There are very few cars out there that the vast majority of enthusiasts would universally enjoy in terms of styling and performance. Representing the rotary engine setups, the RX-7 were a strong breed of cars when they rolled off the assembly line back in the early to mid 90’s. A decade later, there are less and less of these prowling the streets, but those that remain are pleasing to the eye. Some of these that are still out on the road have been restored like none other, carrying traits we all wish we could own. This fresh white RX-7 has a shade of blue pearl thrown into the paint, throwing a twist into the mix. The fun never stops there though, as the 13B-REW motor has received plenty of love from the aftermarket.
Focusing first on the rotary engine setup, Pettit Racing Hybrid Hi-flow turbochargers replaced the stock units. An Efini turbo outlet connects to an HKS downpipe and through a Bonez hi-flow cat converter which dumps everything out of an HKS Carbon TI exhaust system. The upper and lower intake manifolds were removed and ported which receives fresh air from the Blitz dual core intake system. A Blitz blow off valve can be heard in between shifts while this 13B powered RX-7 rolls around. A GReddy intercooler upgrade complete with intercooler pipes was outfitted onto this RX-7 to give it the menacing grin it so deserves. Helping keep the fuel in tuned is a Cosmo fuel pump and A-RF fuel pressure regulator. In the drive train, a pair of RP goodies found their new home: RP carbon driveshaft and RP final drive gear (4.33 ratio). Before you shut the hood though, it’s hard to miss the bright blue GReddy pulley kit, oil cap and the Blitz radiator cap.
Electronics are a galore in this RX-7 as well. Aside from the custom white interior and Sparco Speed racing seats, a duo of GReddy 52mm gauges rest on the pillar. With boost and EGT explained to the driver’s left, a Blitz dual solenoid boost controller and Blitz FATT turbo timer lie on top of the steering column. Easy access to bump up the boost indeed, and with the GReddy boost cut controller installed along with the Pettit Racing ECU, this RX-7 is ready to strike up a conversation with anything. Perusing around the rest of the interior however, a Cusco 5 point roll cage matches the Veilside steering wheel. Contrasting the blue and the white are bright green Takata harnesses and a Veilside shift knob. In car electronics are almost a given for any feature car and this RX-7 kept it simple. In the center console is a Panasonic MP3 head unit and an Xtant 603 amplifier helps power the beautiful sounding Focal 130CA speakers. In the trunk are two 10” Xtant subwoofers to provide some bass outside the exhaust note.
On the exterior, it’s hard to mistaken this RX-7 for any other. The entire body has been resprayed a white shade with a mixture of blue pearl. An entire C1 Veilside body kit has been installed along with the side and rear skirts molded onto the body. Tossing away the stock mirrors for more stylish Craft Square Carbon GT units, the carbon fiber shade didn’t stop there with the addition of a C-West carbon GT wing. Up front a lighter carbon fiber hood found its way on the hinges and in the rear is a set of RE Amemiya carbon diffusers. The stock pop up headlights have been replaced for a more modern set of C-West units, and the rear taillights were swapped for JDM round units.
Finishing off the entire package is the suspension, brakes and most importantly the wheels and tires. Wheel and tires arguably make or break the design of a custom car, and this RX-7 went exactly down the right path. Like all its other modifications, high quality and hard to find was the name of the game – Volk Racing diamond cut GT-P’s are sitting on this chassis with 18x8 in the front and 18x10 in the rear. 225/40/18 Toyo Proxes RA-1 tires wrap the front pair and 275/35/18 wrap the rear. The entire 7 is brought to the ground with a set of TEIN HA coilovers. Further reinforcing the chassis is a set of Cusco front and rear strut tower bars. Stillen cross-drilled rotors replaced the old pieces as Metal Matrix Kevlar brake pads help ensure this RX-7 stops when asked to.
It’s a shame we’ll never see more of these bodies produced in the future, but we can only hope any return of the RX-7 will be as great as its predecessor.
