AND RACE CAR PREPARATION
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| Workshop: | 0870 903 6677 |
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Mazda RX7 - Suspension, exhaust and fabrication
The car
A 1994 Mazda RX7 FD
The brief
The customer required a complete suspension system upgrade consisting of new dampers/springs and a complete suspension poly bush set along with a new adjustable front strut brace. The car's geometry would then be setup for a balance of maximum performance while retaining everyday driveability. The whole exhaust system is to be replaced with new downpipe, mid section and back box. The battery to be upgraded and moved to the rear of a car and a harness bar fitted to accommodate three point (or more) seat harnesses.
What was done
Suspension
A corner at a time, all suspension components removed and cleaned (sandblasted and repainted where applicable) before new bushes were installed. New shocks and dampers fitted and suspension components reinstalled. New stronger strut mounts were fabricated and powder coated black while a strut brace was fabricated and powder coated purple based on a RAL colour code supplied by the customer, an adjustable rose joint was added and then the brace fitted. Using a flat patch, the suspension geometry was setup before a test drive after which fine adjustments were made to complete the setup.
Before -
After -
Exhaust
Whole system carefully removed. New down pipe and mid section connected with new gaskets back box added and adjusted to ensure correct clearances.
Before -
After -
Battery upgrade/relocation and harness bar/rear strut brace
Battery removed from front of car and performance compact Odyssey battery installed in the rear via a custom fabricated tray that has been powder coated in a colour selected by the customer. Harness bar fabricated with TIG welded CDS and powder coated in coordinating colour then installed with newly fabricated strut mounts ensuring the harness bar fits securely between the rear suspension turrets providing further bracing.
Before -
After -
The results
The car sits lower with suspension that suits both fast road/track and has the ability to handle UK's worst tarmac. Handling further enhanced by the complete poly bush set and colour coded AtomicRex strut braces. Exhaust adds a deep burble low down that won't offend the neighbours and an aggressive progressive note when the more throttle is applied. The battery tray sits unobtrusively in the boot with secure fitting and wiring while the harness bar has very neat welding and sturdy fitment, both look great in the contrasting colour.
Customer feedback
“I became aware of Jon and the AtomicRex team through the MazdaRotaryClub of which we are both members. Jon had had many issues with sourcing suitable aftermarket parts for his race cars and finally decided to fabricate and source his own. I’d kept an eye on the products that the company was offering, and when the time came to upgrade my suspension and exhaust I thought who better to go to than a race team!!
Before deciding on a final package, I discussed options with Jon for upgrades that would primarily improve performance as well as enhance the overall look and ‘feel’ of the car. Jon was more than happy to go through my thoughts with me and give his input into areas where he felt that there were more suitable options for my needs than what I had in mind. Throughout the build he kept me informed as to how things were progressing and also with anything that cropped up that required my input. Having travelled down to collect the car ‘out of hours’, I spent several hours with Jon whilst we finalised the setup to my specific requirements.
Once the car was out on the road, I knew straight away that my faith had not been misplaced! I had made Jon aware from the beginning that the car is a daily driver and so would, I felt, require compromises in order to deal with UK roads. To my immense surprise I found that this was not the case; with the handling, turn-in, ride comfort and stance all far beyond my expectations. The car feels planted and secure and the way it goes round corners is simply sensational! The AtomicRex exhaust system was another excellent upgrade to the car. No longer wearisome on long journeys, but still offering enough of a growl, even at idle, to highlight the abilities of the FD.
From my experience, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Jon and the guys @ AtomicRex to anyone looking for performance upgrades to their vehicle. As well as an obvious professional in his work, I was pleased to find that Jon has a huge amount of personal pride invested as well.
Graeme”