Road to Rotary: Japan to France in an RX7

[randomshenans]

Going to attempt to (not me, personally) bid on this one tonight. Ive had a few come up as options but this is a low mileage (65k km) no accident car with a poorly engine. Which is perfect. I've lined up a rebuild, so that's not an issue. Bidding starts tomorrow. Lets see what she goes for...

Then it's the Kei truck buying and all the other logistical pain I'm having at the moment but it's all figureoutable!

 

[randomshenans]

Prices are pretty high at the moment, but considering this is accident free and also is a 1993 which is important for registration in France as it has to be pre 1995 to qualify for the 30yr rule of being a "cherished / show car" which means it won't have to do any of the checks a normal car would and it gets a nice black number plate The main part is the fees and checks though.
There is a nice bit of hoops to jump through, as you can imagine with france, but I hopefully have my guy nextdoor who can help do all this for me.

I'm putting in max bid for them to go to of 25 inc fees and I'm hoping I can get it for a lot less considering the engine. Underside is really very good, bodywork is great, no rust, no damage, interior is fantastic and the fact is a 40k mile car is a great base. Hoping I can get it for 20k inc fees but hey... will see. Prices are rising at the moment, especially unmolested etc.

It's slightly more than I would have liked to (this whole thing is a budget creep nightmare) have spent, but I believe I can get the rebuild done between 3.5-5k. I would love to have the whole thing come in about 27k inc rebuild... but lets see how the auction goes. I've told them to go to 25k inc fees.

HKS still seem keen for the Hipermax coilovers, which will be a nice addition to the setup. I'm still going to push for the single turbo and intercooler setup... I think I can wangle it. It would just make sense really! Now THAT would be a setup for 28k!

I've got a biltong sponsor (who doesn't need meat for a road trip!) who are on board for all my adventures, which is super cool.

Yokohama are on board to supply me tyres and I am currently chatting to Recaro having been passed to the right people / team so will see where that goes! Somewhere nice for our asses would be mega appreciated.

I'd love a wheel sponsor and actually spoke to BBS who said they're in a bit of a **** position at the moment internally and having a huge reorg but contact them again in a few months. Which of course I can do In the meantime I am trying to chat to Ray and Work wheels. I do want to make sure the wheels are able to stand up to the potential pot holes and that's why tyres were also important in case of a blow out/ puncture etc. I'll contact them and see if they can ship me out some tyres to where I am lol but will take a couple of spares for each in the truck.

The truck though...since I keep spending more of the budget on the RX7 the Kei budget is smaller than it's engine. So I'm looking at something ratty like this:

Importation utilisée HONDA ACTY TRUCK 1993 à vendre - SBT Global Car exportateurs

It's up for 640USD lol and comes into the pre 95 year too. That's the sort of budget I have for this badboy now. See what happens with the RX and then can look at what cheap truck I can nab at the same time.

If I get this car tomorrow I'll be booking to go to Japan to see it in next month.

 

[randomshenans]

Nice of HKS to want to get involved but Hipermax are very harsh. Had them on my Evo and it was awful. Also, I know their mushroom filters are "JDM as F Bro" but I've tended to avoid them.

Exhaust-wise though, I have both HKS Silent Hi Power on my Impreza and Ti system on my Evo. Both of which I'm very happy with.

I know they do the hipermax r and the s, I think it's the S that is supposed to be more road and comfort? I think it must be those!

Good insight, though! Thanks, it's appreciated as I have zero JDM experience

Let's see how it all goes and what I can persuade them to give me haha

Auction is tomorrow morning Japan time, so lets see what Friday brings me!

 

[randomshenans]

I now own a 1993 RX7 with 63k KM (until I add 14k to it lol) no accidents, fresh paint, cusco LSD, recent oil and fuel pump and now one new owner!

Better pop over to Japan to go see my new purchase and get the rebuild underway!

 

[randomshenans]

I was chatting with my mate's fiancé, who's Russian, last night. She's going to run through my route with me and give me tips on where best to stop, best places to avoid and where could be stints with limited fuel etc. which will be super helpful.

There's a lake along the route she was like you have to see that, it's beautiful. So I'll make a ton of notes and plan the trip out with stops etc. to make sure I avoid anywhere she says is a bit more sketchy and see the best parts I can.

