How Omar turned a forgotten Montego Blue shell into one of New Jersey’s most notorious rotary builds
Photography locations: Prime NYC, Los Goonies, Elite Tuner | Edison, NJ
| Car Enthusiasts | Omar |
| Representing | Edison, New Jersey |
| Year/ Make/ Model | 1995 Mazda RX-7 |
| Vehicle Nickname | Lola |
| Photographers | Michael Rivera Eric Viken Luis Ramos |
There’s a moment every RX-7 owner knows that split second when you roll into a car meet, kill the engine, and watch heads turn. For Omar, that moment never gets old. His 1995 Mazda RX-7, affectionately known as “Lola,” doesn’t just arrive at a scene. She announces herself.
“My wife named her,” Omar says with a grin. “She said the car was too scandalous to not have a name. I think she was right.”
Scandalous is putting it mildly.
FROM DEAD METAL TO DREAM MACHINE
When Omar first found his RX-7, it wasn’t the head-turning street weapon it is today. It was a Montego Blue shell stripped, sitting, waiting for someone to believe in it again. Number 481 out of just 500 FDs produced in 1995, the car had good bones and rare pedigree, but it needed a vision. Omar had that in spades.
“I’ve always loved the RX-7,” he explains. “The lines, the sound, the way it drives there’s nothing else like it. But I didn’t want to build just another clean FD. I wanted something that represented me. Something aggressive, functional, and unapologetic.”
What followed was a ground-up rebuild that would take years of planning, countless late nights, and a network of dedicated shops and friends who believed in the vision as much as Omar did.
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THE HEART OF A DORITO
Under the hood, Lola is all business. The 13B rotary has been treated to a large street port, a setup that balances drivability with serious power potential. Feeding the engine is a Borg Warner EFR8374 turbo, a modern piece of forced-induction technology that spools quickly and pulls hard through the entire rev range. Goopy performance apex seals keep compression tight, while a Greddy V-mount intercooler ensures incoming air stays dense and cool, even under sustained boost.
Fuel delivery is handled by a full Injector Dynamics setup backed by a Walbro 450 pump, all orchestrated by a Haltech Elite 1500 ECU. Monitoring the vitals is an IC7 digital dash a crisp, customizable display that gives Omar real-time data on everything from boost pressure to oil temp. It’s the kind of setup that separates weekend warriors from serious builders.
“The rotary sound is addictive,” Omar says. “But knowing the engine is built right, tuned properly, and reliable? That’s what lets me actually enjoy driving her.”
FORM MEETS FUNCTION
Lola’s exterior is where Japanese street style meets American aggression. The bodywork starts with a molded FEED widebody kit subtle enough to maintain the FD’s iconic silhouette, but wide enough to let you know this isn’t stock. A Seibon carbon fiber hood sheds weight up front, while FEED side skirts and a ’99-spec rear spoiler complete the aero package. For that extra touch of motorsport menace, Omar added a Kevlar Odula blade and carbon end plates.
Sitting under those fenders are SSR Type C wheels 18×10.5 all around, wrapped in Hankook Ventus rubber. The stance comes courtesy of Zeal Function A coilovers paired with a Miracle Next X-Bar, giving Lola the kind of dialed-in handling that makes backroad runs feel like a religious experience. Braking power comes from rebuilt OEM calipers refinished in bright yellow, gripping StopTech rotors with upgraded pads.
It’s a setup built for grip, not just looks though the looks certainly don’t hurt.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
Step inside Lola and the commitment to weight reduction and style becomes immediately clear. Carbon fiber lines the headliner, door panels, and center console. HKS anniversary floor mats sit beneath your feet, a nod to the tuning legends who helped shape the FD platform. Even the battery has been relocated to the storage bins behind the seats: a lightweight Braille 21 unit that frees up engine bay space and improves weight distribution.
The audio setup is simple but effective, a Pioneer double-din head unit and Kicker speakers provide the soundtrack when the rotary isn’t singing. But let’s be honest: most of the time, Omar’s got the windows down, listening to the real music.
A COMMUNITY EFFORT
No build of this caliber happens in a vacuum. Omar is quick to credit the people and brands that helped bring Lola to life: RX Lights for clean, reliable lighting upgrades. The Auto Stars, Prime NYC, and Elite Tuner for their endless support and expertise. Los Goonies for the camaraderie and meet culture. And brands like Hankook, SSR, HKS, Greddy, and Seibon for making world-class parts accessible to enthusiasts like him.
“This scene is built on relationships,” Omar reflects. “You can’t do this alone. You need people who understand what you’re chasing and push you to get there.”
THE ROAD AHEAD
So what’s next for Lola? Omar’s got a mental wishlist that keeps growing. A big brake kit is high on the priority list, something with more bite to match the power. A pair of Bride or Recaro bucket seats would complete the cockpit. And he’s toying with the idea of air suspension, not for stance alone, but for the flexibility it offers at shows and on the street.
But even with future plans, Omar’s not rushing. He’s learned that the best builds evolve naturally, and that the journey is just as important as the destination.
“Being able to see my dream come to life is everything,” he says, leaning against Lola’s fender. “A lot of hard work went into putting this car together. But when I’m driving it, hearing that rotary sound, feeling everything come together—it makes it all worthwhile.”
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