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Having owned my 92 JDM FD for coming up on 2 years and being how I am.. I've come up with tons of knowledge, bookmarked sites, etc.
This is intended to be the down and dirty basics, if you want to learn about the 99 spec or a Spirit R those things are pretty detailed and easily found elsewhere.
Chassis Code
JDM VIN's (or, chassis code) can't be decoded like US cars. They start with FD3S, followed by a 1-6, and the rest are irrelevant. The 1-6 denote which version/evolution/change it is, with 1 starting in 1992 (december 1991) and 6 ending in 2002.
The chassis code should be engraved on the top of the firewall under the hood. You should also have a sticker inside the driver door jamb that is similar to a US VIN sticker in that location.
Not sure how accurate it always is, but you can input you chassis code on this site to get year, color, trim, etc. Use google chrome and turn on the translator - https://mazda.epcdata.ru/
Vintage Red Silverstone metallic Brilliant Black Motego Blue mica Competition Yellow mica
Type S - Equivalent to US Base model, Single oil cooler, cloth seats, etc.
Type R - Equivalent to US R1/R2. Hard suspension, suede seats, dual oil coolers, front/rear spoilers etc.
Type X - Equivalent to US Touring. One difference being, the Type X had automatic climate control.
Type RZ - Available October 1992 and limited to 300 units for that year. Only BB color, Bilstein shocks, Recaro front seats, and the ONLY trim in version 1 without back seats.
Version 2 - Aug 1993 - Feb 1995
Minor but quite a few small changes from Version 1.
Vintage Red Silverstone metallic Brilliant Black Motego Blue mica Chaste White
Trim names changed but same details as before with a few trims added.
Touring S
Type R
Touring X
Type R II - a Type R without rear seats (bins)
Type RZ (2) - Same as prior RZ, this time limited to 150 units and added 17" BBS wheels.
Type R II Bathurst - You'll find lots of "Bathurst" trims. In 1994, The FD won the Bathurst 12 hr race. This first trim commemorates their win. 350 units made, no rear seat.
Version 3 - Mar 1995 - Dec 1995
Again, a few minor changes with one exception being the change from the original rear spoiler to the "dolphin/whale/duck" type.
Vintage Red Silverstone metallic Brilliant Black Chaste White
Touring X - "Luxury suede" seats, otherwise similar to before.
Type RZ (3) - Same RZ as before with some upgrades. Brakes enlarged F and R, commonly called 17 inch brakes for the wheel size needed. Final drive changed to 4.30 ratio.
Type R-S - Similar to previous Type R trim. The Type R-S includes the bigger brakes noted on the RZ, and a Momo steering wheel.
Type R Bathurst - 500 units made, this time a 4 seater.
Type R Bathurst X - 777 units made. Leather seats, gunmetal wheels.
Version 4 - Jan 1996 - December 1998
This is where some larger changes are made to the FD.
Computer changed to 16 bit. Manual models increase from 255ps to 265ps. Round tail lights. Changed dash illumination from amber to green.
Vintage Red Silverstone metallic Brilliant Black Chaste White
Touring X
Type RZ (4) - Same options as before, just in new 1996 spec.
Type RS - Same options as before and now includes 4.30 final drive.
Type RB Bathurst
Type RB - Appears to be the base model of this year.
Type RB Bathurst X - 700 units made. Projector type fog lights, special design rear wing, rear wiper, and special decal.
Type RS-R - 500 units made. Revealed in October 1997 after the change from "Efini RX-7" to Mazda RX-7 in Japan. Also the 30th anniversary of the rotary engine. A mix of the RZ and RS trims, only available in Yellow and White with gunmetal wheels. This car has a gauge cluster with the 30th anniversary design.
Version 5 - Jan 1999 - Sep 2000
Finally, the "99 spec" we all love. Many changes, not going into detail here.
Power increased to 280ps.
Updated turbos.
New front bumper, adjustable rear wing.
Passenger airbag added.
Cluster redesign with tachometer starting at 6 o clock.
Highlight silver metallic Brilliant Black Chaste White Innocent Blue mica
Type RS - Bilstein shocks
Type R - Hard suspension
Type RB S Package
Type RB - Base model
Version 6 - Oct 2000
ABS computer updated.
Cluster faces changed to white with amber illumination.
Side impact bar added.
Vintage Red Sunlight silver metallic Brilliant Black Pure White Innocent Blue mica
Type RB
Type RB S-Package
Type R
Type RS
Type RZ (6) - Similar to previous RZ models. 175 units made. Only available in Snow White Pearl Mica.
Type R Bathurst R - 500 units made. Showa height adjustable shocks, carbon look dash panels.
Spirit R Type A - Manual, Recaros, no rear seats.
Spirit R Type B - Manual, 4 seater.
