Datsun Used Parts

1994 Mazda RX-7 S6 (FD3S) - Pressure Cooker - 162

For a long time our trans-Tasman neighbours did it tough. When the floodgates opened and New Zealand’s used car market became swamped with Japanese imports, Australia’s remained tightly shut. While we were being inundated with GT-Rs, GTS-Ts, GT-Xs, GTI-Rs and other pre-loved automotive treats plucked straight from the Japanese domestic market (JDM), our Aussie allies had to make do with watered-down offerings from the local stable with names like Excel and Charade. Unless you owned an old-school Mazda RX, or were willing to be reamed for a late-model turbo re-power package for your Datsun 1600 or Isuzu Gemini, you simply had to make do.

Now it’s a different story. Imports are commonplace on Australian roads, and along with the influx of tough Japanese metal, JDM-style tuning has taken the country’s modified car scene by storm. That’s a good thing, because as anyone with half an ounce of taste will tell you, Aussie-bred ‘Sex Spec’ (think chrome, faux snakeskin, candy paint and airbrushing) is a modifying method that has outstayed its welcome.

Andrew Millar, a 33-year-old aircraft engineer based in Queensland, is the sort of guy who’s always put go before show. Back in the day, Andrew got his speed thrills in an RX-3. It was that original taste of Mazda’s rotary potential that’s brought him back for more. His current ride, this super-clean, super-quick ’94 FD3S Mazda RX-7 S6, exemplifies the JDM modification ethos.

Going into the project, Andy knew exactly what he wanted. “The main aim was to create something that looked as good as it went,” he says. “That and the fact that I only wanted to use Japanese performance parts — in my mind nothing else comes close.”

To assist with the build, Andy enlisted the help of GT Auto Garage, a company well versed in the art of creating hardcore Japanese machines for the road, strip and track.

In GT’s hands, the Mazda went under the knife and 12 months down the road has emerged as one of the toughest late-model RX-7s in the land. It’s make-up, however, is surprisingly simple.

To get things moving in the engine department, a serious 13B twin-rotor was employed between the front struts. Pieced together by Dave at GT Auto and Rowan at Xtreme Rotaries, the engine was initially built for drag racing and dyno shootouts. In that guise it threw down a solid 640hp, thanks in part to some serious internal work, which still includes bridge-ported housings, low-compression rotors, carbon apex seals and a custom crank. Then there’s the dirty great HKS T51R SPL huffer, the MoTeC M4 engine management, the 1600cc injectors, the water/methanol injection system and the oh-so-sweet-sounding titanium Still Way exhaust… “Projects always tend to get a bit out of hand and the engine build probably went a bit too far for the street,” says Andy.

Datsun Used Cars » Blog Archive » TREMEC T5 Rebuilding

May 11th, 2011 by carone

T5’s are strong standard transmissions when maintained. If your T5 is just starting to grind entering 2nd or 3rd, there still may be time to avert costly repairs. I only use quality American or Japanese made bearings. New hard parts available however, I do carry some good used parts. It’s built right, or not at all.

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