ok I'm starting this thread to gauge the intrest in doing the 2jz swap
I am considering doing this swap for others once mine is done.
Of coarse I dont know how much the total cost would be yet but I know it will be less than some of the turbo kits out there and have much more potential for power

The swap will not be for every one and I know that. This of coarse will not be the ideal setup for track use either. But all that ok be tested when mines done. I will be doing 1/4 mile races, and some autocross stuff. And will get some videos of it all. I also have some friends with stock 8's and close to stock 8's to test side by side

I am a toyota tech and will be doing these on the side
I dont know a turn around time yet either. But I will need all the parts or you have all the parts before I take a car and it will be only one at a time

This thread is just for gauging basic interest

the link to the thread on my swap is in my sig

please vote and post your opinion



and please don't let it get off-topic or hateful. if you don't like the idea thats fine

how about offering a 2jz swap kit?

I voted no.

The reality is that I don't have the money to do any swap, or even a turbo in the near future.

If I had the money and just had to swap out motors, there are other engines that are newer and better suited to the car IN MY OPINION.

With all that said your swap looks completely awesome. It seems to fit exactly what you want to do with the car. Good luck!

how about offering a 2jz swap kit?


That is something I have considered but I dont have the means as of now
but is somthing I will be looking into

How do you reckon that swapping a RJZ will be cheaper then a turbo kit?

You need a custom drive shaft, braces, tons of stuff, not to mention the motor itself...

its a really tall motor.

wouldnt an ls-x keep the CoG down lower?

How do you reckon that swapping a RJZ will be cheaper then a turbo kit?

You need a custom drive shaft, braces, tons of stuff, not to mention the motor itself...


not all turbo kits, i said some of the turbo kits out there
such as one of the MAzsport turbo kits that cost like 10K

and because my swap will have cost me about 4500 to $5000 not including the turbo or intercooler, so i know i could do it for under 10K, with a basic turbo upgrade and around 400 hp with a swap pushing 600hp under 12K easy

now thats not HKS turbo's or a Full Race manifold or all the extras that couple easily be turned into a $30k swap but it will be reliable and make good power for the street



motor set, trans and the rest of the drive train is around 3K if you shop right

if you go with the six speed look to spend around 7000 - 8000

a single turbo upgrade could be done for 1500 easily

for a full kit with a name brand manifold and a large ball bearing turbo your looking at 3000-6000 if you really want to spend the money



but if you just want to start out basic

i Promise i will be able to do it for under 10,000 and you can always upgrade later on on your own

you can also sell the stock motor to knock even more off the cost of the swap

and this could be done in automatic 8's much cheaper, just not with lots of power, but a 350 whp auto 2J would be much more fun than a renesis






and yes there are some other great motors out there, and i want to explore some of them, but the 2J is going to be the cheapest motor you can find with its power potential and reliablity in my opinion

I think if you could get a rwd tranny for it, a modded mazda 2.3 turbo motor would be cool

there is not much room, so a V motor would definately be much more difficult and much harder to work on, but is doable, i just don't like V8's (at least domestic ones) i would much rather go with a VQ35 or something along those lines, and i think there is someone in AL looking to do a LS-x motor

bump, more opinions please

RX + pistons = blasphemy

I'd do a 20b conversion before I'd do a 2JZ, but either way good luck with it. I'd be interested in seeing such a car in person.

Dumbest thread ever.

RX + pistons = blasphemy

I'd do a 20b conversion before I'd do a 2JZ, but either way good luck with it. I'd be interested in seeing such a car in person.

+1.

Dude, you bought the wrong car. the only engine swap I can think of is 20B for now. And 16X when its available.

If I were throwing in a piston engine, I wouldn't go with the 2JZ...there are better options out there than that aging architecture. LSx series, or what would be cool would be Mazda's DISI engine...I'd throw in a VQ before I would a 2JZ...

what about the bmw s52 engine? its another inline 6.

333hp, n/a.

i'd actually consider that engine if i wanted to do a swap to a piston engine.

Sounds good to me.

