LSx V8 conversion kit Coming Soon!
12-18-2009, 06:28 PM
#26
dry sump and a camaro steering rack--or something like that?
i dont think it will destroy the cars balance--i sure have seen a lot of sweet rx7 v8 conversions that didnt.
I think after it was all done the rx7 only gained about 50lbs?
I do wonder how the rest of the car would stand up to the increased power.
od
i dont think it will destroy the cars balance--i sure have seen a lot of sweet rx7 v8 conversions that didnt.
I think after it was all done the rx7 only gained about 50lbs?
I do wonder how the rest of the car would stand up to the increased power.
od
12-26-2009, 09:57 PM
#30
Chevy small blocks make STUPID power for cheap. $5K into an LS7 gets you ZR1 numbers with almost stock driveability (slight cam surge down low).
$5K into an RX8 makes it as fast as its predecessor. YES!
$5K into an RX8 makes it as fast as its predecessor. YES!
12-30-2009, 12:46 AM
#31
It's a Cavalier
And, for the record, I am seriously considering an LS2 swap after seeing what is possible on the Miata.
You might believe the Rotary is the "soul" of the RX-8, but I just look at the car as an excellent chassis. The motor is inconsequential.
When I think about the effort and money I (and others) have spent to drag the Renesis kicking and screaming up to a meager 400/300 it kinda makes me a bit queasy.
For roughly the price of a turbo system, you can have the car balance out the same, but with 400/400 and none of the "quirks" of the rotary that so many of you find cute.
You might believe the Rotary is the "soul" of the RX-8, but I just look at the car as an excellent chassis. The motor is inconsequential.
When I think about the effort and money I (and others) have spent to drag the Renesis kicking and screaming up to a meager 400/300 it kinda makes me a bit queasy.
For roughly the price of a turbo system, you can have the car balance out the same, but with 400/400 and none of the "quirks" of the rotary that so many of you find cute.
12-30-2009, 12:17 PM
#36
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The #7 piston failure is a product of the intake design running that piston a tad leaner than the others. And they dont just drop #7 pistons randomly without warning. Its just that when something goes wrong and you do kill a piston 9 times out of 10 the #7 will be the first to go. Us FI guys always had our injectors flowed and put the highest flowing one on #7
12-30-2009, 02:46 PM
#37
nice move and it makes sense.
There are 2 ls engines in the road atlanta area that have popped number 7.
Its not near the problem on the street as the track.
Just making a point that no engine is trouble free. Thats all--the ls engine is a great one.
Actually the many rx8's that track in ga,? they have actually held up well. Yes the engines were replaced on nearly everyones, but that, we dont think is track related. Its more of a chronic street use issue?
These engines seem to do better on the track than the street! Realivly speaking that is
OD
There are 2 ls engines in the road atlanta area that have popped number 7.
Its not near the problem on the street as the track.
Just making a point that no engine is trouble free. Thats all--the ls engine is a great one.
Actually the many rx8's that track in ga,? they have actually held up well. Yes the engines were replaced on nearly everyones, but that, we dont think is track related. Its more of a chronic street use issue?
These engines seem to do better on the track than the street! Realivly speaking that is
OD
09-01-2010, 12:02 AM
#38
It's a Cavalier
Bumping this thread anticipating the pics and videos from the Hinson LS1 RX8.
I guess they're close, but I haven't called them to find out. Anybody talk to them or live near them?
I guess they're close, but I haven't called them to find out. Anybody talk to them or live near them?
Update 8/6/10: The car is on the road. We have started our road testing, and all systems are working as designed. The car has a nice balance, and the interior noise is very low. Our first impression is that this will make an excellent driver. We will post pictures and video shortly.
09-01-2010, 12:52 AM
#40
It's a Cavalier
I dunno, man. I still have this idea that with a kit, I could pull this off, and have a great looking car with four seats, great handling, and a strong reliable powerplant.
Maybe it's never going to happen, but I'm always on the lookout for an 04-05 with a dead engine at a bargain price. I know with the contacts I've got now, I could get the LS1 or LS2 or LS3 with a T56 for cheap. It could happen.
09-01-2010, 01:41 AM
#41
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Yah, I saw your Z06 "swap". I know you're enjoying it. The LSx engine is a thing of beauty, and I have come to appreciate them as well.
I dunno, man. I still have this idea that with a kit, I could pull this off, and have a great looking car with four seats, great handling, and a strong reliable powerplant.
Maybe it's never going to happen, but I'm always on the lookout for an 04-05 with a dead engine at a bargain price. I know with the contacts I've got now, I could get the LS1 or LS2 or LS3 with a T56 for cheap. It could happen.
I dunno, man. I still have this idea that with a kit, I could pull this off, and have a great looking car with four seats, great handling, and a strong reliable powerplant.
