Nepok

Does anyone know if it is possible to make an engine swap to an LS1 in an 8??

Ajax

The 13b-msp has similar dimensions to the 13b rew, but no room for the twin turbos under the hood w/o relocating everything. So yes, I would say it could probably be done but the fit is going to be much tighter and you're gonna have to move more stuff.

Omicron

Not to mention that it would screw up the weight distribution and balance of the car. Still though, I would LOVE to have a big thumpin V8 in this car. :D

Ajax

No, I was wrong. It's around 150lbs heavier.. wonder where i got that..

robertdot

Anything is possible with enough money, skill, and time.

At Sevenstock, there was 2nd Gen 7 that had a v8 (I think).

mrtux

it'd be something interesting to see.

i think these guys at www.hinsonsupercars.com

were interested in getting a hold of a rx8 to swap one in.

Ajax

one of the guys in the local club has a LS6 powered 3rd gen.. he said he actually LOST horsepower in the conversion but gained a ton of torque.

fullsmoke

Wow, seems like most rx8 owners are down with the conversion? I was born and raised at rx7club.com and everyone there despises these swaps. Anyhoo, I've met people who work at HinsonSuperCars. Funny how the ones I met drove rotaries...

FS

Red Devil

LS1's, as someone esle mentioned, aren't too heavy for their size. I think it was listed somewhere else in the forum that the M3 engine actually weighs more.

I don't agree with putting pistons in an RX car.

rx8wannahave

Ohhh mama, did you see their H7? 500+rwhp and it does the ¼ miles in 9.8 sec (while getting 27MPG in the highway!!!!)

I too would “consider” doing a LS V* swap once my little rotary goes to rotary heaven. A Chevy V8 in my RX8 that would be just sweeeeeeetttttttttt. Those Chevy LS V8’s are getting 27-29mpg in the highway, while making 350-400HP…you gotta love that!

Lost HP, how did he manage that? The LS Chevy V8 makes anything from 275-400HP…unless he had a CRAZY TURBO rotary in his car before the swap?

Don’t take it the wrong way, we love our 8’s and the Renesis but if we could get significantly more HP and better fuel economy also, how can you not love that?

Yeah, I can understand that. They really stop being RX’s when you remove the rotary engine but remember people love the RX7 & RX8 for more than just the engine, we also love their looks. So I guess (IF I ever did that kind of swap many many many years from now, I would probably get banned from the rotary world…lol?)

Well, I think they really love the RX’s and they probably have enough power in their RX’s not to need a V8 in it. I think everyone knows how much I love my baby, as we all do, but getting more power and better fuel economy at the same time is something I might not be able to give up on, ONCE my renesis goes to rotary heaven.

Again, this is a HUGE IF…but If I did it I would do my best to maintain the 50/50 we all love so much. Mainly, this is just my day dreaming since a swap like that would probably cost an unreasonable amount of money.

greene76

Guys, do you not embrace the technological aspect of the car you drive daily? It begs the question, WHY DO YOU DRIVE AN RX8?????????? There are great handling cars with pistons and much better gas mileage. So, why is it you chose an 8? Do you not take pride in being a part of technological royalty? NO ONE outside of the Mazda family has what you have, an innovative car that uses an engine unlike others that is still in its infancy. Embrace your uniqueness, or turn in your 8 and get a mustang.

DreRX8

I definately would not swap an LS1 into a 3rd gen--because you can have a car that is nearly just as reliable with a single turbo. There are several daily driven street-ported single turbo 500+HP 3rd gens roaming around. In the RX8, hmm...it would be interesting but it would ruin the handling of the car--besides--if I wanted a V8 I would have gotten one. I test drove a Camaro SS w/LS1 and hated it. Yeah its loud, ballsy, and fast--but the interior was so cheap and it handled so poorly that I could never deal with it on a daily basis. The proportions are so awkward on the car. I love em--but not for me.

robertdot

Dunno about most. I wouldn't do it. I got the RX-8 because of the rotary. It'd be cheaper to buy another car with more power. I'd be paying at least $27,000, plus the cost of the new engine, plus the cost to fabricate/buy parts to get it in and install / labor costs (if applicable), plus the parts to make the engine work (ecu, etc), plus tuning charges (if applicable), plus the parts to fix the suspension. If I was doing it for Sema or something, then groovy, but not just because I want more power or not because of mileage (assuming the engine you want to put in the car gets better mileage).

