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-   -   Arca's Time Attack Build Thread (13b-REW Swap) (https://www.rx8club.com/rotary-swaps-217/arcas-time-attack-build-thread-13b-rew-swap-249808/)

09Factor 03-11-2014 03:15 PM

Wow, just read the entire thread and pretty awesome journey you've made from the "red rim" days. Cool to see you're still rocking the Rccaz vinyl.

tylerdurden 03-15-2014 11:24 AM


Originally Posted by Arca_ex (Post 4566365)
At this point it's just a plan in my head. I'm going to get everything back together and be using 91 pump gas for now, and after that if it's justified I will go to E85. I will be using Maxima 2-stroke oil for the SOHN and as a premix just in case I decide to convert, it is compatible with gas and E85 (almost all 2-stroke oil and premix gums up when you mix with E85). Having stuff gum up in the fuel system due to incompatible premix is one of the biggest issues, or if you have been premixing for a long time.

Plans would be:
Second OEM bucket/pump assembly in passenger side
In tank pumps feed into 1Gal surge tank in trunk, I can have one fabbed up for cheap.
All fuel lines converted to -06AN.
Surge tank feeds single external Bosch 044.
Fuelab or equivalent filter.
Modified fuel rail to use -06AN fittings, converted to return style system.
AUS Injection has 550cc injectors I could use in place of the yellows, then use two yellows in the primaries where the reds used to be.
Aeromotive adjustable fuel pressure regulator
GM Flex Fuel inline sensor in return line that feeds back into the surge tank.
Zeitronix ethanol gauge that reads off of the flex fuel sensor so I know what the mix is.

Cheap way would be to have 3 maps on the Cobb, one for 91, one for mixed, one for E85 and switch them manually.
Expensive way would be to get an Adaptronic plug and play and take advantage of their flex fuel adjustments so it would make adjustments for ethanol content on its own.




After talking with a couple different people I have decided to skip balancing it. It's more money I don't have to spend right this second and would delay the build even further...

My reasoning is that since I'm going to be re-using all of the parts from my factory original engine, I won't be balancing it. If I were mixing and matching rotating parts then I would probably have it balanced. At 104k miles the e-shaft, rotor bearings and stationary gear bearings look pretty decent, and the rotors weren't banging into anything, so the factory balancing is good enough for me. I suspect that something else in the motor will fail long before balance becomes an issue.

Pardon my ignorance, and maybe I'm misreading, but why run a parallel fuel system for the E85? Why not just switch maps depending on what's in the primary system? Also, what resources have you been reading on E85 for RX8's? I'm pretty interested in doing this, but it doesn't seem to be a road well traveled.

Arca_ex 03-16-2014 10:29 PM


Originally Posted by 09Factor (Post 4578530)
Wow, just read the entire thread and pretty awesome journey you've made from the "red rim" days. Cool to see you're still rocking the Rccaz vinyl.

Word haha. I finally was finally able to rid myself of those things on Craigslist. Some guy bought them to put on his girlfriend's Nissan Maxima or something like that. I almost felt bad.




Originally Posted by tylerdurden (Post 4579967)
Pardon my ignorance, and maybe I'm misreading, but why run a parallel fuel system for the E85? Why not just switch maps depending on what's in the primary system? Also, what resources have you been reading on E85 for RX8's? I'm pretty interested in doing this, but it doesn't seem to be a road well traveled.

Yeah you read it wrong, it wouldn't be a parallel fuel system. Both in tank pumps both feed one surge tank, then the main fuel pump sends fuel from the surge tank to the rail. It is to prevent starvation during cornering. Yes, it is overkill but the plus side is that this fuel system will easily support whatever motor I decide to put in this thing down the road. I'd just rather do it right the first time if you know what I mean.

And yes it's not a very well traveled road but I know some local people that have messed with it just to test it out and the results are encouraging. It's not very viable for a street car because of availability, and also requires fuel system upgrades and tuning, which all contribute to its lack of popularity.

athikerguy4life 03-17-2014 01:43 PM

So much awesome in this thread. I wish we had track events in my area. Closest tracks I know of are all 3+ hours away, and their events are few and far between

Arca_ex 03-20-2014 10:17 AM

Looks like this thread is about to get interesting...

