The RX-7’s clean and shiny engine compartment is attracting a lot of attention

The “WEKFEST JAPAN” event originated in the U.S. and is a high-level custom car show in which only cars that have passed strict screening are allowed to participate. The car we spotted at the 2024 show was a Mazda FD3S “RX-7” that had undergone the “wire tuck and shaved bay” technique, which has become a trend in the American customization scene in recent years. We asked the owner about the details of his customization. </p

The second FD RX-7 incorporates American custom elements

“In Japan, there are not many FDs with shaved engine compartments, but in the United States, it is mainstream, so I added that atmosphere. The store we work with makes US Hondas, so we started by saying, ‘Let’s add a little Honda flair and American flair.

“Inapyon,” owner of a 1999 Mazda FD3S “RX-7,” said that he had driven an FD when he was a student but had to give it up once due to financial problems. The overall concept of the car is as described above, but since a lot of work has been done in areas other than the engine compartment, let’s take a look at the exterior first.

Whether to use raw legs or air suspension, is the question

The body kit that impresses the exterior is mainly by RE Amemiya, including the front fenders, which were installed from the time of purchase. As for the inner fenders, they were ordered from overseas and installed. The wing is also made by RE Amemiya, which was given to him by a friend, but the wire was not RE Amemiya’s, so he searched for it and obtained it through an Internet auction. The body color is all painted in Nouvelle Blue Pearl, the genuine color of Honda’s NSX.

As for the suspension, DESMOND RegaMaster EVO II wheels are paired with VehicleField dampers, but the company has some conflicts regarding this suspension.

“I usually drive with this ride height, but I’m torn between wanting to put in air suspension because I have to choose where to put it, and wanting to keep it raw.

The performance aspect is also a must

The engine room, which is the main focus of this project, was wire-tacked and shaved bay at X-Point Imports, a pro store in Chiba Prefecture. Some of you may be unfamiliar with the terms “wire tuck” and “shaved bay,” but simply put, they are used to hide the wiring in the engine bay (wire tuck), smooth out unnecessary holes, and make the piping look clean and clear (shaved engine bay). This is simply to hide wiring in the engine compartment (wire tuck), smooth out unnecessary holes, etc., and make the piping, etc. look clean and clear (shaved engine bay). </p

In addition to this attractive work, a side port tuned engine with HKS GT III-4R turbine, etc., was installed to achieve 485ps under LINK’s ECU control, and the performance was also improved.

In addition to this, “Inapyon” has also modified the interior and installed a 4-point seatbelt, etc. Does he drive his RX-7 on circuits in addition to exhibiting it at car shows?

“I did a little bit of circuit driving before I built this car. I ran it once right before I did the all-pen, and tried to make a car that I could take to shows and run, but this became my main focus.”

translated by DeepL