Kesh's Project Car - Page 2

04-03-2016, 08:11 PM

#26

Rakesh Shanmugam

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazer

If you think 6k$ is steep, wait til you come across the costs of an LS swap. Even though a rotary isn't unique when looking at rx8 and 7s, it is when looking down the street. I see at least a couple LS powered cars ever day, I rarely see another rotary. In general, it's far more unique. It really is such an awesome little engine, driving it. I contemplated the idea of a swap, until I drove mine. Fabulous engine, I'm addicted.

An LS motor is a lot bigger than a 1.3l rotary. There is no way a v8 is going to weigh hardly more, even an aluminum block variant.You're going to lose the benefits of the 50/50 weight distribution, part of what makes the Rx8, the Rx8. While I enjoy following these projects and will root for your success regardless. Just remember this is not even close to a direct swap. Everything will have to be custom.

I follow where you're coming from. My problem with the rebuild of the rotary isn't necessarily the cost, but what it will give me in return. That's where my issue arises because apart from it's physical properties (size and weight) and the "it's a rotary" thing, it is inferior to the LS in every measurable way. I understand where you're coming from with the Renesis though, heck I drove this thing on half compression and I absolutely loved the smoothness and it's willingness to rev.

Another controversial point I wish to make is that although I do believe the Rotary is what makes an rx8, an rx8 (RX stands for rotary xperiment after all..), the rotary is also what holds back the rx8 in terms of being a better car. What I'm saying is that although an LS swap will make my car lose it's party piece, it will undoubtedly become a better car (all things considered).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrishoky

This is not entirely true, while there will need to be custom items made, there are a lot of kits now that exist for this application. Hinson, LS1RX8.com, and V8 roadsters all make kits for this application with supporting mods (headers, diffs, steering kits, etc). The only items that aren't plug and play are the electrical components to keep the stock gauges because of the difficult CANBUS system. As the OP said however, this is going to be a track car, so it wont need all of that nonsense. A RACEPAK will be able to handle all his wiring needs.

I agree with his decision, a rebuild at that price isn't worth the 175 rwhp it will return. The V8 swap will be much more costly, but will provide an equal level of performance per dollar (not taking into account fuel savings, ease of modification, ease of maintenance, etc).

We're on the same page! Basically to get the engine in and running, I'll need:

- Engine mounts
- Steering rack relocation
- Steering correction

Those parts alone will let me get the engine in and mounted permanently. I will be buying the engine with the harness and computer so it's a matter of correctly plugging in everything where it goes, and it will fire up. Throttle shouldn't be too difficult but that may depend if the engine I buy is a cable or throttle by wire. This is the relatively easy bit.

That's my first goal, to get the engine in, get it started and revving.

Second stage is to get the gearbox and diffs mated. There's a few ways of doing it, but I'm going the simpler cheaper way first, and then going the more desired route once I've proven to myself that I'm not a failure. haha

Once the gearbox is mated to the engine I'll need to fabricate a custom transmission crossmember. As I said before, I'm going the simpler and cheaper way, that is, I'm retaining the PPF, so the new crossmember will incorporate the existing PPF. After that, I will need a drive shaft to be made and in theory, it should be working well albeit with some bugs that need fixing.

Apparently retaining the PPF isn't great for the track and also, the stock diff ratio makes for a useless 1st gear, which is why once everything is smooth, the PPF will be removed, and a stronger and more compatible diff will be installed.

There is a lot more work than what I said above, some I know about, some I do not, but that's what I'll be learning I suppose!

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