 

[randomshenans]

P.s I'm very jealous of the opportunity that you have found presented to you, what a dream it would be for me to be able to do something similar.

To be fair, it was less presented and more just windmilling into something.
I'm putting a huge chunk of savings into this, with no job, no new job lined up and just figuring it'll work itself out in the end really.
Not many people would, when faced with no job and no income, take such a step to spend their savings on buying a 30yr old JDM car to drive half way around the world.
I'd argue anyone is capable of doing such ridiculous things, and it certainly won't be my last, but you have to properly jump in both feet first.

I presume the rebuilt engine will have the upgraded rotor tips etc installed to improve longevity. I would also be requesting an extended Dyno session to ensure that the engine and car is fault free following the rebuild.

Yea, this is why it's also good to have time on my side to make sure it's all good. Having the chance to drive it round Japan will be nice too. I am planning on being there this July, then in Jan and then for a week next June before the trip. It would be great to be able to drive it around some iconic Japanese places.

I would advise a switchable map on the car so you can run safely on low Ron fuel (I'm not sure exactly what countries you are going through, but not every where has the 100ron fuel the Japanese do, in the various countries you may enter depending on the route and the geopolitical state the world is in at the time you might find yourself having to fill up with 87ron which would be absolutely terrible for your rx7 and other suitably JDM vehicles you may be purchasing.

It's not a bad shout. I read that fuel in Russia most commonly is 95 RON, where you can from time to time get 98. I'll use the Kei truck to get some of the best fuel possible but realistically it'll no doubt have to use 95 for the majority, so I'll try and factor that in.

You can get different spring rates which will help with the ride, if hks is supplying him with coilovers I'd like to think he could negotiate with them to make them suitable for the trip he is planning.

Yea, they want me to come to the factory and everything when I'm over so I'll discuss the best setup possible for the car and what they have in mind. They know the trip and want it to be a good advert for their suspension so of course will try and make it as good as it can be.

To keep it JDM an Apexi filter might be better or a SARD filter, they have less "holes" than the hks and greddy sponge filters.

This is good info. I will see what I can pick up over there.

Also the enkei rpf1 (sell 2nd for £1400) wheels the car already has are pretty strong already, these were designed to be a race wheel and suit the car pretty nicely. Obviously it's down to your preference. I also wouldn't go to large a wheel for the journey, putting 19s on will give you less tyre wall to flex with meaning more likely to suffer a damage tyre/wheel. Keeping the size sensible will help greatly with the ride and potential failures. The FD rx7 came with 16" wheels from factory (if memory serves me right), the enkeis on the car now look to possibly be 18s, as a rule of thumb you should go larger then 2" the stock car came with to keep ride and handling (as well as the Speedo accuracy)

Good info! Thanks. I didn't know what they were. They're 17s on there at the moment. So that's what I'd stick with in general, like you said, I don't want to reduce tyre wall at all.

I'd love to get over there when the rebuild is being done and get some of that documented, or get my hands dirty on helping in some way! I think that would be epic.

I've been talking to the guy who runs RWB Manila who has a place in Japan and we're going to meet up when I'm over there hopefully. Mmmm RWB 964 has to be a bucket list car... one day! One ******* day!!

 

[randomshenans]

Based on the amount of time my mates collection of RX7s spend on the road versus on a ramp over the years, you are completely mad....but I guess that's the point for the clicks

haha Yea, well, probably... I am hoping that a nice upgraded rebuild and setting it up nicely in Japan will give it the best chance it can, but hey! At least I'll have the Kei truck to support it and go off to get things if needed

 

[randomshenans]

Bucket list car for me would be an RX7 with a 4 Rotor.

I was asked if I wanted to put a 3 rotor in instead of a 2 would be about 8k for a 3 rotor lol tempting...

 

[randomshenans]

Normally I'd say anyone with no income putting serious money into something like this was perhaps a bit crazy, but given the response you've already had from pretty major brands and the fact you're already experienced with youtube etc I reckon you've got a good chance of making this work, and maybe even using it as a springboard for future trips / projects. I'll certainly be watching and I imagine a lot of other people will be too.

