Rx7 LSx swap. Budget questions
10-22-2010, 01:58 PM
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Rx7 LSx swap. Budget questions I'm getting a relatively large bonus (7000) in January, and intend to buy or build a more performance oriented car. I have some experience with tuned Saabs, and a turbo Miata, but have yet to be satisfied.
I want to be reasonably Reliable and quick. Autox/Drag racing will happen. No need for daily driving, but an occasional 600 mile trip may occur. I have been looking at earlier S2000's with intentions of adding a supercharger at a later time. The issue with that is I like Uniqueness. When someone can Search CL and find a Twin to my car I am not happy.
I was wondering what kind of budget would i be looking at to build a 4.8/5.3/6.0 2nd gen Rx7. Is there another car that i have overlooked that may meet the criteria?
I want to be reasonably Reliable and quick. Autox/Drag racing will happen. No need for daily driving, but an occasional 600 mile trip may occur. I have been looking at earlier S2000's with intentions of adding a supercharger at a later time. The issue with that is I like Uniqueness. When someone can Search CL and find a Twin to my car I am not happy.
I was wondering what kind of budget would i be looking at to build a 4.8/5.3/6.0 2nd gen Rx7. Is there another car that i have overlooked that may meet the criteria?
10-22-2010, 03:50 PM
#5
I see 2nd gen RX-7's for $500 all day long on Craigslist.
The mounts are around $300 if you can't make your own. A quality lower mileage LS1/T56 pullout sells for around $3-4K complete with accessories/harness etc.
If you go on www.norotors.com there is always someone selling one already complete ready to run. You would save $$$ and time and still be under your $7K budget. You just won't have the "fun" of building it.
Supercharged S2000's still are peaky power and dead below 4K RPM. They do have silky smooth transmissions though
You could always do a 5.3 truck motor in one and then bolt up a T56 behind it. Those motors are cheap cheap cheap.
The mounts are around $300 if you can't make your own. A quality lower mileage LS1/T56 pullout sells for around $3-4K complete with accessories/harness etc.
If you go on www.norotors.com there is always someone selling one already complete ready to run. You would save $$$ and time and still be under your $7K budget. You just won't have the "fun" of building it.
Supercharged S2000's still are peaky power and dead below 4K RPM. They do have silky smooth transmissions though
You could always do a 5.3 truck motor in one and then bolt up a T56 behind it. Those motors are cheap cheap cheap.
10-22-2010, 03:52 PM
#6
If you want a perfect chassis, etc, add about 1500-2500 dollars to that price.
Now a 3rd Gen is going to add at least 4-6k to the top of that.
Beyond that, the sky is the limit. But 25k builds a VERY nice FC. Shoot, I'll sell my car for 25k.
10-22-2010, 05:03 PM
#7
I paid 3000 for a super low mileage L92 with transmission/ecu/harness, I'd rather have that then an ls1. Hard to beat the fox body for all around ease of swap, simply everything is readily available.
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10-23-2010, 12:53 PM
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Im actually in about your same boat except I have already purchased my car and began tearing parts out of it. Currently working with a 93 rx7 and I have pretty much decided to go with an LQ4 as this seems like my best possible option. FYI i got my FD as a salvage title car with some frame issues in front of the shock towers so i dont suspect any issues but after selling my stock parts from the FD i should have around 3300 in the roller with coilovers and 2 piece wheels 
10-24-2010, 10:24 AM
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I have never owned a real V8 powered car..... a 305ci Firebird with 140hp, just doesn't count!
I am interested in a 944 swap someday, but i think that would have to wait. Foxbodys are cool, but they are very popular in my area, and are very expensive.
I am talking Truck powertrains because 4.8/5.3/6.0 engines seem to go incredibly cheap, and offer great potential. I don't mean to state the odvious, but I am a Huge CC, PHR, and HR Magazine fan with no first hand experiance on the matter.
The FC(?) RX7s i was refering to pop up all the time for -2000, and a nonrunning example would be fine by me.
I want to run a t56, simply because after owning a saab that poops out transmissions every oil change, i want something pretty bulletproof.
What does it cost to get a driveshaft made or modified?
I really hate that I have been stuck with FWD cars my whole life. I grew up in a Saab Dealership so i know how to wrench very well. It just sucks that my family couldn't own..... a Chevy/Porsche/BMW dealership!
