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Thought experiment: A 2019 RX-7 build by Mazdaspeed (like a Singer Porsche)
Hi
So I am having this idea that i cant get out of my head, and i thought it would be cool to throw it out there to see if it resonates with other people.
The concept:
The FD RX-7 is reaching "classic" status. Prices are going up and its slowly working its way from the F&F ricer, to a car for an older and more conservative group of owners, or at least that is my hypothesis.
Then the question is, how would a aftermarket restoration/modification workshop build their ultimate factory quality RX-7 restomod? I am thinking in terms of what Alpina is doing to new BMWs, what Singer does to old Porsche.
While there are a lot of skilled and knowledgable shops that deal with the engine and getting horsepower from it, I am pretty sure there are not anyone who does anything similar to Singers work on Porsche.
You start with a clean car, and you build a modern 2019 version of this car, but with a OEM or better touch and quality level. What aftermarket parts would you use, and what would you have to custom make?
Would you do the popular BorgWarner EFR IWG, or would you go with a full custom and remade twin setup (BNR on steroids), maybe even N/A.
How would you pack it? Classic SMIC, or a V-mount? And if so how would you make a V-mount that does not scream "im modified yo". Maybe Water/Air?
What about the interior? Classic OEM or a full leather or alcantara overhaul? Spririt-R seats, or beefed up stock leathers?
Exterior kept OEM 93, OEM 99, or something else? Mazdaspeed parts, or even full carbon fiber panel setup?
I feel like some of the cars RE Amemiya have done would be up there with a full on restoration and modification. The cars with the full custom front and rear ends and such.
I would love someone or a company to make a set list of repairs and modifications and buy and sell modded FDs. Yes, EFR 8374 IWG on turblown cast manifold would be part of the package in my opinion as well.
Some potential issues in my opinion are-
1) It would expose the true cost of a well maintained/repaired and modded FD. Its going to be a $50k+ car.
2) Not able to be registered legally in CA where a big part of the market/money is.
3) Going to have reliability issues. Rotary engine aside, the entire drivetrain is pushed to the edge of reliability right where an FD gets really quick (~450rwhp).
A recipe for super carefully crafted 20B NA lightweight FD similar to Porsche GT3RS could be done for reliability, but it would still have issue #2) as well as be a $100K car instead of $50k.
The singer rx7 idea has been expressed here several times in recent years, not sure there's a need for another rehash. Biggest problem compared to a Porsche, lack of ongoing support from Mazda compared to the Germans. Going by an attempt to build up a shell at the moment, increasing amount of even simple FD stuff is no longer available so you end up scouring for part-outs like the R100/Rx2,3,4 nutcases, so not a good business plan for a boutique business.
Mazdaspeed parts were mostly discontinued 10+ years ago, doubt that's a viable option. Most of the Japanese body kits, or heaven forbid, c/f panels scream pre-pubescent syndrome. Might have been appealing some years ago, with teenage owners and cheaper cars....who probably couldn't afford to buy those bits anyway....more mature tastes with money, I'd expect stock or factory option sill panel and mudguards at most.
Sounds like a great idea but someone would have to make some parts custom due to some parts are no longer available. I would vote for a 4 rotor na car with a mild street port. The body I would leave oem with the exception of feed style skirts. I would also do a all flat bottom tray. Interior I would keep oem and add a navigation/entertainment type screen. Something similar to the hellcats. I would throw in a roll bar also. Ohlins suspension and some better bushings and sway bars. Some light wieght wider wheels also. In all it would be a very expensive car. Maybe reaching 125000 to 150000 dollars. Well worth it in my book but who would buy one.
I guess with billet sidehousings kind of available now a 4 rotor streetport would be possible. But do you want 250Lbs (NA 2 rotor min weight) in front of the original engine location (where your other 2 rotors reside)? Not going to handle like an FD.
I measured and if you rotate the 13B so spark plugs are down you can actually fit two 13B side by side in the FD engine bay. So, you could do 4 rotor NA and use new Mazda engines with Mazda drysump front covers and keep the FD handling. You would use a dual motor drive out of an inboard boat to the transission.
Steering shaft has to go over the top, flip the rack so input shaft is forward and use a gear drive (like a quickener) to connect the two.
I'm currently building something more akin to what Mazda's answer to the F40 would have been (in my eyes) if they had tech from the 2000s+. Light, 2 rotors, turbocharged. If I wanted to make a more plush 'Singerized' I'd say a naturally aspirated 3 rotor similar to GMonsen's ride.
I think we are fast approaching an age where "making parts" are not going to be an issue any more. Everything you need to make a extremely detailed cast aluminium one-off part is going to cost you less than $500. A 3D printer, a kiln, and some greensand for casting and you are set.The same with carbon fiber parts. I think that in 5-10 years there are few limits to what can and will be produced in one-off or low scale runs.
One of the questions im troubling my mind with now is if its possible to make a V-mount setup that looks anything like it could come from a factory, adn not an aftermarket company like greddy og HKS.
Originally Posted by billyboy
The singer rx7 idea has been expressed here several times in recent years, not sure there's a need for another rehash.
Its not a "singer" rehash per se, i am just curious to what people think that sort of FD would look like. I have read both the "Singer RX-7" thread and the "Ultiamte OEM" thread, and they sort of touch the subject. I dont expect that there wille ver be a "Singer" version of the FD, its does not have that pedigree yet (if ever at all), but i see them pop up for the Skylines.
A few of the build threads are like that (meticulous) but they require such a large investment in resources that it's not cost effective for a rare car like the FD.
You'd need a critical mass of cars... it might work if you ran a shop that included the other rotary models, but otherwise it doesn't scale because you'd be out of customers really fast.
I prefer the sequential twin turbos, so I'd go with a '99-02 turbo or BNR build.
Just like with Singer builds, not everyone is going for the highest horsepower or regular track driving.
Mazda has been doing Miata restorations in Japan, and it has a resulted in a few parts that have been brought back. for the Miata there is no market in the US, its too $$$
This is essentially the concept for Gordon's car. Remanufacture it as though cost wasn't an object when it was produced, retain the timeless vintage feel.
My idea was to do a Singer-style FD, although I think I started this before Singer got into doing his Porches. I wanted a luxurious, more reliable FD that retained most of the stock styling and design, but was made of much better materials. The NA 20b doesn't make more than about 380-390 whp without pinging a bit, but the sound and the nature of the power is great.
Zeptican... You might find my build thread interesting.
