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iTrader: (2)

Hello everyone. I recently came across a poor RX-8 that was left to rust.
A friend found it and the owner just wanted to part it out and scrap it.
Luckily I'm here to make use of it.
I am the second owner.

It's an 04 RX-8 in black with the red and black leather interior.
Here's how it sat for 10 months before I got to it:


We had to drag it out as one rear break locked up thanks to this midwest rust.
You can see rust has gotten to the rocker panels and rear wheel wells pretty badly






And here's the interior, which is pretty good shape. The drivers seat is really the only thing showing wear.




So I hosed it off and with the help of a good friend managed to get it running:


That motor is pretty done. The car is 94k on it so the owner got their use out of it.
It also came with a good amount of toys such a upgraded sway bars, brakes, Stainless steel lines. a cobb access port, iPod interface, short throw shifter, and two sets of wheels.


My long term plans for this car is to turn it into my drift project. I have my daily already situated so this will be the fun car.

I plan to completely gut the car and sell off everything I don't need or want.
I'll probably cut out the rust and get a wide body kit or something similar to not only hide the damage but make the car look great.

Naturally this means I'll be removing the 13B that's in there and finding another engine to swap it.
I've explored a few different options from SR20's to 2JZ's and RB series motors.
Even after doing some research and reading some V6 swap threads here I thought about different off the wall motors and nobody would ever think to use.

I've only had the car for 3 days and still have much to do to get things rolling.

I've been looking for a new toy and this kind of found me. So how could I turn down a fun project like this. It's just what the doctor ordered to start the fun!
After some research It looks like these things handle really well. Can't wait to drive it!

jorgecevallos

Im currently doing something similar, car runs well now but got a few more problems then I originally expected hope it was cheap :D

kickerfox

I still think we should put in that...

<.<

>.>

..."engine" we were discussing last night.

WaitingforFI

iTrader: (1)

GL with conversion.
I would gladly take the Cobb off your hands if you can unmarry it.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

you should consider an Isuzu motor.

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iTrader: (2)

Yes

I have the original box and manual, I'm sure I can unmarry it... or rather divorce it...

I am

Legot

iTrader: (1)

Welcome, I'll be the first to ask, why would you swap the engine?

If you say reliability or cost I swear I'll punch a wall or a baby.

kickerfox

Say it say it!

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iTrader: (2)

Although cost and reliability may be a factor (I'll get the baby) It's mainly for the sake of having a project. Anyone can buy a car and fix what's wrong.
But I've recently been itching to build my own project. A ground up build with a different engine and the challenge of making everything work is appealing to me.

I never once in my life expected to own a Rotary powered Mazda. This one kind of found me and the first thing I thought of was what I can fit in there.
Everyone does LS swaps, and everyone builds power out of the Renisis. I want to be different...

niteshade247

Rotary is different but what ever enjoy your find

Legot

iTrader: (1)

I'm ok with it being a project, no baby's need to be harmed Who knows, if you drive it for a while you might love the rotary!

Nice to have you around.

Mysterion

Something you may not be aware of. You mentioned the handling of an 8. This handling comes from a near 50/50 weight distribution as well as the low center of gravity. If you swap in a different engine and its related components, you will be disturbing that weight distribution and effectively throwing the handling for a loop. In short, you might well turn a magnificent-handling piece of automotive art into ...dare I say it?... a Ford or GM

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iTrader: (2)

Thanks! I actually wanted to drive it for a while but the rotary is too far gone. It's a bitch to get it running and once it starts it runs pretty rough and eventually dies. I don't really know much about rotaries, all I can assume is worn apex seals, but I can't know for sure without pulling it apart. And even then I don't plan to pull it apart as I'm not well versed with rotary internals.
It's a shame really. Given it's state I thought I'd put the money in a custom project over rebuilding it.

Who knows maybe down the road I'll actually own a rotary and get to enjoy it

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iTrader: (2)

I thought about that as well. I was looking at different engine weights to see how closely I can match it, The other concern is how far back the motor will actually sit.
I don't anticipate it will disrupt the distribution too bad, but I guess I won't actually know until I get parts in and start fiddling around.

kickerfox

You will be able to get your 50/50 back. Sure the engine might sit forward a little more but ditch the oil cooler lines and throw the battery in the trunk and you'll be close. The center of gravity will be slightly higher. It's not like we're talking LS swap here. Your taking out a 250lb engine and putting in a 328lb engine. oh no! It'll handle just fine. Don't let the purists scare ya.

DVerdeyen

iTrader: (1)

Keep us updated with your build, I'm very interested what this car will turn into one day!

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

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iTrader: (2)

Ah didn't consider all that Kicker... good point.

And I'll be sure to start a thread when I begin building this beast lol

Apparently I also have the bhr coils.
I'm going to test em.. hell maybe its just not firing on all.... faces?

kickerfox

It sounded just like my engine when one rotor lost compression. I have an extra set of coils though if you want them. Maybe you'll get lucky and be like "yay I got it running... ...damn".

Legot

iTrader: (1)

It seems like you already have all the lovely kit that every noob dreams of. If you did a rebuild yourself it would only cost like $1500.

I recognize this car (the sticker and wheels), the original owner has an account here I think. I wonder who they were?

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iTrader: (2)

Sweet thanks. It would be cool to drive it, even for a couple of days. Kind of sucks buying a car you can't drive and get a feel for. I'll have nothing to compare it to after the swap... unless someone would loan me their 8... hehe

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

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iTrader: (2)

$1500 isn't that bad. I'm kind of hoping to sell off the parts I don't need to finance the parts I want for the swap.

And really? Now I have some searching to do to find his threads! Maybe he's got a progression that I can learn something from.

I'll likely sell of the individual little toys that the noobs must have... Maybe I'll make somebody's day once I start listing things haha.

gwilliams6

Even if you can maintain an overall 50/50 weight balance, that is not the only factor that will change the handling with any other engine swap. Unless you can get all that engine weight and mass to sit as close to the center of the car as it does with the renesis, you WILL throw off the polar moment ( the ability of the car to turn on a dime like no other car). this is achieved because both the fuel tank and the renesis engine are so close to the actual center of the car. The car won't be a mess in the handling department with another engine, but it wont turn and change direction on a dime as well as an RX8 once you upset this highly engineered balance ,only possible with the position of the mass and weight of the small and compact renesis. No other engine as powerful as you wish will come in at the renesis' weight and also be able to sit all its mass and weight that far back and centered from left to right, and sitting that low, unless it sits partially in the cabin and is as narrow and as squat as the renesis (so think about some dashboard modifications possibly). A great drift car could use this balance and manuverability . There are many sports car that claim near overall 50/50 weight distribution but cant touch the polar moment of an RX8. that is one reason its handling is so unique, and this is also why the RX8 had the highest ever recorded score in the NHTSA rollover ratings.

kickerfox

Ug... here we go splitting hairs again. Brace yourself OP!

gwilliams6

Its not splitting hairs, it is just preparing the OP for the engineering challenges ahead to build his drift car. I wish him the best with any project he tackles.

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iTrader: (2)

That is a very valid point you make there, but the engine swap would be the least of my worries in that department then.
I intend to fully gut the car, interior wiring and all, I'll run my own wiring for the lights to keep it street legal and to keep windows and wipers operating. But it's going full blown race/drift mode, including making and installing my own dash complete with gauges and switches... the whole shebang!

I'm sure it'll move some weight around, but once all is said and done maybe I can get it on some scales or something and figure out where the weight is sitting and move things (like the battery) accordingly.