Unveiling Phil Sohn’s Legendary Mazda RX-7 FD3S: A Chameleon in the Import Scene

In the bustling realm of automotive enthusiasts, Phil Sohn stands as a revered figure, his name whispered with reverence among Rotary and import car fanatics alike. Behind the wheel of his iconic Mazda RX-7 FD3S, Sohn has carved out a legacy that would enshrine himself into the Automotive Walk of Fame, if there was one.

At the heart of Sohn’s acclaim lies his famed Deals Gap Rotary Rally, an annual gathering at the Tail of the Dragon that draws over a hundred rotary-powered beasts, a testament to his influence and passion within the community.

Recently, I had the privilege of reconnecting with Sohn at the ImportAlliance Spring Meet, a reunion after a decade long hiatus. Amidst the gathering of enthusiasts, Sohn remained unchanged humble, approachable, and brimming with insights garnered from years spent in the automotive trenches. I made the heartfelt decision to bid farewell to a cherished gem from my Tuner Magazine collection: the CGC Graded final issue of Super Street, showcasing his stunning RX-7 on its cover. I felt it was befitting of someone who has made profound contributions to the automotive community, plus it’s only fitting that he have it next to his prized position.

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Sohn’s RX-7 has graced the pages of countless import publications, from Modified, Import Tuner, PASMAG and Super Street, each iteration capturing the essence of his ever-evolving vision. Yet, what sets his build apart is its chameleon-like nature, seamlessly adapting to new hues and modifications with each feature. Phil does have enough parts laying around to build another two or three FD’s if he wanted to.

Recalling one such instance, Sohn recounted a time when both Import Tuner and PASMAG vied for the spotlight, an unprecedented demand for his machine’s presence. The catch he had to have a slightly different look for the later feature. Faced with the dilemma of differentiation, Sohn turned to innovation, concocting a blend of Dipyourcar.com’s Black and Silver coatings, birthing the ethereal Stormcloud—a shade now immortalized in automotive lore. Then threw on some different parts he had laying around to give it a new look.

Since its feature in Super Street back in 2020, the car has undergone some exciting upgrades. On the exterior, sleek carbon fiber accents like the Carbon Hatch with FAL, Sunroof, and RE-Amemiya Carbon Side Mirrors have been added, perfectly complementing the matte color scheme it boasts now. Plus, the addition of the TwinZ rear spoiler lip gives the rear end an unmistakably aggressive stance.

Inside, the upgrades continue with a Haltech IC-7 featuring a custom Greg Thompson 3D printed Surround, meticulously tracking every aspect of the ported 13b engine that Phil has poured countless hours into. Other interior enhancements include a FEED shifter, Works Bell quick release, custom mount Carplay mirror with dashcam, EDFC control mount by Jose Gonzales, and the choice of Takata Drift belts over Schroth belts, rounding out the package for an immersive driving experience.

But there’s more to discover beyond the shiny pictures and sleek cars. Inside those pages are stories that paint a vivid picture of Phil Sohn’s commitment and creativity. Dive into the old tuner magazines, and you’ll uncover a tale of precise workmanship and clever adjustments, with each story unveiling a fresh perspective on his amazing build.

In a world where fads come and go in the blink of an eye, Phil Sohn stands strong as a rock in the import scene. His RX-7 isn’t just a car; it’s a source of motivation for future car lovers. So, if you ever have some downtime, flip through those old magazines and get lost in the story of a guy who lives and breathes his passion.

Special Thanks to: My wife for understanding my insane car hobby; BorgWarner Performance; Exedy Clutch USA; Toyo Tires; Radium Auto/Engineering; TEIN USA; Defi; PowerFlex; NGK; Samco Sports UK; HMS Motorsports; TurboSmart; Fonzie at Dip Your Car; Jay from EVOR; Aaron and Jason at Full Function Engineering; Heath at Sakebomb Garage; Edgar at E&J Autoworks; Matt from Garage Alpha; Brian from Mackin Industries; FD Wheel Covers in Carbon; Nathan from Liqui Moly USA, Shawn from Tuned By Shawn.

Modifications:

Engine:

E&J Autoworks 2mm apex seals
BorgWarner EFR 8474 twin-scroll turbo
Turbosmart actuator, blow-off valve
Radium Engineering drop-in multi-pump surge tank, remote fuel filter kit
Walbro E85 dual fuel pumps, lift pump
Full Function Engineering primary and secondary fuel rails; ID 1,300cc and 1,700cc injectors
Sakebomb Garage dual oil cooler kit, water/meth injection tank with AEM pump/controller, gold heat reflective tape
IR Performance stainless oil filler neck, high-output alternator
Samco Urban Camo couplers, radiator hoses, billet coolant temp sensor adapter
Fujita Engineering intake elbow; A’PEXi GT front-mount intercooler, N Flow radiator
custom engine harness tuck and aluminum hard lines, All fluid is by Liqui Moly USA
FD Wheel Covers in Carbon – Kevlar Inner wheel cover.

Drivetrain:

RZ five-speed transmission; Exedy twin-disc clutch and lightweight flywheel
Mazdaspeed Powerplant frame; GReddy high-capacity differential cover
C’s short shifter
Powerflex diff bushings (black series)

Engine Management:

Haltech Elite 1500 with dual EGT sensors and Innovate wideband
LMS-EFI mil-spec engine harness with Elite 1500 quick disconnect
Sakebomb Garage IGN1 coil kit
BorgWarner Turbo Speed sensor

Suspension:

TEIN Monosport coilovers with EDFC Active Pro
Powerflex Black Series bushings
Sakebomb Garage billet solid sway bar mounts
Tri-Point adjustable front sway bar
Racing Beat adjustable rear sway bar
AutoExe front strut bar
R-Magic fender brace
M2 Performance launch kit
Garage Alpha Subframe Collars, Raceshop roll bar with rear strut tower bar and harness belt hookup

Brakes and Wheels

Sparta big brake kit
ABS delete with proportioning valve
18×10 front, 18×10.5 rear ADVAN GT wheels
255/35R18 front, 295/30R18 rear Toyo Tires R888R tires

Exterior:

FEED Type 2R front bumper with FEED Type 2R carbon accents
FEED turn signals with Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro LEDs, R-Magic headlights with Diode Dynamics SS1 and SS2 LED driving lights, rear fender flares
TCP Magic G Face GT fenders, side skirts, carbon front fender diffuser
APR Performance top fender vents; APR Performance GT300 carbon spoiler with custom base
RE Amemiya N1 Carbon hood
Built 2 Apex front splitter and mounting brace
RE Amemiya Pro rear carbon splitter
DipYourCar ProLife plasti-dip.
Carbon Hatch with FAL
Carbon Sunroof
RE-Amemiya Carbon Side Mirrors
TwinZ rear spoiler lip

Interior: