smotch789

2005 RX-8 Shinka edition 6, speed manual, bad engine, bad housing. I'm looking for ideas to replace/swap the motor. I know...I know do my research and I have done some. I'm not against rebuilding the Renesis it's just a question of reliability. Lets say I rebuild it, what I heard for improving it was premixing, eliminate cat or use after market (emission is not a concern in Wisconsin), machining out the rotors to handle apex seals from Rx7 and the cooling system is a concern.

Renesis rebuild cost:
1700$ = 2 rotor housing
800??? = rebuild kit (this could vary)
2500 = before updates

I can get a 95 Rx-7 engine 800$ plus swap kit 500$ puts it at 1300 before turbo & tuning. I have read Basic REW swap done by RMD I like this very much he spent around 5K and got good results. If I could find way to do same and eliminate some cost that would be ideal. The prospect engine is just the block no accessory or anything.

If I have to spend over 2K then why not add some awesome sauce and try get another 250 h.p. Renesis stock rate 250 h.p. + 150 = ideal power.

Thank you very much.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

You can get an FD engine that doesn't also need a rebuild for 800?

sonicsdaman

iTrader: (3)

If you think doing an engine swap is going to be cheaper and easier then just having a reman installed you're gonna have a bad time

smotch789

Your saying FD would be more cost effective to swap, turbo & tune than my 95 Rx-7 idea? I seen Akins rotary had Rx7 engine for sale for 800. I thought that was good deal because from my understanding the have good reputation and I could still configure how I wish. But if the FD gets me to same spot and is cost effective then I'll start researching that option.

smotch789

I never mention easy... I'm not looking for one night stand.

sonicsdaman

iTrader: (3)

....... wait...... what? an FD is a 95 rx7???? you got some homework to do kid

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Some thoughts..

First question is where do you live, and what GOOD engine builders are close?

A Good Rebuild is on the order of $5K, but then you have a hand built, blueprinted, likely ported engine to bolt stuff to. I really think that if you are buying a good, used, turbocharged engine for $800, something is missing from the message.

smotch789

No I'm not buy it turbo charged, I buying from Akins and it's just the engine no manfolds, no intakes, no accessories..basically a create engine. From Akins

smotch789

No I never said that.. I believe he suggesting on using a FD as swap option instead of the 95.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

A cost effective engine swap in this chassis doesn't exist.

smotch789

I'm getting a the Rx7 engine from Akiks rotatory it's just the engine: no turbo, no manfold, no intake, no accessories.

Prospect engine Rx7 <- link

smotch789

Speeding 5K is better than 6K, I refer to spending less and have quality outcome cost effective.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Picking an engine is the easy part.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

This comment makes no sense.

NotAPreppie

Where are you getting $800 from?

That link you shared is $8000 (10x more than your quoted number).

smotch789

Well Mothertrucker

smotch789

Guess it will come down to a JZ or an LS

NotAPreppie

I dunno about the JZ but I'd put the starting price on a good LS-family swap at $10k. That's with a used 5.3L truck motor and T56 with a cam, car accessory drive, car oil sump, and somebody's LS cylinder head after they upgraded. An LM4 is a good place to start since it's an aluminum block and a lot of wrecking yards don't know it's different from its iron block relatives.

Check out the "LS Powered RX8" Facespace group for a good body of knowledge.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

95 = fd

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

comebackqid

iTrader: (13)

OMG bro before this turns into a flame fest! STOP!!!! "Spending less money for a quality outcome............"



quick run down.



I don't care what chassis you use there is NO such thing as a "cost effective" swap.....PERIOD!!!!! Also if you want quality you're going to pay!!!



2JZ into an RX8 is Quoted/budgeted at 15k You will have to pay minimum 12k or more and that's if you're doing the majority of the fab work, swaps cost money the smaller the after market the more fab work and money will go into getting it done.


RX8 I speak of here: https://www.instagram.com/sugoicreations/?hl=en




Take an S13 for instance they have a massive after market with all sorts of goodies to get you started on an engine swap.


Pre-fabbed harnesses, swap kits etc. everything literally can be bought off the shelf and installed and you will still have some unexpected expenses.



Lets do a small run down for and RX8 in comparison to s13 cost vs cost to show you that cost effective isn't the word to use when discussing swaps its mostly about your budget and if you have the heart and pocket book to finish the job. Not to mention the quality and level of the build is this some joe dirt back yard pile of ****, or a street cruiser worthy of an online or magazine article?



Lets say in this scenario you own the car already so no out of pocket expense there.



S13-

LSx engine: 99-02 F body engine: $3.181.55 - https://www.ebay.com/i/142791047852?chn=ps this price will vary but you're looking a 3k baseline for decent engine in good condition.

T56 trans:$2000 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Viper-t56-6...-/142816583806

complete engine and trans: $5,000 https://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-Camaro...-/312141511464

sikky swap kit stage 3 (a stage 1 kit will get you no where complete has "everything you need" *notice the quotes*): $4,523.97 - https://www.sikky.com/product/240sx-s13-ls1-swap-kit/ I chose the cheapest option and what will get a clean running swap (assuming you're not joe dirt)



s13:$9523 and will still be missing some key things such as axles and diff set up brakes etc. round to $10k this is you doing all the work no help, judging by some of your answer you're going to need all the help you can get!



RX8

swap kits:$2,505 https://www.ls1rx8.com/store/c5/Swap_kits.html
variable price again you're going to not want to skimp here
engine trans: $5k
V8 roadsters (overpriced junk): https://v8roadsters.com/product/rx8-lsx-mounting-kit/

you will need to source a custom drive shaft

This includes no wiring or running base tune either like the sikky kit.
There are other options as well



so $7500 and still missing a lot this will be just to have an engine sitting in your car not running the wiring will be the tricky part

do your research I'm sure I missed a **** ton of stuff.



Then there's **** like: https://www.hinsonsupercars.com/s-11...-rx8-2003.aspx where's the ******* kit?



if you plan on swapping anything into an Rx8 have 15k minimum budget or don't do it or just save another 5 and buy a E92 BMW M3.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Suggestion..

Find someone with a good motor, from a good builder. If you like a particular builder, ask them who is local with one of their motors. Then see what a decent motor in the car will do and decide.

I bought mine from Pettit, mainly because he was close. Night and freaking day. Camry killed that car, a buddy is running the engine, he seems to really like it. My new one already had one from that builder.

You can write several of these guys (vendors here or someone recommend by members) a check and a motor will show up on your door step for about 20% of what you are about to spend. And, it will be rock solid reliable.

Or, swap. But I see much suffering ahead of you. I could be wrong though.

UnknownJinX

You are probably right since he doesn't know a 95 RX-7 is an FD.

The simplest way I can put this:

With a rebuild, the only thing you need is the new engine.

With a swap, the new engine is only one of the many things you need.

Really not hard to understand why there is no such thing as a cost-effective swap.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Yeah,

But, the Renesis gets a bad rap from a lot of "budget" builds, as well as some dumb Mazda decisions and the sorry state of a bunch of Mazda remans. It does not help that a fairly destroyed one will run and drive, just be slow. I was amazed when I got my new one. I asked about a warranty, Cam said if I broke it, just bring it back. He seemed pretty confident I would not be back for engine work.

Also, this is the New Member forum, Kind of a safe place for folks getting started.

smotch789

From my understanding it's the apex seals that go bad & cause all damage .????