Antonio LoganWhen you think of Mazda, what exactly do you think of? The commercials from the late 90s early 2000s with the Zoom-Zoom song playing? Or is it the most iconic racecar in the world of JGTC (Japanese Grand Touring Championship) racing, Group C Mazda 787B? No. It is not, but some Wankel diehards were probably thinking the Mazda RX-3 or maybe the Mazda RX-7 (FD3S). Oh yes, mostly everyone’s favorite Mazda of all time is the RX-7. My personal favorite is the 2002 Mazda RX-7 Spirit R.
Aside from all of that! There are so many one off and unique RX-7 builds out here in the world. But there is one RX-7 that stands out to be one of the best FD3S builds, and it belongs to founder and organizer of Deals Gap Rotary Rally, Phil Sohn. Phil and I have been chatting quite a lot lately. And we got to conversing on the RX-7, and I asked “What inspired you to build your RX-7” Phil replies “Phew! This is getting harder and harder to answer these questions. I have been building RX-7’s since the 90s. I now try to do something different and unique especially here in the States.”
Something different and unique is what he executed on this RX-7 indeed! Built 13B-REW block, Turboblown EWP kit, Gandor titanium Catback Exhaust system, SakeBomb AP Racing Big Brake Kit with Ferrado DS2500, RE-Amemiya Carbon Fiber side mirrors, M2 launch kit, and more! This car is jammed packed with top quality parts to complete the vision of a Rotary fanatic and automotive enthusiast. I had to ask Mr. Sohn “What will be next for you this build and goals you have for it in the future?” Phil said “ I have a couple of future projects. I just finished building a turbo to be featured in PasMag. After this, my 1973 RX-3 will go through a change, then my 20B RX-7. Next year my goal is to do an LSX Eunos Cosmo. I know many will dislike that build, but I need a tow vehicle.” I definitely got a good laugh when he said “I need a tow vehicle.” I certainly cannot wait to see these builds and visions unveil themselves and I know all of us at Zen cannot wait either! Here is a beautiful collection of photos of Phil’s RX-7 shot by the talented Ryan Lopez, and the epic array of parts name in the mod list below! Enjoy!
Photo Credits: Ryan Lopez
Mod List:
Engine:
– Newly built 13B-REW block matched to 13B-RE (2 rotor Eunos Cosmo) intake
– Polished 13B-RE Lower and Upper Intake Manifold
– Self designed 13B-RE to 13B-REW adaptor (polished)
– Adaptronic Plug and Play specific for FD3S RX-7
– Turblown EWP kit
– Exedy Twin Disc Clutch
– Chase Bays Coolant Over Flow tank
– Samco Sports Camo Intercooler Couplers and Coolant kit
– Injector Dynamics 1300s for primary and secondary
– Full Function Engineering adjustable motor mounts
– Full Function Engineering Fuel Rail kit for 13B-RE secondaries and 13B-REW primaries.
– Full Function Engineering Oil filter pedestal with Defi Temp and pressure sensors
– Full Function Engineering trigger wheel kit
– Full Function Engineering Fuel kit (lines, fittings, and fuel filter)
– Radium Competition Oil Catch Can
– Radium Fuel Surge Tank with Bosch 044
– All new BNR Stage 3 Twin Turbos with ported wastegate (assembled by me)
– Pettit Polished AST
– Koyo N-Flow Radiator
– Custom Carbon Fiber Cooling panel
– Fast acting AirTemp sensor
– Custom Grounding kit
– Polished Efini Y-pipe
– Polished 90mm Rotary Works Throttle body
– Polished FEED elbow
– Apexi GT Spec FMIC
– Custom polished IC pipings
– Constant tension T-blot clamps for IC pipings and Intakes.
– HKS seq. BOV
– If you live in USA check Weekly Circulars.
– Or check: Supercheap Auto Catalogue.
– HKS twinpower ignition amp
– HKS RS intake with KN filters
– Gandor Titanium Catback
– FEED stainless steel resonated midpipe
– FEED oil filler cap
– FEED coolant filler cap
– SS Pettit Downpipe
– Sakebomb Garage Spark wires
– SakeBomb Garage Setrab 25row Dual oil cooler kit
– Braille light battery
– Braille Verticle mounting kit
– Greddy Alternator pulley
– Simplified seq twin set up
– Davies Craig EWP 150 with Digital Controller
– 2 x 4 blade fan set up for better cooling
Suspension:
– Stance USA Super Sport plus Coilovers
– PowerFlex Black series bushings for all suspension parts
– Rays Engineering Volk Racing TE37 RT 18×10 Front and 18×10.5 Rear. or Gram Lights 57FXX 18×9.5 Front and 18×10 Rear
– Toyo R888s 255/35 front and 295/30 rear (For TE37RT) or Toyo T1Sports 255/35 front and 265/35 rear
– M2 launch kit
– R-Magic Fender Braces
– Racing Beat sway bar brace
– Racing Beat sway bar rear
– Tri-Point Engineering Sway Bar front with support brack
– Cusco Strut Tower brace
– Racing Brake Rear Brake kit with Hawk HT10
– Newly sandblasted A-arms and other suspension parts
– SakeBomb AP Racing Big Brake Kit with Ferrado DS2500
– Braided SS brake lines
– Racing Beat sway bushings
– Transmission brace
– Raceshop Rollbar
Interior & Stereo:
– Grip Royal Steering wheel
– S3 Still Hood black Shift knob
– Works Bell Short hub
– Works Bell Quick disconnect
– Works Bell hub lock
– Converted Black interior – including, door panels, rear panels, head liner, seat belts, and black main carpet
– Carbon interior replacements
– RZ floormats
– Rare moon roof and cover
– Bride Zeta III seats
– Carbon interior plastic panels
– Carbon FEED door step
– FEED Carbon fiber rear trunk add on.
– OEM fog light switch to turn FEED HID driving lights
– Red leather stitching shift and ebrake boots
– LED interior lights
– Custom 60mm center speaker gauge pod
– Davies Craig Digital EWP Controller Display
– Mazda 30th Anniversary cluster with RE-Amemiya 320km/hr speedo
Exterior:
– Scoot Bumper
– Scoot Vented hood
– Carshop Glow LED tail lights
– FEED Carbon Fiber side skirts
– FEED wide front fenders
– FEED rear wide flares
– FEED front tow hook
– FEED door handles
– Carbon fiber FEED gas door (one off made)
– R-Magic HID head lights
– Rotary Extreme Hood Dampers
– Adam Griffith rear tow hook
– Custom rear bumper CF signal covers
– Rare glass moon roof
– Spirit R fender badges
– Efini rear badges
– Carbon look rear bumper lights
– Rare RE-Amemiya Carbon Fiber side mirror covers
– RE-Amemiya Street Carbon rear diffuser
– Carbon Fiber Cooling panel (custom, made by me)
– Carbon Fiber back of the door handle covers.
– Back Off 3rd light flasher
– ShineAuto Carbon Fiber rear tail light lip
– Carbon Exhaust Shield