After looking at the numbers and with some recent happenings I've decided to abandon the current build, I'll do more explaining later but the main point is I can't justify dumping money into rebuilding the Renesis platform since it's such a dead end in terms of power. Part out thread will be coming soon for anyone interested in this huge stockpile of stuff I have.




















New Plan: REW swap.

Fickert 03-20-2014 10:27 AM

Soooo can't wait

yomomspimp06 03-20-2014 12:01 PM

I was hoping you were going to say 20b...

Arca_ex 03-20-2014 12:10 PM


Originally Posted by yomomspimp06 (Post 4581886)
I was hoping you were going to say 20b...

After running some numbers on build cost my pockets aren't that deep. Not to mention how much more fab work it is and the overall difficulty of the swap. The REW setup will make more power than a NA 20b, and it pretty much drops right in and has good support, it's relatively well documented, and easy to get parts. Just makes more sense right now.

You have to remember that I'm only 23 and three years ago I didn't even know what a rotary was, and the most work I'd ever done on a car was change the oil and brakes... I don't think my mechanical level of skill would allow me to complete a 20b swap at this time without some serious help.

yomomspimp06 03-20-2014 12:48 PM

1 Attachment(s)
hmmm...I need more of a list to pick from.
will you be reusing the oil filter adapter thingy? I need a way to supply oil to my turbo

Attachment 222238

dannobre 03-20-2014 03:38 PM

You will love a 450hp RX-8 :)

At that HP you can build it almost bulletproof as long as you get good cooling....charge, oil and air :)

Arca_ex 03-20-2014 04:14 PM


Originally Posted by dannobre (Post 4581997)
You will love a 450hp RX-8 :)

At that HP you can build it almost bulletproof as long as you get good cooling....charge, oil and air :)

I was hoping you would chime in, I'm sure I will have some questions for you if you don't mind lol.

I'm planning on doing a custom vertical dual row, dual pass radiator and V mounting the intercooler with a vent for the intercooler out the hood. Also will be upgrading the oil coolers and adding in one additional oil cooler just to be safe.

GK1707 03-20-2014 05:47 PM


Originally Posted by Arca_ex (Post 4581848)
Looks like this thread is about to get interesting...

After looking at the numbers and with some recent happenings I've decided to abandon the current build, I'll do more explaining later but the main point is I can't justify dumping money into rebuilding the Renesis platform since it's such a dead end in terms of power. Part out thread will be coming soon for anyone interested in this huge stockpile of stuff I have.




















New Plan: REW swap.


Yes! Win. Subscribed.

Arca_ex 03-21-2014 12:48 AM


Originally Posted by yomomspimp06 (Post 4581911)
hmmm...I need more of a list to pick from.
will you be reusing the oil filter adapter thingy? I need a way to supply oil to my turbo

I will probably be selling it, let me do a little research on what I want to do for gauges and stuff and if I decide to let it go, you are the first guy I will shoot a PM to.


Originally Posted by GK1707 (Post 4582049)
Yes! Win. Subscribed.

Thank you for subscribing dood.

shr3da 03-21-2014 02:09 AM

Nice, I thought you said you were going 20b but the rew turbo makes scene

Stray 03-21-2014 09:12 AM

Been following this one for a while. Dibs on the motor mounts if you part out rene goodies :p Looking forward to seeing where this one goes.

Arca_ex 03-21-2014 09:48 AM


Originally Posted by shr3da (Post 4582155)
Nice, I thought you said you were going 20b but the rew turbo makes scene

Yeah that was my goal for years down the road. But it's just not in the cards right now. This will be cheaper, easier, have better support, and have more power. Also it's been done and documented so I feel more comfortable going this route as well.


Originally Posted by Stray (Post 4582207)
Been following this one for a while. Dibs on the motor mounts if you part out rene goodies :p Looking forward to seeing where this one goes.

