Option — Shōwa Car Tuning & Buyers Guide (2000 Edition)

Even with six employees holding it back during a line-lock burnout, the car keeps pushing forward. This wild FC's secret is weight distribution. The stock car already has an ideal 50:50 balance, yet this build shifts it to an astonishing rear-heavy 44:56. The reason is simple: all the heavy components were moved rearward. At president Seto's suggestion, even the engine was pushed deep into the cockpit. The engine bay now contains only an aluminum air guide and intercooler, and the driver sits where the rear seat used to be. The engine has side-port work and a K27/HHB turbo, producing 460 PS. On S tires it runs a monstrous 10.990-second quarter-mile.

The included engine turned out to run perfectly. They installed used factory FD turbos, a used R32 GT-R intercooler, and a used F-Con V with rewritten data, then added a used EVC to reach 320 PS. Functional parts such as injectors, fuel pump, and regulator are new. This is an example of the used-parts FC tuning style pioneered by I-Feeling's circuit-spec car. The battered FC had been sitting at a used-car dealer, but its frame was sound, so it was bought for ¥50,000. Despite its appearance, the engine was in good condition. The build began using used FD factory parts and other inspected components.

A 13B intrudes into the cabin!? An ultra-front-midship FC achieves an astonishing 44:56 front-to-rear balance.

The engine intrudes into the cockpit! The 13B was already mounted front-midship, but its position has been moved even farther toward the center of the car, creating this unusual sight.

What makes this burnout different is that six people are needed to hold the car back. The rear tires grip so hard that the car keeps surging forward. Even the people restraining it are giving it everything.

Because the engine bay has been moved so far back, the driver sits around where the rear seat would be. The floor tunnel was cut away from the bulkhead and rewelded along the sides. The pedals are made by Wilwood in the United States.

Stillway

A lively, well-balanced FC3S

The instant after launch has a major effect on a quarter-mile time. Despite wheelspin, this car covers the first 18 meters in an astonishing 1.56 seconds and runs 10.990 seconds over 400 meters.

The car is purpose-built for the quarter-mile. Open the rear hatch and the fuel tank and radiator are revealed; concentrating the heavy components at the rear...

...is a remarkable piece of design.

It uses an S-twin clutch, while the transmission and differential remain stock so anyone can drive it. The prop shaft has nearly disappeared, bringing the transmission and differential almost directly together.

The factory FD turbo is installed with its original exhaust manifold. Since sequential control is difficult, it is used as a twin-turbo setup.

A first-generation FC bought for ¥50,000...

It can keep up with the latest specifications!

I-Feeling FC3S circuit build

It now runs low 43-second laps at Nikko and mid-44-second laps at Sportsland Yamanashi. The keys are a sound frame and knowing when to use new parts. This car may be what starts a trend in FC and FD parts-swapping builds.

A nearly worn-out 1988 first-generation model was bought for ¥50,000 as a ‘frame donor.’ On a test drive the engine surprisingly ran well, so the build began with that lucky find.

Use everything that can still be used.

(I-Feeling, manager Yagi: ‘We use whatever used parts are still serviceable.’)

AFFECT

BESTEX

Kiyoshi (Studio Keith) / Yuki Sawada.

Photo: Kawabata. Report: Rater Yoshizawa / OPT.

Option — Shōwa Car Tuning & Buyers Guide (2000 Edition)

About this issue

Page 104 — English draft translation