What about an engine out of an Evo IX? Wouldn't that be a smaller form factor & thus easier to shoehorn in?

nah i would only do a 2jz in another car, the rx8 platform stock just HANDLES to good, anything bigger and it only becomes a straight line car....no fun in that, just my 2cents

i never said that the 2JZ was the Best choice, and i certainly never said it is the only choice

but in my opinion it is the best choice for power to price ratio
plus it has a huge aftermarket support

an LSx motor could range from $3000 to $10,000 depending on what what variation
and a VQ35 out of a Z is not cheap either

and some times an aged motor is better any way, it has been tried and tesyed and proven it self for a decade now, i doubt many people would argue reliability between the 2j and 13B or any rotary

sorry, i meant the bmw s54 engine. they can be had for about 5-9 grand for a decent engine. as i said, the bmw inline 6 would be preferential to the toyota inline 6.

anyway, good luck with your swap. i'd like to see a 2jz swap into an rx8 that actually comes to fruition.

Negative,
the rx8 is all about handling. Tune your engine indeed!
We have a very good chassis and a unique engine. If you take the engine out and add a heavy inline 6 you kill the chassis factor as well, thus having just a drag car.
To me it makes no sense, like the swaps on the poor old fc3s

Negative,
the rx8 is all about handling. Tune your engine indeed!
We have a very good chassis and a unique engine. If you take the engine out and add a heavy inline 6 you kill the chassis factor as well, thus having just a drag car.
To me it makes no sense, like the swaps on the poor old fc3s

Yeah, but there are hot 4-cyl engines that don't weigh too much more than the 8's engine.

There's also a few tricks that could be done to keep the balance close to 50/50 and the handling sweet.

I'll bet no one or almost no one will get 100k miles out of a turbocharged Renesis that's making 300+WHP.

The rotary is cool and its powerband broad, but wouldn't it be nice to have this car make good power reliably?

Yes but wouldn't it be stupid to mess up with a car that is bought mainly for the engine feature? An rx8 without a wankel inside the bonnet would be just an "8"!
And then, reliability is not always a big issue. I had a look @ mysql's rebuild and the engine was in fairly good conditions! Moreover, revs help a lot on the track so swapping for another engine would be another useless waste of money for me, but that's my opinion :)

Yeah, but there are hot 4-cyl engines that don't weigh too much more than the 8's engine.

There's also a few tricks that could be done to keep the balance close to 50/50 and the handling sweet.

I'll bet no one or almost no one will get 100k miles out of a turbocharged Renesis that's making 300+WHP.

The rotary is cool and its powerband broad, but wouldn't it be nice to have this car make good power reliably?

This car does make good power reliably, and if you think you need more power you need to learn how to drive.

ok, I said i wanted people's opinions not insults
lets ease up a bit guys, lets respect each others opinions
and like i said to begin with, this is not for everyone



Yes but wouldn't it be stupid to mess up with a car that is bought mainly for the engine feature? An rx8 without a wankel inside the bonnet would be just an "8"!
And then, reliability is not always a big issue. I had a look @ mysql's rebuild and the engine was in fairly good conditions! Moreover, revs help a lot on the track so swapping for another engine would be another useless waste of money for me, but that's my opinion :)

and i did not buy my car for its engine, i bought it becasue it was a sporty car for a great price (i bought used), has great looks, and 4 doors (how many sports cars have that, definately not a supra).

and the only downside to buying the car was the lack of power,






This car does make good power reliably, and if you think you need more power you need to learn how to drive.

it may make good power for you but not for me, and i do know how to drive.
in fact pretty much every review of the car any magazine has done, the only bad part about the car was the power, look it up in car and driver, or some of the video test drives on you tube

i'ld bet that the rx8's power is the only reason why the 350Z is more popular (because it makes nearly 100 hp more for the same price)

and if you think it makes good power why do company's make cars with 300, 500 and more if 230 (mabey 180whp) is enough

there is no such thing as enough for some people
but until you feel what 500 hp feels like you don't know what your missing





either way, i hope to prove some people wrong with this, but there is not much point arguing until it is done and i have some videos, times, and numbers.

but like i said please keep the insulting to the minimum, but all opinions are welcome.

thanks all for looking

we might lack power compared to other cars but what about lap times?
Take a look at any z06 vette on laguna seca and look at the speed at each corner, then take the rx8 and notice how similar, if not superior, its turning speed is.
I know that 'vettes mount leafsprings like the old fiat 500 in the '60s but you're talking about 500hp and that's an economical car with 500hp.

