DRFTGTO

There are circumstances which have lead to not being able to swap it unless a major component fails, plus that will happen eventually, he has enough for the swap now but just barely, so once he is comfortable with the money he has allotted to spend on the project and has more time (read summer) then yea we will probably just end up selling it. Or swapping it into the cheapest old rx7 shell we can find.

w0ng3r

where has the REAL SNTP gone to?

YaXMaNGTO

So, why doesn't anybody market a kit to do this? I spend a pretty good amount of time cruising around this site, and I've never seen one. Am I missing something?

I think it would be a huge hit. I know I'm not the only one that thinks this way. I'd love to have an LS powered RX8. HELL YA, I would.

DRFTGTO

I got another buyer waiting as well, but hell maybe more depending on the price of the kit, but seriously should be made +1

mscamp02

iTrader: (3)

lol of course you would with your gto lol....but in all seriousness I would love to see one as well because I think the swap would be worth it if there was a kit to make it at least a little easier.

YaXMaNGTO

You got it... just make it easier to do. Line up a parts list, fabricate the pieces that would have to go in... subframes, crossmembers, adapters, exhaust, driveshaft, whatever... and sell for the package for a decent price to make a few bucks.

I know it's not a new idea at all, and I know it's not easy, but the FD guys seem to have it down to science. Is it possible to do it?

mike1324a

+1!

05rx8mazda

iTrader: (4)

I wouldnt mind me a GTO motor in my 8.

Bellum

Hi,

I've been following this thread with some interest.

After only 20,000 k my engine seals and cat converter went. I am a careful driver and follow a strict maintenence regime too. Fortunately all were replaced with new items on Mazda's dime - billed back $8,000.00 to Mazda by my dealer. The new engine now runs better than the first one ever did. I've only used it since the engine replacement for short runs. I just love the car, but I am now gunshy about touring in it.
A few months ago I was chatting with the chap who installed the HKS intake and catback exhaust in his high-tech speed shop. He prepares track cars and is on Toyota's international race team. He also participates in the One Lap of America race and mentioned to me that last year he had his butt whipped by an Australian entered RX-8. After the race he examined the car and foud it had been fitted with a Ford V8 crate motor. The car was not only fast on the straights but kicked butt in the corners.

He suggested that the best way to go for RX8s is not turbo charging or any other mods of the Wankel, but to discard it completly as it has an unfixible problem with the seals.
For those of you curious as to the cost of a professional turn key v8 Ford crate motor job running 400HP he quoted $20,000.00 for a bullet-proof build.

Anyone have any insights?

freaklinkmusic

he may be partially right regarding the factory seals. heat and water thin oil (my opinion) attribute to seal damage.. But ther are many aftermarket solutions... and let me add.. you could get a 3-rotor job for about 15,000, and DESTROY that ford crate motor. a boosted 3-rotor can net anywhere from 500hp-1000hp. AT THE WHEELS. Tell him that when u see him

pistonkilla

been following this for a while now. pretty interesting. i meet a guy this past weekend with a ls6 in a fd. thing was bitchin. i have a few photos of it floating around here somewhere

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

id go with a 3 rotor just coz its a rotary but the ls1 swap is sick none the less

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

a 2 rotor its hard enough to find parts for.. a 3 rotor? forget it. :P

i'd go with a ls1 simply for the aftermarket.

and a boosted ls1 can net 1500whp fyi.

freaklinkmusic

3 rotor parts arent hard to find.. just a little expensive.. I wouldnt mind having an ls1 or ls2 in my engine bay though.

Transam kid 01

iTrader: (1)

I would def waste a lot of money and buy a kit to make my car LSx powered

8upbad

iTrader: (3)

^^+1 I am not usually one to dispute an engine swap due to make or model but I would NOT put anything but a 2 or 3 rotor in this car. I just wouldn't, it's an RX-8! Balance and RPM and weight! not torque and tire smoke and cylinders! Jesus.