Spirit R Type C - Auto, 4 seater.
This may not be inclusive or 100% accurate. Will revisit as I can. Feel free to add to or pose any questions.
nice! i've been curious about the Japanese models for a while.
if i may add, here are the colors available, the FD is easy, its all in the parts catalog, and the USA was the same as the rest of the world. my chart is missing the one 1994 car in N6, Pearly White
Note that the VIN search engine is a Russian site and could be a phishing vehicle. There is also a Russian site that tracks the auctions and exports from Japan. Again it might be a front for a phishing exercise, so be careful what you click on.
To be clear, the JDM interior plastics were RHD configuration, naturally. No interchangeability.
Im sure he meant the textured version of the plastics that came in the later US cars. Obviously not interchangeable, just noting the change from smooth to textured.
I think 18g (UNDER 1999) refers to Highlight Silver. But I dont see Highlight Silver mentioned in the table.
.
thank you for that, i had the 18G in there, but screwed up the name. the really dumb part is that way back in 1999 my friend bought a Silver FD (3L) and he wanted a 99 wing, and we had to figure out which one was the silver, which we did/ the 3L and 92 colors are really close, the difference is like the 92 has a slightly larger mica flake.
TL;DR? i knew it was a different color already and still screwed it up! neat planes.
Here is the colour code chart from JDM Body Manual WM4011, (Page 74). Does not seem to mention a shade green. Chart is largely in Katakana (i.e. English words written in designated script for foreign words). Chart lists the input colours in the paint mix.) Page 74 Manual WM4011 (Nov, 1991).
Don't know the mazda designated colours, but there's definitely a dark green - not uncommon here - and one of the shells stored here has green components off a front cut. Initial post seems maybe a general outline, wouldn't be taking Mazda published numbers on Bathursts or any other variant too religiously either.
it lists GU/SX in the Japanese market catalog, since its GU/SX it implies the High Reflex System.
i did not take the dive with the FD that i did with the SA though, so i didn't go any further although i think i did own one in Grand Turismo 2 :P
You are referring to FD? Do you mean Shade Green? What is the colour code on the shell you have there?
Does it show date of manufacture? VIn? Can you post a picture?
Number of cars originally exported to Australia is a bit of a mystery.
No firewall left on that one. Seems I'm entirely mistaken, montego blue mica, still seems more green than blue to me no matter where I look.
Somebody (parts interpreter at mazda?) did do the numbers of cars on one of the Aussie forums from 92 to 97, but only a few hundred in total - imports since would have eclipsed that figure several times over!
Thank you for posting this.
i have a 1992 type R vin # FD3S-102355 which shows as manufactured on Jan.28th 1992. does this mean my car is 2,355 car ever produced? also being a type R i always found it odd that i have a rear wiper as well, could this be a spec'd option from the dealer? i also decoded the parking pass on the rear window as Mishima City near mount Fuji. it is really cool to see how the car spent it's fist life in Japan before exporting to Canada in 2007. (15 yr import law).
nope! you have to keep in mind that Mazda had different vin prefixes for each market, so for your FD35-102355 there was a USA JM1FD3316P0202355 (which was made 2/19/1992) and then there is the European one, JMZFD33??P0202355
and then they don't come out of the factory in strict order either, its close, but not exact
also being a type R i always found it odd that i have a rear wiper as well, could this be a spec'd option from the dealer?
You're welcome.
I believe the rear wiper was standard on the Type R, mine has (had) one too.
I was lucky to find the previous owner of my car in Japan had a blog/diary still online of his ownership with the car. Eventually they found me and got to speak with them. Super cool to know the history even if only a small slice.
Car name RX-7 grade [Limited car] Type RZ
Mission 5MT
Drive system 2WD
Equipment [Limited car special equipment (limited to 150 cars)]
・ Ultra-lightweight full bucket seat (RECARO)
・ Front ・ 235 / 45ZR17 (Expedia S-07)
・ Rear ・ 255 / 45ZR17 (Expedia S-07)
・ Front ・ 8JJ × 17BBS brand aluminum wheels (for RZ only)
, rear 8.5JJ x 17BBS brand aluminum wheels (for RZ only)
, special tuned dampers (made by Bilstein)
, knee pads (door side)
, passenger seat footrest board
, storage box
, high pressure casting Aluminum wheels (dedicated color)
, reinforced Torsen LSD
, less equipment ▲ (Premium music system)
[Base car]
Type R
■ Contents of premium music system
5 speakers (front 25W x 2, rear speakers 25W x 2, center 25W x 1) + Diversity FM / AM electronic tuner + Electronically controlled full logic cassette deck (with 25W x 4 amplifier) + Power antenna & glass print antenna
Body Manual WM4011-D 1991 November - Colour Chart
