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Hello fellow Rx fans. I’m letting you guys know that I’m finally doing the RX8 engine into a 1st gen. I’ve been wanting to do this swap since 2009. I purchased a JDM 4 port and 5 speed on accident. I saw a listing on offer up 700$ for engine transmission and ecu. Listing said engine ran. Well my ignorance got me in trouble 😈 I assumed that since it had a manual transmission it was a 6 port. But I know it’s a 4 port once I got it home and it was too late. I decided I was going to run the 4 port anyway. Wish me luck Pulled the 13b s3 engine Tote time! Makes me concerned Omg 😳 Why me worried 😧 Say something I’m giving up on u Rx8
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yep, pretty much most of the markets except USDM were offered the RX8 version of the FD3 5-spd on the lower power engine. Gearing is not as optimum for acceleration, but it's more durable than the 6-spd for sure. Or you can possibly trade/sell if for a 6-spd as the avg. RX8 turbo owner would prefer the 5-spd.
Two thumbs up for another Reni swap into a 1st gen!!
Are you planning to rebuild the 13B-MSP before you install it?
Have you given any thought as to whether your will go with a carburetor or fuel injection?
don’t think I want to rebuild the RX8 engine if the engine still has life. I have a 6 port that I disassembled and it was interesting 🧐. It’s in a tote. Feel like if I build a engine I’m going with new housings. Can’t afford all that jazz so going cheap simple and classic.
I’m going to run fuel injectors and most of the old school stuff 1985. Keeping it as original as possible with adapting the 13b-msp.
yep, pretty much most of the markets except USDM were offered the RX8 version of the FD3 5-spd on the lower power engine. Gearing is not as optimum for acceleration, but it's more durable than the 6-spd for sure. Or you can possibly trade/sell if for a 6-spd as the avg. RX8 turbo owner would prefer the 5-spd.
thanks for the advice, I also found similar information after I panicked and ran to the shed that I have the transmission in to count my Gears ⚙️ . 1,2,3,4,5 dame lol.
So rx8 has a oil metering gear ⚙️ it’s the reverse of the Rx7. This must be replaced with the front pulley as well. So far I recommend the rx8 timing cover gasket. It’s more expensive but technically you get the water pump gasket also. Rx8 timing cover gasket. Mail man folded up my package to fit in my mailbox lol Build shopping list That’s better mr 8
Need new front pulley mine was rusted so bad the pits would eat a new belt before my tank was empty. Need automatic counter balance to use non turbo flywheel. Think I’m going to have to just pay the price on the aluminum one. Not much price difference. 🤷♂️ One day I will have time and power to fix this art. Keeping original 5 speed. I know people going to say All the things. But I like the GSL-SE low ratio the Speedo correct and yea the transmission mount not being something taking all my time. Yea it’s not as strong as a Alison, but I’m also not going to drop clutch or do wet burnouts. Had to do compression test before I pulled it! Yea I’m like less than 100 foot from the deep blue. This was a nice surprise I have to say. I was telling all my friends and they had no idea why I was so happy.
This is going to be an awesome swap and I'm looking forward to seeing this car come together!! I have a 4 port Renesis engine in my engine stash and I have a GSL-SE that I'm restoring so this makes me consider using the Renesis engine. I dunno yet though. I'd like to keep the original fuel injection if I can, which means I will need an S4 or S5 13B. I'll be following this to see your progress!!
This is going to be an awesome swap and I'm looking forward to seeing this car come together!! I have a 4 port Renesis engine in my engine stash and I have a GSL-SE that I'm restoring so this makes me consider using the Renesis engine. I dunno yet though. I'd like to keep the original fuel injection if I can, which means I will need an S4 or S5 13B. I'll be following this to see your progress!!
I’ll try and help as much as I can with explaining my troubles in making everything work correctly.
are those are the compression numbers from your 13B SE before you pulled the engine?
are you planning to use the old school SE intake / fuel injectors on your 13B MSP keg?
Yes I could not bring myself to pull a low mile S3 13B without compression testing. So those numbers are the original GSL-SE after full warm up and 100 foot above sea. (Rx8 engine unknown yet)
I’m going to use the RX8 intake manifold, less work. Also it’s a 4 port Rx8 and it would be IN my mind False errand to try and run the 6 port S3 manifold.
