3-Rotor Turbo & NOS, 4-Rotor NA: Drag RX-7s Achieved 2 Methods

Finally month’s Choice x G-Works Tremendous Drag Pageant, two FC3S Mazda RX-7s caught my eye within the Central Circuit pits. Whereas the pair share some similarities – together with the truth that they had been each down from Hokkaido – they’re fairly totally different machines below their ultra-clean, white bodywork.

At a fast look from a front-end view, the primary automobile seemed loads like another tuner-style FC3S we’d characteristic on Speedhunters. However as I obtained nearer to the SWATT/Zeroyon Manufacturing unit RX-7, the small print you solely discover in a purpose-built drag automobile started to current themselves.

Weld Racing wheels and Hoosier tyres – 29×11-inch slicks out again – test. Flat rear wing and parachute, test. Polycarbonate home windows throughout, test. 5-inch tachometer with shift mild, test.

In comparison with many of the different vehicles competing on the Tremendous Drag Pageant, the Mazda seemed fairly inventory, however seeing the massive side-exit exhaust sprouting from the fitting entrance fender, I knew there was going to be one thing undoubtedly not inventory below the hood.

The RX-7’s proprietor and driver, Akira Kato, was eager to indicate me what his FC RX-7 was packing, and it’s some critical rotary firepower. We’ll begin with the Garrett GT4508R turbocharger (that includes an 80mm compressor inlet), with fist dimension for comparability. Given the scale of the turbo, I was stunned to be taught that it’s not even the most important Garrett out there; as much as 106mm variations can be found proper off the shelf.

The engine itself is a 3-rotor 20B from a JC Eunos Cosmo, however Kato-san has thrown loads at it, together with an entire of enhance and a shot of nitrous oxide to get issues transferring. In response to the crew, the engine has a 9,200rpm redline and makes 950ps, which is greater than four-and-a-half instances what the RX-7 left the Mazda manufacturing facility with. Yikes. 

As a principally inventory chassis automobile working a Jerico transmission and R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R rear finish, the RX-7 is not any light-weight, however Kato-san has made good progress with the automobile and is banging on the 8-second door having run a greatest move of 9.052 at 233km/h earlier within the yr. That point is fast sufficient to assert the quickest rotary spot within the Japan Drag Championship’s ‘RWD Over 2.5L & 3-Rotor Engine’ class (fourth outright).

I can’t discover any movies of the SWATT automobile working on the day at Central Circuit, however you may check out this video from a Motegi event earlier in the year to see and listen to it in motion.

The opposite white RX-7 storming down Central Circuit’s straight a number of weeks again is one among Japan’s most well-known home drag vehicles owned by a real zeroyon OG. It’s been in Makato Watanabe’s palms because it was model spanking new in 1986 and drag raced from day one, so I can’t resolve which is the most important legend – Watanabe-san or the Mazda. By now they might have certainly fashioned some form of symbiotic relationship, so that they each deserve equally excessive reward.

For the primary 10 years of their relationship, the RX-7 dominated the Hokkaido avenue drag scene with an aggressive side-port 13B turbo setup. Within the early 2000s, the automobile was transformed to a full tube body chassis, which Watanabe-san bought by mail order from RJ Race Vehicles within the USA. The components arrived, and, relieved that nothing was lacking, Watanabe-san constructed a chassis desk in his workshop and welded the body collectively. Some modifications had been required, however the RX-7 physique panels match.

Over time the automobile has been run with totally different engine setups and received many trophies, most earned on the now closed Sendai Hello-Land Raceway drag strip. Watanabe-san has additionally taken the automobile to Australia up to now, going heads-up with a number of the quickest sport compact drag vehicles on the planet at Willowbank Raceway throughout the Jamboree occasion.

Right now, the RX-7 is powered by a naturally aspirated 4-rotor engine pieced collectively by Yashiro Engineering. Tuned by a MoTeC M800 engine administration system, the customized ‘YR26B’ produces 600ps.

The 2022 Choice x G-Works Tremendous Drag Pageant was a memorable occasion for Watanabe-san and his crew. Not solely did they set a brand new class file early on within the occasion with a 8.707-second move at 247.42km/h, however on the final run of the occasion they dropped their greatest ET to eight.559-seconds. How good is that?! You’ll be able to watch footage of the file move here.

I’ve obtained yet one more automobile from this occasion to share with you, and it’s an actual blast from Japanese drag racing’s previous. Look out for that quickly.

Toby Thyer
Instagram _tobinsta_
tobythyer.co.uk