1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

can any other motors bolt into a first gen?

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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 06:00 PM
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can any other motors bolt into a first gen?

IS there any other motors that will bolt into a 79 1st gen. or slight mods to mounts. I am including every thing that could fit.
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 06:51 PM
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rotary or piston?
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 07:00 PM
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please don't tell me you mean piston. i hate rx-7's with piston engines but then everyone has their own opinion.-
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 07:09 PM
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IS there any other motors that will bolt into a 79 1st gen. or slight mods to mounts. I am including every thing that could fit.
Including every thing that fits is much different than only things that bolt in with minor modification of engine mounts.

As far as anthing that fits: Besides any rotary, almost any I4, V6, or V8 you could fit. I6's are generally too long, and I'm guessing you'd have a hard time getting most V10+ in there as well.

With only minor modification to the mounts, you can fit any two rotor if you use the front cover, and a slightly modified mount (or the RB one). A three rotor can fit, but I'm guessing it would be a PITA if you were using the stock mounts.
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 07:23 PM
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i was meaning simpler piston engines that i could get cheaper. Rotarys that run are few and far between here.
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 07:24 PM
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and with little modification like bolting onto the tranny
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 07:38 PM
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IMO your crazy to put any piston engine in a seven. You can easyly get almost any rotary on this forum. Also changing to a piston engine will require a lot more modification to electrical connections, the trany will have to be changed as wll as making a driveshaft out of the new one and the rx7's (new ones front-sevens rear). Also you will need every thing out of the engine capartment such as vaccumes, electrical componits etc.... It is ALOT more work to change to a piston engine, and if you want a piston engine you can get a newer car for about the same money and a lot less work. Stick with a rotary!!!!!!!
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 07:55 PM
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Well, Anything will fit if you do the work. But for easy fit, like few modifications or kits to make an engine fit, well there are lots. Basically any RWD I4, V6, small block V8, or 2 rotor engine will just bolt in with a kit. Granny's speed shop sells all kinds of kits for the piston engines. Longer or larger engines like a big block V8 or I6, V10, V12, and 3 or even 4 rotor engines will not fit without some modification to the radiator or even moving the firewall back and widening the area between the shock towers.

You know, you can get a SBC to make BBC power. I was watching Horsepower TV today. They put together a small block 472ci engine. Its based off the 350, with the largest bore possible and the longest stroke possible. It can still safely rev to 6500rpm too. I think it made over 600hp and 630ft/lbs of torque. That is on pump gas without forced induction.
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 08:21 PM
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I spit on 7's with pistons, and then pee in the gas tank, while polishing it off with doggy fecal matter....HA HA HA HA
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 08:27 PM
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Originally posted by white84GS
I spit on 7's with pistons, and then pee in the gas tank, while polishing it off with doggy fecal matter....HA HA HA HA
That' because your frustrated at your inability to explain function in a otherwise functionless environment..............and you like to play with pooh!?!
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 08:30 PM
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sr20 will work
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 09:10 PM
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an rx-7 with anything other than the rotory engine IS NOT AN RX-7.
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 09:19 PM
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I love America. Anyone can put any engine into any car, because they want to. Then anyone can complain that you're a jackass, simply because they want to.

In Soviet Russia, car changes your heart with a pig's and leaks oil in your *******!!!
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 09:21 PM
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WARNING: You may lose some close "forum friends" if you put a piston engine in a 7.
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 09:22 PM
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Put a big street-ported 4-port 13B with a Weber in it and you could do it in a day, without any electric mods no less.
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 09:40 PM
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The rotory is one the biggest reasons why the Rx7 is famous!! why would u put a piston engine in a Rx7!!! thats like a kitcar saying u have a nice Ferrari but really only have a Pontic Fiero underneath the body.
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 09:58 PM
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lol hey I know a guy that does that lol
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Old Mar 15, 2004 | 10:38 PM
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Hmmm... Why not harvest a 5.0 from one of the 80's model mustangs, and replace IT with a Rotary... hehe Roatary Powered Mustang. Sweeet!
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 08:27 AM
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The biggest reason is that i cant get my hands on a rotary if I wanted too, hwo much does a 12a cost to rebuild, I can get a 5.0 for $200 down the street, i think i could come out cheaper. A friend said rebuilding a rotary was round $1,200 and I definitly cant afford that.
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 08:33 AM
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why not save your money get a street ported 13b 4-port and make that thing go fast. Don't go the pistom way, then you will no longer have an RX might as well be a PIS-7 or something. Just stick with the rotary. And you do not want a ford engine anyways. Those things suck. They really do I beat mustangs with my civic. OK they are no good.
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 08:58 AM
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If you can cut metal and at least tack weld, you can easily put a 302 into an RX-7. If you have to go buy all the kits, it's not worth the money it sounds like for you. There are no Piston motors that bolt to the tranny, but you could make an adapter plate. Again, lots of fabrication, and there is no kit. Most people just buy a T5 and weld up some mounts for it. A custom driveshaft can be had if you combine the Mustang and RX-7 unit, for about $150, but it won't be rebuildable. I did mine, all custom, for about $300, with servicable U joints.

Sounds to me like you can some under the $1200 mark to swap in a piston motor, but just barely. I'd say find a used rotory and swap it in. You aren't going to be able to swap out a V8 for that price.

BTW the 302 is a very easy swap, and fits very nicely. The first thing anyone say, rotory lover or not, is "Man, that thing just fits right in doesn't it?" I'm running a Holley carb, and made like 3 connections, and the motor starts and runs great. Wiring was simple.

FWIW Ignorance is what happens when people try to educate you one things they know nothing about. Like most of the people around here that have never seen a V8 RX-7 in person, but they'll lecture you all day long about weigh, cost, complexity, etc.... because they heard it somewhere... I dont' see why people waste their time when they have nothing possative to add to a thread.

Last edited by '85 GSL 302; Mar 16, 2004 at 09:02 AM.
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 01:08 PM
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Originally posted by comeonstart
i was meaning simpler piston engines that i could get cheaper. Rotarys that run are few and far between here.
Simpler piston engines?
I DARE you find a piston engine that's simpler than two rotors and a shaft with housings.

Simpler for someone with a piston-oriented mindset who is not willing to learn rotary engines, perhaps. Rotaries are easier to rebuild in many respects, and you can do a *whole lot* with them. If you want a piston car, get a Civic. If you want to have a unique, rotary powered, piston-killer, then stick with your Rx7.

Please, either learn about rotaries, or sell the car to someone who cares and buy a civic.

And whilst I'm all worked up:
Originally posted by comeonstart
IS there any other motors...
ARE there!
Is there (singular)
Are there (plural)

If you do all your research on this car and *still* decide that a piston engine is your wish, I'll respect that. But I hate seeing people just take the "easy" way out because they know about piston engines more.

You can't beat the power-to-weight ratio of a TII engine!

Jon
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 01:28 PM
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Originally posted by '85 GSL 302
Like most of the people around here that have never seen a V8 RX-7 in person, but they'll lecture you all day long about weigh, cost, complexity, etc.... because they heard it somewhere...
I SMOKED a V-8 RX7 in person.

With a '74 RX4 no less.
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 03:29 PM
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stick with rotory to have a true Rx7. Rx7's with v8's are cool but arent really a true Rx7. The Rx7 is famous because of the rotory not a v8. Usually people who put v8's in the Rx7 are just obsessed with HP. If u want a high horse power Rx7 get a TII
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 03:40 PM
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See? Even someone with *eight* posts on this forum knows the basics

Jon
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