Ls1 RX8?
I said I thought it was a downgraded motor since it didn't have turbos. If that had a redesigned more reliable rotary (which they did) I'm sure they could have figured a way to package in a couple turbos, make it as much if not more powerful than the FD and still maintain the capabilities in the twisties as the current RX-8. But they didn't. Which sucks.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,183
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From: VA
btw the turbos in the fd were much less reliable than the engine itself. although mazda does have other turbo vehicles now. i think its stupid how theres a mazdaspeed 3,6, and mx5 but still no mazdaspeed 8. the mx5 ok, but why the other before the sport car? i think they are worried about reliability, but just 5 psi would make a big difference.
I didn't know they were making multiple "rx" models in Japan at the same time thats pretty interesting. I knew during the 70's they made multiple variations but once the Rx-7 came out that was it til the Rx-8.
I had an FC that I was going to drop an LS1 into but got stationed somewhere I didn't want to drag a project car. An LS1 RX-8 would be sweet IMO and it would have all the suspension options the RX-8 does....which to me would be a huge benefit.
I had an FC that I was going to drop an LS1 into but got stationed somewhere I didn't want to drag a project car. An LS1 RX-8 would be sweet IMO and it would have all the suspension options the RX-8 does....which to me would be a huge benefit.
We have an Rx8 here at the dealership I work at. We took it in on trade about 2 weeks ago and the first thing I did was pop the hood to look at how much space there was for a possible ls1 swap. First thing I noticed is that the engine bay is narrow. You could prob just barely fit the ls1, and you'de deff have to use the factory manifolds.. if even those fit. Also I dont remember exactly what in the engine bay makde it hard but generally the shape of the shock towers cut out a lot of room for the engine, I think I remember the brake booster being huge and kinda in the way. It just didnt look like it would fit very well if at all. At least nothing like my FC which has a HUGE engine bay for such a small car.
Also the new renesis rotary (the ones in the Rx8) are much much lighter than the old 13Bs in the FCs and FDs. Not being turbocharged is part of it but they also went through the renesis and tried to save weight absolutly everywhere they could. I dont remember exactl weight numbers but if I'm not going blind deaf dump and mute, I think I remember the renesis being over 100lbs lighter than the ls1. So you will see an effect of handling, not to mention the ls1 will prob need to be mounted higher up in the chassis to clear the pan.
So far it just doesnt seem like a great swap chassis, but I think a narrower engine like an inline 4 or 6 would fit great, still would throw off the weight balance though.
Also the new renesis rotary (the ones in the Rx8) are much much lighter than the old 13Bs in the FCs and FDs. Not being turbocharged is part of it but they also went through the renesis and tried to save weight absolutly everywhere they could. I dont remember exactl weight numbers but if I'm not going blind deaf dump and mute, I think I remember the renesis being over 100lbs lighter than the ls1. So you will see an effect of handling, not to mention the ls1 will prob need to be mounted higher up in the chassis to clear the pan.
So far it just doesnt seem like a great swap chassis, but I think a narrower engine like an inline 4 or 6 would fit great, still would throw off the weight balance though.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 11
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From: charleston, wv
Yea, I had heard the weight difference wasn't alot between the 2 due to the aluminum LS block, but weight placement would be the bigger factor due to the longer drivetrain. I always kind of wanted the turbo'ed 3 rotor 20B swap myself. Those guys are getting 650rwhp pretty easily with that setup. Pricey though considering it has to be imported.
Ultimately though I ended up just buying a T/A and selling the 8. Oh well.
Ultimately though I ended up just buying a T/A and selling the 8. Oh well.
um, the rx8 weighs less than 200 less than ours. with the swap it would be the same, i can imagine.
put a 3 rotor in. dont take out the heart of the car. or forge a crank and put 2 2 rotors together. 700 horsepower n/a would be nice.
actually, its a better engine, just no turbos. but its not the replacement of the fd just because it has a rotary. mazda put that engine in more than rx7s and 8s such as the 3 rotor cosmos. rx8 replaces the mx6 because same price range, both 2+2 cars. the rx7 was competing with corvettes.
put a 3 rotor in. dont take out the heart of the car. or forge a crank and put 2 2 rotors together. 700 horsepower n/a would be nice.
actually, its a better engine, just no turbos. but its not the replacement of the fd just because it has a rotary. mazda put that engine in more than rx7s and 8s such as the 3 rotor cosmos. rx8 replaces the mx6 because same price range, both 2+2 cars. the rx7 was competing with corvettes.
Of course the 8 followed the 7 along with a redesigned rotary engine. No one is disputing that. No one is disputing the lack of torque in the N/A engine either.
As Flaring Afro said earlier the 7 was competing with vettes. I can't imagine anyone thinking the 8 is Mazda's next generation "Vette Killer". It's not even Mazda's "Cobalt SS Killer".
As Flaring Afro said earlier the 7 was competing with vettes. I can't imagine anyone thinking the 8 is Mazda's next generation "Vette Killer". It's not even Mazda's "Cobalt SS Killer".
, but i wish they had gone FI on the 8 in the first placethey were all actually cool about it
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Launching!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 221
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From: Colorado
I tried convincing my friend with his rx8 to do it. He said he just wants to get it turboed....
For you....small engine bay, but possible imo. You'd have to relocate the battery and the fuse boxes. maybe ding at the firewall but I say it's worth the try. As hard as those rotaries are hard to gain power why not save money and get the ls1? It's gonna cost you a new motor anyways, do you really wanna go back to that 1.3L 200 (guessing) hp engine?
For you....small engine bay, but possible imo. You'd have to relocate the battery and the fuse boxes. maybe ding at the firewall but I say it's worth the try. As hard as those rotaries are hard to gain power why not save money and get the ls1? It's gonna cost you a new motor anyways, do you really wanna go back to that 1.3L 200 (guessing) hp engine?
http://www.hinsonsupercars.com/s-942...3-present.aspx
Seems to be coming along. Hinson says he's currently working on custom steering...
Seems to be coming along. Hinson says he's currently working on custom steering...
Teching In
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1
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directly from Hinson's site on the 12th of May 2010..... "Update 5/12/10: The RX8 project is almost complete. The wiring has been finished, and all electronics are working. We are currently building the headers on the car, and the production process on this will take four weeks. In the mean time, we are putting together pricing for the mounting equipment and subsystems. We are hopeful to have the products available for purchase before the headers are completed." http://www.hinsonsupercars.com/s-942...3-present.aspx
Looks like it might only be a month or so until this thing is ready finally!!!!
Looks like it might only be a month or so until this thing is ready finally!!!!
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
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the ls doesnt weight to much more than the renesis, but its just the location....it would be over the front axle so the distribution is going to shift forward, but i dont think it will be anything extreme.
we have been thinking what we could do with the rear...like i said, its still up in the air, we are still trying to figure everything out...as for the guages, there is an adapter for the digital guages
we have been thinking what we could do with the rear...like i said, its still up in the air, we are still trying to figure everything out...as for the guages, there is an adapter for the digital guages
i cant believe this hasnt been done yet? i mean ppl swap lsx engine into everything, there is one on youtube, some guy put a carburated sbc in it, hacked it all up and then wanted to sell it for over 10k. he claimed it made 500+