LS2 Build
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Well the re-wiring when this wiring doesn't work out, possible move to a stand alone unit, new upgraded axles, larger tires and wheels, purchase of gauges and gauge assembly plus wiring (Assuming all the stock sensors don't read, again because of wiring issues).
Then you have the rebuilding of the engine after a short amount of time, because regardless of the condition they say it was in you never really know.
Once all that is complete you should be good to go.
I'm sure there are some little things I left out, lots of unknowns with a project like this.
I've seen a few people try and fail right around where you are at with this build. Getting the engine in is the easy part.
Then you have the rebuilding of the engine after a short amount of time, because regardless of the condition they say it was in you never really know.
Once all that is complete you should be good to go.
I'm sure there are some little things I left out, lots of unknowns with a project like this.
I've seen a few people try and fail right around where you are at with this build. Getting the engine in is the easy part.
if were having to re wire this car because it doesnt work then im not doing my job right. therefore he wouldnt pay me for my screw ups. i can get every gauge to work on the factory cluster and there is no need for a stand alone ecu. the gm ecu is a stand alone and works great.
That is why I am really interested in this build.
I divide by zero
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill, FL
My buddy Dave swapped an LS1 into his Miata and it's a beautiful job, the car looks stock. He said you can probably due the swap including labour for about $15k. His whole car stands him about 30k, that's for the price of the car, the ls swap and full suspension, roll bar, wheels, brakes and interior upgrades. This is also in Canadian dollars.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Yup it gets expensive real fast. The guy with the Miata put alot of money in some motor upgrades and in the diff. The diff we put 3.73 with an auburn locker. The motor has PRC 227 heads, arp everything and a 630 lift 111lsa cam shaft to top it all off. Ls 6 ported pump, stock bottom end ls2
It's really amazing how well the Miata drives with the LS1.
My buddies car makes around 375hp but the car is so civilized. Most people think the car will be crazy to drive but it's just as easy to drive as a stock Miata. It's a phenomenal car. Which makes me think this swap in an RX8 with the larger wheelbase and stiffer chassis will be amazing.
My buddies car makes around 375hp but the car is so civilized. Most people think the car will be crazy to drive but it's just as easy to drive as a stock Miata. It's a phenomenal car. Which makes me think this swap in an RX8 with the larger wheelbase and stiffer chassis will be amazing.
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Just waiting on some more parts to be shipped. If you were the one that ordered the conversion from Hinson, I PMed you. Message me back and Ill let you know where we're at with the swap.
Registered
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
It's been a really long time since I posted, but I wanted to say that I hope to see this work out. I'm up against a wall my my 8, having just received the unfortunate news that one of my chambers is compression-less and, as such, I need a new engine. There's no way another Renesis is going back in there, and since I own the car, I may as well keep it around and see what I can do to make a project out of it.... So...I'm really hoping for an LS swap. I need another car anyway, and this is worth nothing for trade...so...it's either sell for scrap or hold on to it and make it a project. So...good luck! Love to know what you've learned.....
Registered
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
That said, maybe my post was in anger. I'm still seething at the news, and that this stupid engine couldn't even muster 100k miles. Further, that tons of other poor folks have had them die with much less mileage.
Anyway, don't know what I'll do for real yet...still contemplating. Looks like a working swap maintaining all the stock functionality is still a long ways off -- don't know if I want to head down that road.
Whatever, back to the thread. Best of luck to you Blackbriar!
I divide by zero
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill, FL
So we are at about the 4 month mark on this build. Heres where you were back in May.....
...and heres where my mind was...
Sooooo ... hows things? You aren't parting it out yet, so thats a good sign.
Of course we arent at the 6 month mark yet 
good question, i thought I left you guys on the ropes after i posted.
Firstly, loans are easier to get when you have a pay stub to prove to the bank how much money you make. With my credit, I can pay for roughly half the build on credit, if needed. I also begin salary pay next week, so I make a guaranteed amount each week, and I can begin budgeting for the rest of the build as soon as the income starts flowing. I also receive a starting bonus after I finish my training for my company, it will also knock out another large chunk of the total cost.
Secondly, they only need a certain amount to begin. The reason the car was dropped off before I even had money to do much else was to give them a chance to measure and begin taking everything out. The owner understands how dedicated I am to this car, he isn't worried about getting paid, he knows Ill pay. I can continue paying while it's being built.
Thirdly, you cannot rush a build like this. Like I said, he knows I will pay. If it takes me longer to present him the full funds, it gives him time to slow down on the build and 'perfect it' so to say. I dont plan to just drop out and stop talking to the shop when it's done either. I would I assume I turn to them again when I need something fixed or I'm ready to add-on.
Lastly, I am living with my parents currently (my future roommates are still in their own leases, it's not a choice.) , meaning I literally pay for the expenses of my current car, which is a POS cavalier (it does get me 32 mpg though, hehe), food, and fun and that's basically it. I dont begin paying bills for student loans for another 6 months since I just graduated, and plan to have this paid for fully within the next 3-4 months anyways, and that estimate is extrmely conservative, hopefully.
