LSx conversion. Details inside...
 

As an owner of an 2004 manual that is on engine #2 at only 31K miles and a friend with an FD3S/LS1 conversion, I thought I'd do some digging to see if anyone will cater to us in the near future. Turns out there is someone and they are looking for their first customer as we speak...

We do plan on supporting the RX8 in the near future. We've talked with a couple customers that are interested in having their cars converted. At this time, we are waiting for a customer to commit to a turn-key build for the necessary research and design. In exchange for being the first build, we do offer a reduced labor rate on all initial builds.

If you're interested, please give us a call or email.

Thanks,
Brian Hinson
HinsonSuperCars.com
205-267-6387

Rotary purist or not - please leave the flaming to other threads and let this be for those that are actually interested. (I'm still putting on my Nomex)

LS7 powered RX-8 anyone?

It's not something that fits my tastes personally but if it's yours, go for it! There's a local guy with an LS1 in a 3rd gen RX-7 and that car is just plain mean. I'd personally rather see a supercharged 3 rotor installed in a C6 Corvette!

Thank you for being the voice of reason - as always! I'm still following Charles rebuild with great interest. Who knows what the future brings for my SE3P...

Wouldn't an LS7 cost an arm and a leg to do? IMO swaps are cool and all, but to me, it would atleast have to be some what of a deal. I mean you can get a brand new LS2 400hp Vett for 45k-50k $$. If your taking a 30Kish Rx-8 and doing a 15k- 20k swap to it whats the point? I'd just get a Vett, but I know some people have more money then they know what to do with so they'd go for it.



Put a 350Z motor in your Rx-8, im sure people would love that!!!!


Maybe when my car is payed off and I'm sticking 300$ in my pocket every month I'll change my mind :P

LS1/2/6/7 swaps have been kicked around enough without anyone actually doing one. I say do it.

But an LS7 is going to cost $$$$$ since it's sooo new. I would say LS2 because they are still realatively cheap (around $5k or more) and lightweight (long block is only about 160-lbs heavier than a fully-dressed Renesis).

Plus, a twin-turbo LS2 would be mean. We're talking 700-rwhp easy. That would be bitchin.

If my engine ever blows I will consider an LS2 swap or (the more likely possiblitly) is a fully-built single-turbo 13B-REW swap.

It would be nice to see a LS engine swap done right. I have seen to many FD's and few 8's handle like crap after the swap. Too many people think that they can just put an engine in and go. Then end up wrapped around a tree or flat against a wall.

While I've never had the urge to purchase an LS powered vehicle, I'd still love to see it done. Heck, if I had infinite time and money, I'd probably enjoy doing it.

My opinion is dependant on your power goals. If all you want is 300whp, that can be done with a Renesis and safe boost levels with pump gas. You just have to do your homework and upgrade the cooling systems accordingly and not cut corners.

If you want 400+whp, an LS block is a great option.

I agree with this. Unless you want to top over 450-500-rwhp, then stick with the Renesis. Remember that the Renny is still a new engine and once more high-boost modification products come out (like low compression rotors, mainly), I strongly believe the Renesis will surprass the 13b-rew in terms of overall power output and reliabitlily.

Yeah, what Pettit is producing with 6psi (260whp) is pretty impressive. I'd love to see that same setup bolted to an REW for a comparison.

well, no naturally aspriated 13B before the Renesis managed nearly the same rwhp figures. NA 3rd gens were around 160 or less rwhp without the turbos. Of course the Renesis has higher compression but still....I believe the Renny is a much better design and a much better Wankel. People just have to be patient and wait for the power, it will come.

It's not necessarily about your hp wants. To some it's about a cheap, high hp, reliable engine. 99% will hate to see the rotary go but they are too tired of being bitten in the butt and wallet. Hinson's kits aren't that expensive kids. Go to the site.

One thing an LSx will get you is 400 hp reliably. It's really hard to get this on any small boosted engine.

Do it. It will sound sick and ive been waiting for someone to finally do it. Go with an ls1 though. There are far more and cheaper parts if you go with the ls1. It would be pretty sick.

that sounds awesome!!

i wish i had money for conversions like swaping engines from my Fd<--->Rx8

In looking at Hinson's website it seems they go off of the LS1. Because it is cheap & readily available. The LS6 they say is just different heads. But the LS2 sounds like an interesting idea. The LS7 crate engine I have seen is ridiculously expensive. They have some insane APS TT'ed LS2 already that are putting out insane #'s, not to mention Vortech & ATI SC'ed engines.

Watch ebay and see if you can pick up a wrecked GTO LS2/T56 for cheap. Yeah you could use a LS1 but then you're down 80 hp and probably using a higher mileage engine.

edit: like this, for example

Also has anyone heard anything about Hinson? I heard people in another forum saying their FD kit didn't exactly have the highest quality components.

Check you local junk yards. Small blocks are usually easier to find since most want massive HP from a big block. Good luck!

I do think LS2 would be the way to go if you've got the bucks. I've seen complete LS7's going for $18 in the crate. Dry sump though!

My friend with the LS1 FD has a Hinson kit. He said that they were having some weld issues at one point but supposedly had gotten it straightened out. Dunno. There's another outfit called Granny's that makes an RX-7 kit. a) they've been unresponsive to my emails and b) they use the iron blocked LT1. You can use an LS1 with their kit but you have to cut a hole in your hood so it can close. They do say it's to maintain optimum steering and what not. Regardless they aren't getting back to me.

Um, my understanding is, unless you do a hack job an engine swap wont be cheap. The rest sure.

LS2 around $6000.00 LS7 $13700.00. I have the LS2 in a C6 vert. The torque is unreal. If I could swap this out without more than a 3% cg change, I would do this.

To save money, would an LT 1 or an older TPI small block be an option. I mean, a chevy small block is a chevy small block....right??

Exactly, with one exception. LS1 > LT1 by far. Stick with the LS series, I'd do a LS1 if it were my choice. Its an awesome motor, very close to the LS2/LS6 and easy as hell to hit 500hp na.

from what i understand the LT1 is cast iron (heavy) and the LSX motors are all aluminum...

Something about motor swaps just bugs the hell outta me.