Last month I bought a very special car, a 1991 UK RX7 FC3C with a mere 42,000miles on the clock from new.
Many of you may recognize the car from the MRC community, shows and events. At Rotorstock 9 (2012) this car won \'Best in Show\' which is a testament to it\'s condition, and the enthusiasm of it\'s previous owners in keeping it that way.
Since purchasing the car, I decided that it must be kept as original as possible and if modifications were to be made they must be in keeping with the character of the car
Below, there are a few photo\'s of the car and the work I have carried out over the Winter
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1480.jpg)
The BBS\' didn\'t always look like this, when they first arrived they had taken the brunt of many British winters. Take a look at me refurbishing them over a few weekends
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1404.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1403.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1405.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1406.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1407.jpg)
The finished product..
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1408.jpg)
I ordered some fresh Falken ZIEX-ZE914 rubber and had them balanced. My local mechanic said that they balanced up incredibly easily and were a very lightweight rim. In contrast to the previous wheels, they are very light indeed. Many thanks to Clive for sourcing genuine Mazda Nuts!
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1481.jpg)
With the Snow, Rain and general rubbish weather there wasn\'t many opportunities to drive the car in January. The sun did creep out for a while this past weekend so I took a blast to Snetterton Circuit to watch a Trackday.
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1448.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1482.jpg)
Next on the cards was a call to Clive from Racing Beat Europe, we discussed how to gain a bit more power from the car and this is without a doubt the best option...
http://www.racingbeateurope.com/bracing-beat-rev-t11-complete--exhaust-system-for-1987-to-91-turbo-iib-1386-p.asp
http://www.racingbeateurope.com/bracing-beat-fuel-cut-controller-for-rx-7-turbo-iib-1621-p.asp
A Racing Beat Foam Panel Filter, and Fuel Cut Defender were also ordered. The panel filter ought to help the car breathe a bit better and the fuel cut defender is required to let the Hitachi Turbo go beyond stock boost levels.
I wanted the items fitted by a professional Rotary Shop, so looked no further than Hayward Rotary. Carl was extremely helpful and the Racing Beat Goodies were sent straight down to the unit.
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1490.jpg)
George, Brad, Ian and Carl were brilliant. Their experience with Rotaries really shows, and they explained everything clearly as they were going along.
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1487.jpg)
This is what the stock exhaust looks like..
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1484.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1496.jpg)
It was like Christmas all over again, un-boxing the new parts
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1495.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1498.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1504.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1507.jpg)
(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1493.jpg)
I got the car home safely last night and plan to take some more photo\'s of the exhaust, maybe a high quality video with a DSLR at the weekend. I had new NGK BUR9EQP plugs fitted and a compression test carried out. The engine is very healthy and the new Racing Beat System has increased the boost level closer to 0.8 bar as a pose to the standard 0.5. It\'s a very noticeable power difference, and sounds great. Can hear the Turbo alot more too!
At this point just want to thank Hayward Rotary, and Racing Beat Europe and hope you are all enjoying this thread so far :Tongue1
good god thats a clean engine bay !!!!!!!!!
Haha now son of mine.....tell everyone how clean it was when you bought the car from me......you\'ve given it a mere tickle compared to my undoubted superior detailing skills lavished on it over the summer.....and how many of the wheels did you refurb ? I thought daddy had already done 3 of them :Nono!
You have taken it to the next level with the exhaust though.... :)
Doing the wheels was a joint effort, yeah it was tough. One person doing harsh rub-down and keying. Another doing fine rub-down and polish. Have been advised to lacquer them but I like the metal polished finish..autosol, surf city garage\'s killer chrome and tea are definitely your friend when doing wheels!
It\'s always a pleasure to see this car ,hope to see it at again at a few shows this year
She\'s looking fresher than a popsicle :P
awesome work on the wheels :)
It\'s good to know that car is being looked after - and sensitively improved :)
I love the RB exhaust - it just sounds so nice and with a vert you can actually get the roof down and enjoy the symphony from the rear... :Thumbs-up
Thanks chaps for all of your positive comments. To a moderator...is there any way I can share this thread with other 2nd gen owners without re-posting the entire thing?
not really , i can move it into the 1nd gen section ???
Yes please, that\'d be great. Then other 2nd gen owners can see
OK , and i meant 2nd gen section .. not 1st Gen ( DOH ! )
*** Thread moves as requested ***
Looks good :D
Okay, purchased some genuine Raybrig Headlamps and Raybrig 6000K HID Kit yesterday and they should arrive early next week. Will get some pictures of the exhaust tomorrow maybe even a video. This will mean that my existing clear lamps will be for sale soon!
Hi can you tell me where your getting your lights from as my need replacing as well
Thanks Michael
Hi Michael, the Raybrig Headlamps are on eBay, they were shipped from Malaysia and arrived in something crazy like 3 days, I was very impressed. Including postage and customs I believe they cost me around £110. I tried test fitting them today, see what you think..
My uprated clears will now be for sale and I am looking for around £50..
(http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1607.jpg)(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1607.jpg)
(http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1606.jpg)(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1606.jpg)
(http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1605.jpg)(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1605.jpg)
Here Is a comparison between the two..
(http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1583.jpg)(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1583.jpg)
A blind RX7..
(http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1588.jpg)(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1588.jpg)
(http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1589.jpg)(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1589.jpg)
As I said, these were loosely fitted today to gain a preview of what they will look like, the HID kit should be here tomorrow if Parcelforce pull through (such a nightmare dealing with them)
(http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1592.jpg)(http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/aa349/Greg_Downham/RX7%20FC3C/H1RXY/IMG_1592.jpg)
Good news too, I found my DSLR Charger so will be continuing the thread with a Nikon D7000 rather than a iPhone camera!
I do like the raybrig units. Had some on my very first egi. Wish i had put everything back to standard on that now. Had the ally bonnet too... Ho hum. Thats enough of me being sorry for myself.
Where did you get the raybrigs from and how much?
See post above, I think with postage and import duty around £110-£120. I have fitted the entire kit today, pictures to follow in the next few days! The quality of these products are amazing, it was like a spaghetti junction to put together but wow, what an improvement!