I mean, it is a bit crazy really. Most would go so far as to say it's stupid in fact. But I think you need a bit of crazy to do something that you'll remember and worst case scenario would be having to sell the car in france and I'd have pretty much most my money back (aside from probably travel costs) but with a ton of memories... so really? What's the risk? Why not! It's not often you have the time to do these things, so I figure it's my time to do the things I would love to and see who is up for sharing in that journey.

 

[randomshenans]

Acme would do it properly and do a DIY engine rebuild on the side of the road.

lol you're such a troll

@sigma you up for a Ring trip? Been talking with Tom etc. about one at some point.

@Akagi doesn't do anything properly, never mind an engine rebuild.

I normally wing most things, but this I am actually trying to do properly. Well, as properly as I can.

Honda Acty search is now on. Should have some auctions to look at next week and see what they look like.

The acty will actually be shipped ROLO to me as soon as it's bought and I'll register it in France, do some work to it, probably respray it white again, not off white, and it'll get shipped back with the RX7 later.

Just spoke to HKS and punted the idea of them providing the GTIII-4R full turbo kit, intercooler and HKS F-CON V Pro ECU so I can have various maps on it for varying qualities of fuel etc.

I mean, casually asking for like nearly $10k worth of parts and they replied saying let them just have a chat internally and see what they can do let's see!

 

[randomshenans]

I handed my 3 month notice without a job lined up back in 2021 where I basically told my superiors to go do one. Everyone thought I was mad as I was on a well paying job but was one of the best moves of my life!

Sometimes doing that thing that everyone thinks you're mad for is actually right, but we've just been told all our lives these things are mad, so we're scared to even try!

Wow, at least it's not a no, surely they must get requests like this all the time, I'm surprised how many sponsors seem up for it tbh.

Yea, to be fair I had no expectations coming into this but the response so far has been really positive!

Lets see where else it goes!

I've got my eyes on a Honda Acty - 1994 with 40,000km on it, 4wd and with A/C which I think the people driving it will appreciate! lets see if I can get that under budget!
I might have some suspension lined up for that, too from a sponsor
Auction is tomorrow! Will share it if I win.

 

[randomshenans]

This is it... now let's see!

 

[randomshenans]

350000yen maybe

Yea, that's actually my max budget on it. So I'm going in with that as a top end bid. Well top rank are for me.

I have an FD myself, but it is twin turbo, LS3. /awaits hate

Boooo!

Sounds like an awesome idea! Although, i hope you get a proper compression test on it before you do so!

It's going to have a full rebuild before the trip back, so it'll be pretty damn fresh with mostly new components for the journey back.

I've been invited to show case the car at an event in the US next November... tempting to ship it to NY and then drive it to California and it would have basically gone round the world

 

[randomshenans]

Looks amazing

|Didn't get it. It went for a chunk (5k ex. fees) which pushes it into pretty big money for one. I get it, it's mint. Bit you know... I have a 3.5k budget inc fees for one. I don't mind respraying it while it's back home for a bit.

Next week we see what's on the auctions again

 

[randomshenans]

Some updated pics of the beast and her lazy eye! That's on the list of things to fix...

She's so super clean. Odds and ends to do to her, which is this list up next:

- Engine oil & oil element replacement
- WAKOS PRO-S10W-40 engine oil Pro Stage
- Filter assembly AY100-KE001

- Transmission oil replacement
- WAKOS RG90 gear oil RG90

- Differential oil replacement
- WAKOS RG6140LSD gear oil 140

- LLC (Long Life Coolant) replacement
- LLC-G Coolant Green

- Brake fluid and clutch fluid replacement
- BF-4 Brake fluid DOT-4

- Battery replacement
- PANA-75D23L Panasonic battery SB

- Spark plug replacement
- N3X5-18-110 spark plug set

- Wiper blade replacement
- AY001-Z500R01 wiper blade
- AY001-Z450R01 wiper blade

- Wiper arm painting

- Air cleaner replacement
- N3A1-13-Z40 air cleaner

- Fuel filter replacement
- N3A1-13-480 fuel filter

- Radiator cap replacement
- KF01-15-205 radiator cap
- N3A1-15-205A radiator cap

- Compression test

- Shift lever wobble bushing replacement
- 0398-17-462A spring seat
- M501-17-515 bushing

