Here we are again stepping into a controversial subject, but I couldn’t help but choose this FC3S on the BC Forged booth as my first spotlight from the 2017 SEMA Show, such was its impact.
Plus, I’m a sucker for any RX-7, and this will be the second V8-swapped one that we’ve taken a look at in Las Vegas this week.
Is it a trend, a consequence of people being tired of rebuilding rotaries, or just a way to get attention? Actually, none of the above.
The owner used to run this LS engine in his drag-spec FD3S, but recently dropped it in the earlier RX-7 chassis just for a bit of fun.
And the Turbonetics twin-turbo setup is guaranteed to ensure things get exciting when the boost levels rise.
A lot of thought and attention has been put into making sure it all fits and looks the part.
Things get pretty tight around the strut towers so I’m sure it took a lot of persuasion to get everything in place.
The FC sits on BC Racing suspension and the ride height has been properly optimized for show purposes. Read: low.
The 2-piece BC Forged rims are wrapped in sticky Toyo Proxes R888 street-legal cut slicks that despite their soft compound will no doubt get overwhelmed by the massive torque the engine develops.
The wider stance does all sorts of awesome things to the FC’s legendary lines, adding just enough aggression. It’s then spiced up with proper JDM touches, like the rear diffuser and rear side canards
The carbon fiber hatch spoiler is what hints at the Mazda’s link to the drag world and helps stabilize the rear end at speed.
V8-swap hate aside, there’s no doubting this is one well put together project and a car that will definitely supply a white-knuckle ride when called upon.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com
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I love that it still has A/C
The car is in Florida, pretty sure that would make it a must have lol
The right way would be to not do it.
Come on, live a little lol
Lol bore off.
Nice build! I wonder if he's losing anything by mounting the turbos that way and not having any ram to feed air into the turbine like you'd see on a drag car.
Those mounting points are very common in the drag scene, mostly because of packaging. Rest assured he's making enough power lol
But you always need more POWUH!
- Clarkson
Packaging for sure!
I'm not against people's tastes but It's almost unique to see a RX7 with a rotary nowadays.
I have an 88 Mazda RX-7 convertible. I've owned the car since 1993. I love it just the way it is it's black on black top in excellent condition and rides like a very fast go kart. I've driven it in the mountains perfectly sporty and I've driven it down long stretches of freeway to the tune of 120 until that got airborne and turned into an airplane. all you Mazda RX-7 enthusiasts eat your heart out.
Maybe in the US. Come to Japan, they all have rotaries
And Australia. And nz.
Hey Dino, I really appreciate your comment. I'm 18 and a university student right now. I really like cars and I'm into them since I was 3 years old or something. If everything goes well in my life I'd like do my master in Australia and If I do I'll definitely come to Japan too. Japan is my favourite country. If I come there sometime in my life I'd definitely like to meet with you and Alexi(Noriyaro) too.
I was 18 too, Had same plans as you. Fast forward 10 years- still lives in EU, have daughter, owns rusty NA GC8 and even more rusty K11. Have no time to fix them. Also I shouldn't even be here beacuse I have to get up at 5:00 to work
I hope your life gonna went better.
P.s dont bother Alexi, he is busy nowadays
Probably the true ending but I'll try to achieve it anyways. I live in Turkey and I assure you that you can't even imagine how the cars in my country/tuning scene is pretty riced out and almost anti-tuner because of our economy is pretty shit unless you are the son of an millionaire. Thank you for your comment.
p.s: Yeah, he didn't upload anything to his youtube channel recently. And sorry if I made pretty bad grammar mistakes, English isn't my mother tounge.
Those reservoir dampers tho
#sexy
I have no doubt it is a great car with its new engine, but there are only so many rotary-powered RX-7's in the world, and every year a few get totaled and a few more get swapped. They're becoming an endangered species!
A good thing for those that stick with them. In the grand scheme of things that percentage would be minute still. Whatever America does with V8s the Japanese, Aussies and Kiwis will keep that average of Wankels high!
Is engine swapping still a controversial subject? I don't think it is.
No but the getting rid of your rotary for an LS seems to be.
Well yeah.. They take something unique and replace it with something as common (albeit reliable) as a toyota camry. I can't say I don't see where the controversy comes from, it's kinda obvious. LS swaps illicit eyerolls from internet viewers, and when you couple that with the loss of a rotary after say... 30k miles it makes people feel a certain type of way.
But swapping in an LS is one of the few times that hot rodding the car makes it MORE reliable.
Two words: star livery. Glad to see this trend coming back. Aside from that, it looks like a complete setup, with all the wiring, plumbing, and accessories. Looks just as woefully complicated and expertly packaged as any other 90s jdm sportscar. Excellent build overall, and I'd love to see it in action.
Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rtuWALpkzw
lol and here i was thinking of Hert when i read "V8 swaping an FC the right way"...hadn't seen this episode...definitely going to check it out
Absolutely sick!
Swapping a rotary for an LS is like swapping a bipolar, emotionally dysfunctional girlfriend for the party girl that knows how and likes to please you at every opportunity. It's just smart.
-Alex
So it's like swapping a unique personality to a generic slave
That's cute. You equate a debilitating, destructive mental disorder to "unique personality" LOL. Amusing, very amusing.
#thatanalogy
where is the radiator? I just cant imagine this car could be driven very hard without overheating. Mine gets hot at the track without the turbos.
In the back
Why do so many show cars lack air filters?
Are air filters just Not Done?
Badass
LS swapped RX-7 is like... a really beautiful women but she sounds like Vin Diesel.
Hugely impressive build. But just can't hit the spot without a rotary. Different - yet the same as everyone else with the turbo LS and works against what should make this car great. However each to themselves and once again - impressive car.
Owner isn't giving us the finger, so yeah I like it XD. It is also absurdly low lol.
So, when all of you converge on Vegas from around the world who pays for the strippers and booze? Whoever has the best exchange rate?
Hahaha, have fun kids. Envious.
Lots of comments always objecting to rotary Mazdas without their rotaries. A sacrilege to the dyed in the wool Rotarians. What I'd like to know is how many Mazda rotaries have made into other makes, non-Mazdas? Let's see, I really think Mazda rotaries have been transplanted more times in other cars than rotaries getting replaced by piston motors. This FC must be a real rush to drive. 1,000 HP?
Shoulda kept it rotary. Rotary for life.
John Best, he's always watching, reading.
Come rain or shine, John Best reads the comments.
John Best doesn't have a car that anyone wants to look at but he knows all about your car and what it represents and requires.
John Best, he needs a hobby and a girl to help him forget; about Speedhunters and all the cars he'll never drive.
John Best. Remember him.
Is this the same car that was on “Daiily Transmission” a while back?