Just an idea here: a few friends of mine have Mazda RX-8's -- fun, 3,000-pound cars, very sharp handlers, very stout brakes even while stock. The interior room is tight, however, regardless of the four-door feature. But there are two problems that are common knowledge: 1.) lack of power, and 2.) poor gas mileage.

Both problems could be cured by swapping in an LS1/M6 combo.

Thoughts? Ideas? Opinions? Anyone know of anyone building such a four-seat Corvette?

 

I had thought about that myself, it seemed like a great idea.. but unfortunately I'd think they are heavy enough to where I'd just rather buy a Corvette.

 

Heh, yeah but it's probably easier to drop in the LS1/M6 in the RX-8 than it is to add the two back seats onto a C5. Just a guess.

 

!rotary +LS1 = Good.

Ryan

 

I've thought about this more than once as I love driving those cars. Unfortunately, I can't get past the cars exterior. I have yet to see one that I like.

 

it would be cool, but you wouldnt have the same handling and weight ratios....

 

The Renesis is set behind the front tires, there's more than enough room under the hood, yes the weight distro would be altered but tweaking the suspension/chassis should be able to account for the change in %.

Personally, I'm much more of an F-bod guy than a 'Vette or even GTO guy -- the RX-8 matches this package neatly. I just want to know who'll be the first and how much...?

[EDIT]

Here's a pic:



The alternator is the top front of the Renesis rotary. Should be plenty of room after re-working the interior under the hood. I wonder if you'd have to chew up the firewall or hammer out the tranny tunnel...?

 

call Brian Hinson at

www.hinsonsupercars.com

He makes LS1/RX7 conversions kits and may be engineering RX8/LS1 kits as we speak.

-Jason

 

GM already makes a 4-seat Corvette. (Complete with LS2, T56, and IRS.)

 

That is the corvette's fat cousin! LOL!

 

She might not be too much to look at (but she sure is fun to ride)!!!

 

I drove a gto and an rx8 back to back and I have never had any ambition to get behind the wheel of a gto again. There is simply no comparison in the "fun to drive factor" between these two; the rx8, even with its gutless engine, is a complete blast to drive. So much fun infact, that I am considering buying one even though I really don't like its outside apperance. One of those replica companies needs to make a rebody for the rx8 that makes it look like the new aston amv8 and then swap in an ls7. That would be my ultimate daily driver...a four seater, ls7 powered, 3000lb, elegant looking screamer.

 

Excellent! I'll keep an eye on his shop.

As for the GTO recommendation, ah, thanks but no. All sorts of wrong with that statement...

 

i might have to do that

 

that would be a wicked car, an RX8 with an LS1 or LS2 and T56 behind it.
I dont think the weight balance of the car would be far off enough for you to notice it and it wont add much weight to the car if you make sure you dont slap on loads and loads of steel in the swap mounting setup.

I wonder if roatrds would be more pissed off at an LS1RX8 or my LS1RX7?

I would love to see this project happen, it would be pretty cool to have a four door, extra-nimble sports car with even stock LS1 power.

 

awesome to see I am not the only person that has dramed of this. Had an rx8 for about a year a couple of years ago. Absolutely loved the car. One of those cars I built a bond with, it was hard to let go to say the least. I think its a great looking car, the doors made people's jaws drop and a very cool interior. Not to mention it was the funnest thing to drive, took corners like nothing. The reason I let it go was because of the lack of power and the frequent engine flooding problems.

I bought a 5.7 GTO. Love the look, power and interior. But I keep thinking back to the little 8 and imagine what an ls1 would do to that thing. Cool to see they are making a kit. Will be keeping my eye on it.

 

just noticed this thread is two years old lol. Went to the website and saw nothing about an rx8. I guess they dropped the idea

 

Thats a shame. the depreciation is hitting the RX8 hard. I found one on ebay just now for about 15K with well under 30K miles. Thats really pretty good. Once they have a few issues, chassis will be available for very very cheap.

As far as the electronic gages, IMO its a lot less work to just get after market stuff fit into the stock cluster. More accurate anyway.

 

Actually its a very sick swap indeed.... There has to be pictures of this swap around the net somewhere. Last summer for a meet out in southern cal, a gentleman showed up in a grey/gunmetal RX8 with an ls swap in it. I didn't believe it but when I glanced under the hood I was definately amazed. when we all left the meet to go to Decker Canyon in Malibu.... he led the pack and I'm sure that very throaty v8 coming from his exhaust was an ls1. I'm going to look through the net now and find this bad boy... hahah


Smitty

 

Post #'s 5 and 6.

http://www.v8rx7forum.com/hinson-sup...ans-s2000.html