Wide Body Rollers

Once the chassis returned from WD Ultimate Custom, Chin started measuring the FD and calculating the offset necessary to properly fit a set of 19-inch wheels under the widened fenders without using spacers. Working with his wheel sponsor, Work Wheels, a set of custom Work Emotion CR2P wheels were ordered to go with the ultra-wide Nitto INVO tires that were ordered for the project. With 255/35R19s up front and 305/30R19s out back, the FD’s wheel wells were filled in nicely.

Brembo Gran Turismo calipers and cross-drilled rotors peak through the Work Emotion CR2P spokes.

Reassembling the RX-7

Speed Tek now got to work putting the FD back together. Before dropping the 13B into the engine bay, changes were made to keep the area as clean and tidy appearing as possible. It was decided that the A/C, heat, ABS, cruise control and power steering would be removed to minimize the clutter, while custom brake lines replaced the stock plumbing. A Rywire chassis harness replaced the factory unit, making the connection between the ECU and the engine bay electronics.

Scramble For SEMA

Just days before the auto transport was due to pick up the FD for its cross-country journey to SEMA, oil began puddling under the chassis. The engine hadn’t even been fired yet, but this development added even more pressure to the build team. Speed Tek saw several possible points of leakage, but decided to leave as little to chance as possible. They replaced the oil pan and gasket, along with the oil lines, fittings and oil thermostat. The finishing touches were completed within hours of being picked up by the transport, but the FD was headed west on time.

Wide Body Debut

It’s not often that a twenty year old car can make a debut appearance and attract the attention of the masses, but as one of only two RX7s to make an appearance at the SEMA Show clad in Rocket Bunny’s new and highly desired wide body kit, it certainly made some fans and caught the attention of others. After SEMA, the car took a trip to Auto Talent in Carson, California, to be broken in and tuned by Koji Arai. Unfortunately, further oiling issues arose as smoke bellowed from the exhaust during the drivability portion of the tuning. Given the content of the build, Chin and Shieh project that once the oil issue is resolved, the FD should put down approximately 525 horsepower to the wheels. Before going back to New York, the FD also made an appearance at Sevenstock Seventeen at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. It was a real attention grabber as many of the rotary fans had never seen the build in person.

Once the RX-7 gets back to the east coast and its wrinkles get ironed out, the plan is to go to shows in the New York and New Jersey regions to inspire show attendees and garner further attention. While some show car builders aim to show every single thing that could be done, this partnership demonstrates how it should be done.