Get a supercharger and nitrous oxide...

rx8wannahave

I understand what you are saying, I really do like the rotary and I wish more car companies worked on them...so don't get me wrong about how much I love my 8 & the rotary.

I loved the RX7 but I never was able to get one, then Mazda produced the perfect car I was looking for 2+2 Sports Car (while some say the RX8 is not a sports car?????) that had actual useful back seats.

I love it's looks, handling, quality, rear seating, extra doors, and it's a overall GREAT sports car. I think we all would like more HP but the RX8 is fast already...not as much as others out there, but it's in NO WAY a slow car.

I would "consider" a swap like this because...well, I am paying for the car and it's mine to do with it what I want. No, I will probably NEVER do what I day dream about because of the money involved and the fact that it's kind of a slap to the history of the RX's but I would not look down on anyone that wanted to do anything to "THEIR" car.

But, with that said I understand the point and one day I'd probably just go with a Turbo for more ZOOM ZOOM fun but people should understand that some of us love the car for more than the rotary engine...but it's looks, handling, 2+2 seating, etc etc etc

That's all...

DreRX8

The LS1 swap is something that should be investigated on a 8-10 year old RX8. Or maybe a resurrected wrecked one.

rx8wannahave

True...I agree, I plan on having my little 1.3L (3.9L technically so I hear) until 150K, so any LS V8 talk is just that...talk and dreaming, nothing more.

burnoutking999

i tend to agree, its like a ***** marrying a virgin or something. I love muscle cars an d v8s as much as the next guy but the two things dont really mix even if it would be a bigger bang.

DreamWarrior

Funny, I used to have a '96 Z28 Camaro and my gas mileage hasn't change a bit since I've bought this car. I used to get 18-19 in the Z28 and I still get it in the RX-8. In fact, because of the Z28's clutch was going towards the end I think I babied it more too. The only difference I've noticed is on the highway I could eak out 23-24 with the Z28 and the best I've seen in the RX-8 is 21.

Fanman

Just pop a 3 rotor 20B in there. We had a guy at the So. Cal meet that had a 20B in a older RX car. When I was talking to him he said he was putting out about 600+ whp. Should be enough hp for most anybody.

burnoutking999

those 20b are awesome. I saw one line up next to a sub 9.5 second cuda one day and it was obvious the cuda driver thought nothing of the old *** mazda next to him that could harldy even burn out. Little did he know that the car was trying to launch on 33 2150 slicks even when they dropped the clutch from the stratusphere. At the finishline the cuda was looking VERY HUMBLE and he loaded up and went home!!. that was the single loudest most powerful feeling car besides top fuel or something that ive ever FELT. you could literally feel every revolution of that engine(not to mention the 5-8 foot flame bursts). unreal and very unlike v8s. That did it for me!

Virgil

Ugh, to me, why bother buying an RX-8 and putting a heavier, imbalancing engine in it? Any idiot can go fast in a straight line, beleive me, as a biker I see it alot (sportbiker that is). I would rather have the engine that is much more fun in the curves then one that can go from point a to b faster... but just my opinion...

Also, your buying a rotary car, so why ruin all those R&D hours spent by Mazda putting some chevy POS in it . *Note: before I get flamed, I am kidding*

Rxdriftingaction

I am thinking LS7 now..!! since they has a samilar size.!!

carguy425

All I can say is BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rx8wannahave

From Virginia...

I was looking at the 2005 Mazda brochure and I'm thinking sicking in a V8 is not a very good idea really. They said, I heard it before but reading the brochure reminded me, that our 8 is designed around the Renesis so I guess a Turbo or 3-rotor would be best for the 8.

My avg so far has been 19+ mpg mostly city driving so I can't complain, I hope they make a 3-rotor for street use one day...

1.5L 3-Rotor 400HP...would be NICE!!!!!

burnoutking999

Dont you men 2.0? or is it a 2.6. I cant remember if the 3rotor/20b is 2.0 or 2.something.