I considered putting a thin clear 3m layer on the outside for protection. The guys at FAL said polycarbonate wasn't as prone to scratches as lexan, and whatever scratches I get could be relatively easily buffed out.

Happy New Year!

Not much new, just continuing to squirrel parts away while hibernating


R1 strut tower bar to replace the Cusco D-style. Not sure how I'm going to finish it yet, or if I'm definitely going to use it


Mazda console ashtray and 7tuned.com decal - thanks Eric


I still haven't had the chance to get the passenger foot rest re-finished. I'm thinking a satin black powdercoat to match the carpet


I finally picked up a polished thermostat housing. This one's off a '94. Thanks Rizwan


I need to get cracking on the Rotary Amuse RA-937 badge to replace the faded vinyl



I've got a few more things to get before it goes into the body shop. Hopefully she's in soon so I can have her out and on track as soon as the snow and salt clears.


Cheers!

I sold the Classics today, so I hopped on CCW's site to find a good replacement. Tripped over this awesome surprise. Photographer / magician... lol - I give all the credit to my wife's 5D:



I loved the Classics, enjoyed re-finishing them, and loved how they came out. I just wish they made stickier tire options for a 17x11 that had an OD shorter than 25". I should be ordering a replacement within the next couple weeks.

The tough decision now is old school or new school, Japanese or American, 17s or 18s... Whatever I go with, they'll definitely be black...



I also ordered some FRP and carbon fiber from Japan yesterday (talk about horrible timing with selling the wheels and trying to get the car ready for the bodyshop)

Some are going to hate it, but I'm going to love it - here's a teaser

I got a text from my buddy Dan this afternoon. It's funny - I'm not on bookface or instagram, but somehow I keep ending up on them anyway.

I've been busy trying to stand the 2014 fiscal year up at work in what used to be my spare time, starting a few projects (one of which is an RX-7 aero addition I'm working on with a Utah composite company - can't wait to get this one going! More to come in a few months), and continuing to collect parts.

I ordered a new set of wheels... and I only have to wait five more months for them to come in from Japan! I will be ordering tires shortly - really no rush though, since I can't store them in the garage with the occasional sub 14 degree weather.

My carbon fiber and FRP parts should be here from Japan within the month. I'm anxious to get them in and share what I've got going on - definitely something new with a lot of effort in development.


I spent some time recently putting together the 2014 7tuned calendar. There were a lot of great RX-7Club submissions, so thank you. I'm happy with how it came out.

Please PM me if you would like to pick one up.



My wife and I were planning on picking up a GoPro for our wedding in September, but it just never came to fruition with all the other hectic planning going on. Well, being a wedding photographer, my wife's busy season is right around the corner and she wanted to test stop animation and time lapses as part of her options. Score for me - I get a new racing toy!

I used a friends GoPro a few years ago at Monticello Motor Club, and have been anxious to get my own since. I'm looking forward to getting some footage with the FD and friends cars in the spring and summer - just need to wait until the salt clears.


A new 2.14 mile race track will be opening in the fall less than five miles from my mother-in-laws house in Palmer, Massachusetts - Palmer Motorsports Park. Super excited! I am looking forward to planning a rotary only track day and Quabbin Reservoir cruise weekend spring or summer 2015. Can't wait!


My wife and I went out to the track a few weekends ago to take a look, but we didn't feel like getting arrested for trespassing, so below's all we saw. I sent an email to the track PR rep and set up a full tour February 15th. The track will definitely be more geared towards the Subaru with the 8" ground clearance than the RX-7 in it's current state, but the view will give me an idea for what it will be like when it opens in the fall (edge over the competition!). I'll strap the GoPro to the Subie to get some footage to share.

I ordered some new front fenders to add 25 more millimeters to go with the new bumper and wheel set up. I figured I'd go carbon fiber to continue feeding my addiction. Although I have a thing for raw, clearcoated carbon fiber (as the hatch will go on), I will not be putting the fenders on unpainted. I'll try to find a classy way to tie the carbon fiber front canards and carbon fiber front diffuser in to a portion of the fenders left raw. Not sure how just yet - we'll see.



Toby did another once over inspection of Shine's carbon fiber quality.


Although the sheets weren't laid perfectly (which was discussed and known since I intended on painting a majority of it), he approved. He definitely appreciated the packaging more than the pieces though.



