It’s been a grueling battle these past few weeks, but the time has come to finally pull back the curtain and reveal the contest winner for MSD My LSX, presented by MSD Ignition. Arriving at the finish line with the most votes across the board was Bret Combest, Jr. of Louisville, Kentucky, whose ambitious project received a great deal of likes and well-wishing through the eight week contest. A big congratulations, Bret from all of us!
We got on the horn and talked to the man first hand to find out more about his project: a 1987 Mazda RX-7. Originally purchased as a parted-out shell without a title, Combest took a good deal of friendly inspiration and a great deal of out-of-pocket cash to make it to the street machine it is today.
Recruiting the help of his friend Bryan Down, who had a suped-up RX-7 of his own, the duo set to work back in December 2009, starting with moving the car to Down’s garage. Combest went about collecting all the future parts and tools he would need, including the paint gear, nitrous kit, and more.
Unfortunately, the supposed 350 engine, which the guys thought they had for the build, wound up being a measly 305 after more careful scrutiny of the casting numbers revealed the truth. The underpowered engine and its mated 700R tranny were sold post-haste to keep the project rolling, with the money procured going toward a 5.3L LM7 taken from a 2000 Silverado, an LS6 cam from a Z06, and an LS-series T5 transmission.
By February 2011, the drivetrain was coming together, as the LS1 intake manifold found its way onto the V8 and the guys welded on their BBK ’95 5.0 headers. A cutout valve was installed into the SLP exhaust system, which was equipped with Borla mufflers and Vibrant Performance resonators.
Some time later, custom A/C lines went in as the stock suspension came out. They guys went to town on the paint next, selecting Audi IBIS white – the brightest OEM white paint, Combest shared – to freshen up the reborn LS-powered sports car. A fiberglass kit went about replacing most of the body, giving it a wider stance.
In January 2013, the men had the chance to dyno the car, where it ranked at 295 hp. Disappointed but not distraught, they managed to secure a flywheel and LS1 motor, as well as LS7 clutch and T56 transmission to up the ante, yet again.
By May, the T56 had found its way into the RX-7, but not without running into issues involving a bad pilot bearing, which had to be replaced with a correct one, as well as a naughty throwout bearing that had to be accommodated as well. The beat went on, however, requiring more tinkering and rewelds of the bellhousing to get everything back in order.
As the months passed, the car came together in all aspects, and despite the trials and tribulations, it eventually made its way down to Bowling Green for the Holley LS Fest back in September. Compliments abounded and photos were taken, giving Combest and Down the recognition they deserved for such a cool “garage build” under their belt.
Final touches to the car, Combest says, will involve things like installing sound-dampening material and Mazda Z3 seats. He also has plans for power mods, like an LS6 intake, cam, and valve springs. Of course, we can’t forget the installation of his brand new MSD Atomic EFI.
“I’m having issues as far as idle and surging,” says Combest. “The Atomic system would add a good degree of reliability to my car, as well as maybe some power too. I can’t wait to get it!”
Congratulations, Bret, on your successful campaign with both the car and the contest. Good luck on the road ahead. We encourage you to see the build thread by visiting 502streetscene.net, and to check out more photos, take a look at his Photobucket page. Stay tuned for a full feature on Bret’s LS-powered RX7 upon completion and to find out more about what MSD can do for you, have a look at their website, or check out their growing Facebook fan page.