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Old 03-24-2014, 10:05 PM
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Sorry blackbird, haven't been on for a bit. The car has been doing fine. I've relocated to Florida and drove the car all the way here from Texas. That being said there have been a few issues, all of them having to do with the rear end and handling so much torque. I believe I have worn out the u joint and recently needed to send back the torque arm for 'reinforcement.' My only issue with these parts is dealing with Hinson motorsports, as they take forever to complete anything. That being said, I have recently found out that the driveshaft and u-joint was made in here in Clearwater for Hinson, so I just need to take some time to go out there and have them take a look at their work. Other wish list parts would be ac and to fix some minor things, like upgrading to a larger/stronger alternator, aluminum dual core radiator, and resetting the steering wheel cuz its a little off. Everything else has been great!
Old 03-25-2014, 08:13 AM
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My car is about 90 percent done ....the only thing I have left is the wiring and I am a bit nervous and also confused on doing it. So I'm looking at sending the car out to get wired ....just trying to find someone who can do it. Im going to run the stock radiator for now... blackbriar there is a place up the road from me (20mins) from you and they make custom hoses for a/c , hydraulic, water, air you name it they make it...just a heads up on a good place to get your ac lines made. If you need help setting your wheel straight come over I got mine perfect (wheels are straight steering wheel is sitting with logo right side up )

Sorry forgot to tell you the name its called amazon hose on 50th street..its next to fisher buggies (sweet vw shop)

Last edited by rags1231; 03-25-2014 at 08:15 AM.
Old 03-25-2014, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Blackbriar2189
Sorry blackbird, haven't been on for a bit. The car has been doing fine. I've relocated to Florida and drove the car all the way here from Texas. That being said there have been a few issues, all of them having to do with the rear end and handling so much torque. I believe I have worn out the u joint and recently needed to send back the torque arm for 'reinforcement.' My only issue with these parts is dealing with Hinson motorsports, as they take forever to complete anything. That being said, I have recently found out that the driveshaft and u-joint was made in here in Clearwater for Hinson, so I just need to take some time to go out there and have them take a look at their work. Other wish list parts would be ac and to fix some minor things, like upgrading to a larger/stronger alternator, aluminum dual core radiator, and resetting the steering wheel cuz its a little off. Everything else has been great!
No worries man, Its great to hear that the car is doing well. Out of curiousity how much power are you putting down thats causing the rearend issues? From what I saw you had the ls2 cammed correct? I assume that was quite of bit of gain from the stock ls2. I have yet to hear any positive feedback from hinson, which makes me nervous to even consider their products if I wanted to go the v8 route. I definitely see the need for ac being in florida, and why the stronger alternator? Are the accessories running the volts low? a new radiator is self explanatory as well as the steering wheel.

Originally Posted by rags1231
My car is about 90 percent done ....the only thing I have left is the wiring and I am a bit nervous and also confused on doing it. So I'm looking at sending the car out to get wired ....just trying to find someone who can do it. Im going to run the stock radiator for now... blackbriar there is a place up the road from me (20mins) from you and they make custom hoses for a/c , hydraulic, water, air you name it they make it...just a heads up on a good place to get your ac lines made. If you need help setting your wheel straight come over I got mine perfect (wheels are straight steering wheel is sitting with logo right side up )

Sorry forgot to tell you the name its called amazon hose on 50th street..its next to fisher buggies (sweet vw shop)
rags did you use the hinson kit as well? Or did you use ls1rx8's version. From your message I take it you did the install yourself? How was that process?
Old 03-25-2014, 07:13 PM
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I did use hinson and I paid for everything up front in mid june 2013.....didnt get most my stuff till dec 2013 and I didnt get all the kit had to call 9 million times to get my parts I did get and my refund check....I did most the install my self beside a little welding and setting the motor in it ..when steven from Ls1rx8 heard about the run around I went through so I actually put my car on a car hauler put the LS motor/trans in the bed of a truck and drove to his place in Louisiana...he is the one who helped me set the motor and pull the rotary motor and pointing me And guiding me every step of this conversion...as far as the hardness of this conversion if you read a lot of the post and follow a lot of people have said its pretty easy I've never done anything custom like this but I've always done my own work when its unbolting and re bolting..so it was a bit of a puzzle but nothing to crazy

