1st Gen General Discussion The place for non-technical discussion about 1st Gen RX-7s or if there's no better place for your topic

need help choosing on a swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-20-11, 08:49 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Denser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: new york
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
need help choosing on a swap

have a 81 gsl but i cant decide between the 13b swap or a v8 swap pros cons anyone any advice is appreciated
Old 11-29-11, 10:55 AM
  #2  
Always Wanting to Learn

iTrader: (49)
 
DreamInRotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Cambridge, Minnesota
Posts: 3,078
Received 42 Likes on 40 Posts
Personally, it would depend on the car for me.

If I wanted a more stock, true to the name, RX-7 then I'd run a 13b. The 13b is probably just as rare if not more rare than v8 LS engines, and still expensive. You can of course turbo this engine, and if you really have the money you could twin turbo it. But it is only 4 cylanders and can only handle so much boost, resulting in less HP than a v8. It is lighter, and an easier install.

But if I wanted a track car that had ***** aplenty, I'd definitely run the LS1 or LS2. If I get a 7 specifically for the track I want to run an LS1 or 2 in it for the power. They weigh more, and would be more difficult to swap in, along with a lot of fabrication and man hours, but it would be worth it in the end if I wanted the tires to spin constantly. LS engines can be extremely expensive, depending on the nature of where the engine came from and if it needs a rebuild or was already rebuilt.

My 2 cents, depends on your intentions and your funding for the car. The reason I used LS for the illustrations was based on reading the posts on this forum where many guys swap their motors for the LS motors due to the lightweight aluminum casting, easily accessible parts and performance parts, and raw power.
Old 11-29-11, 11:26 AM
  #3  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,841
Received 2,604 Likes on 1,847 Posts
what do you want to do with the car?

if you're considering a v8, i think the only one that makes sense is the LS v8, its light so it doesn't make the car a big front heavy pig. they are expensive though! it'll make the car fast.

i personally would keep it rotary, and so i'd do a 13B. if its a street car, i think i'd build a 4 port with a street port, a nice exhaust, and either a weber IDA or weber style fuel injection. add in a light flywheel, and maybe a miata gearset, and you have a recipe for something FUN.

i think the rotary could be done with less money (especially if you punt and use a stock intake manifold), and it should take less time because its "stock".
Old 11-29-11, 11:31 AM
  #4  
I need a cheaper hobby...

iTrader: (14)
 
cshaw07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: East Palestine, Oh
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by lindahlish
Personally, it would depend on the car for me.

If I wanted a more stock, true to the name, RX-7 then I'd run a 13b. The 13b is probably just as rare if not more rare than v8 LS engines, and still expensive. You can of course turbo this engine, and if you really have the money you could twin turbo it. But it is only 4 cylanders and can only handle so much boost, resulting in less HP than a v8. It is lighter, and an easier install.

But if I wanted a track car that had ***** aplenty, I'd definitely run the LS1 or LS2. If I get a 7 specifically for the track I want to run an LS1 or 2 in it for the power. They weigh more, and would be more difficult to swap in, along with a lot of fabrication and man hours, but it would be worth it in the end if I wanted the tires to spin constantly. LS engines can be extremely expensive, depending on the nature of where the engine came from and if it needs a rebuild or was already rebuilt.

My 2 cents, depends on your intentions and your funding for the car. The reason I used LS for the illustrations was based on reading the posts on this forum where many guys swap their motors for the LS motors due to the lightweight aluminum casting, easily accessible parts and performance parts, and raw power.
what ever you do, do listen to this guy... "but it is only 4 cylanders and can only handle so much boost" rotaries dont even have cylinders...
Old 11-30-11, 08:20 PM
  #5  
PSHH! PSHH! HEAR ME NOW?

iTrader: (3)
 
bad 83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Statesville NC
Posts: 4,132
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Does anyone that owns an RX7 even know what the RX stands for? ROTARY EXPERIMENTAL.

If your looking to do a V8 swap because your Rotary is dead, or you know nothing about rotary engines, or think that you cannot make the power you desire.........................DO YOUR HOMEWORK then decide.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udF50...ure=plpp_video
Old 11-30-11, 09:00 PM
  #6  
"garage"=Natural Habitat
iTrader: (1)
 
rotor motor 85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Hamilton ohio
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would say to stay rotary I have owned my fair share of both and have been around sports cars and American muscle my whole life(my father owned a shop that specialized in British Japanese and American muscle cars). I have helped people install countless engines and i would say drop in an jdm S5 turbo II motor they put out plenty of h.p. even stock they are just amazing in an fb and you can do so much to them turbo options are almost endless. Plus the main reason you should put a rotary in it is Because it's an RX7 and they are known world wide as the rotary engined car.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SakeBomb Garage
SakeBomb Garage
9
05-11-20 10:04 AM
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
09-16-18 07:16 PM
SakeBomb Garage
Group Buy & Product Dev. FD RX-7
8
10-09-15 10:05 PM
Wehavetocook
New Member RX-7 Technical
2
09-23-15 11:04 PM



Quick Reply: need help choosing on a swap



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:41 PM.