The Worlds Best 20B Mazda RX-7 FC
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Published 2022-04-14
With its name often found in the company of other JDM legends such as the Nissan Skyline GT-R and Toyota Supra, The Mazda RX-7 is a moving reflection of everything good about the 90's. With its history spanning back to 1978 with the Series 1 RX-7, it's a vehicle that generations have come to love and appreciate for the unique rotary powerplant that lived inside. Characterised by a lack of reciprocating parts, the rotary engine was smaller and lighter than a conventional piston engine, resulting in a superior power-to-weight ratio.
For Mazda however, the rotary powerplant was more than just an engine, it was the key to their survival in the 1950's and 60's. At this time, Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry was trying to streamline the automotive sector to compete with the US and European manufacturers and as a smaller brand, Mazda was vulnerable to being forced into a merger.
The rotary engine was Mazda's response to this threat and represented their bold 'think different' ideology, appealing to fans of driving rather than those who saw a car as a means of transportation and nothing more. It was ultimately the rotary-powered Cosmo Sport of 1967 that guaranteed Mazda's place in the automotive world in Japan.
POWERED BY SOMETHING SPECIAL
Imported from Japan, John's ambitions for his 1990 Series 5 RX-7 were simple from the get-go - to build a car he truly enjoyed to both drive and look at, whilst paying homage to the quintessential 90's JDM styling. The build started as most do, with basic suspension and wheel upgrades that brought modern drivability and aesthetics to the 1990's legend. Then, it was the iconic 13B rotary engines' turn for a refresh, with power modifications bringing the stock 205 horsepower to a figure in the 500's. But take a look under the bonnet and you'll see that 500 horsepower certainly wasn't enough for John.
"When I first started the build I knew I eventually wanted a 20B engine, it was the unicorn of the rotary world"
Nestled in the humble RX-7 frame is a glorious 20B rotary engine taken out of a Mazda Eunos Cosmo. Produced from 1990 to 1995, there were an estimated 4,000 Cosmos' sold with the revered 3-rotor 20B motor, making John's build something truly unique. Sold under Mazda's Japanese 'fun-to-drive' brand known as Eunos, the Cosmo was the touring flagship designed with luxury in mind, but its 20B motor was not your typical luxury powerplant. Initially producing 300 horsepower with the help of twin sequential turbochargers, the 20B facilitated more torque where the 13B suffered, and less stress when it came to pushing power thanks to the much larger displacement, and that's a good thing because John's RX-7 is certainly pushing power.
Easily mistaken for a plane turbine, the huge 90mm billet turbo from BorgWarner sits proudly in the impeccable engine bay. Under the covers, a full cut bridge port is maximising airflow, resulting in a significant top-end power increase that a stock 20B could only dream of. Combine this with a suite of supporting mods, such as the six 2000cc Injector Dynamics Injectors, 60mm Teal Wastegate and a 5-inch dump-pipe into twin 3-inch exhausts and you have a 20B producing over 700 horsepower.
Helping John put this kind of power down are 19-inch Rays CE 28N wheels wrapped in Nitto Invo Semi-Slicks and for that increased drivability, John opted to add an air cup system to his BC Racing Coilovers.
BUILD IDEOLOGY
Motivated by enhancing the original features of the RX-7, John put a lot of effort into perfecting the small details. One glance at the engine bay is a testament to his ideology, with countless hours of grinding and welding away unnecessary elements leaving a flawless resting place for the 20B. John's RX-7 isn't all function and no form, with carbon being the name of the game for the exterior. A carbon front lip, roof spoiler, rear diffuser and a custom carbon FEED-style side skirt made by Danny at Concept Garage adorn the outside of the 90's Mazda.
"I never anticipated that my car would receive the hype and appreciation it has"
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BUILD
Builds as serious as John's often come with their challenges, but John would like to thank Bas at 2SUS Custom Resprays, Danny at Concept Garage, Justin at Prowire, Danny Irvine, Joe at RotorMaster, and Justin Bartolo 'for all the headaches'.
#mazda #20b #rotary #mazdarx7 #rx7 haltech
Owner: @yebise_20b
0:00 - Cinematic Feature
2:24 - Raw Exhaust / Engine Sounds
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Music:
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All Comments (21)
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Do more of the raw sounds of the exhaust and engine please!
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god damn dude. that turbo is absolutely massive and the engine bay is glorious.The flames coming out of the underneath the car and that sound, fkin incredible x.x And thank you for putting the great read in the description
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Im in love :). This car is badass af. Your cinematography skills are off the hook. Thank you
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I love that there is the raw sound of the car!! Magnificent work THE LOWDOWN!!
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I'm so glad there are masterpieces such as this here in Australia. I'm so blessed to live here with these pieces of art.
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Nice to see this FC is still alive and kicking, I remember like 10 years ago it was pretty popular on the rx7 forums/groups
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As a 13b FC owner myself I've always loved the sound of the 20b most out of any rotary engine
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I love the vids keep it up ❤ you guys came back when I needed you the most
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one of the best if not the best edits ever imo love the shots and everything, and the music shutting off in the end, for some pure sound. Perfection.
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Stunning. Thanks for another great video🔥
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this guys is my dream in its clearest form thank you for the inspiration and push for it
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Incredible! Everything is, never seen you guys around before but you earned a sub. Keep up the amazing work
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Great video!!🔥
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I'm addicted to this video its so well made and the car is beautiful, I have it saved and keep coming back to it, can't wait to buy an fc
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Everytime when the MAZDA pops💥 rewind 10 sec back 😭 THANKS A LOT LOWDOWN❤️
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Good to see the FC back at it !💥💥
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Wooooow that's an INSANE video, this is legit my dream car and it's the best video out of thousands ever made about these beautiful RX7 ! And it's one of the cleanest RX7 ever too ! Daaaang nice work duuude !! Now what does it takes to build one as clean as that, maybe with a simpler 2 rotor though ? I'm kinda interested about the part list used !
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You know it will be a good day when you see a lowdown upload
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God this is so so clean! Excellent work,love it!
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My God this was well done. I love the throttle response !
