GT-Roadster: November 2008

A short trip out to Super Autobacs in Chiba Naganuma for the Annual RX7/8 Meeting. I spent about 2 hours drooling over the cars. A few roadsters on display, some with rotary power.

It's only at events like this that I miss my FD.

A line of Spirit Rs among the colourful display.

Demo cars from Revolution, R-Magic, RE-Amemiya, Leg Sport, TIRacing, Odula and more

and the odd lengend car... I chatted to some of the tuners about the cars.

For more pics check out RE-Xtreme.

I found a nice spot near my house for some quick shots. It matches the Galaxy Grey well. I didn't take any since I changed the number location. Today, I'm even liking the Advan Gold. (It is in the shade though.)

The car is actually filthy and needs a wash, but still looking good. I also went to Mazda to get some tough up paint for the front nose holes, but they were out of stock. Go back tomorrow.

It's getting cold though. It really feels like Japan in winter when you can see Fuji every day. The clouds dissapear and it looks amazing.

Russ.

This one is a REAL possibility. It involves purchasing an Autobacs MH1 front bar and cutting the bottom to join it together with the original mazda bar. I am seriously considering this as I need to fix the front bar I have after moving the number plate and an MH1 bar is currently on offer cheaply. The result gives a subtle change but the lower and larger recessed opening matches well to the original fender humps. A splitter would also suit this design much better. Being easily bolted to the corners. Jet's Canards could also still be employed as the curvature is very similar.

Russ.

The Roadster MH1

This car is built by AWR in the States. It features a full carbon body forward of the rear fenders, relies on NA power from cosworth and is as lightweight as could be possible.

Interior is spartan also with red/black carbon kevlar dash and only the essentials.

With a car so light it needs some re-inforcement and the cage is integral to the design. Note the ladder bars covering the doors for side impact prevention.

Some youtubage for in action sounds.

Russ.

KTS Ichinoe is near my house. These guys used to do some work on my FD. Why did I go?
Reason, I picked up a new RS grade diff from Yahoo Auctions. So I got it swapped over. I didn't fancy lying under a car for a whole day when these guys did it in an hour.

KTS are cheap too. I'll still need an alignment, but I want to test it out a bit first.

Because they had to take off the X bar also I didcovered it was a little more damaged than I first thought. They straightened it out and re-installed it. Thanks boys! These parts are so thin though. I think a HKS Kansai item is on the agenda.

Russ.

Here is a video from a R16 and RHT meeting in Hakkone. RHT Wave. Is this a Guiness world record?

Recently I posted about some crazy US cars with race engines and recent superchargers. In Japan, Roadsters are treated as a true sports car from the showroom. No 1.8 is available and mostly owned by men and not women.

They take a purist view to tuning and while the turbo and supercharger are not outlawed, there are very few turbo or SC NC Roadsters in Japan.

Japanese take a different view to other countries. Swaps in Japan are focussed around the Attenza 2.3liter engine for maximum power, but although it's done. This is also kind of frowned upon.

NOPRO 2.3Liter Circuit Demo Car is my pick for the best tuned NC in Japan. It's a hard core circuit machine that features the best of the best as well as their own parts.

Start clicking on the right to find one you like, there are a bunch of other tuners that stick to 2.0Liter power. PWR did a Supercharger and Blitz did a Turbo kit but it's the 2.0 NA tune that the remains at the heart of most NC.

This chop has a lot going on. But really I want to focus on the FD Rx7 front lip spoiler. The older design is still quite fluid and may suit the NC roadster.

The only problem is, I gave my old crappy '99 lip away before I got the NC so I can't check fitment issues. But I think it may fit. A new one is only $60 in Japan. But I'll ask a friend to check.

Russ.

This car is my ultimate Roadster MX Miata whatever your call it. It could be an MX8 RX5 Renester or Rotata.

Hansa23 Mobile in Germany created this prototype which has RX8 running gear for an off the shelf turnkey monster! 1000kg and 230hp = fast! 5.4sec to 100 and 260kph top speed. Yummy!

OZ Ultraleggra in 18 always look cool on the NC.
And I do love the rotary.

This pic shows the second car too.

RX8 Forum thread

New Rx8 wheels are pretty cool design. In 19" they are probably at the limit for the NC but I think they may be worth investigating.

They certainly look cool and they are a good match for the galaxy grey!

New Colour! Yellow RHT... hmm. I had an EK9 in a similar colour. tempting.

These shots are from Miata.net But of course I lowered it and upgraded the wheels in photoshop.

Rear lights look good and will be a sort after upgrade.

Russ.

This is an RE-Amemiya AC-Front for NCEC!!! Photoshop! I want mine too look like this one day.

RE-Amemiya already makes an awesome rear muffler and Exhaust Manifold for the NC roadster. But their best parts for the FD RX7 are the aero pieces. These photoshops are a mix of RE-Amemiya design laid onto the NC Mx5.

Finally a simple AD Hood 9 for NC.

Amam-san Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

I'll print some pics and ask him at the auto-bacs FD meet.

Russ.

I installed my Tuckin99 Number plate stay. What a difference a reposition makes.

You can really see the lines of the car now.

Theitem itself is nothing much to look at and they supply some dodgey plastic parts to fill the holes. But at least they do that. It could be worse. I'll paint or replace them in time. But for now its looking better.

Russ.

Wangan B was empty today. I was supposed to go touring with R16 guys, but I didn't feel good.
So I just went for a short drive today.

Yokohama bay bridge also pretty empty. Just a few nice cars out driving quickly.

Past Daikoku. Empty. Destination was Yokohama Bayside Marina Outlet mall.

Out side I spied this Ferrari 512R. Very nice car. I loved these when I was a kid. I wanted to get some new shoes. So I went to the Puma store. The result was some Ferrari inspired footware.