Last edited by rags1231; 03-25-2014 at 07:15 PM.
Old 07-22-2014, 01:43 AM
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Originally Posted by rags1231
I did use hinson and I paid for everything up front in mid june 2013.....didnt get most my stuff till dec 2013 and I didnt get all the kit had to call 9 million times to get my parts I did get and my refund check....I did most the install my self beside a little welding and setting the motor in it ..when steven from Ls1rx8 heard about the run around I went through so I actually put my car on a car hauler put the LS motor/trans in the bed of a truck and drove to his place in Louisiana...he is the one who helped me set the motor and pull the rotary motor and pointing me And guiding me every step of this conversion...as far as the hardness of this conversion if you read a lot of the post and follow a lot of people have said its pretty easy I've never done anything custom like this but I've always done my own work when its unbolting and re bolting..so it was a bit of a puzzle but nothing to crazy
ive heard bout that service why i havent ordered
Old 07-22-2014, 02:06 AM
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Stephen on the other hand sent me the stuff I ordered to the UK in under a week :-)
Old 07-22-2014, 03:59 PM
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This is why I am waiting for V8 roadsters to finally release their kit. They have a much better reputation with being reliable and providing a quality product. I dont want to deal with Hinsons nonsense.
Old 07-22-2014, 04:27 PM
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Just buy the LSX powered R3 that Touge factory built, it is for sale for $35k right now.
Old 08-21-2017, 10:10 AM
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Hi everyone! It's been a long, long time but I thought I'd post in here to say hello. Thought I'd come in and provide a 5 year update on the car and give everyone my thoughts on the car after having it for so long with the swap.

The car itself has been doing good, gone through a couple of modifications over time though, so ill give you a run down.

I have driven the car 25k miles since the swap, recently acquired an lq4 motor that needed a refresh, so it was honed out .2l and was installed into the car about 5k miles ago. Motor still has 799 heads on it, but made a respectable 380 whp with a mild comp cam and nothing else. Not bad, but have been contemplating getting an ls3 top end and getting over the 400 whp mark. Still running 245's in the back, the wheels have an offset that doesnt really allow for anything much bigger unless I decide to go with less offset or do something with the fenders.

Powertrix Coilovers were installed when the swap was completed, I believe the spring rate was 9k and 12k. These have been fantastic, the only issue I had with them was one of them locked up and had no movement, called powertrix and they shipped a new one within the week. These are extremely stiff, but they have kept the rear from squatting like the old suspension allowed for.

Upgraded to a mishimoto radiator. Stock one finally cracked and was leaking coolant, so upgraded to an aluminum radiator, still using stock mounting point but it does the job.

Rear end- still stock with an upgraded hinson torque arm. I broke the original torque arm from Hinson the first time I launched at a prepped track. Hinson took a couple of months getting me the modified torque arm and it's done fine but I have not attempted to launch again at a track. If
I felt the urge to do more quarter miles I would consider the ls1Rx8 torque arm replacement or do an 8.8 swap. NEVER USE HINSON FOR ANYTHING!

AC install, used an aftermarket accessory kit. Took me 4 years to do this after living in Florida and Texas without A/C was just insane. The compressor is massive and works way better than the stock ac unit that came with the rotary.

Couple of other things I have done but nothing that wasn't expected, I'd like to reupholster the seats because they are definitely showing their age and that stupid passenger airbag cover looks disgusting. The stock clutch pedal is terribly weak and have had it welded together. Works well now but I wouldn't be surprised if over time I would either need to replace it with another pedal or have it welded again.

Personal opinion- I have enjoyed the additional power/torque the swap have provided, but for the cost to date for a build like this you almost could treat it like buying a brand new car. You will never get back what you put into it, I've come to live with that, and have considered selling it for a while. There's always something that could be improved, and it would have made the most sense to buy a vette or a camaro or something along those lines and have something with decent resale value. I know a lot of people have considered this as an option but if you are not one to do a lot of work on your own I would not suggest undergoing a swap this involved. A lot of things that go on with this swap require someone that isn't following a book, a lot of things were tried and then revised because they did not work or did not work to my liking, so in the end not only was the car a guinea pig for Hinson when they lied about having a complete kit when I started this 5 years ago but the car is still a test bed for current and future modifications. I got the result I wanted in the beginning with wanting more reliable power but your average person does not realize what else should be done to continue to make the car reliable elsewhere. All in all I am satisfied with what I underwent with the car and where it is today but it is definitely not a build I would do again unless I had the knowledge/tools/patience others of you have to do it myself.

