Transverse Engine in the RX-8
 

I've been thinking about doing a project with the RX-8. I was thinking of getting one and swapping the engine with the MS3 DISI or a FS mated with the Miata Tranny.. I don't believe the RX-8 tranny will work, but correct me if I'm wrong)

Anywho, I've seen bigger longitundinal V8's fit rather well, I'm curious if it would be t he same for a transverse. I don't have an RX-8 yet so I haven't have a clear shot of the engine bay and firewalls.

The reason I'm asking is that I love the looks of the RX-8 and I prefer piston reliability, plus this would be unique at the same time. I'd like to keep the engine in the mazda family as well.

Looking for some advice,

Thanks!
Jeremy

Buy an 8 with a blown motor. Miata and rx8 tranny are the same.
my neighbour bought a v8 to put in his 8 when his rotary dies, that was 6 years and 120k ago and his v8 is still waiting.

You realize the MS3 is FWD? Miata/Rx8 trans wont work with the MS3 engine, unless youre intending to try to make the transverse engine longitudinal.

Doesnt sound like youve thought this out, going from RWD to FWD is not just an engine/trans swap

If you wanna be a unique snowflake, u might be able to accomplish that by putting a miata engine into the rx-8 chassis.

you know this guy?

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/dodge-viper-engine-215396/

beers :beer:

I know it's more than just a swap in. That's why I'm doing research and asking this folks here on this site (you all do own RX8 and have done modifications, so it would only make sense to ask the gurus). I'm familiar with the Celica FWD engine swaps to the 3S or the 1MZ. I don't know much about rear wheel drive swaps and longitudinal engines. I've never owned a RWD so this is new territory for me.

No matter if I try to shoehorn in the MS3 or use the Miata engine (good idea) I know new mounts would have to be made, wiring harness, all the other engine/ driveability parts would have to be changed.

That's good to know the miata and the RX-8 tranny are the same, that was one of my questions.

As far as the Viper guy, I'm not sure I'm follow your comment. I didn't ask about a Dodge Viper engine and putting that in to this car. AFAIK, the viper is much bigger than the RX8 and would require tons of cutting and fabricating (I'm not going for lofty aspirations like that)

Like I said this is new territory for me and I'm gathering research on how to do this. If the MS3 doesn't fit, it doesn't fit, but without asking questions I wouldn't know and then I would "what if" forever and no one wants to have those "what ifs" for the rest of their life... Worst case I get a miata engine and build the heck out of it; oh well

So how would one find out if the MS3 will bolt up to the miata/rx8 tranny? I was figuring asking Mazda. If you know the answer or can point me in the right direction, I'd be greatly appreciative

Thank you and good morning!

1. What's your budget?

2. What's your goal?

This plus:
What's your definition of piston relialibity?
This is going to be a swap in the 10\15000$ range if done properly. A mazmart built engine with the right upgrades, better coils and an accessport tune will cost half of that.
Add premix and you're good to go for at least a hundred thousand miles.

^ I laughed at this, considering I am building plans to do the reverse. I want my 8's engine in my Miata :D:





OP, given the cost and trouble of doing any swap, the gain you would have has to be something OTHER than financial. "Reliability" is one of those reasons that is entirely financial in nature. If buying an RX-8 for $10,000, doing a swap for a minimum of $15,000, to get 200,000 miles out of it....

You could instead buy a loaded Miata for $25,000 and get 200,000 miles out of it, or buy 5 $5,000 cars and only expect to get 40,000 out of each (though probably quite a bit more than that), or you could buy an RX-8 for $10,000, dump $5k into modifications to boost reliability , when that one fails buy a well built engine for $5,000, last another 100k+, when that one fails, buy another engine for $5,000, last another 100k+.

You see where I'm going with this?


Without meaning to offend, trying to do a swap for "reliability", or any other financial reason, is pretty stupid. You gotta have a different reason. Typically power output is the normal reason, though other reasons are out there. Power isn't my goal in my Renesis Miata project, just taking two cars I love and combining the best points of each for the sheer fun of the result.