Cheers!

MROW!?

New track!? Nice.... I'll have to come up for an event once it's complete! :)

Absolutely :icon_tup:

I've been trying to keep my plans under wraps until everything was in, but the quality of what I'm receiving demands credit to the creator. Parts are beginning to trickle in, this time from Japan by way of Texas, so I'm going to spoil the surprise - I know you were all so anxious lol.

I have been working with Brent at ISS Forged to import a Total Car Produce Magic (TCP Magic) FRP G Face bumper, full CF Type GT front diffuser, and full CF Type GT front canards from Taisuke Kawato - the same bumper set up on Brent's SEMA FD (look for a feature on his beaut in Super Street shortly).

I initially considered a '99 bumper with Leg Sport Canards and Odula lip (even lined up an order with Mary at Rotary Performance), then a FEED Afflux Version II bumper with canards, then an RE Amemiya N1 or AD Facer 9 set up with canards and diffuser. Once I talked myself into RE Amemiya aero money and found the TCP Magic set up, I figured I'd go with something fresh and original (FEED and RE Amemiya's kits are beautiful, but aren't as rare anymore) that had a good mix of function and form.

It's a bit over the top for street use, but should help on track with my lower power settings. I didn't opt for the full kit, and am probably throwing purist aero package fans into fits with the mix and match style I'm going with, but I'm looking forward to the final product. I contacted a bodyshop this past weekend to talk about incorporating some quick release fasteners to the diffuser for easy access under the engine and quick release fasteners to the bumper/fenders for easy access over pretty much anything. The rest of the kit should be in by end of March.


Brent had sent me a set of prototype side canards (or gravel shovels as my wifes calling them - I'm going to incorporate quick release fasteners for track use only so I don't destroy them around the New England roads) with some additional goodies and TCP Magic schwag (thank you sir - much appreciated!)

Caution - awesome stuff inside

Twill patterned to match the rest of the carbon fiber overload

Not sure if I'm going to use these, but I greatly appreciate the surprise


If it's good enough for Masaki Kitajo of Craft Company, it will be good enough for the Rotary Amuse FD!

Now might as well be be as good a time as ever to put all my cards on the table - after much consideration on replacements, I decided to go with a set of original TE37's in 18x9.5 and 18x10.5 +22 all around (18.4 pounds F, 19.4 pounds R) to run a set of 285/30 AD08Rs (27 pounds). Not as good looking as the CCWs were in my opinion, but will be just as rigid with a shorter overall diameter and significant weight loss - remember add lightness!

Seems Rays is pumping out special editions left and right that are readily available in the states, which is awesome, but most authorized dealers aren't stocking the OG's. I just had to go with gloss black, so I'm going to have to wait 6 months - one month down, at most five more to go! Thanks Mark at RS


Cheers!

Loving this build and your car. Nice work.

Thanks for the complement

The feeling is mutual with your brilliant black build - super clean with great attention to detail

Happy spring! It's just about FD season for us New Englanders.


Right on schedule! My TCP Magic bumper and diffuser came in today exactly when promised. The canards will be here shortly. Thanks Brent and Kawato-san!

This won't be anything new if you've seen VJ's TCP Magic post, but I figured you can't have too much of a good thing!


To offset the added downforce up front, I decided to order a wing. Function will trump form with this move, and similar to the front aero set up, some people are going to hate it but I know I'm going to love it.

I initially considered Voltex's dual element Type 3 wing like my friend Tony's on his S2000. Although it is one of the best GT wing options on the market and is pretty damn sexy, I ultimately didn't like the way it looked on an FD. I then considered FEED's GT II-R wing or RE Amemiya's GTII high wing to try and keep it in the rotary family. In the end, I went with Voltex's Type 2 wing with a gurney flap (1700mm, 275mm, Type B). With proper adjustments and the gurney flap, it will add as much downforce as the Type 3 and look better in my opinion.

Aaaaannnndd... since I'm jumping the aero shark and trying to beat airflow and ground effect, I figured I might as well do it right (sans rear over fenders for once I grow up and want to tame the FD back down)! I ordered a set of Craft Square carbon touring competition mirrors.

The wing is due in mid to late July and the mirrors are due late July to early August. Soooo... more waiting. It's looking like the FD won't be going to the bodyshop until mid to late summer, but I should be fine to roll on the Volks with the factory rolled front fenders until then.

