V8 transplant in an FC RX-7

[ScottyB]

here's an interesting situation. lets say you have an old FC with a crapped out rotary. there are swaps you can do where you can drop a 302-350 or similar V8 engine into it and not only does it improve the weight distribution, but some specifically outfitted V8's weigh less than a 13B. plus you get the bonus of having an engine that's crazy popular so you'll have no problem getting parts/upgrades. here's the thing...

do you think its sacreligeous (automotive sense of course) to put something besides a rotary in an RX-7? kinda like a 911 without the flat 6, or WRX without the turbo-four.

this doesn't represent any of my views at all. just trying to get something started. and jack, relax.

[Chris]

yeah don't piss off Jack, he might kill the whole site :twisted:

[REED]

funny you should mention that - i just cam across a video of a 3rd gen with an Ls1 swap - pretty nifty - if you interested IM me - GILLZz007

[ScottyB]

yeah i just might be interested in that Reed. it isn't a 3rd gen. drifting on a track is it?

[Mike]

I hope to complete this car by 2010.

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[ScottyB]

so, so sweet

[.RJ]

Twin-turbo 3 rotor would be better

I want another FB

[JackoliciousLegs]

there are SOOOO many posts about this on rx7club but basically, the weighting of the car gets all sorts of f-ed up when you do that. The point of the fc is to have a small light engine practically behind the rear wheels as to achieve 50-50 blah blah blah. Disregarding the fact that it would INDEED be blasphemous to even concieve such an idea, my car is weighted so perfectly now that any more weight over the front would ruin the rx7 experience. That would be my reason not to do it. Oh, and 13Bs are everywhere. Parts are very widely available. I ran into trouble with my (and Ryan's) 1st gen tho finding parts in NoVa.

[ScottyB]

hey, no arguing the balance of rx's. some of the best handling cars in the world.

although i have to argue one point. if you choose a smaller V8, like the ever-popular 5.0, it actually weighs LESS than a 13B if outfitted with aluminum heads, pumps, etc. also, some kits enable the V8 to fit farther behind the front wheel line than the rotary.

but alas, i could never bring myself to give the rotary the boot. its just too cool.

[Mike]

So just go with a 240z

[JackoliciousLegs]

the professor with the gold 240 turbo is selling it for like a grand. It's mint. pm for details.

the 5.0 weighs 460 lbs
13b is 218.

not to mention it's like 1/4 the size.

[JackoliciousLegs]

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drool

[ScottyB]

ah my bad jack. i had read on some site a 302 weighed something like mid 300's, and that the rotary weighed about the same. you're right about the V8, its roughly 460.

according to this site though, the 13B weighs between 288 pounds. i thought that was kinda high.
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that FD is insanely nice by the way

[Kaan]

a friend of mine up here in nova has been tinkering with a gen one rx7 and a LS1 vette motor. he's having trouble getting a bracket for the throttle cable on the carb... the car is old and beat, but she'll scream when he is done. he got married so the car has kinda taken a back seat in the last couple months

[540Z]

Thanks for the comps on by Z, guys.
Yeah, the old pushrod V8 is really low-tech, truck-like, some say, but I can buy parts cheap for it everywhere, and there's always new stuff coming out for that engine, even though it's almost 50 years old in basic design.

It went 12.78@110.43 with the 327. The 406 cubic inch (that's 6.6 liters) v8 that will soon replace it is going to have well over 500 hp, 500 lb ft. All naturally aspirated. Tons of torque from idle to 6500 rpm.

Oh, and the weight is kind of high on the car now (it should get about 50 lbs lighter with the 406, since it will have Aluminum heads). It weighs 2800 with a full tank, etc. But it's 49/51 front to rear. The engine is majorly set back.

cheers,
Pete
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[Mike]

Welcome Pete, I truly have been drooling over your car for the past few years :twisted: Must feel great to have finished such a large undertaking.

[Chris]

wow awesome project Pete. I didn't know what you had been working on until now. Can't wait to see it! Car show entry?!?!?!

[Mike]

wow awesome project Pete. I didn't know what you had been working on until now. Can't wait to see it! Car show entry?!?!?!

That isn't the Pete that was roomates with Gerald.

[Chris]

oh I'm an idiot. can't keep up with everything.

[mrbaggio]

wow awesome project Pete. I didn't know what you had been working on until now. Can't wait to see it! Car show entry?!?!?!

That isn't the Pete that was roomates with Gerald.

Not the same person