Looking for opinions and ACTUAL swap bottom lines
 

I am new to the forum, and let me begin by saying yes, I know rotary is misspelled in my name. Didn't notice the mistype till trying to log in as RotaryVirgin (which is taken).

I have been researching the RX-8 for quite a while, and lurking here as well. I am ready to make a purchase, but need some hard numbers before making a decision.

Right now I have available to me a 2005 Shinka 6 speed with 137k miles. I have not checked to see if it's the original motor yet. It drove well enough, but I haven't gotten a compression test as I haven't settled on it.
Also available is a 2004 6 speed in pristine condition in need of a new engine for next to nothing.

I have been looking in to engine swaps in the 8 and would much rather purchase the '04 to put an SR20 or similar in. My problem is I find a lot of "It'll cost this , it'll cost this ", but not a single "I put xxx in my 8 and it cost exactly (or about) this "

I have a modest $10,000 budget and dont need performance mods. I love the 8 body and interior, but would love it even more as a dependable daily driver with a little attitude without altering stock handling by too much (no V8)

Before you skip ahead and start flaming, I have nothing against rotary. I just cannot bring myself to depend on one with so many 3rd or 4th engine rx-8s out there. Even people who did everything right have posted of engine failure.

The only reason I would go with the Shinka is if I absolutely cannot afford to swap (yet).

PLEASE dont reply with a swap cost of "that's probably gonna ..."

I know there are other posts on what engine to use, and I am leaning toward an SR20, but if there's something of similar power that will mate to the tranny or just plain fit easier (relatively) that I have overlooked, please advise.

If you have done a successful swap and can tell me your actual cost and what work you did yourself / hired out, I would very much appreciate it.

I'm really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of an RX-8 either way this turns out.

Thanks

Well the Shinka is only showing 88psi so im going to go with the 04. Id still appreciate numbers on a swap if anyone has any. If not, i may just rebuild or buy a reman.

I got the 04 home safe. Paid 2950. 116k miles on body. Compression testing later today to make sure engine is bad. If so, ill be shipping it off to Rotary Resurrection for a rebuild. The car is beautiful. If the engine core isnt too bad ill have a nice 8 with a fresh rebuild for around 5 grand.

I have done multiple engine/drivetrain swaps as part of my business and for my personal cars over the years, but not to an rx8. This would be a very challenging platform to do a clean, proper, fully functional street car swap on. IT would be something that I would (and have) think twice about before jumping into.

IF you don't mind sacrificing some streetcar functions and having the cluster lit up like a christmas tree, then you can certainly do it.

The budget depends on whether you are doing all the work yourself (only paying for parts and materials) or paying a specialty shop labor to do the swap for you. IF you're doing your own work, 10k is a generous budget to not only do the swap, but do a lot of performance upgrades along the way. If paying a shop to do the swap, 10k would probably get you a basic/near stock swap without bells and whistles.

Hey Rotaty i had been emailing you about the rebuild, but i wont be sending it out after all.

Turns out the damn thing was just flooded. So I now have a very clean RX8 with 116k miles that only cost me 3300 bucks to get home.

I had to pause my victory dance to post this

I will now resume the victory dance
:yelrotflm:yelrotflm:yelrotflm

Which one were you? I talk to so many potentials...

I'm the guy that said you'd be getting that "im ready to sign, ship, deposit" email this week if the car hadn't sold already. I'll be putting my extra cash into a few small performance mods and a stash for when i actually need the rebuild.