeeeee

Looks great, I can't wait to see specs.

 

Ok let me take an initital stab at some of the points you guys have made.


During the time that I was designing this it was about 2013-2014 and was fairly modern looking compared to other cars. The end goal was to design a modernized FD that would be built on top of the FD chassis. I then started to take on more clients for my business and could not spend enough time to accomplish the kit in a timely manner. That is starting to change and I will be moving to the next phase of the project within about a months time. I didn't want to start a build thread a couple years ago and have interest wain from the initial excitement. I am still hesitant to post anything prematurely that may build unrealistic expectations. This is a project I work on in my free time and for now that's hard to come by.



You're pretty spot on, I'm estimating that to do the kit right, using high quality process and materials will cost the end customer about $15K-$18K if enough people are interested for me to move into small production(about 25 kits)

Yes, again the Vielside Fortune kit is $17K for the genuine deal and takes 3-6 months for them to make once an order is placed. So I figure there are enough people out there that may gravitate towards this kit to go to production.


There seems to be plenty of people will to chop up FDs now-a-days, and to have something that can sit next to a 458 or 650S or modern Porsche and look up to date I think will be worth it.

Yes the FD I'm using as a donor isn't quit a salvage but its not in the best shape aesthetically, which there are plenty of FDs already in this condition.

Yep that's what my goal was, to make a modern interpretation of an FD.


Currently there is a digital model, coming soon will be a 1/10 model then a 1/4 model, then I will go straight to CNC milled foam panels for final test fitting then later if needed for production milled molds. Currently all dimensions are based off FD blueprints, but later this month I will be digitally scanning the entire chassis and body panels to ensure that my hard points are as accurate as possible before going to physical models.

I've researched this heavily and as excited as I was when Kickstarter, Patreon, and Go Fund Me all sprouted up, there has yet to be a successful Automotive Design effort to bench mark for lessons learned. This discouraged me from doing so although I have several pages already written covering a whole KS campaign including goals and rewards at various levels.

I certainly hope not. First and foremost this design and build is showcasing my brand, if it goes to production I would expect people to use it in the same way their FDs are currently being used, which for most isn't too far off your statement now that I think about it.


There is a roof panel I am designing into this kit, I will be using it on mine, but it would be up to the end user to include it in the build. It would be awkward though to have just one of the panels missing from the kit but that's just my opinion.
The wing certainly is an option, one of the customers on the waiting list wants a wing for track use. Currently the waiting list for the kit is 4, all who know this is a side project and don't have deadlines to their builds.
Larger wheel wells are a must for the kit and will demand cutting of the rear fender to accomplish this just like some of the FEED and RE, and RB kits.

The bumpers front fenders hood and mirrors will all be replacement parts the rear fenders will be add on's and the doors I haven't decided but designed them to be add on's as well as to not compromise safety.

Appreciate the source, I have a CFD resource as well that I will include once I start a build thread.

Thanks for all the interest but please be patient this is a side project that does not pay the bills so my other work for now is a priority, if anyone wants to discuss further some sort of crowd sourcing campaign please feel free to PM I will try to answer in a timely manner.

 

You build that kit car using all fd running gear, And I will buy one. It would be the dream FD. Heck, I bet you sell just the chassis to many people wanting the geometry of the FD but with whatever body panels and looks they want.

 

Why no back shot?

 

 

 

Don't mind the wonky reflections on the rear fenders, the top light box is a round disc that creates unpleasant highlights in the renders.

 

Thanks for the full body pics.

Not feeling it but maybe it will grow on me

This car is just super hard to improve upon