Car is currently at Mazda which ironically is also a GM dealer. Was getting the recall completed for the ball joints and they had a bearing that seized, and the part is on back order. So for the next 6-8 weeks they gave me a loaner (CX-3) which I might give back because I'm not a fan of leaving my car at a dealer for an extended period of time. I work at a dealership right now and I know what some technicians can be capable of given they have the opportunity to. Writing about leaving my car anywhere but the shop I normally bring my car to makes me anxious, you all should understand that for most in this forum our Mazdas are definitely not just 'another car'.

Take care everyone, oh and 9k, I look forward to you roasting some more people in the ls swapped fb pages.
Old 08-21-2017, 10:25 AM
  #785  
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Originally Posted by Blackbriar2189
Hi everyone! It's been a long, long time but I thought I'd post in here to say hello. Thought I'd come in and provide a 5 year update on the car and give everyone my thoughts on the car after having it for so long with the swap.

The car itself has been doing good, gone through a couple of modifications over time though, so ill give you a run down.

I have driven the car 25k miles since the swap, recently acquired an lq4 motor that needed a refresh, so it was honed out .2l and was installed into the car about 5k miles ago. Motor still has 799 heads on it, but made a respectable 380 whp with a mild comp cam and nothing else. Not bad, but have been contemplating getting an ls3 top end and getting over the 400 whp mark. Still running 245's in the back, the wheels have an offset that doesnt really allow for anything much bigger unless I decide to go with less offset or do something with the fenders.

Powertrix Coilovers were installed when the swap was completed, I believe the spring rate was 9k and 12k. These have been fantastic, the only issue I had with them was one of them locked up and had no movement, called powertrix and they shipped a new one within the week. These are extremely stiff, but they have kept the rear from squatting like the old suspension allowed for.

Upgraded to a mishimoto radiator. Stock one finally cracked and was leaking coolant, so upgraded to an aluminum radiator, still using stock mounting point but it does the job.

Rear end- still stock with an upgraded hinson torque arm. I broke the original torque arm from Hinson the first time I launched at a prepped track. Hinson took a couple of months getting me the modified torque arm and it's done fine but I have not attempted to launch again at a track. If
I felt the urge to do more quarter miles I would consider the ls1Rx8 torque arm replacement or do an 8.8 swap. NEVER USE HINSON FOR ANYTHING!

AC install, used an aftermarket accessory kit. Took me 4 years to do this after living in Florida and Texas without A/C was just insane. The compressor is massive and works way better than the stock ac unit that came with the rotary.

Couple of other things I have done but nothing that wasn't expected, I'd like to reupholster the seats because they are definitely showing their age and that stupid passenger airbag cover looks disgusting. The stock clutch pedal is terribly weak and have had it welded together. Works well now but I wouldn't be surprised if over time I would either need to replace it with another pedal or have it welded again.

Personal opinion- I have enjoyed the additional power/torque the swap have provided, but for the cost to date for a build like this you almost could treat it like buying a brand new car. You will never get back what you put into it, I've come to live with that, and have considered selling it for a while. There's always something that could be improved, and it would have made the most sense to buy a vette or a camaro or something along those lines and have something with decent resale value. I know a lot of people have considered this as an option but if you are not one to do a lot of work on your own I would not suggest undergoing a swap this involved. A lot of things that go on with this swap require someone that isn't following a book, a lot of things were tried and then revised because they did not work or did not work to my liking, so in the end not only was the car a guinea pig for Hinson when they lied about having a complete kit when I started this 5 years ago but the car is still a test bed for current and future modifications. I got the result I wanted in the beginning with wanting more reliable power but your average person does not realize what else should be done to continue to make the car reliable elsewhere. All in all I am satisfied with what I underwent with the car and where it is today but it is definitely not a build I would do again unless I had the knowledge/tools/patience others of you have to do it myself.

Car is currently at Mazda which ironically is also a GM dealer. Was getting the recall completed for the ball joints and they had a bearing that seized, and the part is on back order. So for the next 6-8 weeks they gave me a loaner (CX-3) which I might give back because I'm not a fan of leaving my car at a dealer for an extended period of time. I work at a dealership right now and I know what some technicians can be capable of given they have the opportunity to. Writing about leaving my car anywhere but the shop I normally bring my car to makes me anxious, you all should understand that for most in this forum our Mazdas are definitely not just 'another car'.

