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

RX8 Engine into a 1st Gen RX7?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 6, 2007 | 03:20 PM
  #51  
XLR8's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (52)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,902
Likes: 10
From: NJ
Originally Posted by daemonjosh
I just don't understand why it's ok to spend this much on swapping in a Renisis, but swapping in a 302 is wrong when it gives you more power and better reliability for less money with a proven swap.
Because, the little rotary fairy won't leave you anything under your pillow.......

Dude, it's your car. If you want to put a V8, a Renesis, or a Jaguar V12 swap.....then go for it. Not everyone is going to like it, or like those wheels, or some guys paint job. You don't need a bunch of strangers aproval to do a single thing to "YOUR" car.

Rotarygod, that is some good info you posted on the Renesis. Could this be the new big swap? Rogue_wolf also made a great point, these are new engines, and with the the NA stamp of reliability on the side.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2007 | 03:29 PM
  #52  
rotarygod's Avatar
Rotors still spinning
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,181
Likes: 23
From: Houston
Originally Posted by aws140
yark79-- from what i read werent the rx8s "deturned" once they reached american soil due to the emissions regulations? if thats the case with a stand alone you could gain power if you ignore emissions regulations.

i think the renesis swap would be the best swap you could do for reliable, streetable power. hell, i dont think itd be too hard to hit 230 or so to the wheels with a renesis. that in a SA/FB would be a fun car. mind you it wouldnt be the fastest 1st gen out there, but it wouldnt cost anywhere near as much either. itd alos be a **** load more reliable and wouldnt be a hassle to drive everyday.

rotarygod- what about things ive read about the renesis having some reliability issues? something to do with the oil supply i think? if everything you say is correct, then this swap really isnt as hard as everyone make it out to be. hell, if you could use any of the rotary trannys then you could keep all your stock gauges working correctly..except mayeb the oil pressure and temp.

i think youre on to something....
The Renesis is no less reliable than any other rotary! We hear the same things with every new rotary model. Everyone complains. That's just the way it is.

The RX-8 has had issues with the computer controlled oil metering system. Fortunately if you are swapping a 12A or GSL-SE front cover onto one, you can also use the corresponding mechanical oil metering pump. they've worked for decades and are proven performers. Problem solved.

You literally only use the Renesis block and intake manifold. You swap on a different cable actuated throttlebody. You use 1st gen oil cooler lines and coolant hoses. You use a 13B water pump (the Renesis pump sucks anyways) and housing. You keep the radiator and oil cooler (hopefully not the bee hive style) from the 1st gen. It's simple.

It is almost literally as easy as swapping any other rotary into the car. Since you are using the 1st gen front cover, you also can use either a distributor if you are really lazy or a 2nd gen crank angle sensor. While the front cover is off, be sure to swap the cas gear onto the front of the Renesis crank. Simple. Now you have the option of either a carb assuming you can make your own intake manifold, fuel only efi, or a complete standalone efi. Even a lowly Megasquirt would work fine but anything else that works with a 2nd gen will now also work with this too.

The exhaust is no big deal. The Renesis exhaust manifold works fine. You only need to have a new "downpipe" made to go between it and the cat, assuming you are running one. Everyone else has either bought or fabbed up a cat back system so that shouldn't be a problem.

There are no more tuning problems as the RX-8 ecu is nowhere in the picture anymore. You can still use the stock RX-7 transmission. You do not need to swap. You will need to use an aftermarket flywheel and an automatic Renesis counterweight though. If you wanted to swap to a TII tranny, you could even use a TII clutch and flywheel. They are the same.

This is easy guys. There is nothing hard or custom to it at all except on piece of exhaust pipe and anyone can get that made very easily. If you know where to look you can pick up a Renesis for under $1500 still running. Gotta love it!
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 05:35 PM
  #53  
mrbrannin's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
has anyone swapped the 6 speed tranny from the rx-8 to the 93-95 rx-7?
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 05:57 PM
  #54  
vipernicus42's Avatar
Rotoholic Moderookie
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 37
From: Ottawa, Soviet Canuckistan
rotarygod, hellz ya.

I always told myself that if I ever won the lottery I'd buy a viper, sell the engine then have the most reputable rotary shop I can find build an engine that can match or beat it's main characteristics. Maybe a supercharged 4-rotor, or something crazy like that.

Just to **** off the piston guys in the same way they like to rip the soul out of our cars.

