RE-Xtreme Version III - Final

Today was a very "Liberating" day for me.

I say liberating, because for the past few months the daily sight of my perfectly usable, but undriven FD3s Version III was haunting me at every glance.

When would I ever, get the chance to drive it as intended. Well very often the answer was "unforeseeable", so the decision was made to let to go at an acceptable price.

If you read this blog from the beginning to end. It's kind of a story about wanting something you are ill prepared for, but desire so much that you proceed knowing there's a fine line between dreams coming true and the torture of unfulfillment. I guess this one ended in the latter, but not without some fun along the way.

Having spent a sum of cash, modifying the car with necessary upgrades for reliability, and cleaning up some bits and pieces, I was well within sight of constant enjoyment. The earthquake and nuclear issues in Japan, along with other things, took some needed cash away from this project and as such, left it dormant, creating a tormenting situation rather than the optimistic approach I took from the beginning.

So while many of the initial dreams remain, the original intention for this particular vehicle will never be realized. So I'm not taking a drastic, but otherwise realistic approach in selling the car. Today it has left my possession, which has already created an element of positiveness for the future.

I've done less than 3000klms in this one, but with well chosen destinations, I enjoyed every second. I never once thought I bought the wrong car. I definitely bought the right car at the right time at the right price, but the circumstances have changed around me.

So for now it's back to an FD3less life of dreams vs reality.

Russ.

Kingyo's Secret Affair

This is somnething I'd love to do. Just totally over the top, but it's driving me crazy I can't sleep!

The ultimate mix of RWB and RE-Amemiya. two things I love. Kingyo's Affair.

Only need 3~4K to build it? Any sponsors out there?

Unfortunately, the wheels I want to run (used in this photoshop) are 18x12 +6 rear and 18x10 +6 front.

This FRP body is designed for 18x9.5+22 so there's an extra 30mm that needs to be found. It aint happening. hahaha

Mister Monster

The 3000 dollar option is this. 18" Miester S1 with stretch + cheap over-fenders. Kind of the plan I had originially.  I absolutely love this look on the car. Looks so tough. Who knows? Dreaming is great.

RE-Xtreme Wheel Options

Splitter + Sides Rear Wing

First Up Yellow TE37

Gun Advan RS

New Gram Lights 57Gainer.

Gram Lights 57G

TE37 Midori

unavailable gainer in mat.

But silver is ok. Provably this kind of curvature.

 Enkei PF-01

Advan RS 19

Chrome

Advan RS 19 in gold. Yummy

Rays RE30 CS

Aqua Te37

And stop on Red.

Of course nothing will ever happen.

RE-Xtreme Version III TA Spec

Remember this. I haven't forgotten the dream... Hello Dream! Should I fight....Maybe reality and dreams sometimes don't mix.

Mazda Speedish

Im liking this simple design. Very MazdaSpeed and very ME.

Low, Feed Skirts + Wing. Bring it on.

Split Directions

OK, so here is the current scheme of things. I think I can get away with feed skirts, a splitter and a slight drop on the suspension with new tyres.

With GT wing also. It's well hard looking with or without some vinyl.

As for the spare set of rims. Work IIRT seem to be getting their nose in front right now.

Just need money.

Reflections

Went out today and the car was parked up, quick snap. The suspension is awesome compared to the old junk!

I was thinking of returning it to a stock front bar. But I know that would last for ten seconds before I got bored. I saw an original '97 car go past the other day and it just looked great. FD design is great standard.

But for now still dreaming. Of course I can't keep anything standard. Modifying is my hobby.

So the basics are there. Maybe Feed side skirts in carbon and an RE- A or CC diffuser in carbon. And the splitter maybe back on the cards.  They should make for a good combo.

Work 11 RT look great (kind of like gram lights optimise) and there is that splitter again. This time jsut a flat sheet. without air dam. 

Why? ... As it turns out the current undertray has been replaced with a crap plywood design already and I need to replace that anyway as it's really not good. And as I love this bumper with the splitter. Feed skirts. + diffuser + splitter realistically will be a good image. (chop coming)

Im also thinking about what to do with these defis. I'd like to clean up the dash.

Mounting position of the boost guage is challengine my ideas.

Currenly the glove box has a defi cable nest. and the PFC is not so desirably located.

Any Ideas?

Bare Curves - Hello Shape

Pulled the aero off the car this morning. The FD shape is back. I can see some small carbon skirts going on there. but thats it.