Thanks man.
Sending you a PM.

shr3da 03-22-2014 01:23 AM

What are you doing for engine mounts?

Arca_ex 03-22-2014 02:25 AM

RX8 Performance mount.

I was looking at the KMR mounts but I don't like solid mounts. Also the RX8 Performance mount connects the subframe mount points together like the stock cross bar there. Don't want to sacrifice any rigidity if I don't have to.

Arca_ex 03-23-2014 08:09 PM

2 Attachment(s)
Okay so I've kind of been planning out what needs to be done to make this swap happen and the one thing that I'm getting hung up on is the power steering.

Since this is a racecar and I am going to a standalone and rewiring the majority of the car to a switch panel, I will not need to retain any sort of creature comforts.

Things I will be removing or don't need:
The entire gauge cluster (will be using a Race Technologies Dash with GPS and datalogging)
ABS unit
Traction Control
Stability Control
Immobilizer?

I know that the Electric Power Steering Control Module needs two inputs to work, vehicle speed signal and engine speed signal. Unfortunately I believe these are not simple electrical inputs but a CAN based communication system between the EPS Control Module and the PCM.

What do I need to do if the only thing I want to retain in the car is power steering?
Can I just give it the two inputs the EPS module needs from my new ECU?
Can I literally remove every wire going into the PCM besides power, VSS, ESS, and EPS communication if I absolutely need the PCM for this to work?
Does it still work if the PCM is in limp mode?

Any help on this is appreciated. I've also attached a couple diagrams I found.

dannobre 03-23-2014 08:17 PM

I have engine harness down to Oil Pressure, coolant temp, and trigger wheel inputs.. and the 2 tranny switches.

Arca_ex 03-23-2014 08:33 PM


Originally Posted by dannobre (Post 4582834)
I have engine harness down to Oil Pressure, coolant temp, and trigger wheel inputs.. and the 2 tranny switches.

But everything else you still have connected?

I'm guessing oil pressure and coolant temp are for the dash so I won't be needing those.

Reverse switch for the lights, I'll leave that. I'll probably have the neutral switch going into the new ECU if it's required. Unless the RX-8 PCM needs it for some reason...




EDIT: Also thank you mods for moving the thread and changing the title for me. Much appreciated. :)

dannobre 03-23-2014 08:51 PM

Are you going to use the starter circuit you will need the neutral switch.

Everything else is removed from the harness. . I have used some of the power circuits for other things. ... but they aren't hooked up to the ECU

Arca_ex 03-23-2014 09:04 PM

1 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by dannobre (Post 4582847)
Are you going to use the starter circuit you will need the neutral switch.

Everything else is removed from the harness. . I have used some of the power circuits for other things. ... but they aren't hooked up to the ECU

Okay that is good to know. I was going to be mad if I had to keep a ton of useless wiring in the car. I will just move the stock ECU inside the car and feed it the bare minimum to get the EPS to work properly.

The starter is going to be wired to a momentary push button on the dash.

I'm going to try to snipe this NASCAR unit off eBay. Hopefully it doesn't go over 20 bucks.

I'll do ACC on red, IGN on green and electric water pump on yellow.

I'll also have other switches for fuel pumps, lights, some ecu stuff, dash control, etc. etc.

I'm probably going to end up deleting the stock fuse/relay box and making a harness myself to reduce weight and simplify everything.

Attachment 222202

ScubaSteve8 03-23-2014 10:49 PM

Really looking forward to seeing this build come together! An REW or PP 13B (na) are the swaps I'm considering in the future for my race car so this will be interesting I'm sure.

Looking forward to your part-out as well....

HwAoRrDk 03-24-2014 09:18 AM

Regarding the EPS controller, these guys have a solution for that: :)

RX8 Steering Controller - CANbusAuto - Home of Automotive CANbus Innovation

So yeah, it appears possible to utilise the existing EPS control module in a standalone manner simply by feeding it the right inputs over CAN bus.

I found about it as a result of a guy here in the UK who converted an RX-8 to electric power. He's using one of their units to retain the stock EPS and dash.


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