1998 Mazda RX-7 - Orange Extract

The stock seats were dumped and the wOOw Factory found some non-reclinables that fit: black Recaro TS-G buckets with blue Willans four-point harnesses. Even with a Defi Link Display and HKS EVC5 above it, the Carrozzeria AVIC-XH009 GPS nav unit looks like the Mazda factory intended it to be there. The other gauges from Defi are on the passenger side (bah, who needs an airbag) and look almost at home, too. A few of the other aftermarket touches in the cabin are the Power FC Commander near the blue gauge cluster. Alfa Sonic amps, subs, crossovers and speakers have consumed all the remaining space in the cockpit and rear hatch.

You'd think a car with so much attention given to aesthetics would get no bling in the engine bay, no go for its show. Then bring your attention to the honkin' HKS T04Z turbo-it's capable of around 450 horsies at the wheel. Other choice go-fast bolt-ons come from HKS, like a Super Power Flow Remixed intake (who the hell comes up with these names, anyway?). Collectively, our favorite touches are a GReddy pulley set and the V-mount ARC intercooler with custom-polished piping done by the guys in Chiba. Additional fuel for the larger Fujita Engineering injectors is fed through an HKS pump then handled by an A'PEXi Power FC rounding out the package.

For a car that would do well at a Hot Import Nights we're stoked it would do okay at a Time Attack, too. With only about 55K, you too can build something this sick. C'mon, go do it.

Nav unit: great for when you're lost or in serious need of a love hotel.
The goal was to take an FD that was over 10 years old and make it as fresh as an '06 Mazda.
The goal was to take an FD that was over 10 years old and make it as fresh as an '06 Mazda

Autobacs, Transform And Roll Out

Back in '03, after over thirty years and 500 stores, the Super Autobacs heritage was finally brought to the US. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of visiting one of the stores in Japan (like the Chiba Naganuma location shown in these pics), this means that it is fully accessible to us Americans, at least if you live close to Southern California. Walk through the front door and you feel like you've just bypassed a 13 hour flight to Japan and are smack dab in the middle of one of the largest auto parts and accessories stores on the planet. Those three dudes with the giant, Jonny-sized heads over at Pep Boys better watch their backs. Super Autobacs offers everything from stock replacement parts all the way up to turbo kits, though we didn't manage to find any Super Street rubber floor mats or steering wheel covers. We're sure they're sold out and are just on back order because they're that dope.