Firstly, loans are easier to get when you have a pay stub to prove to the bank how much money you make. With my credit, I can pay for roughly half the build on credit, if needed. I also begin salary pay next week, so I make a guaranteed amount each week, and I can begin budgeting for the rest of the build as soon as the income starts flowing. I also receive a starting bonus after I finish my training for my company, it will also knock out another large chunk of the total cost.
Secondly, they only need a certain amount to begin. The reason the car was dropped off before I even had money to do much else was to give them a chance to measure and begin taking everything out. The owner understands how dedicated I am to this car, he isn't worried about getting paid, he knows Ill pay. I can continue paying while it's being built.
Thirdly, you cannot rush a build like this. Like I said, he knows I will pay. If it takes me longer to present him the full funds, it gives him time to slow down on the build and 'perfect it' so to say. I dont plan to just drop out and stop talking to the shop when it's done either. I would I assume I turn to them again when I need something fixed or I'm ready to add-on.
Lastly, I am living with my parents currently (my future roommates are still in their own leases, it's not a choice.) , meaning I literally pay for the expenses of my current car, which is a POS cavalier (it does get me 32 mpg though, hehe), food, and fun and that's basically it. I dont begin paying bills for student loans for another 6 months since I just graduated, and plan to have this paid for fully within the next 3-4 months anyways, and that estimate is extrmely conservative, hopefully.
Actually it seems like he doesnt have the money to spend on it at all in the first place. He'll be living the dream and seeing progress for a couple of months until his cards are maxxed out from all the suprise extra bits of this and that the car needs. The shop will stop working on it for weeks at a time as they get slower and slower at working out the fine details to actually make the thing run. 6-12 months later you have a half finished car in the possesion of a shop that wont release it until they recieve some astronomical figure for the halfassed work they did do(or say they did).
In the end he is selling all the parts on the forums/ebay to try to recover a fraction of the money he has into it. I have seen this story a hundred times on other car forums.
I hope he proves me wrong and ends up with an amazing LS2 rx8.....but I highly doubt it.
In the end he is selling all the parts on the forums/ebay to try to recover a fraction of the money he has into it. I have seen this story a hundred times on other car forums.
I hope he proves me wrong and ends up with an amazing LS2 rx8.....but I highly doubt it.
Sooooo ... hows things? You aren't parting it out yet, so thats a good sign.
Of course we arent at the 6 month mark yet
I understand whwhere your coming from it is frustrating to have a motor die on anyone just seems like a giant invesment. Worth it but hugely impractical in some cases.
e
I don't know if you're posting that in response to me...but...uhh...whatever. If I have $10k and more to throw around. and I feel like doing some throwing, why not?
That said, maybe my post was in anger. I'm still seething at the news, and that this stupid engine couldn't even muster 100k miles. Further, that tons of other poor folks have had them die with much less mileage.
Anyway, don't know what I'll do for real yet...still contemplating. Looks like a working swap maintaining all the stock functionality is still a long ways off -- don't know if I want to head down that road.
Whatever, back to the thread. Best of luck to you Blackbriar!
That said, maybe my post was in anger. I'm still seething at the news, and that this stupid engine couldn't even muster 100k miles. Further, that tons of other poor folks have had them die with much less mileage.
Anyway, don't know what I'll do for real yet...still contemplating. Looks like a working swap maintaining all the stock functionality is still a long ways off -- don't know if I want to head down that road.
Whatever, back to the thread. Best of luck to you Blackbriar!
Legend In My Own Mind
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 3
From: The Lou
Waiting for parts means they don't have the right shift **** or lugs nuts. It was always a good sign when I ran my stepdad's shop.
In 2 more months I could use a red front bumper. Mine has some chips in it.
Also, I have always loved that fruition quote.
In 2 more months I could use a red front bumper. Mine has some chips in it.
Also, I have always loved that fruition quote.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
things are going good. were kinda of in limbo right now with some issues with parts. were have some stuff re made and re worked to make it easier for people to install. remember this is the first kit sold outside of a "prototype" so there is alot of bugs to work out. we havent stopped and everything is actually moving along at a good speed for what we are doing. plus i think the car sat at my shop for two months for me to finish the miata.
Legend In My Own Mind
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 3
From: The Lou
Olddragger. I tried to tell the owner that last well because it gave me the feeling this was the real prototype to sell kits. All he did was blow up on me and accuse me of insulting his builder. Leave him be.
Posted From RX8Club.com Android App
Posted From RX8Club.com Android App
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
As of now we are waiting on the driveshaft, then Chris can finally finish putting the car together without needing anymore from Hinson.
Last edited by Blackbriar2189; Oct 4, 2012 at 04:50 PM.
Registered
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Sausalito CA
things are going good. were kinda of in limbo right now with some issues with parts. were have some stuff re made and re worked to make it easier for people to install. remember this is the first kit sold outside of a "prototype" so there is alot of bugs to work out. we havent stopped and everything is actually moving along at a good speed for what we are doing. plus i think the car sat at my shop for two months for me to finish the miata.
Keep up the good work.
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
The swap is going fine. Chris finally got most if not the rest of the parts from Hinson that we needed, but it took them forever. I talked to him earlier and he said he's doing some cutting to get the headers to fit and he told me last week that he sent the harness off to be prepped. The car's coming along, I'm pretty sure he is ready to complete the project now that he has what he needs and get it out of the garage.
-Robert
-Robert