Thanks Hugh and Evasive for all your technical help to get the right set up.



In other waiting news, the wheels should be here by the end of April. I'll be ordering the tires within a few weeks to time it right for installation. Unfortunately RS only mounts tires on Tuesday (or Wednesday?), so I'm going to have to take some time off to head down to Long Island to get everything squared away. Either way, I can't wait!


Cheers!

I realllly like how the undertray is molded into that front! that's pretty sick

Love that front bumper....definitely functional. Now I cant wait to see this after the body shop.

I've been drooling over that bumper for a good long while now. I can't wait to see it all done!

When you go to long island let me know maybe we can meet up.

Looking good Rick! Can't wait to see the bumper installed on your car.

The diffuser design was pretty well thought out, especially with the built in brackets. Coming up with a quick release set up is going to be tricky - we'll see what we can come up with.

Here's TCP Magic's installed pics. It looks like Kawato-san has changed the design a bit making it one piece

Pretty cool idea for brake cooling - Masaki Kitajo's modified TCP diffuser



That makes two of us :icon_tup:.

I'll need dual oil coolers (paging SBG) and some ducting to make it 100% efficient, but it's a good start


Give Brent at ISS a call. There's a bit of a wait, but it was well worth it.

Much deserved plug: I would highly recommend anyone to do business with Brent, JR, VJ, and the team at ISS Forged. Stand up team that went above and beyond on importing my parts.

I didn't get to pull the trigger on a set, but I would love to see another RX-7 fulfill my dream and run a set of F1-15's (gloss black lip and satin black face). If I ever replace the TE37s, that will be the direction I go. Rumor has it that Kitajo-san's adding a set to his vast collection of Advans.


I have a body shop tech making a garage call to see what we can do to get the project going. I'm most likely going to do two trips to the bodyshop: the first to do the bumper, canards, diffuser, fenders, rear hatch, rear window, hood re-alignment, and front extended studs and spacers, and another visit in the summer to do the wing and mirrors.


Sounds like a plan - PM me your number


Thank you sir! Have you gotten out on track yet this year?



DHL seemed to have misplaced a set of canards with my bumper and diffuser shipment (probably somewhere between taking everything out of TCP's packaging, going through everything, wrapping everything back up in plastic, then throwing it back in a random box - again with only plastic wrapping - minimal shits given, and now they have an expensive aero piece kicking around their Cincinnati warehouse), so Brent and Kawato-san stepped up and rush delivered another set. Thanks again gentlemen - I can't stress enough how much I appreciate it!


The AD08-Rs have been ordered and should be in by Tuesday. I'm anxious to see how they compare to the Direzzas, which were phenomenal on track. There's a lot of great hype videos for the AD08-Rs (Arvou's S2000 with Taniguchi and HKS' FT86, Under Suzuki Silvia), but not much side by side comparisons yet. We'll see how they perform in May when the wheels come in - I'm just hoping the 9.5" +22s tuck in the front rolled fenders until the FD goes under the knife.


Cheers!

Pm sent.

PM replied - I look forward to working with you :icon_tup:



It ended up being a little premature, but the tires came in on time. Turns out there was some loss in translation (literally) in regards to the wheel timing. The wheels won't be finished in production until the end of May, so they won't be at port in the states until mid-June. This matches the timeline they initially quoted, so I think I got a little too anxious. Well, I needed to get tires eventually anyways so no harm done.


Ellie and Toby know their Tsukuba, and know what it takes to shave 1.7 seconds - they aren't buying that drop from the AD08 to AD08R just in changing compound on a softer S-type...

We do, however, agree that it will be a good tire overall.



I had Brandon out to my garage to start figuring out my project. He had some great ideas - I'm looking forward to working with him :icon_tup:

One big decision up in the air is paint or vinyl...

We'll see




Cheers!

Not much new with the RX-7: new tire totes, a rebuilt alternator, and temporarily back to rolling on the OEM/Direzzas. Still waiting on the Volks, Voltex wing, and Craft Square mirrors.

Brian swung by when Mark and I were tackling the alternator rockin' a new pair of shoes. Substantial weight loss and lookin' good! I am doing my best to refrain from buying his bronze stockers for my flat six. The wife's on board with it; we'll see how well resisting goes!



