ls1 in 240sx? rx7? miata?
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 862
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From: Los Angeles, CA
ls1 in 240sx? rx7? miata? i cant decide
could you guys tell me how difficult is each one compared to the other?
how much support is out there compared to the other?
i almost made up my mind about the ls1 240sx,
but i have been reading how great the ls1 miata is
and how great the rx7 handles
and has more support from companies
and is more documented
some skank just totaled my car..
id appreciate help with this transplant..
thanks guys
could you guys tell me how difficult is each one compared to the other?
how much support is out there compared to the other?
i almost made up my mind about the ls1 240sx,
but i have been reading how great the ls1 miata is
and how great the rx7 handles
and has more support from companies
and is more documented
some skank just totaled my car..
id appreciate help with this transplant..
thanks guys
its up to you man. all those cars will handle decently stock, and with aftermarket handle pretty nicely. im to big to fit into a miata, and they have the least support, so that would rule that one out for me 100%, go sit in a miata, a 240sx and a RX7 and see which you like best. if you are looking for more of a straight line approach, the mustang is a better choice because of the straight axel. you wont break that 8.8 even with a M6. and if you got a mustang, and later on you wanted to switch from your auto to a manual you could, throw some suspension parts on it and you would have a great handling car also. RX7s are probably the most common swapped and i know you can buy mounts for them. 240s have just recently had mounts made commecialy avaliable for them.
[QUOTE=Stone0fFire]i cant decide
could you guys tell me how difficult is each one compared to the other?
how much support is out there compared to the other?
i almost made up my mind about the ls1 240sx,
but i have been reading how great the ls1 miata is
and how great the rx7 handles
and has more support from companies
and is more documented
some skank just totaled my car..
id appreciate help with this transplant..
thanks guys[/QUOTE
Stick w/ the conversion you're most comfortable with in terms of the work involved. If the 240sx feels right, stick with it. However, I can tell you without question that a properly built (from the ground up) LS1/LS6 Miata is a great car & a Ford 8.8 rer end can be used (see my sig. for specs.). The driver's seat can be re-positioned to make more room as well. There is support available for the conversion. Although, the Miata (Ford) engine & trans. conversions have the best support. The RX7 is another good choice. Please let us know what you decide & if you go Miata, send me a PM & I'll give you some support references. Good-luck
Wow, I just saw you're in LA. There is very good support for LS1/LS6 Miata conversions close to you & in Arizona.
could you guys tell me how difficult is each one compared to the other?
how much support is out there compared to the other?
i almost made up my mind about the ls1 240sx,
but i have been reading how great the ls1 miata is
and how great the rx7 handles
and has more support from companies
and is more documented
some skank just totaled my car..
id appreciate help with this transplant..
thanks guys[/QUOTE
Stick w/ the conversion you're most comfortable with in terms of the work involved. If the 240sx feels right, stick with it. However, I can tell you without question that a properly built (from the ground up) LS1/LS6 Miata is a great car & a Ford 8.8 rer end can be used (see my sig. for specs.). The driver's seat can be re-positioned to make more room as well. There is support available for the conversion. Although, the Miata (Ford) engine & trans. conversions have the best support. The RX7 is another good choice. Please let us know what you decide & if you go Miata, send me a PM & I'll give you some support references. Good-luck
Wow, I just saw you're in LA. There is very good support for LS1/LS6 Miata conversions close to you & in Arizona.
TECH Regular
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 419
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2nd Gen rx7 (FC chassis) for sure.
the motor practically falls right in to place.
no cutting besides two buldges in the tranny tunnel.
you can use stock manifolds.
the FC rx7 has incredible handling, many have stock LSD, cheap to find a chassis and there are awesome brakes on most of the 5-lug models.. and support/cheap parts thru mazda competition if you race it at least twice a year.
I think the FC has the easiest/cheapest suspension to make handle the best, because you can throw on some coillovers and few bushings and be done with it, whereas the 240sx has a few more bushings and a lot of rear end links and arms to be upgraded if you want it to handle as nicely.
the motor practically falls right in to place.
no cutting besides two buldges in the tranny tunnel.
you can use stock manifolds.
the FC rx7 has incredible handling, many have stock LSD, cheap to find a chassis and there are awesome brakes on most of the 5-lug models.. and support/cheap parts thru mazda competition if you race it at least twice a year.
I think the FC has the easiest/cheapest suspension to make handle the best, because you can throw on some coillovers and few bushings and be done with it, whereas the 240sx has a few more bushings and a lot of rear end links and arms to be upgraded if you want it to handle as nicely.
RX-7 is by far the easiest out of them. The 240 has to be fabricated much more. I would say the 240 will handle better if you spend the time and money into the suspension. Most mount systems require custom headers to clear everything.
