sburkett

I haven't dug too deep into all the threads on big power, and from the hearsay and bigotry about the Renesis I think maybe I won't...

Anyway, I just thought I'd start a little thread to talk about my current project.

I have a low mileage Renesis shortblock and gearbox, a GT4088R and a 1st gen RX-7 roller.

I'm going to put them all together over the next few months and see what breaks.

Just to let you know, I have a dyno at my shop, will be doing an all out AEM tuning effort, and will do this right.

So watch over the next few months and we'll see how hard we can squeeze a Renesis.

The turbo will not actually arrive until Friday. I've already test fitted the engine and transmission, and they fit great. However motor mount and exhaust manifold fabrication will have to happen simultaneously to get a nice clean package.

I will post pics as soon as there is something interesting to see.

Thanks,
Steven
Tuxedo Park Racing

rotorocks

Interesting...

rotarygod

If you installing this into a 1st gen, use the 1st gen engine front cover. You will need to modify only one bolt location with a little chopping and welding but it's not too bad. Instant motor mount and you don't need to worry about a manifold fitting around it.

SlayerRX8

I'd definitely like to hear what you come up with.

hondasr4kids

been thinking about this myself but in a RX-3

sburkett

Rotarygod, I have been going back and forth on that. At one point I was considering trying to drive the Renesis MOP but have decided that that is just WAY overcomplicating things. Premix it is.

Then I started thinking maybe the front cover mount isn't as good structurally for a big power motor. But I'm probably over-analyzing. I'll give that a shot.

The front mount will still be set back a little bit because the RX-8 shift lever is positioned so much farther forward than on the first gen but that's just a spacer thing.

I will throw a 12a front cover on there in the next day or two and see what I think.

Thanks! (and it will run synthetic only, believe you me)

rotarygod

You'll see what I mean about the one bolt on the front cover being different. You could also use a mechanical RX-7 omp since you have the front cover. Run a cable actuated throttlebody and run a bicycle brake cable to the omp. Problem solved. You could even run a 2nd gen crank angle sensor if your ecu can't read the stock RX-8 trigger wheel. If it's an AEM I suspect they've got that taken bare of by now but with a new front cover you won't have the pickup anyways. May as well use the cas.

sburkett

I actually did test fit a 12a front cover a while back when I was rebuilding a Renesis, and it is will be a little more complicated than that because the OMP and distributor gears don't mesh right. I remember thinking that it was probably doable with some work but I didn't dig too deep into it and unfortunately didn't take any notes. Now you've got me intrigued and I'll try to swap front covers tomorrow and report back.

rotarygod

I didn't realize there would be a gear meshing issue. That's interesting. Did you try using the 13B gear as well or was it the standard Renesis gear? Are they even different?

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

LOL, nothing gets the leghumpers to ahumpin' quicker than somebody posting big plans before they have any results ....

we need more people like GTAW who post up their work progress out of nowhere

rotarygod

I'm actually go to go ahead and just say it since I know others are thinking it. Team, why are you so damn negative all the time? It's really annoying. Stop bringing the forum down all the time.

Tudor

Sburkett,
I have to say that it's really nice to see that someone will try and push this little engine to its limits. This is selfish but I think that very many will like to know how it goes.
Subscribed.
Cheers
Ted

gh0st

Gt4088... Thats Pretty Big.

sburkett

12a frontcover on a Renesis notes:

1) The reason the gears didn't mesh is that they have reversed the direction of OMP rotation with the renesis. The eccentric shaft drive gear from a 12a is a direct replacement, and now both the distributor and OMP drive gears drop right in to place. The old gear is about .0015 thicker but otherwise the same. I will have to check and possibly adjust endplay as a result of the swap.

2) The oil pan and oil pickup will have to be changed as well. I am going to try to source a GSL-SE oil pan and see if that will work. The old pan being a lot deeper than the renesis, I'll have to recheck for subframe clearance. Two reasons the Renesis pan doesn't fit - 1 is that it has a "notch" in the front that doesn't match the 12a, and two, the 12a oil bypass valve hangs down below the block, whereas the Renesis is recessed.

3) Oil galley lines up perfectly.

4) 12a water pump housing fits fine, but one of the support studs has been relocated. Probably could be ignored but the hole in the Renesis block is just outside the housing, so I will weld an ear on the housing so that I can go ahead and use the support.

5) I don't think the "extra" front cover bolt that the Renesis uses is necessary at all, I'm just going to ignore it.

Thanks, I think I'll continue to pursue this route, as long as the 13b oil pan fits.

If anyone can think of anything else I should check/be concerned with please speak up. Any concern that the 12a omp won't flow enough oil?

Steven

sburkett

I was actually concerned whether the 4088 was big enough! :D

rotary crazy

intresting, good luck

rotarygod

I think the GLS-SE oil pan should work fine. Use it's oil pickup tube as well. I have a GSL-SE and have always had a Renesis intended for it in the future. It's good to see that much of how I thought it could be installed will actually work as expected.

It would be really cool if you could take pictures of everything you have described to show others what needs to be done.

sburkett

I'll try to get some pictures while I'm waiting on gaskets and an oil pan.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

RG, I'm just being down to earth, we know all too well of people coming to the forum and talking the big doodly talk and never delivering. Now I'm not specifically refrring to sburkett because he's likely to follow through given his background, it was just a general observation because I don't see the point of saying I'm gonna do this or that before actually doing it except to .... me, I'm not going to get excited until I see something and then I'll be first in line with the congratulations and attaboys

not everybody sits around here all day posting reams of theory they got from some other source or talking about big plans, some members are actually out there making it happen and proving the reality, I regret that it rubs you the wrong way just as I'm sure you regret if it rubs me the wrong way seeing somebody get glory and worship for doing nothing more than talking a line

results talk, blah-blah-blah can take a walk ... show me the money, honey

N rider89

^

sburkett

From here on out, I will post updates periodically. Please restrict comments in this thread to questions and constructive suggestions about the project.

sburkett

Oh, and in the last picture - I mention the RX-8 banjo fittings because I intend to use the RX-8 oil coolers and lines, since I happen to have a pair sitting on the shelf. For a custom setup or use with the RX-7 oil cooler lines, this is obviously not an issue.

I8CookieMonster

Nice...I have to applaud you for sharing your findings in such detail!

rotarygod

That doesn't look too bad. Make sure you pay attention to the oil galley o-ring so that it seats properly. Remember the differences between the S4 and S5 housings that required some attention when it came to using the proper parts to seal correctly.

sburkett

Bad news on the 12a front cover swap. I got my new GSL-SE oil pan today and it's not even close. The front and rear side housings are thicker on the Renesis than on the earlier 13b's. I'll post an update when I decide how I'm going to tackle this one.