RKM Motorsport: RX-7 R400

RKM Motorsport: RX-7 R400

Based on: 2002 Mazda RX-7 Spirit R
Obtained: New Car Dealer

Drivetrain: FR
Horsepower: 396 BHP (@ 692.5 miles w/rebuild)
Torque:---- 303 ft-lb
Weight:---- 1051 kg

PARTS
GT Auto
Oil Change
Prodrive GC-010G Wheels
Front Aero Type A
Rear Wing Type B
Rebuilt motor upon availability

Tuning Shop
Weight Reduction Stage 3
Lightweight Windows
Carbon Fiber Hood
Engine Tuning Stage 3
ECU Tuning
Sports Header
Sports Exhaust
FC Gearbox
Semi-Racing Flywheel
Semi-Racing Clutch
Carbon Driveshaft
FC LSD
FC Suspension
Sports Soft tires

SETUP

Body/Chassis
Aerodynamics
Downforce: 0/28

Transmission
Transmission
1st:-- 2.915
2nd:-- 1.929
3rd:-- 1.394
4th:-- 1.057
5th:-- 0.842
6th:-- 0.704
7th:-- x.xxx
Final: 4.300
Max Speed: 211

Drivetrain
Differential
Initial: xx/12
Accel:-- xx/56
Braking: xx/30

Suspension
Suspension
Ride Height: 0/0
Spring Rate: 7.8/8.3
Extension:-- 10/10
Compression: 7/7
Anti-Roll:-- 7/1
Camber:----- 3.5/3.1
Toe:-------- -0.17/-0.25

Brakes
Brake Balance Controller
Brake Balance: 7/9

Intended Driving Options
Transmission: Manual (MT)
ABS: 1
Everything else: OFF

Tuner Comments:
This right here is the result of constant evolution since early GT4 tuning efforts. From an initial 350-370hp to 385 and now nearly 400hp, it's grown up a bit and matured noticeably. This doesn't mean it's gotten any fatter; in fact, it's down by 28kg. Beating up on older GT class racecars is easy with this car as long as there's enough corners; it does exactly as you tell it to, exactly when you do.

Well, what else would you expect from a guy that calls himself Rotary Junkie? The third generation RX-7, known also by its FD3S or simply FD chassis code, is a very popular car the world over and has been featured in innumerable street car racing games since the early- to mid-90s. Drift, grip, VIP, show car...the FD can be any and has been all due to its timeless lines, incredible chassis and strong engine. The Spirit R, the last special edition of which the Type A is considered the purest form, is touted as the ultimate RX-7 and the pinnacle of rotary performance. So how will this version go?

Driving it straight off the lot it is easy to see why the car is so popular. The car is well balanced and has an easy feel going about its business. The brakes are great; they slow the car quickly but minus the jerky feel you sometimes get with firm braking. The tail end rotates out slowly and can be easily held or brought back without much fuss. It is said Mazda took the best parts and ideas of all the third gen models and put them into the Spirit R. And it certainly shows in the driving feel. Straight off the lot I was able to run a lap of 2'14.237".

Strangely, the parts list takes the car in a different direction than most. Rather than having a wild rear end and fighting to keep control around corners, it has a tendency to lean toward understeer. There is definitely some wheel spin to be had out back but it is easily quelled. The brakes now are a little too soft, however this is normal with every car that has left the brakes alone but had an increase in speed. Lap time comes in at 2'02.063".

The tune helps quite a bit but maybe not enough. The steering is sharper and it feels nice, however the tendency toward understeer on power is still present. The braking also has a better feel but again, a little on the soft side for my taste. Even so, the car is still fast and puts the power into the pavement instead of up in smoke. I never had much of an issue with the rear coming out even on the tighter, slower corners. I think the brakes are a sticking point on this tune. I feel like I am having to brake sooner than I would like and lose some time on entry. The 2'01.174" time is not bad at all but I did expect it to be faster. Given some time I think it will get under the 2'00.5xx" mark. I will definitely be running this car more and will see if I can find a way around the track better than I have so far. I do love my RX-7s and would like to see this get closer to the NSX-R on this track.

