While most of us staffers are content with installing a filter, header, exhaust, couple of car fresheners, and maybe a car wash in every three-month span, Tamon was able to build almost an entirely new car. Hate it or love it, you have to appreciate the energy spent on the design of the former FD and how clean the entire car looks. It's so different, in fact, that it wouldn't do it justice by calling it a common RX-7 with an aero kit. To put it into perspective, there are cars in production today by manufacturers with millions of dollars spent in design and manufacturing that don't look half as good as Tamon's exotic creation. Given the resources and more time, it would be very interesting to see what other wild mystery machines he could come up with. Oh, and if you were wondering about purchasing this kit from your local dealer? Forget about it. Because of the complexity, Tamon has no immediate plans on distributing the kit as a package; however, if you happen to know a good customs broker and have $25k in cash handy, feel free to ship your car to Tamon Design in Mie-Ken, Japan. Tell him I sent you, maybe he'll consider doing my FD as a two for one.
OWNER Tamon Design
HOMETOWN Mie-Ken, Japan
DAILY GRIND Designing and building cars
POWER 450 hp
UNDER THE HOOD HKS T51RKAI turbo, blow-off valve, GT wastegate, stainless exhaust manifold; RE-Amemiya Power Expander EX catalytic converter, Level-Man intercooler, piping, radiator; NGK spark plugs; Tamon Design exhaust
DRIVETRAIN ORC twin plate clutch
BRAINS A'pexi Power FC
STIFF STUFF Ohlins adjustable coilovers; RE-Amemiya antiroll bars; custom roll cage
ROLLERS 19x10.5 Rays CE28N wheels; Falken Azenis ST115 tires
STOPPERS AP Racing calipers; Project rotors
OUTSIDE Tamon Design TDC047 conversion kit, Show Up Eki Show Jade Orange paint
INSIDE Trial TDC057 seats, upholstery, carbon door panels, dash, console; Sparco Flash 3 steering wheel, shift knob,race pedals; Pivot Gekko boost gauge, security system starter; Stack ST-8130 display system
ICE Panasonic Strada CN-HDS955MD GPS head unit, TW-CC180B camera, speakers, LCD panels, digital tuner, DVD player