- Rear lower arm left and right pillow ball replacement
- FD01-26-220 pillow ball
- 99574-3800 snap ring
- FD01-26-250 seal rubber

- Rear upper arm left and right pillow ball replacement
- FD01-26-230 pillow ball
- FD01-26-250 seal rubber
- 99574-3800 snap ring

- Toe control arm left and right pillow ball replacement
- FD01-28-42Y pillow ball bushing
- FD01-26-230 pillow ball

- Left headlight opening/closing motor replacement
- FD01-51-SBXB retractable motor LH

- Driver's seat door pocket replacement
- F100-68-4MZC00 door pocket

- Wheel lock nut socket creation (McGard)

- ECM (Engine Control Module) replacement
- APEX Power FC
- FC Commander

- Installation of height adjustable suspension kit (supplied parts)

- Four-wheel alignment adjustment


That's what's next. Just got the invoice for this bad boy, which comes in at just over 20k EUR so far not including the work above.

Kei truck hunt is still on this week. Missed out on some of the previous ones, but it's fine as it gives me time to pay for this lot

I reckon HKS will sort me out an IC, the coilovers and I'm pushing for the ECU at the moment. This is mainly for the switchable maps and I think this is really a must have, so if they won't gift it as a part of it, I'd see if they'll do some deal because switchable maps is a must for me. They're super hesitant on the turbo kit, just because they don't want it to go wrong and if they can't trust it to be a good advert for their product, they don't want the risk, which I totally understand. I mean, any help would be mega for me.

Still have plenty of people to chat with as well... full time job all this

I'm off to Japan July 13th - 21st to see the beauty, meet up with Top Rank, HKS and some other guys. Super excited for that as I've never been, so should be fun.

Also got this back from Mazda director of PR today, so see where that goes!

Progress is progress!

 

[randomshenans]

Surprised hks are hesitant over their turbo kit, think they would have more faith in their products lol. There shouldn't be much go wrong with a turbo and manifold.

It's more that if they don't know and trust the tuner, they're more concerned about the control of what's been done to ensure that it works as needed for such a trip. I do get it.

I'd happily take it pretty stock with uprated cooling and ECU though. Just to help me get home as intended. I'll try and get their turbo later on

Speak to re:worx they done a lot of work on the Apexi PFC and it may be possible to have switchable maps on it using the commander, I've seen mention of it on the internet on forums but nothing concrete.

Thanks man I'll have a look

 

[randomshenans]

I've got an uprated thermostat and Mishimoto radiator and slimline fan on the way. They gave me a bit of a discount, which is nice of them and that should help keep temps down a bit as well if needed. Just need uprated HKS intercooler and air filter I'll pick up at some point and it'll remove the stock stuff and hopefully make it a bit more efficient there.

 

[randomshenans]

My little Kei truck... no idea what it cost me at this point, i'll get the invoice soon

She's a little bit ratty, but the bed will get a full raptor bed lining and I'll be tarting her up nicely!

The mission to get a A/C car! Meant I had to also get an AWD which is fine, but just harder to find. Looking forward to some tinkering!

Oh and i've booked tickets to Japan for July! Head there on July 12th

 

[randomshenans]

To be honest, I think I'd leave it looking like that. Gives it a bit of character!

I think it'll stay like that for the trip... saves me spending too much time on it for it to get mucky again. I might raptor spray the bed though to make it a bit more hard wearing but that's about it.

Have I misread things or is the truck being shipped to France, worked on then shipped back to Japan for the start of the trip?

It has to come back anyway for Reg stuff. No way around that, so will do roll on roll off, which is the cheapest way of doing it. No container, just drives on the boat, drives off the other end. I go and collect it there.

Love it.

I was looking at an Acty too, they look the best, that or the round headlight Carry.

Really wanted a Turbo though so got a 2000 Carry with the F6A turbo

That one looks fine, bet it was a bargain

Yea, I actually prefer the round light front. I might convert it to that, as it's just the headlights and front panel change.

Nice!! This would be a hoot with a turbo. Any pics?

I still haven't had the invoice, so no idea the price lol

 

[randomshenans]

Really looking forward to it though. I still muuuuuch prefer the older styled Kei trucks but no Turbos at that age

Widebody?