TurboJay

I would pay SERIOUS money for a subframe and trans mount for a LSx into an RX-8. Would buy instantly. I think it would be AMAZING to have that engine in this car.

"Off-Topic"
Where do I get info on a 3 rotor swap?

YuppY

Same for turbocharged Ford or GM V8.

DRFTGTO

WHy dont we start a lit of peole who will buy the kit if it is made? This might persuede a company to build one

Fate710

iTrader: (1)

I've talked with Hinson Supercars, and he wants to do a kit for the RX8, but he can't find anybody with the money to do the swap, and that will let him have the car to do the R&D work on.




I personally am building a LS2 for my RX8. Shooting for a modest 475rwhp and probably going to call it a day. I'm going to enjoy my bullet proof engine and increase in gas mileage.

YaXMaNGTO

Hinson should come on here and find somebody. I can't imagine there isnt a single person that do it. I mean, the economy sucks and everything, there gotta be a fat wallet somewhere with a blown renny that wants to do it.

Dude you need to start a thread and post a shitload of pics as youre doing it. A lot of people would be very interested. I know I would glued and watching your progress. I don't have the resources to be a trailer blazer and do something like that myself. I think it would be freakishly cool.

475rwhp with an NA LS2 is no easy feat. You'll need a very good set of ported heads ($$$), monster lumpy cam, FAST intake manifold, ported throttle body, good set of headers, CAI, pulleys, and a spot on tune from a very experienced tuner... seen setups like that make very close to 500whp, but it was through some trial and error, and mixing and matching parts, and that wasn't cheap either.

if you're shooting for a little less, like 420-435whp, you can do that with the stock heads (with just new springs... easy... no porting), a ported stock intake manifold and throttle body (easy, might as well do it, cheap), cam, CAI, headers, tune. The recipe is so established, you pick out the cam and just run with it, but be careful about driveability. You might go with just a little bit smaller cam, give up some power, but reduce the surging and bucking you'll get below 2000rpm. A lot of that is a function of the quality of the tune.

Also might want to balance out the cost of getting an LS3 with your goals. You can reach 475rwhp easier without the cost of expensive heads, and doing a cam only setup (with all the supporting stuff of course... headers, etc).

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

DRFTGTO
There is a 8 yr/100000 mile warranty on the engine. 5/60000 mile warranty on the drivetrain. Just because your bumper to bumper is up doesn't mean your not covered.

Putting a piston engine in a RX is a act against nature. There are plenty of piston cars out there if thats what you want. It's the rotary engine that makes the car unique.

YaXMaNGTO

Hey, any chance we could get some good pics of the engine bay? did you have to use the stock exhaust manifolds due to clearance issues? How much other stuff did you have to move around?

I understand if you have intentions on creating a kit that you might not want to post pics, but let us know if you are!!!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

You are describing the treatment that helps our engines last longer.

If you really want to force an engine fail on his 8, do it this way, and post the vid:
[embed]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GoGAdxl9l0E&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GoGAdxl9l0E&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/embed]


I don't agree with a piston swap, if nothing else just because you can get a used v8 car for the drag strip that will match it or beat it for less than it costs for the swap. To me, doing a swap like that is just announcing to everyone that you bought the wrong car. IF you are going to do a swap, swap with something that stays true to the purpose of the car. Like Renesis into a Miata, 20b into an 8, etc...

Not my car or money, so my opinion hardly matters. More power to you doing what you want.

YaXMaNGTO

Find me a "piston car" that has superb handling, fantastic brakes, perfect steering feel, a wonderfully designed and functional interior, unique and beautiful looking exterior styling, gorgeous xenon headlights, easily accessible and comfortable back seats, a sunroof, supportive front seats, and a low curbweight, at the RX8's price point.

You can't find one. That car doesn't exist.

The Renesis is the weak link. The RX8 is not just the rotary. That's not the only thing that makes it unique.

I want more power, and I want reliable power. I know now what an LSx engine is capable of. I think it could be great combination.