Atkins aluminum front pulley arrived today!
I ordered the flywheel today! Not thrilled about the price but it’s American made 🇺🇸 And it should be interesting with everything being lighter. Flywheel done ✅
I've been researching whats needed to do this and you found out about the dizzy gear already. You need to swap in the front cover from the 12a or 13b gsl-se engine, you will need to make a new oil pan cause the rx8 one will not clear the steering or cross member. A 12a pan bolts up and you just need to use the back of another pan cut off a few inches and welded to the first pan so all the bolt holes will line up. You staying EFI so I won't go into how to deal with the intake and carb setup. Very much want to put on in my SA someday cause its an easy 50+HP bump can can still get most parts. The clutch throw out bearing is the same for all rotaries and you should be able to reuse the existing tranny in the FB if you swap in a flyheel that will work with the FB starter.
Rx8 injection on left s3 on Right Fuel rail fits. Say something I’m going to grind you. Hum getting closer every day Think this might actually work Close so close Trimming the fat
Ok so yesterday I put the injection fuel rail from the S3 on the engine and then the intake manifold. There will be some grinding on the middle iron if I want to run the old school injectors. I’m 50/50 right now on that one. Grinding the middle iron sucks but I think it’s less work than buying a set of injectors and running a resistor pack. 2nd problem I ran into is the water pump housing is not a direct fit. Two bolts line up but the others not so lucky. So I’m looking for a 2nd gen water pump assembly to modify to get everything to work. I’m also using a mustang 5.0 throttle plate to use. There is a few mods to get that to work correctly also. I also found that there is injection tabs on the plastic oil fill tube and vacuum chamber that also need trimming to fit the alternator in.
I love that there are so many different approaches to swapping in a Renesis into a 1st gen RX7. Based on parts availability for a 12A (or lack thereof), I would think more and more 1st gen owners might be considering this.
Maybe the moderators should setup a sub-forum.
I do have some questions about your build that might help other members:
since your S3 13B has excellent compression #s, what prompted you to do a 13B MSP swap at this time?
why did you choose to use the old school dizzy (and I presume coils) instead of upgrading the ignition system?
why did you choose to use (1) pair of injectors and the fuel rail from the S3 instead of the staged injectors used in the Renesis?
are you using the mustang 5.0 throttle plate on the RX8 throttle body to effectively turn it into a mechanical system vs. Drive-By-Wire?
have you chosen which ECU you will use to run the system?
yea I was looking at the engine right now and it seems the one stud that’s in the rx8 front iron is the one that makes everything not line up. So I will be removing it shortly and it should be able to run s3 water pump. I will update later today.
Found a s5 water pump housing looks like a turbo for 80 shipped. Going to pick that up just in case. If anything I could sell it later and get my money back.
Complete tasks
1) oil pressure gauge/sensor removed rx8 and installed Rx7
2) water pump housing and alternator and smog pump fitted. (Must move rx8 stud)
3) fuel rail mocked up. (Must grind middle iron or run new injectors with resistor packs) update soon.
4) drive by wire replaced with ford 5.0 throttle plate.
5) front timing cover installation (need Rx7 omp drive gear. Must run old pulley or buy aluminum replacement.
6) water temp in original water pump housing.
Oh and you will have to slot the from mount in some way to mount the rx8 engine using the front cover. Also how are you doing your oil pan?
yes your correct! I found this out yesterday Rx7 is 12mm sorter than the RX8 engine. I will notch the mount to move the engine mount 12mm forward.
oil pan is a fun puzzle. All the bolts for the S3 pan line up with the exception of the front cover bolts 12mm to far forward. If I use the bolts that line up then the front covers oil pressure spring cap is in the way. If you use the front cover and make all new holes then the pan will sit 12mm forward from original position. Cat and mouse game if you ask me. Personally I love a path of less work. My main worries at the moment is the front pulley bolt. The RX8 is different than the Rx7. Getting the oil thermo pellet wrong could be my biggest headache so far.
01-21-22, 07:30 PM