Just some advice.

Oh another one of these?

OP, I'll post the same thing I've posted in the last 4 MS3 DISI engine swap threads.

Don't waste your time. As stated above it's gonna be an expensive swap. If you're gonna spend the money, put in an engine with more potential.

On the reliability note, spend some time on the MazdaSpeed forums before you decide that the DISI out of an MS3 is more reliable than a rotary. Lots of smoking turbos, spun bearings, bent rods, and rods that left then engine through a self made hole in the block.

As for swapping in a miata engine, why? Already less power and far less potential unless you add another 10k to an already 10k to 15k swap.

I understand the need to be different, but there are a lot better options out there.

@RIWWP

Have you started your Renesis-Miata project yet (I remember that thread u made) since a new RX-? doesnt seem likely anymore. I am very interested in doing the same thing as well but I am not ready atm both financially and technically.

Of all things, why would you go FWD on a swap like that?

No, not yet. Still don't have the physical space to start it. My current house has no covered parking / storage, the 1.8 car driveway is already holding 3 cars, etc... Can't add two cars anywhere, much less protected, for the duration of the project. I have to move elsewhere before I can start. The job offer I had pending collapsed when the company I was going to move to did a bunch of layoffs, which canceled the relocation to Nashville which would have given me the space and clear funding to start.

I have another pending offer, but it's probably not going to leave much time for it with fairly significant travel involved. It keeps getting blocked, but I've still been slowly adding to the project plan documentation over the months, stepping through as many challenges ahead of time to get them planned. There are going to be enough snags as it is that I won't forsee, so gotta work on the ones I can :)

My goal is between 300-350 Hp. I was thinking on spending between 10-15k in all reality on this.

Reliability wasnt' the correct word, I apologize for that. Let me see if I can explain this and forgive any incorrect information as I am not a guru of the RX8.

What I mean is the driving to and from the store and the engine flooding, the short trips i have read about. Also, getting more power from the car. I have read and heard that its very hard and not very reliable for adding FI to the engine.
So my thought process was to swap out with an engine that starts somewhat close to the goals I have and go from there. I'm familiar with piston engines and if you build it right before I put it in the car, then it should have no troubles.

Now if I am incorrect (and I might very well be) and adding FI to the RX-8 is easier than I've heard and read and it is going to last, then well maybe this project won't happen.

the car would stay RWD with my thoughts, as long as the DISI did mate up to the tranny. If not I'll cross that bridge at that point. This is why I'm asking before I go and jump both feet in before checking and wasting tons of money and time.

RIWWP you do have a valid point and it does make sense. thank you

Transverse engine and rwd in rx8 is a hard goal.
However flooding and other "issues" were solved years ago.
With a 15000$ budget you could easily buy a well build, rock solid engine and add FI ;)
Don't be afraid of rotaries, they won't eat you!

Maybe you should post less, and read more. You make no sense.

S2000 engine.

My fathers friends roadster with an S2000 drivetrain. Insanely fast.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/5654027338/http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/5653455657/http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/5653456125/

They'll make 500/500 with a simple turbo system all day long.

... whatever.

MM:
Most of the swap problems end up being quite specific to the engine/platform, and not worth trying to detail every one, when the general end result is that the swaps don't go anywhere, and if he is going to do it, he would be the first, so there aren't solutions to the problems he would face that he can just ask someone about, which was really my only point. That and the reasons he is stating for the swap aren't solved by the solution he is thinking about.

Uh, yeah. I'm gonna just have to go and disagree with almost all of the post above.

It is not really based on any actual understanding of the problems or process or any of the parameters of the suggested projects.

I understand the sentiment, but none of it is factual.

I think he said it weighs about 1400lbs. The basic Chassis is a kit car but the suspension and everything else is his own design. He is an impressive old man.