Lap Times
Grand Valley Speedway: 2'01.174"

RKM Motorsport: RE Amemiya RX-7

RKM Motorsport: RE Amemiya RX-7

Based on: RE Amemiya FD3S RX-7
Obtained: Brand new model at RE Amemiya

Drivetrain: FR
Horsepower: 444 BHP (@ 21.3 miles)
Torque:---- 53 kgfm
Weight:---- 1240 kg
PP:-------- 556

PARTS
Tuning Shop
Rigidity Improvement
Titanium Racing Exhaust
High RPM Range Turbo Kit
Fully Customisable Transmission
Fully Customisable LSD
Fully Customisable Suspension Kit
Sports Soft Tyres

SETUP

Body/Chassis
Aerodynamics
Downforce: 20/35

Ballast
Amount:-- 0
Position: 0

Engine
Power Limiter
Power Level: 100.0%

Transmission
Transmission
(Set Max Speed, then each individual ratio.)
1st:-- 2.713
2nd:-- 1.866
3rd:-- 1.379
4th:-- 1.085
5th:-- 0.900
6th:-- 0.776
Final: 4.100
Max Speed: 199 MPH

Drivetrain
Differential
Initial: 0/14
Accel:-- 0/22
Braking: 0/7

Suspension
Suspension
Ride Height: -30/-30
Spring Rate: 16.5/14.0
Extension:-- 8/8
Compression: 7/7
Anti-Roll:-- 2/4
Camber:----- 2.5/2.1
Toe:-------- –0.20/-0.05

Brakes
Brake Balance Controller
Brake Balance: 5/6

Intended Driving Options
Transmission: Manual (MT)
ABS: 1
Everything else: OFF

Tuner Comments:
RE Amemiya are considered the top tuners when it comes to tuning your RX-7, RX-8 or anything with a Rotary engine. So imagine their faces when we tore out their settings, boosted the turbo and started transforming this masterpiece of an RX-7 into a killer. 

However we went a step too far. One night during testing, this RX-7 went on a murderous rampage around Trial Mountain. Nothing could keep up with this Rotary Rocket. We lost Juliet in the madness and we would’ve lost the Challenger GTS too if it wasn’t for the NSX-R 3rd Anniversary stepping in. Is this the rival the NSX-R has been waiting for?

Some say that his garage in Chiba is a Mecca for haters of pistons and that 35+ years of tuning experience has made him a "Rotary God". All we know is Isami Amemiya has unleashed a hellish rotary-powered vision upon the world.

Brand new out of the box you look at this car and think "I'm going to be spending a lot of time looking down the track out my side windows." The stickers, huge wing and flamboyant body kit make it look like something that belongs shredding tires in D1 or FormulaD. Not necessarily true. This car belies its exterior appearance and can stick a corner like you won't believe. Tuned by the best in the rotary business this is no stock FD, as the lap time will indicate. It is very well balanced on power, through corners and on the brakes. Will you still find yourself sliding through a turn? Yes, however power oversteer really only shows up on lower speed corners and is quickly contained. Initial stock lap comes in at 2'04.199".

With the parts list purchased and installed you find little change. The rear is a little more eager to come around but all the control remains as does just about everything else. Coming off a pre-tuned car the lap of 2'01.137" is unspectacular in time difference, but not unexpected.

If you are a fan of RKM and their tunes this is a moment of truth. Roj has put into our heads that his version of Amemiya's vision can rival his legendary NSX-R. So, let's find out. As before with the parts tune the general character of the car is untouched; the balance and control remain intact. However, the steering is now more responsive, perhaps close to being as mentally plugged in as RJ's EvoX. The rear has come back in line; very stable and a feeling of infinite control upon stepping out, eerily similar to the NSX-R. So a few laps then. Right off the bat I came in a hair off 2' flat. Pushing a little harder was easy and that barrier was broken quickly. The sticking point of the lap for me was the final turn. I was coming off the s-curves fast enough that I had to either lift or tap the brakes to get through just right. I had many a good lap taken down by stuffing it into the wall or getting just far enough onto the grass over the rumbles that the rear came unglued. I posted my best time on lap eight. Putting on my best Jeremy Clarkson.. it did it in...one minute..........fifty........eight point eight two! That's right, 1'58.820"! The big, bad, blue rotary-powered devil has taken top slot on the board at Grand Valley Speedway!

But wait! There is the NSX-R scowling in the pit lane. To be fair the champ got the opportunity to defend the crown it has kept for so long. Like a demon it bites and claws at the tarmac hoping to regain its glory as king. Two minutes.....1'59.9"....1'59.7".....1'59.5". And that was all it could muster. After 15 laps the champ concedes defeat and hands over the crown, but not without promising to keep this new rivalry going anywhere, anytime.

And so the RX-7 revels in new found glory and fame. However, this well balanced machine is already gearing up to take on the NSX-R again. Another track, another time, another fight to the wire.

Lap Times
Grand Valley Speedway: 1'58.820"