Miata would be ***** to the wall fast, but weight would be off
240sx needs work, but its my fav platform
FC would be the easiest. just my 2 cents
Miata would be ***** to the wall fast, but weight would be off
240sx needs work, but its my fav platform
FC would be the easiest. just my 2 cents
Originally Posted by Chin180sx
Miata would be ***** to the wall fast, but weight would be off
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Personally I would choose the 240sx because there is so much aftermarket support for the chassis, suspension, brakes...you name it.
240SX (s13 or S14), RX-7 (FC or FD), or Miata...any of these three will make awesome cars. You just need to find out what kind of qualities best suit you.
I choose the 240 because I come from a drift background. Others will choose the miata for auto-x, the RX-7 because of their wallet or a mustang for 1/4 mile.
Sure any of these platforms can be used in any or all of the kinds of driving I mentioned, but some are more suited than others out of the box or because of aftermarket parts availability.
Think the decision through thoroughly then never look back. Just have fun with it man.
240SX (s13 or S14), RX-7 (FC or FD), or Miata...any of these three will make awesome cars. You just need to find out what kind of qualities best suit you.
I choose the 240 because I come from a drift background. Others will choose the miata for auto-x, the RX-7 because of their wallet or a mustang for 1/4 mile.
Sure any of these platforms can be used in any or all of the kinds of driving I mentioned, but some are more suited than others out of the box or because of aftermarket parts availability.
Think the decision through thoroughly then never look back. Just have fun with it man.
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Originally Posted by LS1-450
Not really; worst I've heard of is 45/55 & most are in the 47/53 range. The weight differential is more to do w/ front brake size, front tire/wheel combo, K-frame used, & engine location, as opposed to engine weight. Would agree though that more front end weight can be felt in an LSX based Miata than is felt in a stock Miata.
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I own a ls6 powered miata and have over 3000k miles on it. Yes, it was alot of work, no the weight isn't off much.....the Ford conversion being 53/47 from the miata's 50/50. Mine is close to 50/50.....I did a few things to get the weight to the center of the car. Fast......Yes....It....Is!!!!!!420/430rwhp/tq in a 2650lb. car and I get 24-26 highway and 17-21 on average city highway.
Rx7 Fc/Fd are the easiest to do though. Pick your poision........its all fun!!!! Its different!!!!
Rx7 Fc/Fd are the easiest to do though. Pick your poision........its all fun!!!! Its different!!!!
The rx7's are real nice cars but you will find out that these are some pricey sumbitches. (I am talking about the 93ish models)
If cost is not an issue, I would go for the rx7. Otherwise, the miata. I have driven a fe 240sx and I dont like them at all.
All of this is just my opinion btw.
Do what you feel like doing.
If cost is not an issue, I would go for the rx7. Otherwise, the miata. I have driven a fe 240sx and I dont like them at all.
All of this is just my opinion btw.
Do what you feel like doing.
sold my stock '92 240 that i wanted to swap for a '90 RX7. b/c i got more than wut i paid for my 240, got a deal on a clean FC, and at the time not many documented successful 240 swaps.
Ease of Install: FC > FD > S13 = S14
Price: FD > S14 > S13 > FC
Weight? (jus a guess?): FC > S14 > FD > S13
not too familiar w/ the details of the Miata swaps. But i know there is plenty of info on it.
in the past year there has been quite a few 240 swaps completed. most of them documented on this board. the only thing at this time that would hold me back from that swap is the headers.
they all have great aftermarket support and we can get in a debate about the suspensions on the RX7's and 240's. most RX7's come w/ four piston calipers, 5 lug, and decent sized rotors. not many 240's come w/ 5 lugs. and they all come w/ terrible brakes. but theres many options for brakes.
if i were to do it again i would honestly choose either an FC, S13, or S14 solely based on the deal and condition that i can get the chassis for. i like them all equally and all three have their pro's and cons. FD rollers go for as much as i have in my swap w/ mods, so they r out of the question. be patient, u dont want to put time and money into a beat to crap chassis.
Ease of Install: FC > FD > S13 = S14
Price: FD > S14 > S13 > FC
Weight? (jus a guess?): FC > S14 > FD > S13
not too familiar w/ the details of the Miata swaps. But i know there is plenty of info on it.
in the past year there has been quite a few 240 swaps completed. most of them documented on this board. the only thing at this time that would hold me back from that swap is the headers.
they all have great aftermarket support and we can get in a debate about the suspensions on the RX7's and 240's. most RX7's come w/ four piston calipers, 5 lug, and decent sized rotors. not many 240's come w/ 5 lugs. and they all come w/ terrible brakes. but theres many options for brakes.
if i were to do it again i would honestly choose either an FC, S13, or S14 solely based on the deal and condition that i can get the chassis for. i like them all equally and all three have their pro's and cons. FD rollers go for as much as i have in my swap w/ mods, so they r out of the question. be patient, u dont want to put time and money into a beat to crap chassis.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 301
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From: Mobile AL.
