I first noticed Michael’s FD3S at our Downshift Meet in Mansfield a couple of months ago. And when I saw Bryce Forrest‘s small sample of images on fb, I knew we had to have it featured on the site!
The FD3S has always been one of my absolute favourite shapes, and this 2001 RS model is the pinnacle of the RX-7 series, in my opinion. Finding a clean, relatively unmolested one has always been like finding hens’ teeth!
After a little digging and chatting, I found out that Michael’s gorgeous FD3S is actually a super clean Series 8 RS that he sold his gorgeous Mazda R100 to build. He purchased it as stock import and drove it back north from Sydney, before the modifications commenced.
The 13B twin turbo motor on Michael’s car is very healthy and currently making 280hp at the wheels, running just 10psi of boost. Not a huge amount of power to be sure, but when the car only weighs in at 1250-ish kilograms, that’s plenty to get up and boogie!
Light engine mods are limited to an Apexi Power FC, AutoExe intake, Walbro E85 fuel pump, and 3.5″ SMB stainless exhaust.
The thing that immediately strikes one upon looking at the car is the stance, and enormous custom-sized Work VS-XX wheels with polished lip and white centres. They measure in at 18×10″ at the front, and a ridic 18×12″ at the rear, with 285 series tyres. Drop in ride height is achieved by XYZ coilovers.
Something a bit more subtle and hard to notice are the custom made front and rear guards, that fit the wheels just perefctly. The OEM wing and wipers are deleted, enhancing the already super clean, smooth look of the FD. The front lip, RE Amemiya street diffuser, and Ganador mirrors are all colour coded.
Audio is lightly enhanced with a Pioneer head unit, 6.5″ components front, and 5×7 4-way speakers in the rear.
Michael’s future plans are to do a NA 26B 4-rotor conversion with a Microtech LT-16C ECU. Just imagine the sounds!!
I also managed to track down a few gorgeous, clean shots from photographer Kevin Nguyen. Cheers mate!