I am interested in a 944 swap someday, but i think that would have to wait. Foxbodys are cool, but they are very popular in my area, and are very expensive.
I am talking Truck powertrains because 4.8/5.3/6.0 engines seem to go incredibly cheap, and offer great potential. I don't mean to state the odvious, but I am a Huge CC, PHR, and HR Magazine fan with no first hand experiance on the matter.
The FC(?) RX7s i was refering to pop up all the time for -2000, and a nonrunning example would be fine by me.
I want to run a t56, simply because after owning a saab that poops out transmissions every oil change, i want something pretty bulletproof.
What does it cost to get a driveshaft made or modified?
I really hate that I have been stuck with FWD cars my whole life. I grew up in a Saab Dealership so i know how to wrench very well. It just sucks that my family couldn't own..... a Chevy/Porsche/BMW dealership!
10-24-2010, 01:02 PM
#16
A $7000 budget for an FC should net you a nice car in the end. Even after restoring what would need to be restored on any ~20+ y/o car, bushings, suspension, etc.
Another avenue, older (e36) bmw 3 series cars. They're becoming a dime a dozen for good drivers. Again, just restore suspension, add v8, enjoy.
Something more unique, an even older 3 series (e30) w/ a 1jz-gte or 2jz-gte. You may see one on the internet, but likely wont see another passing you on the way to work.
Another avenue, older (e36) bmw 3 series cars. They're becoming a dime a dozen for good drivers. Again, just restore suspension, add v8, enjoy.
Something more unique, an even older 3 series (e30) w/ a 1jz-gte or 2jz-gte. You may see one on the internet, but likely wont see another passing you on the way to work.
10-26-2010, 11:58 AM
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yeah IMO with that budget you can get a great powertrain and an older style roller (without getting into the 'no ones done it' areas.. still like saabs?). The fcs have great performance for the price but id opt for the bimmer interior; they can obviously handle too.
either a 2 door or 3 door 3 series for me
either a 2 door or 3 door 3 series for me
11-02-2010, 01:29 PM
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I think the final decision is somewhere between the Porsche 944 swap, or the e36.
I am a total PITA about interior quality. That is one area that Saab's have been lacking in the later years (06+). I can't imagine BMW and Porsche would make a car with a cheap interior
I like the 944, but the kits i was looking at seem to utilize the Porsche transmission among other things. I want to make a reasonable amount of reliable power, say 400bhp or so, and I don't want to be tearing up transmissions.
The e36 is a very attractive option due to the many body styles. I think I'm going to keep my eye out for a rust free sedan, because having 4 doors can be very convenient! It seems the weight difference isn't too rough either!
I am a total PITA about interior quality. That is one area that Saab's have been lacking in the later years (06+). I can't imagine BMW and Porsche would make a car with a cheap interior
I like the 944, but the kits i was looking at seem to utilize the Porsche transmission among other things. I want to make a reasonable amount of reliable power, say 400bhp or so, and I don't want to be tearing up transmissions.
The e36 is a very attractive option due to the many body styles. I think I'm going to keep my eye out for a rust free sedan, because having 4 doors can be very convenient! It seems the weight difference isn't too rough either!
11-03-2010, 08:42 AM
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I think the final decision is somewhere between the Porsche 944 swap, or the e36.
I am a total PITA about interior quality. That is one area that Saab's have been lacking in the later years (06+). I can't imagine BMW and Porsche would make a car with a cheap interior
I like the 944, but the kits i was looking at seem to utilize the Porsche transmission among other things. I want to make a reasonable amount of reliable power, say 400bhp or so, and I don't want to be tearing up transmissions. The e36 is a very attractive option due to the many body styles. I think I'm going to keep my eye out for a rust free sedan, because having 4 doors can be very convenient! It seems the weight difference isn't too rough either!
I am a total PITA about interior quality. That is one area that Saab's have been lacking in the later years (06+). I can't imagine BMW and Porsche would make a car with a cheap interior
I like the 944, but the kits i was looking at seem to utilize the Porsche transmission among other things. I want to make a reasonable amount of reliable power, say 400bhp or so, and I don't want to be tearing up transmissions. The e36 is a very attractive option due to the many body styles. I think I'm going to keep my eye out for a rust free sedan, because having 4 doors can be very convenient! It seems the weight difference isn't too rough either!