This Texan Mazda RX-7 Swapped Its Japanese Soul For Top Speed

The world of tuned Mazda RX-7s is a saturated landscape, overflowing with wannabe speed demons. But every now and then, a rebel emerges like this Texan. The second-gen RX-7 isn’t content with the rotary’s signature wail – it craves the heavy metal anthem of a V8 heart ripped straight from a Chevy Camaro.

Visual alterations speak volumes of its singular quest for top speed. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill RX-7 remix; it’s a full-blown genre switch.

More: This Mazda RX-7 Has A Howling Six-Rotor Engine That Costs Over $70,000

The distinctive RX-7 belongs to Brandon Berry, who generously shared photos and details with us. Hailing from the vast landscapes of west Texas, Brandon confesses to a “lifelong obsession” with top speed. Motivated by this passion, he embarked on a project to optimize his car for maximum velocity, ultimately aiming to participate in high-speed runs at the Texas Mile.

The standout feature of the custom bodykit is the enclosed wheels, giving the RX-7 the appearance of a land-speed record vehicle. Both the front and rear fenders underwent widening and received custom extensions to cover the wheels, enhancing aerodynamics.

Initially, the front fenders remained stationary and protruded significantly to allow for turning. However, digital artist Alexandre Gouraud conceptualized dynamic covers that move with the wheels, inspiring the owner to enhance his project.

The Japanese sports car also features a new front bumper reportedly sourced from a Lamborghini Murcielago, albeit with blocked intakes to reduce drag. Alongside the vented hood, custom headlights have been added, eliminating the pop-up feature of the original RX-7. Additional modifications include extended side skirts, new wing mirrors, and a rear spoiler that creates a long-tail effect.

According to Brandon, the build began with a 1987 Mazda RX-7 (FC) chassis. The original 1.3-liter twin-rotor 13B engine was replaced with a significantly larger 5.7-liter LS1 V8, sourced from a 2001 Chevrolet Camaro.

The new powertrain received upgraded cylinder heads and a custom camshaft, resulting in an increased output of around 400 hp (298 kW / 405 PS). This marks a significant leap from the stock US-specification rotary-powered RX-7, which produced 146 hp (109 kW / 148 PS). Just like in the Camaro, the V8 is paired with a Borg-Warner T56 six-speed manual gearbox, delivering power to the rear axle.

Brandon tells us that he has yet to test the top speed of his heavily modified Mazda in real life, but the engine swap specs suggest it will easily outperform any stock RX-7. It will be interesting to see how much the sleeker bodywork affects the drag coefficient of the model and if it translates to additional mph.

Thanks to Brandon Berry for the photos!