Take care everyone, oh and 9k, I look forward to you roasting some more people in the ls swapped fb pages.
Disregarding the huge wall of text, that's a good, honest assessment.
Old 02-04-2019, 01:34 AM
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Need advice

I am building a twin turbo 6.0 L's that's going in my 04 rx8 and need to find out what rearend I can use I've thought about putting in tube frame rails and building a 4 link but if there is a independent rear that will work would rather use that have herd can use BMW rear assembly but not sure which one or if that will even work with the horse power that will be making does anyone have any ideas that will work?
Old 02-04-2019, 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Blackbriar2189
Hi everyone! It's been a long, long time but I thought I'd post in here to say hello. Thought I'd come in and provide a 5 year update on the car and give everyone my thoughts on the car after having it for so long with the swap.

The car itself has been doing good, gone through a couple of modifications over time though, so ill give you a run down.

I have driven the car 25k miles since the swap, recently acquired an lq4 motor that needed a refresh, so it was honed out .2l and was installed into the car about 5k miles ago. Motor still has 799 heads on it, but made a respectable 380 whp with a mild comp cam and nothing else. Not bad, but have been contemplating getting an ls3 top end and getting over the 400 whp mark. Still running 245's in the back, the wheels have an offset that doesnt really allow for anything much bigger unless I decide to go with less offset or do something with the fenders.

Powertrix Coilovers were installed when the swap was completed, I believe the spring rate was 9k and 12k. These have been fantastic, the only issue I had with them was one of them locked up and had no movement, called powertrix and they shipped a new one within the week. These are extremely stiff, but they have kept the rear from squatting like the old suspension allowed for.

Upgraded to a mishimoto radiator. Stock one finally cracked and was leaking coolant, so upgraded to an aluminum radiator, still using stock mounting point but it does the job.

Rear end- still stock with an upgraded hinson torque arm. I broke the original torque arm from Hinson the first time I launched at a prepped track. Hinson took a couple of months getting me the modified torque arm and it's done fine but I have not attempted to launch again at a track. If
I felt the urge to do more quarter miles I would consider the ls1Rx8 torque arm replacement or do an 8.8 swap. NEVER USE HINSON FOR ANYTHING!

AC install, used an aftermarket accessory kit. Took me 4 years to do this after living in Florida and Texas without A/C was just insane. The compressor is massive and works way better than the stock ac unit that came with the rotary.

Couple of other things I have done but nothing that wasn't expected, I'd like to reupholster the seats because they are definitely showing their age and that stupid passenger airbag cover looks disgusting. The stock clutch pedal is terribly weak and have had it welded together. Works well now but I wouldn't be surprised if over time I would either need to replace it with another pedal or have it welded again.

Personal opinion- I have enjoyed the additional power/torque the swap have provided, but for the cost to date for a build like this you almost could treat it like buying a brand new car. You will never get back what you put into it, I've come to live with that, and have considered selling it for a while. There's always something that could be improved, and it would have made the most sense to buy a vette or a camaro or something along those lines and have something with decent resale value. I know a lot of people have considered this as an option but if you are not one to do a lot of work on your own I would not suggest undergoing a swap this involved. A lot of things that go on with this swap require someone that isn't following a book, a lot of things were tried and then revised because they did not work or did not work to my liking, so in the end not only was the car a guinea pig for Hinson when they lied about having a complete kit when I started this 5 years ago but the car is still a test bed for current and future modifications. I got the result I wanted in the beginning with wanting more reliable power but your average person does not realize what else should be done to continue to make the car reliable elsewhere. All in all I am satisfied with what I underwent with the car and where it is today but it is definitely not a build I would do again unless I had the knowledge/tools/patience others of you have to do it myself.

Car is currently at Mazda which ironically is also a GM dealer. Was getting the recall completed for the ball joints and they had a bearing that seized, and the part is on back order. So for the next 6-8 weeks they gave me a loaner (CX-3) which I might give back because I'm not a fan of leaving my car at a dealer for an extended period of time. I work at a dealership right now and I know what some technicians can be capable of given they have the opportunity to. Writing about leaving my car anywhere but the shop I normally bring my car to makes me anxious, you all should understand that for most in this forum our Mazdas are definitely not just 'another car'.

Take care everyone, oh and 9k, I look forward to you roasting some more people in the ls swapped fb pages.
Thanks for sharing this. Could you shed some light on the total cost of the swap? I'm curious where you are with that.
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