Awesome last minute weekend plans had me in a Recaro bucket, six point strapped in heading up to New Hampshire Motor Speedway with Tony and Tommy Friday for trackside support with the S2000. Damn do I love my life!

We braved the rain and a short thunderstom - not a bad nights sleep though

Tony's new aero additions - sexy stuff!
Simple, but pretty damn awesome/efficient trackside set up


Tony and his instructor, Dan Baldwin, getting ready to do work. His instructor, coincidentally, is a fellow FD (of the piston persuasion) owner who lives less than ten minutes from me in Rhode Island. His FD's down in Atlanta for the time being, but should be back in the ocean state soon. You can see him and his car tearing up VIR in Modified Magazine (rest in peace) at the RX-7 Track Day Special. Sidenote: I found out hauling ass down the VIR front straight meant 144mph for Dan- gah damn!



I noticed an odd lapping pattern towards the end of the second session: Porsche turbo, Tony, E46 M3 black, E46 M3 silver... Turbo, M3, M3... Turbo, M3, M3... "Tommy - where's Tony?"...

We eventually found Tony outside of pit lane exit. A wheel stud had snapped, with the remaining lug nuts backing themselves out on the north oval. Without a bearing press and spare studs, our trackday weekend had come to an end. Most unfortunate, but Tony and Dan coming off the track in one piece was the important part.

Tony ended up calling one of his performance shops within 15 miles of the track to see what we could do. They luckily were open for the day and advised us to bring it in. We were able to get four lug nuts seated and torqued down for the slow going excursion from Loudon to Manchester.

Tony is currently having the shop do extended ARP studs all around, and ordered a set of lug nuts on the ride home. He'll be ordering a replacement TC105N shortly and will be bounced back in no time! Seeing a once beautiful wheel turned mangled is enough to have me installing a set of ARP studs before I throw the TE37s on.

Misfortune aside, it was a hell of a lot of fun! The sights, the sounds, the smells, and the great company had me chomping at the bit to get back out there!



Thanks for the invite - always a pleasure gentlemen!


Cheers!

Danny McVee - not that your bad ass set up needs it, but here's some inspiration I found up at NHMS for you before I forget

Front


Rear

Nice.... Was that Pocono raceway you were on?

That's the same rotors/calipers we use btw... Looks like they just have a 4 wheel setup without a parking brake, not really necessary for 95 percent of FD owners. :)

We were at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on the 1.6 mile road course configuration

I remember you wanted me to snag a few pictures for you of the AP set up on the ALMS SRT Viper at the Baltimore GP, so I figured I'd send you a few more for your collection. That would definitely be overkill on an FD! I saw the new competition rear brake set up by the way- great stuff! I'll have an order in once (if I ever) square away everything else I have lined up

I also saw you got Clunkers running. Wanna come up and race Thompson Speedway (COMSCC July 27th) with us? Clunkers has a good looking rear end - wouldn't mind staring at it all day - lol. You've got a place to stay and trackside support set up if you're interested. Just bring spares, your gear, and the car.

That offers open to any other rotary / track enthusiasts as well - PM me




So some more on the trackday - sorry, I ran out of steam last night.

A Cayenne hybrid (a hybrid? as a tow vehicle? 7.7K lb towing capacity - that'll do it!) set up shop next to us bright and early Saturday morning, and had an awesome surprise in tow: a 7sOnly MazdaGT! I saw this car on a lift at a local shop's open house a little while ago, but wasn't able to track down the owner or get a better look.


The owner noticed my shirt as I was admiring his car, and we got to talking. Turns out the owner lives in the same town as Tony and Tommy.



He had a few questions on who I'd recommend for a rebuild on his 12A - there may be a certain honey badger endorsed NJ shop getting a call soon


Awesome guy with some serious speed out on track! We should be seeing more of him throughout the season

I'll close it out with some other cool stuff I came across over the weekend. Please excuse the quality, I didn't have the 5D crutch to lean on:


I also have a lot more pics, well at least enough to make Porsche purists whine about how "it isn't a real Porsche" (blah blah get over it blah blah), of this badass Cayman if anyone is interested




E30 track toy: if only I had a mini fortune and a lot more patience


Noble M400 at the shop we dropped the S2000 at


Super cool custom intercooler and airflow panel. "Meh - it's just a twin turbo Taurus engine"



Can't wait 'til the next event! :icon_tup:


Cheers!