Another Reni, 16x, or 20b would be the ONLY swap I'd ever do.

it may make good power for you but not for me, and i do know how to drive.
in fact pretty much every review of the car any magazine has done, the only bad part about the car was the power, look it up in car and driver, or some of the video test drives on you tube

i'ld bet that the rx8's power is the only reason why the 350Z is more popular (because it makes nearly 100 hp more for the same price)

and if you think it makes good power why do company's make cars with 300, 500 and more if 230 (mabey 180whp) is enough

there is no such thing as enough for some people
but until you feel what 500 hp feels like you don't know what your missing





either way, i hope to prove some people wrong with this, but there is not much point arguing until it is done and i have some videos, times, and numbers.

but like i said please keep the insulting to the minimum, but all opinions are welcome.

thanks all for looking

Well, I am glad that you think that the car doesn't have enough power, and would prefer to hang a cast iron inline six forward of the front axle. That should solve that whole handling problem for you, and enable you to add a bunch of weight to the car. Way to go.

how much more or less would a 20b cost compared to the 2jz.

Well, I am glad that you think that the car doesn't have enough power, and would prefer to hang a cast iron inline six forward of the front axle. That should solve that whole handling problem for you, and enable you to add a bunch of weight to the car. Way to go.


what handling problem

please stop getting aggressive, no one is forcing you to do this swap, please don't down others because they do not think like you

how much more or less would a 20b cost compared to the 2jz.


the 20b i know cost douple what a 2j does motor wise

i don't know what else is required for the swap

there is no such thing as enough for some people
but until you feel what 500 hp feels like you don't know what your missing

either way, i hope to prove some people wrong with this, but there is not much point arguing until it is done and i have some videos, times, and numbers.

I've been in cars with over 600 horsepower. Really its nothing that special. Once you push it a dozen or so times it feels normal while everything else seems damn slow.

Your 2JZ project looks awesome though. Just realize engine swaps will always be a rarity. That's what makes them so special. Of the dozen or so people that voted Yes maybe 1 of them will have the funds, time, and commitment to do the swap.

I've been in cars with over 600 horsepower. Really its nothing that special. Once you push it a dozen or so times it feels normal while everything else seems damn slow.


exactly, and its not something everyone would want to drive daily, but others damand it for dail driving

everyone is different and so are there prefrences, but i don't think we have to down each other for it



Your 2JZ project looks awesome though. Just realize engine swaps will always be a rarity. That's what makes them so special. Of the dozen or so people that voted Yes maybe 1 of them will have the funds, time, and commitment to do the swap.

and i know, 1 would be pushing it
i won't be sending pm's to everyone who voted to ask them when they are sending me thier car, the poll is just asking would you? not are you?

i was actually just curiouse, becasue while making miy motor mounts, i may make more than one pair, and other things like that, i have plenty of metal and what not, so i might as well go ahead and make a second set of mounts

i voted no because i choose the rx8 over a supra. if i wanted to have a 2jz, i would of just bought the supra but i wanted the balance of a rotary. jus my opinion

hmmmmm . well from personal experiance with what ive been doing for the past months putting the sr in my 8 i can say these few things.for starters getting your steering geometry to where you can drive the car and not have huge amounts of bump steer is going to be hard, we had to move my steering rack forward about 5" to clear the crank pulley and that is after notching the firewall and pushing the engine as far back as possible. you are going to have alot of trouble there im just going to warn you now. im not sure how tall the 2jz is compared to the sr but i have roughlu 4" of hood clearance and my ground clearance is the same as stock. your trans mounts and exhaust routing should be cake. replaceing the ppf isnt to bad you just have to get creative with making a brace that is stout enough to hold the diff. i would be concerned about the weight as well but i have no idea how much the 2jz weighs. i know we dropped a hell of alot of weight by doing my swap, i havent been on the scales yet but my front end sits about 2" higher than it was. but we did have to make a custom subframe and motor mounts to get this thing in properly and that is alot of fun let me tell ya. this will be an interesting swap to see i have to say. if i can help anyway let me know, you are going to have your hands full my freind

what handling problem

please stop getting aggressive, no one is forcing you to do this swap, please don't down others because they do not think like you

Sarcasm alert!