only thing i wouldn't like about the miata is it is really small and i was shocked to see a little car that small weighed so much. just the info i see here says 2650. thats about the same or just alittle less then a s13 (heard and read in a few places s13 is somewhere between 2600-2750, im not sure but somewhere between there). i went s14. looks nice IMO. handles good. cheap. brakes need upgraded i think. as faw as money goes. all of them are going to be alot of money. so go ahead and get what you want instead of tryin to save a few grand for your runner up choice. do it right once.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8
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s14's about 2800lbs, s13 about 2700lbs... bad thing about all the s13's and most s14's is they usually have an open diff... some s14 came with a LSD though. There are options to change that, and brake upgrades are pretty common/cheap for 240's. 300zx diff's and brakes
a good thing is the price, i'm trying to find a decent deal on an s14, maybe one with an Sr20 swap since it would be easy to sell the SR20, turbo ect to another 240 owner. Miata is too small for me, 6'4" 250, a gen 3 rx7 would cost more than the entire project, and clean gen 2's are getting hard to find...
a good thing is the price, i'm trying to find a decent deal on an s14, maybe one with an Sr20 swap since it would be easy to sell the SR20, turbo ect to another 240 owner. Miata is too small for me, 6'4" 250, a gen 3 rx7 would cost more than the entire project, and clean gen 2's are getting hard to find...
Originally Posted by cash50
I used to think that this was true when my bro had a 240, but we looked up the specs and the LS1 is actually about the same weight as the KA24's, give or take 10 lbs.
I own an LS6 Miata, as does turbotacoma. We speak from experience & actual measured front & rear weights. Others whom also own these cars have stated the same; they range from 45/55 to close to 50/50 for the reasons stated above.
The FC handles best between the FC and 240. I have a highly modified '95, slightly modified '92 240's and a stock suspension '88 FC Turbo II and the FC outhandles both 240's.
That said though I will be installing a modified LS1 and M6 into the '95 in the next few months. The FC LSX install seems to be the simplest to do, can't say we're not gluttons for punishment though!
The Miata swap sounds pretty cool though.
Good Luck and keep us informed.
That said though I will be installing a modified LS1 and M6 into the '95 in the next few months. The FC LSX install seems to be the simplest to do, can't say we're not gluttons for punishment though!
The Miata swap sounds pretty cool though.
Good Luck and keep us informed.
The miata weigh is a little higher then others, and there are others out there who weigh more then mine. It all depends on how the car was optioned out. I also added subframes and more then the normal conversion's support to handle my needs and power levels. Anything under 3000lbs. with 350 to 450rwhp runs alot better then a 3600 plus car......And you don't have to work as hard to make the power to get the same level of performance...as the heavier car......2003-04 Cobra mustangs are heavy...so is the new 2007 cobra....3800lbs. with 450rwhp..... Light cars, big engines, in a car that wasn't meant to have them= sleeper=BIG FUN.
Good luck with your choice......
Good luck with your choice......
They are all great options and I doubt you'll be upset with the performance of any of them. I was teeter-tottering between a miata and an FD for a long time. The reason I went with an FD is it's easy to throw some meat under it so that you can hook it up, I wouldn't have to mess with swapping another rearend into it (i did anyways), and I've loved the looks of them since they came out. The downside to the FD is that everything is more expensive for this chassis than the others that you listed.
The Rx-7 has the most support, there will be someone out there that has experienced what you will experience. Also, the Rx-7 be it FC or FD will always outhandle the 240sx mod for mod.
I will see some JDM dorifto 240sx everyday, an FC I will see maybe once a month, and it's usually the same guy who lives around here.
It's a bad time to get into the 240sx right now as the prices have taken a huge hike.
I will see some JDM dorifto 240sx everyday, an FC I will see maybe once a month, and it's usually the same guy who lives around here.
It's a bad time to get into the 240sx right now as the prices have taken a huge hike.
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
thanks for all the facts and opinions, guys
i really wanted a 240,
but reading and listening to people has got me looking at the FD a little more before i decide what to do.
a friend said he can get me a FD rolling chassis for $3k
i dont know how much i should or shouldnt pay for one..
reading this makes me think the miata would be better than the 240
since i like autox more than i like drifting
imma look around and price FDs
thanks everyone
i really wanted a 240,
but reading and listening to people has got me looking at the FD a little more before i decide what to do.
a friend said he can get me a FD rolling chassis for $3k
i dont know how much i should or shouldnt pay for one..
reading this makes me think the miata would be better than the 240
since i like autox more than i like drifting
imma look around and price FDs
thanks everyone
just cuz your into one motor sport more than the other, doesnt mean the 240 is a bad choice. i have a neighbor with an Sr20 swapped 240, and its nice. i just cant wait to shut his rotard *** up when i get mine done. haha(he's pissed at me for doing the swap...lameass)
~Steve
~Steve