jeffe19007

I would like the option of going to a LS-1 if/when the Renesis has a big problem.

The LS-1 is where the sweet spot is for weight/power/$ ratio is in Chevy V8s.

LS-7 is something to lust after, but way too expensive as this point. At $18k they want you to buy the Z06.

An all aluminum LT-1 is an option, but something you might have to assemble yourself. The tech in the LS-1 is better though.

Dry sump would be needed to keep the engine low enough. By the time you get to this point the $ will not worry you anymore.

It is not just an engine, but the whole power train needs to be looked over. Will second gear hold up under 400+ lbs of torque on a bad shift? Clutch, diffy, will the engine do bads things to the chassis?

I would prefer to be a late follower on this, and stay the hell away from the leading edge.

Buying a slightly used Renesis doesn't look so bad anymore....

dillsrotary

you'll need alot more parts than just the engine and t56 trans, you'll need a better rear diff, different rear diff ratio's, and rear axles to handle the power.

SlayerRX8

I would have loved to do this conversion. However, it's much cheaper to sell your 8 and buy a car with an LS engine already in it. This is why I'm selling my 8 and buying a Corvette.

When you total the costs of everything you need to make it run including engine, transmission, adaptor parts, and labor, the price is above $10 for this swap.

savedsol

Most guys who do these swaps sell their stock parts on fleabay to offset some stuff.

Throwdown

iTrader: (1)

If you do engine swaps just to get power, you're better off buying a 'vette. If you're doing it to make your car more unique, then the sky is the limit.

Georgia8er

Above $10k? I'd say that is a low figure, especially the labor cost of fabrication, since no one currently makes any parts specifically for this application. I agree with if you want a V8 car, it would be better to just get a car that already comes with one.

savedsol

Just saw the latest Motor Trend where they showed some 70's Vette concepts. One had a 2 rotor and the other was 3 or 4 rotor!

WoodsOfGreenRx8

Charles has the axles covered!

It would be nice to see someone go through with one of these swaps & actually see what the FR/RR Ratio would be..

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

an LS swap into the 8 would imho ruin the car. For me h/p and torque is not everything.
olddragger

savedsol

LSx being used to identify LS_ (insert number here). Regarding OldDraggers comment, the FDs that have LSx swaps are still very close to a 50/50 weight with a 30-50lb variance up front. Of course they dumped a complicated twin turbo along with their 13Bs (unlike us ).

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

have you ever ridden in a LS/RX& swap? It is a monster of a car--reminds me of the old days. Powerful but a brute. It would never be the smooth, balanced, put it anywhere on the track car it is now.
Just dont think it would be a more powerful 8
olddragger

YaXMaNGTO

APS TT LS2? 540-550 rwhp with the kit and fuel add-ons? Absolutely.

700 rwhp? No way you get to 700 rwhp "easy". Add methanol, a blower cam, ported heads, 3" exhaust, some race gas, and you be there, but not for very long on the stock bottom.


It's a stock engine... I mean, come on.

Bester

The LT1 is basically the same SB Chevy that came out in 1955. Reverse flow heads and other minor changes means that it is not fully compatible with the originall SB (water passages in block/heads are different, etc.). And trust me, you would rather avoid the optispark. It works great but it is directly under the water pump, so........

The LS1, 2, 3 etc. is a totall new engine. The only thing that carries over are the lifters (maybe rods interchange?). Everything with this motor is new. Cam journals are bigger, heads are completely different. Its a 1997 motor versus 1955 motor.

Go with LSx motors.

Nothing wrong with LT1. Used to own one. But we are talking 40 plus years of improvements.

su_maverick

Honestly, then you havent been in a well done swap. My car has no issues with balance and smoothness what so ever. Throttle control is actually much easier without all the turbo systems on the car as I now have complete control of the output rather than relying on a the timing of a turbo system. For futher proof, my friend Scott has a stroker LS1 in his FD and constantly sets FTD in local autocrosses and laps Porches in the Poconos tracks. As far as reliability goes, I daily drive my LS1 FD after I finished the work for 5 months without a hitch. I have put 5500 miles on it since November.

Here is what you will need to accomplish the swap.
1.) Front Subframe
2.) Transmission Brace
3.) Torque arm or new rear subframe
4.) Possibly a bump steer kit depending on the steering rack
5.) Fuel Pump
6.) Clutch Master Cyl
7.) Fuel Pressure Regulator
8.) Cooling Setup
9.) Exhaust Setup

Its not all that difficult of a system since the technology behind the LS series of motors is pretty simple. Hell, the basic design is 50 years old. The biggest issue is what plagues any motor swap with the 8 and that is the ECU. They will need to use CAN bus controllers to keep the functionality of the 8's systems so you can have a street driven car.