A 2JZ is an interesting swap for the 8, and I think with the power to weight ratio it would make the 8 (which is typically picked on for it's performance at the drag) a potential drag car. Not to mention the 2JZ how easy it is to go boost happy with that engine, and not have to worry about it. However, I think that does defeat the whole purpose of what the car was originally built for. A swap like this would be taking the 8 towards another direction, I just think that there are much lighter and cheaper shells to swap this engine to rather than the 8. Just my opinion so I voted no. Though mad props, been following your swap ever since day 1.

Very interesting swap, love the 2JZ engine! When you get this up and running they way you want it to definitely post up videos! Good luck with everything!

bump more votes please

NO

engine overrated
defeats the entire purpose of having an 8

I wouldn't do it.

i would also like to here more reasons why people voted yes
it seems most posts are from people who voted no


but thanks to all for the input, i am kind of suprised at how many have voted yes
but like i said i was just kind of gauging how many peopl that own rx8's are open to different power options

I definately support looking for alternatives to the Renesis, I think anyone who completely shuts out the idea of swaps has lots all sight of what the sport compact community is all about. Stop saying hes stupid for doing the swap, a simple "I wouldn't do it" is all you need. Noone can deny that the renesis just doesnt have the reliability at 400+ HP. And if you really want to crush the competition, thats what you need to do. I love how the rotary works and sounds, but I am realistic about its limitations. And the next time any of you think the 2JZ is outdated, or overrated, line up with one. In a line, around a curve, or going sideways, a turbo supra will spank the 8.

I definately support looking for alternatives to the Renesis, I think anyone who completely shuts out the idea of swaps has lots all sight of what the sport compact community is all about. Stop saying hes stupid for doing the swap, a simple "I wouldn't do it" is all you need. Noone can deny that the renesis just doesnt have the reliability at 400+ HP. And if you really want to crush the competition, thats what you need to do. I love how the rotary works and sounds, but I am realistic about its limitations. And the next time any of you think the 2JZ is outdated, or overrated, line up with one. In a line, around a curve, or going sideways, a turbo supra will spank the 8.

The fact is that with the chassis that we own there's no need for 400hp. All you have to do is remove all the excessive weight, change the suspension set up and learn not to remove your foot from the right pedal.
Now, with a well balanced car it is much easier but when you start adding weight on the nose will waste the more hp you'll get from that engine.
A 300hp turbo renesis would do, imho since it won't change the balance of the car that much.
This car is meant to be driven, not to be a dyno queen :)

bump for more votes

I'd put a rotary in a Supra. Then again I'd also put a rotary in a Corvette too so to each their own. To answer the question, no I wouldn't do it. I'm not against piston engines and there are some damn fine ones out there. I just think the 2JZ isn't one of them and is overrated based solely on block strength which overshadows it's multiple shortcomings. That's just my opinion though and there are obviously many people who disagree.

I'm of the opinion that what makes a rotary powered car special is it's powerplant and without a rotary under the hood, it's just another car. Saying that, with every other car out there having a piston engine under the hood, when it comes down to it, they are all the same. Sure the displacement is different, the powerbands can be different, power is different, etc but at the end of the day it's 100 year old technology with a computer on it and everyone has one. I like unique. The rotary isn't "new" but it is newer. Age aside it's really a being different aspect that I like. I don't consider a 2JZ in a rotary car being different. I consider it conforming to the masses. In regards to rotaries, those who can, do. Those who can't, go piston. That's the way it's always been.

Yes, I'm biased.

hey I was wandering if you would post here. I have seen you on here since I first registered after getting my 8, and I have always thought you brought loads of knowledge to the table.

however, and I say this in the nicest way possible, which is sometimes hard to do on forums without being able to show emotion, but i think your post is ignorant (mostly the second pargragh).

i am going to point out what parts i think are basicly just plain wrong, but like you said "to each their own".