Black RP-01 still looking sweet. Don't get too close though. they are rough.!

The sides of the FD really do curve a lot. Covering them up was a bad idea. Whereas before, I was thinking the front needed to be a lot lower. Now, I don't think it does. Don't get me wrong, I certainly want to lower the car a tad more. The rear is quite high, but that was probably die to the GT wing, (that i still have.)

During this exercise i saved not much weight. maybe 5Kg. Rear wing is quite heavily constructed. Side skirts are cheap and thin. Shame I stuck the enkei stickers on the skirts... damn!

Can't wait till Friday... secret secret. haha.

Happy to be back on track.

Adjustable splitter

Here's something thats been in my mind, feel free to comment.

I want to run the car low, but that means avoiding my driveway with any kind of splitter.

Ive been thinking of ways to have an extendable section or simply one that slides in when I need it for circuit days.. Held in by pins or bolts.

The one that slides in is easy. Just affix some bars along the underside and slide the front section into some tubes. These are running strainght along the body, so it wouldn't detract from the effect much? would it?

This car has an outer edge only, the centre could be added for track days.

I actually want it a bit lower like this picture.

R- Magic make one also but it's crazy expensive and probably wouldn't match the body of my car.

What to do?

CHOP CHOP

For the Scoot Bumper. I need a splitter. Balance is key. Money Money Money....Next Month

Russ.

Black Out

Here is the car fitted with black wheels. Rear Diffuser and some subtle graphics.

This one has used Enkei NT-03. about the only other affordable wheel for me. Can't stop playing with photoshop.

Realistically, I'll be painting these wheels as soon as the new tyres come. Lower IS better.

Hella tuck, flush, stanced, low, Whatever.

Oh yeah, almost forgot. Here's a chop of the car with the GT wing. and no rear lip spoiler. The combination together is not pretty.

Tyre Time

There isn't much needed to make my FD look freaking cool.
Lowered and a bit of paint on the wheels. A splitter is unavoidable and gt-wing will see circuit duty.
Just a tweak here and there. But this post is more about tyres.

Tyre Choice Time.

Right now I have 18" wheels. 8.5" and 9.5" rims but the tyres are worn.
So the logical choice is to replace with the same size. 235/40 and 265/35 Right? Wrong.

Purpose: The car is to see some double duty "fun" circuit driving.
Not extreme time setting or super drift, but somewhere in between. Let's call it "Slide Attack" setting.

So that means maybe a little less tyre is more fun.

225/40 front and 255/35 rear for the street will be perfect. (Version I setting)
This will see the car able to be lowered with ease.
The tyres may have a slight stretch to tuck the wheels nicely inside the guards with 8.5"+35 and 9.5"+38 Offset.
Front will also have more lock at the lower hight without chewing the guards during some impromptu drift.
For the circuit, If I use 255/35 all round. (Version II setting)

I only need another two 9.5" rims with some 255/35 mounted.
These could be used on the front for improved turn in for grip running days or on the rear for spare drift duty spares.
I have more than enough power to spin any tyre so durability is a little bit of an issue also. Softer High grip tyres will dissappear quickly.

It's good writing this down because it helps the clarity.

Positives.
Looks / Versatility / Fun / Low Cost / Durability

Negatives. (at this point I don't care about so basically none)
lower grip level / slightly less control / higher lap times
Lap times for me are only a measure of driver performance so a consistent vehicle setting will mean measurable outcomes.

So I think I've answered my own questions.

Tyres
2x 225/40R18 for the front 8.5" rims.
2x 255/35R18 for the rear 9.5" rims.
2x 255/35R18 spare
Wheels
2x 9.5" RP-01 or similar

Configurations Available
Street 225/40R18 F / 255/35R18 R
Circuit Drift 225/40R18 F / 255/35R18 R
Circuit Attack 255/35R18 F & R GT Wing + current ride hight + alignment.

Tyre Choices
225/40R18 Neova AD08, Direzza Star Spec or Bridgestone RE-11 are the choices. Y25000~ea
255/35R18 Federal 595RS-R seems logical.  Y17500~ea

So total is about 130,000


I think that should balance the car. Probably the 225 Neova would match the grip of the 255 Federals anyway.

(Note to self -- last time green Version II had 255 on 10J rims and there was no stretch. *** Research)


Russ