FyxxterZC

Hey you guys. A few questions. How much would it cost to get 200hp out of a first gen 12a n/a and how "daily driveable" would it be? This motor eats gas like it's going out of style but it's pretty smooth. Anybody ever tried swapping in a turbo 2 motor? How goes the wiring, motor mounts, and fuel return line. I"ve even gone so far as considering a v8 or a turbo four cylinder swap but don't slap me for the thought. Thanks for your input.

jeremy

iTrader: (1)

just look around. there is a sticky at the top of the threads on a t2 swap. there are some v8's. turboed 12a's. just run a search on these and check out the thread on t2 swaps.

ghetto-rx7

LOFL!!!!
a v8 in a rx7 the thing wud like flip over!
well maybe not but it would be really heavy in the front.

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Do the search...there's been multiple postings and bitter feelings over the V8 swap issue...

yayarx7

SBC=400-500lbs
12a=400lbs

Project84

installing a piston engine totally negates the very essence of the RX-7. For the owner of an RX-7, that is a sacrilage thing to do.

yayarx7

I agree, but it will not hurt the balance much at all

Felix Wankel

Not to me. A fast car is a fast car regardless.

gamble302

for me money is the deciding factor, if i cant get my hands on a 200+ hp wankel of some sort that will cost les than a 302 swap (fat chance) then i will stick with triangles. speed is speed, i agree with felix

RXcetera

400lbs for a 12A? LOL! I guess I'm stronger than I thought then! I could lift one off the ground all on my own. Try 200lbs... ~250 with accessories.

And if you'd ever driven a V8 RX-7 you would know that it DOES upset the balance of the car. In fact, droping in a V8 on a stock suspensioned RX-7 will result in the front end basicaly touching the ground and the rear lifting a good 5 inches.

85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I guess I'm stronger than I thought too. I lifted my 12A right out of the crate.

Felix Wankel

How come when I stand on the bumper of mine, it doesn't do that? Even when it was stock it didn't.

My weight+12A= ~SBF.

You people dead lifting 12A's must be ******* bodybuilders.

peejay

Wow. What planet are you on again?

RXcetera

Hmm... forgot exageration doesnt work on here lol. Still, if you take Felix's example... try sitting on the bumper of your car and seeing the result. Better yet, mount ~200 pounds of ballast under the hood and go for a rip...

Btw, I'm not picking up a 12A and throwing it around, but it is possible to lift it off the ground and carry it around a couple feet... Try that with a V8 .

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Interesting theory, but I was there when 85rx7gs lifted his with no problems. He's not a body builder, he's stronger that me (upper body) but he's no body builder. In fact the reason he lifted it was because of the thread up here a week or two ago. He thought it was crazy that the 12a weighed so much, guess it doesn't cause he lifted it. A v8 in an FB would be a good drag car but you'll never convince me that it'll handle the same.

FyxxterZC

Ok I've seen and heard a lot on the v8 swaps. I've heard with a little fire wall messaging you can fix the weight balance. But what about a turbo four cylinder? This cars old, cheap and it sucks down gas like a hoover. I love the car I will put something in it whether it's a v8, a turbo four, or a turbo rotary. Price and availability will be the deciding factor. I'm not your typical rx7 fan. I like the rotary motor and it's smooth as crap, but I am in bfe and I can't afford sending the thing off to tim buk tu. A few more questions to those who can answer and actually provide me with some help and guidance without being harsh and immature.

1. Anybody ever done a fuel pump wiring for an efi 13b please do tell of the horrors or delights I have in store.

2. Can I switch over the wheel bolt pattern of a gsl se, what parts will I need to do so.

Thanks to everyone.

hanman

I don't understand your fuel pump question? Wiring it is easy, but are you trying to install it on a 12A? Wont' work.

Yes you can switch the wheel pattern. Do a search it will tell you what you need. If you cant' find anything, check www.mazspeed.com
hanman

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

4ohfour

I see you have a thing for image macros too eh?



cheers'

REVHED

I understand what your saying but do you really think the Rx-7 (and all Mazda Rx's really) would have the cult following they do if it wasn't for the rotary? Of course they wouldn't. So I'd say you're in a pretty small minority.

peejay

You need to "massage the firewall" to "fix" the weight balance even with the stock engine, so there's no problem there

Don't forget that the rotary is much more than just the engine. The exhaust manifold is incredibly heavy, as is the rest of the exhaust system. Has to be, to withstand the heat of the rotary exhaust. No need for 1/8" thick wall mufflers and tubing with a boinger!

The ultimate 1st-gen swap engine is the small-block Ford. It's quite compact, very lightweight, it has a rich aftermarket, it's design is favorable to the swap (distributor is in the front so it doesn't interfere with the hood latch, a Fox-body oilpan will clear the front crossmember easily), there's the whole Mazda/Ford connection there, did I mention that it's very light? (For comparison, it weighs about the same as a 2.3 Turbo four-banger - admittedly a very sturdy 4cyl but STILL...)

About the only bad part of the swap would be that the T5 transmission sucks even more than the N/A rotary transmission. Of course, the aftermarket has plenty of fixes for that little problem. Alternatively, I'm fairly sure (not 100% certain...) that the T-bird Super Coupe's 5-speed is based off the Mazda Ribcase (aka Turbo II) transmission, and the 3.8l has the same bellhousing bolt pattern as '66-up SBF's.

peejay

240Z's have a cult following, no? Objectively, the parts that make the car aren't particularly interesting. But as they say the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Yes, RX-7s have a unique engine. But, they also came out at a time when the niche carved out by the 240Z was getting abandoned because of tightening emissions and safety laws. The 240Z was turning from a fun little car into a big heavy pig. The RX-7 also cost a lot less than the competition (280Z, 924, etc).

Unfortunately Mazda didn't learn from Nissan's mistake, and they made the RX-7 heavier and less fun every year. The FC sold nowhere near as well as the FB did (and IIRC the SA sold better than the FB too) and the FD, well, we know what happened there.

But Mazda made another car in the mold of that original RX-7. Same low weight, same driving position, same interior layout (right down to steering wheel angle and eyeball vents!), same driving feel, same big bug-eyed headlights. The only differences were the new one had a 1.6l boinger and a pop-top. The Miata.

And guess what? The Miata has a "cult following" too. It's just a fun little car, at an obtainable price of admission, just like the 1st-gen RX-7. (This "despite" not having a rotary engine )

Felix Wankel

Nearly every car in the world has a cult following. You just have to find idiots that like them enough to want to squander their paychecks on them.

I like all kinds of cars, but if I could afford a Grand National, you bet your *** I'd have one