I'd put a rotary in a Supra. Then again I'd also put a rotary in a Corvette too so to each their own. To answer the question, no I wouldn't do it. I'm not against piston engines and there are some damn fine ones out there. I just think the 2JZ isn't one of them and is overrated based solely on block strength which overshadows it's multiple shortcomings. That's just my opinion though and there are obviously many people who disagree.
yes there are, and if i posted a similar thread on the supra forums i would get a very different response. the fact of the matter is is that this entire forums is biased really, I won't say most rx8 drivers are but i would say that most forum members (certainly the ones who have posted here) have previously owned rotaries i am really doing this much more for the side of the community that kind of fell into this car and are not happy with the power of the cars and their are lots of people like that out there i am one of them
i'm not looking to change the rotary community, but i do see this as a better alternative than giving up on japan all together and putting in an LS1

i am actually very suprised i have gotten as many yes votes as i have, i do wish more how have voted yes would post thier reasons, as most post have been on the no side


I'm of the opinion that what makes a rotary powered car special is it's powerplant and without a rotary under the hood, it's just another car. Saying that, with every other car out there having a piston engine under the hood, when it comes down to it, they are all the same. Sure the displacement is different, the powerbands can be different, power is different, etc but at the end of the day it's 100 year old technology with a computer on it and everyone has one.
with this mentality why are you driving a large metal stucture on four wheels using a sterring wheel, sure they have different options, and styling and features, and powerplants, but in the end they are really all the same
why not drive a hover board
not trying to sound sarcstic, but that is just plan wrong imho, saying that a piston powerd rx8 is just like everyone out there, i my opinion any engine swap from one manufacturer to another is very different regaudless


I like unique. The rotary isn't "new" but it is newer. Age aside it's really a being different aspect that I like.
there is such a saying that disagrees with you "tried and tue"


I don't consider a 2JZ in a rotary car being different. I consider it conforming to the masses.
putting a different moter in a RX8 is not conforming, if anything by leaving a rotary in your car, you are conforming to the rx8 masses
again not trying to be mean or even argue, just stating where i am coming from and why i did this swap to begin with.

to be honest i don't think this is about rotary vs psiton, i think its about "taking the soul out of the car" this is exactly to the tee the reaction to the 2jz swap into the honda s2000.

In my opinion the soul of the car is the driver, and whatever makes that individual happy makes them happy and no one should be able to take that away from them.

there i'll step down off my soap box lol, i am working my ass off to finish this car as fast as i can and i really think i will be able to prove some peopl wrong, but even if i don't, I honestly think i'll be happier with the car

and yes I am biased as well (being a toyota tech)

bump, want more votes

I agree , people on the rx8 forum are biased. What did you expect man? Most people in this forum think the rotary is the best shit out there. You're talking to rx8 enthusiasts , not CAR enthusiasts. IMO i like pistons and rotaries , dont care if its jap or american made , as long as i see results. But handling wise ...will probably go to shit , this is the major reason people bought the rx8 in the first place , for handling. But i voted YES lol. I feel like a jew in a middle of a nazi crowd. I probably wont be doing this realistically , not because i dont want to , more like because i live in california. But if you do decide to do the swap you must give me a discount for voting YES :)...after i move to florida of course.

I give you a big yes. I love my 8 as well, and the feel of the rotary is intoxicating. BUT, i do feel it to be underpowered. And for that reason alone id love to move to a 3 rotor or even the fd turbo.... but the cost of doing a rotary swap is crazy and since im in northern ontario canada, no one knows how to work on them. I personally love the 2jz swap and think the car will handle the weight just fine. If i were to do a swap, it would be a 2jz or rb hands down. PLUS if you get bored you can bump it up to 1000hp and destroy vettes on your sunday cruise.

I give you a big yes. I love my 8 as well, and the feel of the rotary is intoxicating. BUT, i do feel it to be underpowered. And for that reason alone id love to move to a 3 rotor or even the fd turbo.... but the cost of doing a rotary swap is crazy and since im in northern ontario canada, no one knows how to work on them. I personally love the 2jz swap and think the car will handle the weight just fine. If i were to do a swap, it would be a 2jz or rb hands down. PLUS if you get bored you can bump it up to 1000hp and destroy vettes on your sunday cruise.



try this

http://forcefedracing.ca/

2 gay z swaps are so common now its as trendy as a b series swap in a honda.... this thread sucks

whats your recommendation for an engine swap then?