I recently emailed Hinson about possibly using my gf's 8 as a test mule for the swap. She learned to drive stick on my FD (yes, the LS swap is that easy to drive) and fell in love with my car.

Now, I am not saying that this is the only route people can take for power or even the best route but it is a viable option. Unfortunately my fabrication skills are crap or I would be out there welding the subframe as we speak.

maxxdamigz

iTrader: (1)

Way to bump an old thread, man! Honestly, I've ridden in Mav's car and he has to premix with babies to keep the ls1 happy. Babies are expensive per oz.

su_maverick

its not like it is 4 years old and it is somewhat relevant.

Babies are cheap if you outsource to developing countries. Sure, you might not have the refinements of US babies but it gets the job done.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

i will have to restate what I said---some rx7 /ls 1's do handle/perform very well. the package and install has to be done very well to keep the weight as low and as far back as possible. I do believe when you change from a momentun type car to a hp type car, the characteristics are much different. Just because i said brutes doesnt mean I think they are bad. It is just one hell of a lot more of a handful! Sweet cars--but to have anykind of increase of power compariable to what is being talked about--no matter what the engine is---is going to totally change the car.
I love the concept--if done well-- but our electric power steering, our computer systems etc would make this type of a swap not a backyard project!
Go for it and once done I want to drive it!!
olddragger

su_maverick

yeah, it definitely is more technical and the electronic power steering would probalby have to go to the wayside for this project.

As with any car, when you make a big change, the characteristics of the car become completely different. Same can be said from when I went from the stock twins to the single turbo setup. In my car I dont have ridiculous power. I have a bone stock engine with an intake and exhaust that puts out about 315whp and 320wtq. The benefit of my car is that I can throw it into a corner and take advantage of the relatively light weight and handling and power through the corner and exit with the torque of the engine. My car will never be a hp monster and that is not what I want either.

I guess I am just annoyed with mazda that they really havent shown any move towards a pure sports car aside from some protos that are nowhere near production stage. The rx8 is a great car but its a compromise. It is a 4 seater with a decent engine but, and you have to admit, it is a far cry from the 3 generations of 7s that were designed to do one thing - go fast. As must as I love mazda for being so performance oriented, they have enough compromises in their stable. Its time to show Nissan that Mazda still reigns supreme and bring out a true sports car to complete against that lead weight they call a GTR. If they can bring out a light weight 2 seater with 300-350 hp they will be back in the game. Ditch metal body panels and go with more composites that are becoming cheaper and cheaper. My cheap saturn SC1 (01) has a composite body (not glass) and weighs in at 2300lbs. Im tired of cars getting bigger and bigger and they just increase hp to match it. This is the whole reason I do what I do.

ok

/rant

rotorocks

What do you do, again?
Sorry, no disrespect. It's just that I wasn't posting for a couple of months and now coming back, I can't seem to recall seeing your handle.

Edit:
I see why, you just don't post a whole lot.

su_maverick

its cool. I just started coming on here because I have alot of friends to have 8s. I dont do anything professionally. That statement was more about the fact that I dont like settling for something because alternatives are frowned upon or people say it cant work. I didnt go LS because I have a hate for the rotary or some special love for v8's. I did it because I want a specific feel out of whatever I am driving and if the manufacturers cannot deliver it to me then I will do it with what I have available elsewhere. I had my FD in almost every form imaginable from stock to upgraded twins to a single and still couldnt get the total feel I wanted. I had the handling and presence down but just something missing. I am almost there with the true balance I want out of the car so I think I did something write.

My feeling is there is no right and wrong with how you mod your car because you are the one who has to drive it everyday. It should be taken to a point where you are at your happiest in the vehicle. Considering I have put more miles on the car in the past 6 months than since I owned it, I would say I am on the right track.

devildog1679

What is the price difference b/w a LT1 and LS1 and what is the weight difference? From the quick search I did it looks like the LS1 has about 50 more HP then the LT1 and weighs about 150 lbs less. Have to see if the price difference is warrented. The LT1 should get you to 325 HP with minor bolt ons. I had a 94 Z28 (LT1) that thing weighed almost 500 lbs more then the 8 and was still faster to 60 and 1/4 then the 8. Eaither engine would be a great choice, I guess you need to see if the price difference is worth it.

maxxdamigz

iTrader: (1)

Well, 150 lbs would be like a 5% weight shift toward the front as well.

devildog1679

True

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

You do know the RX-8 chassis is improved over the RX-7 right?

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

you should check out this months issues of STreet Tuner(i think that is the name ) it has a hybrid 3nd gen with grafted rx8 front end, interior pieces, a 13b single that is pass 400hp. it has the 3ng gen taillights, trunk and a modded rear bumper shirt. 19 inch volks. it is one really sweet car--even has the rx8steering wheel.
i would seriously buy that car.
olddragger