LSXREX

Those motors are very heavy. Probably what makes them so durable.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

It's not that I don't like the VR6, it's that you are taking an engine out that is a smooth as they come and makes 50 more HP and than the one you are putting in. Sure you could eventually turbo the VR6 I guess but it's a high mileage engine so it probably won't last long boosted so why not just rebuild it and boost it from the get go? Driving an RX-8 with a tired VR6 in it even for few months seems really depressing.

Legot

iTrader: (1)

No kidding! After looking it up it seems that the longblock is 5-600lbs!!!

That's got to murder the cornering.

LSXREX

I've read 600 lbs is pretty common. Man that could be considered. Bad choice. I did a head gasket on one and I re ember the head was very heavy. Cool design though

kickerfox

Short block is 205lb according to someone who claimed to weigh it themselves. Another source claims 308lbs complete coming out of the car. Locost forum claims 373lb. But no it's NOT 600lbs. It's not a Cummins! I felt it swinging on the hoist and it's easier to twirl around then a SBC. The Isuzu is still lighter.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I highly doubt it is over 100lbs lighter than a Honda B series. Talking about a fully dressed long block of course. A stripped VR6 long block could weigh 308lbs.

Legot

iTrader: (1)

I found a few sources that say it's over 500, so my info is as good as yours I guess. No-one cares about your useless Isuzu, go away.

The short block appears to come in much lighter at 2-300lbs.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I highly doubt it weighs more than a fully dressed LS1 (450lbs or so).

kickerfox

Who knows what that source pulled off the engine before it was pulled. It's likely lacking some accessories. It's heavier then a renny for only being another 200cc.

LSXREX

Yeah but that head...... Man it's heavy. I used a hoist to set it on the motor in my buddy's Jetta. Sad part is I think my V8 weighs right around or slightly less than that V6.

kickerfox

You jealous bruh? I can't hold a VR6 block over my head but the Isuzu, no problem. Plus I trust an aircraft manufacture's weight specifications long before I trust any internet sources. Same goes for the VR6. I'm sure the OP will weigh it if he can.

LSXREX

Pics or it didn't happen. I'm no weenie but I'd have a tough time holding a four cylinder block over my head

kickerfox

Can't now. It's assembled. Somewhere I have a pic of me carrying the assembled shortblock by a chain in one hand. If I find it I'll post it somewhere.

Prescription 8

iTrader: (2)

Understandable, I'd love to boost it from the start but it's not worth it cost wise if I can't drive the car. I still need to buy a trans and drive shaft and make everything work.
Boost is in the plan though, I would just like to get the hard stuff done first, Like making it work in the 8.


Kennedy Engineering (they make adapter plates) lists the VR6 as weighing 374 lbs.
But the truth is weight info is all over the place online. I'll probably get something along the lines of a fish scale that'll read up high enough and see if I can actually weigh the engine I have. The intake manifold weighs a few pounds itself and I likely won't run with it once boosted.

It looks like a lot of vw forum guys say it's around 400lbs for the complete vr6 with accessories.
It took 3 guys to carry it out of the back of a van into the back of a Subaru. 400 lbs sounds right. I'll begin my search for a scale to figure out the true weight of my particular engine

Prescription 8

iTrader: (2)

That Isuzu engine is really light. I watched Kicker carry it from the garage, through is house, down the stairs then through his basement into his workshop without breaking a sweat, and he's not a big dude.

Prescription 8

iTrader: (2)

As this will be a drift car I read about the RX-8 not having a lot of steering angle.
Some searching has brought up "JTP's Knuckle Mod" That allowed a bunch of angle, but I can't seem to find that info through the search, maybe my search terms are wrong.
Would anyone happen to know where I can find info on the modding the steering knuckle?

Prescription 8

iTrader: (2)

Oh, did I not mention my plans for the car? Given the rough shape of the body and the deal I got on it, I decided to make it my track day car. If everything works out I'll likely take it to autocross and drift days... but more drift days because it's fun as hell

kickerfox

Did you get a chance to weigh that 600lb engine yet?

Prescription 8

iTrader: (2)

Yup, Ordered a crane scale just to get to the bottom of it.
With all accessories and intake manifold the engine settled at 370 lbs on the dot.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I figured if three guys carried it. If it were 600lbs they would have to be weight lifters to carry it.

WonderWorks

VR6's are all forged inside? Damn! 2 of my 3 buddies with them have had their completely stock, low milage, and otherwise babied VR6's spit rods out the side of their blocks!

There is 3 VR6's in the scrap pile by his shop since they all swapped to 1.8T's now if you need extra parts

Good luck with the swap! Neat idea (not that I'd ever support so much effort in a VR6 ), and if you want a track car and dont care if anything inside works properly, give'r ****!

Prescription 8

iTrader: (2)

Finally got the engine onto a stand so I can dive a bit more into it. It's brutally cold here and I don't really want to do anything

Prescription 8

iTrader: (2)

So I drove about 13 hours to pick up the trans. Found it in Stillwater MN.


I followed Kicker's route and got one from a solstice.
This one came from an '08 solstice with 38k miles, It was in a bad accident and totaled out.
I went with an 08 because Pontiac added a PPF mid 2007. Although it bolts on the other side of the transmission than the RX8, it gives me the option to create a bracket and retain the PPF.

First things first, I need to make it fit the VR6

kickerfox

They were off by 3lbs. Someone must have left the oil in it.


I really don't understand all the bias for or against automotive engines, with the rotory trainwreck being the exception. If all the manufactures are using the same technology and materials, similar results can be expected. The VR6 is a hell of an engine. 7 mains, forged internals. If people are popping them, they built it wrong. Out of all the auto hobby enthusiasts that I've met over the years, 1 out of 10 might know how to properly blueprint an engine, 1 out of 100 actually do it.


WonderWorks - I have a buddy who had a 1.8L in his Jetta and damn was it fast. But he blew it up on a weekly basis. Now he drives a 73' Ford Pickup. He hasn't blown that up yet.

Prescription 8

iTrader: (2)

Pulled the pan off the VR6. Everything looks super clean.
Pulled a rod cap and the bearing and crank look real good.
The previous owner must have been up on maintenance.