SEMA360-bound RX-7 Receives RX-3 Face, Twin-turbo Power
Take a behind-the-scenes look at this customized Mazda RX-7 before it competes at SEMA Battle of the Builders.
SEMA 2020 like many things in this unprecedented year of change looks a little different. Well, it is a lot different since the show as we know and love it was cancelled. However, not all is lost, and the popular Battle of the Builders is still going to take place. Albeit this will be a 100% virtual event this year. That makes no difference to the builders who work hard to develop fantastic cars just has they have in years past. Todd Budde Owner/Operator at FabFitters is one of those builders and he is bringing a one-of-a-kind RX-7 to do battle this year.
In the sports car world, Mazda may be defined by a certain small roadster. However, to many enthusiasts the RX-7 is their most coveted car. This is especially true of the third generation ‘FD’ iteration. Thanks to the SEMA Show YouTube channel we get a sneak peek at a customized 1993 Mazda RX-7. This car has many special features but what you will most likely notice first is that from the front this doesn’t look like an RX-7 at all. Is it an Alfa Romeo Giulia or perhaps a Lancia Fulvia from the 70’s? That would be the right decade, but the wrong car. The front is from another Mazda, the RX-3, which was also powered by the iconic rotary engine.
The custom front end is impressive, but this car is a lot more than just a pretty face. Under the hood lies a billet engine made by Billet Pro in Australia. Bolted to that motor are two Garrett G42-1200 turbochargers. No power figures are given, but we are willing to go out on a limb and say it makes more than the stock 255 horsepower setup. This RX-7 also has the transmission in the back of the car instead of the original location just behind the engine.
The eye-catching look of the car is enhanced with generous use of carbon fiber. “You can probably tell I love carbon fiber. From the interior panels to the carbon fiber mirrors, the carbon fiber skirts that are on it.” Says Budde. The fenders and side panels are a combination of RX-7, RX-3, BMW M3, and VW Beetle sheet metals. That’s right we said VW Beetle. Out back are a set of taillights from Evo-R. “One of the neat functions of the Evo-R taillights is the turn signal pattern is the same exact pattern that the Lamborghini has in the back end.” Says Budde.
Even with the taillights, it is unlikely that this car will ever be mistaken for a Lamborghini. However, it is damn special in its own right, and rarer than a run of the mill Lambo. With the power under the hood it may very well be able to keep pace with a modern Lamborghini as well. Is that going to be enough to capture the top prize in the seventh annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition? Well, it is not a 1969 Camaro so that does put it at a disadvantage, as that model took the top prize the last two years. However, if we learned anything from 2020 that is to expect the unexpected.
Do you think this custom RX-7 has what it takes to win at SEMA? Let us know your thoughts at the 6SpeedOnline forums.
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