Mazda RX-8 Hybrid
Every manufacturer has produced a popular sports car at one point or another. The Mazda RX-7 has had three generations of popular applications, most notably the notorious FC3S and award-winning FD3S. All iterations of RX-7s sported RWD power, but what’s unique is that they were rotary powered.
In an automotive climate filled with piston-slapping engines, a rotary motor hasn’t always been accepted. Over a decade ago, the sleek lines of the last generation RX-7 was discontinued and a void developed in Mazda’s sports car production. In an attempt to fill the demand, Mazda reintroduced sporty sedans with the 3 and 6, but it was only in 2004 that the long overdue RX (or Rotary eXperiment) made its triumphant return.
Sporting a whole new style with handling capabilities challenging any car in its class, the revised rotary was billed as an RX-8 and after the initial shock, it was a hit. Having personally put this vehicle through exhaustive research and testing, the crisp handling of the car from the factory is worthy of the RX designation. Like the nimble versions before it, the RX-8 is a sheer pleasure to drive, however, it is widely known that the torque is lacking in the 1.3L rotary. JIC Magic in Downey, CA, specializes in suspension and hardcore performance products for several different applications, so it was understood that the RX-8 had high potential. Owner Jon Kaneda had a vision to construct their own RX-8 project car, so without haste JIC set out to build a perfect-handling machine for both drift and time attack runs.
Starting with the Renesis rotary engine, the project began by removing it altogether. JIC opted to go back to the roots of the 13B single turbo 2-rotor motor. The rotary housings were revamped and rebuilt on the other side of the world at Revolution Racing in Japan and the entire motor was broken down and reassembled with 8.5:1 compression rotors to handle its new diet of boost — and plenty of it. The eccentric shaft and rotors were also rebalanced to withstand its plan for a lifetime of abuse.
Now, putting the 13B into the RX-8’s engine bay was no simple task. “I began by modifying the front and back cross members,” says Kaneda. “We even cut the firewall itself — you have to get pictures of this in the magazine!” It’s definitely not like a standard B-series swap into a Honda or an SR in a 240! So, we obliged and got the RX up on the hoist to get a glimpse of the mechanical genius that made it possible. With the hard work comes great results and true to Japanese business culture, the final product isn’t released until the results exceed the aspirations of the original plan. Some say it is all in the details... and the details in this car are remarkable.