Jon
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 06:03 PM
  #55  
vipernicus42's Avatar
Rotoholic Moderookie
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 37
From: Ottawa, Soviet Canuckistan
Originally Posted by mrbrannin
has anyone swapped the 6 speed tranny from the rx-8 to the 93-95 rx-7?
Why don't you go ask that in the proper forum - the 3rd Generation section. We wouldn't know that because it involves *two* cars that aren't ours.

Jon
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 07:13 PM
  #56  
elwood's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 46
From: Michigan
Originally Posted by rotarygod
It's not about bang for the buck. It's about keeping a rotary in a rotary powered car. A 302 is not a rotary! I'm still waiting for someone to do the coolest swap of all and I guarantee it would **** off alot of American V8 loving people. I want to see a supercharged 3 rotor in a C6 corvette.
This might **** some people off -- then again it might make some wax nostalgic. GM had a strong supporter of rotary engines in its Powertrain ranks, and there were plans to put rotary engines in cars such as the Vega and Corvette. Chevy fielded Corvette show cars, the XP-897 GT in 1973 (2 rotors) and the XP-882 later in 1973 (4 rotors). I saw a rotor from one of the GM engines being used as a paperweight in one of their transmission plants. It was maybe 25% bigger than a Mazda 13B rotor in every dimension. For more info -> http://www.idavette.net/prototyp.htm
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 07:26 PM
  #57  
vipernicus42's Avatar
Rotoholic Moderookie
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 37
From: Ottawa, Soviet Canuckistan
hmm... I don't think you'll get any arguements from this crowd... seeing more manufacturers demo rotary vehicles wouldn't be bad!
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2007 | 07:35 PM
  #58  
Manntis's Avatar
add to cart
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,181
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Originally Posted by elwood
This might **** some people off -- then again it might make some wax nostalgic. GM had a strong supporter of rotary engines in its Powertrain ranks, and there were plans to put rotary engines in cars such as the Vega and Corvette. Chevy fielded Corvette show cars, the XP-897 GT in 1973 (2 rotors) and the XP-882 later in 1973 (4 rotors). I saw a rotor from one of the GM engines being used as a paperweight in one of their transmission plants. It was maybe 25% bigger than a Mazda 13B rotor in every dimension. For more info -> http://www.idavette.net/prototyp.htm
yes, but as with electric cars and other GM experiments, they did it more to appear on the cutting edge than to actually implement them. GM never did get their rotaries to work right, even though they had more than 50% of the market share at the time and were rolling in money. Meanwhile relatively small companies like Mazda just went ahead and did it.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 12:40 AM
  #59  
Rogue_Wulff's Avatar
Too old to act my age
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, Ok.
The 4 rotor corvette was actually 2 twin rotor engines, hooked to a transaxle-type transmission. Still, it woulda been a WILD ride........

I have a hard time understanding why GM pulled the plug on the Rotary engine, and released the Olds 350 Diesel.............................
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 01:12 AM
  #60  
twinkletoes's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Tenured Member: 15 Years
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 6
From: Las Vegas, NV
That fb with the rensis is sick. Thats a cool link Jon.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2007 | 12:11 PM
  #61  
elwood's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 46
From: Michigan
Originally Posted by Rogue_Wulff
The 4 rotor corvette was actually 2 twin rotor engines, hooked to a transaxle-type transmission. Still, it woulda been a WILD ride........

I have a hard time understanding why GM pulled the plug on the Rotary engine, and released the Olds 350 Diesel.............................
I think a major motivation for both actions was the Arab Oil Embargo and the drive for increased fuel economy. Rotaries are kinda thirsty -- even in a light, aerodynamic car like an FB. If you put one in your average big American sedan of the mid seventies, you'd get horrendous results.

A bunch of OEMs bought licenses from NSU to produce Wankel-style rotary engines. If fuel had remained cheap into the late seventies, I think there would be other rotary-powered cars today.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2007 | 01:20 AM
  #62  
sa22see's Avatar
13B PP
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: California
Rotarygod I like the way you think just simple not like the rest of negative and complicated people u stumble with every day.
And yes keep the rotary on a rotary car and it doesn't matter what rotary engine is, the longest it has rotors you are cool.
When you put a V8 on a rotary you are cheating your self or proofs that you can't work on rotaries.that's just my opinion and your budget is your limits.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bb6guy
Old School and Other Rotary
10
Oct 1, 2018 08:07 AM
Marty RE
New Member RX-7 Technical
0
Aug 13, 2015 11:19 AM
KAL797
Test Area 51
0
Aug 11, 2015 03:47 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:11 AM.