Maybe it's never going to happen, but I'm always on the lookout for an 04-05 with a dead engine at a bargain price. I know with the contacts I've got now, I could get the LS1 or LS2 or LS3 with a T56 for cheap. It could happen.
P.S. yes, I am LOVING my Z06.
Gawd did I miss torque!! I think my Rx8 actually made more power at the very top. But the Z06 has full power right from idle. Its always there, no waiting for spool up or revs. Just twitch my right foot and the car snaps forward.
Last edited by Mawnee; 09-01-2010 at 01:46 AM.
09-01-2010, 06:14 PM
#42
The biggest problem with generating 400 whp with the Renesis is the motor wasn't designed for that at all. Pushing it to do that is expensive and problematic. The advantage is low center of gravity and weight distribution, but the LS2 is only a couple of hundred lbs heavier, so you could probably get many of the benefits of the chassis with a V8 engine up front. I love rotary engines and wouldn't want to de-soul the RX-8, I would rather put a 3-rotor into it if I was going to go for a bigger displacement motor.
"Only a couple of hundred lbs heavier"...nah, shouldn't shift cg or weight distribution at all
09-09-2010, 12:15 AM
#44
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Beware 
As a former Mustang owner who became disillusioned with Ford's belief that you can call a 4,000 lbs vehicle as sports car because it has 400 hp, I was drawn to the nimbleness and practicality of the RX-8. However, I must confess that I miss the torque/launch of that good ole V8.
Having said that, you would be correct in assuming that I have a keen interest in hearing more about the possibility of putting 400 ft/lbs in a ~3,000 lb 'sports car'.
So, now that those lost cars have found their way home, let's finish building that LSx swap kit.
As a former Mustang owner who became disillusioned with Ford's belief that you can call a 4,000 lbs vehicle as sports car because it has 400 hp, I was drawn to the nimbleness and practicality of the RX-8. However, I must confess that I miss the torque/launch of that good ole V8.
Having said that, you would be correct in assuming that I have a keen interest in hearing more about the possibility of putting 400 ft/lbs in a ~3,000 lb 'sports car'.
So, now that those lost cars have found their way home, let's finish building that LSx swap kit.
11-21-2010, 02:10 PM
#45
oh yeah!
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cool with that swap you will kick a** in da straight line.. dudes in their 350z and mustang will be like wtf was that a v8.. roar
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12-06-2010, 01:44 PM
#46
I have a friend from TX who has a JDM RX-7 with a Vette engine in it...sounds like a beast but haven't seen him take it to a track yet. After seeing his 7 like that made me want to make my 8 like that, but the purest in me won't allow it.
02-16-2011, 11:08 AM
#47
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In RX7 Forums there have been countless arguements on LSX vs Rotary. Weight wise the LS is 50lbs lighter, which is negotiable.
As far as "ripping the soul out of an RX8". Mazda Killed the soul of the rotary by dropping it into in a 3000lb car without a turbo. Also if the 8 is going to remain street legal (at least in my state) it has to pass emissions, which is done digitally (even reporting the info to the state). As much as I love older 13bt and 20bt setups, you can't get pass OBDII emissions with them. For the Money an LSX is a good option, and parts/rebuilds are lower cost. Not to mention easier to find a mechanic to work on an LSX vs Rotary (espically where I'm at).
I love rotary power, and I look forward to the 16X comming out, Mazda claims it'll be lighter (made out of aluminum) have approx. 280hp and better fuel economy, without increasing the size of the engine.
Rotary Engines belong in a car weighing under 2900lbs to be really effective. Rotary phiolosphy is small & light car with nimble chassis. Although the RX8 has a great chassis, and handles well for it's size, it is not the small light car like the previous RX7s. The Renisis would be better suited in the current Miata than the RX8.
just an FYI I Owned a RX7 Turbo II, a few years back. When , and when I drove that then went and test drove an RX8.
Compairing the RX8 to the RX7 is like compairing a Bud light (or pick any cheep domestic beer) to a German Craft Beer. Sure they are both beer, sure they do the same things, but one is significantly better than the other.
All that being said. as a entry level sports car/sedan it's great. but if you're after power, then the LSX engine swap is a perfectly understandable and reasonable option. After all it has been said over and over, the Renisis is not the powerplant the previous 13B engines were.
02-16-2011, 11:43 AM
#50
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1. Wasn't responding to you. If anything we're in agreement, so you're remark is unnecessary. I was backing my thoughts with FACTS. I addressed flaws with the remark replied to that was not Posted for whatever the reason. I've owned a rotary before, about to get my second, AND been researching/following Rotary engines for the last 12 years.
Frankly I'm no more a newb than you're an Elitest @ss.