yoda2026

im about to purchase a1979 s1 rx7 and im wondering how hard it is to put the motor from an rx8 into it .... and possibly the gearbox providing i dont have to enlarge the tunnel

has anyone done this or tried to do this
if you have can you please tell me what is involved in putting it into the car

Latin270

Do a search, there is some good info on this subject already.

-xlr8planet-

iTrader: (3)

everything is possible, it just takes A LOT of time and even more MONEY

other swaps are more affordable and will net you decent HP levels. Higher than the renesis (example Turbo II)

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

Hey Yoda,

xlr8planet is right : Anything is possible with enough time, money and effort.

However, it's definitely not the easiest, cheapest or most powerful setup you can do. Very few people have done it, so there won't be a lot of information on how to do it, you'll pretty much be flying solo for most of it.

If you have a barrel full of cash, fabrication skills and plenty of time, I say go for it. It's a cool swap that a lot of people will want to see.

Otherwise, look more towards swapping in an engine from either an N/A or Turbo 2nd Gen (1986-1991). They're a much easier and cheaper swap that is well documented and can net you some pretty awesome power gains. Search for TII swap, or check the archive and the FAQ for more details.

Jon

Edit: I just noticed you're in Australia... check out ausrotary.com . You'll find that Australia has a lot more love and support for the rotary then we get here in North America. You can probably find a shop that will do it for you - there are rotary shops down there that do stuff we couldn't even dream about up here!

nBOOSTe

if you go to rotorespr.net ur gonna find a 72 datsun1200 w/ the renesis istalled. they used a 12a timing cover and ignition and a weber carb with a custom intake. none of the wiring crap is needed

mikewoodkozar

Another option is a frankenrotor engine with GSL-SE housings, 12A irons and RX8 internals, still lots of money

dbragg

iTrader: (7)

from what ive seen the renesis swap is WAY easier than what everyone makes it out to be.

IIRC, all you need to do is swap the front cover, oil pan, and something to do with the dizzy. youll need to use a rx7 tranny. this would be a great swap for a nice daily driver or for good NA power.

that being said, one of the great things of the rx8 is its computer system. to keep that intact and functional is the hard part.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Without the OEM intake, (and it's computer controlled solenoids,) - it would be a waste. Most of the power of the Renesis is from the multi-stage intake. It's not just about the slightly higher compression ratio or the engine.

IEATVtec

ya anything is possible check out on the 8 forums one guy did a 2jz swap on his 8
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.ph...&highlight=2jz

mikewoodkozar

I would just put a TII in if i had the jack for that motor. Cheapest RX8 motor i have seen is on the bay right now for $1700.00 or so, TII's are about $1300.00 shipped and would be less of a hassle and make more power

steve84GS TII

The difficulty lies in swapping the engine and retaining its technology and personality.
Its just like people who swap an N/A 2nd gen engine and carb it.....or an REW 13B and ditch the twin turbos.It may be a newer engine inside,but its the induction and EFI that are responsible for most of the HP and torque charatoristics.

Like most modern engines,the RX-8 engine will not run without most of the stuff under the dash,including the instrument cluster and various,multiple computors.

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

The Renesis is longer than a 13B for some reason. Must be the front plate is thicker or something. The shaft is the same length.

yoda2026

the reason for me wanting to keep n/a is that in australia until you are on ur full license you carnt drive turbo charged cars

atm i drive a 1996 toyota supra...... so im looking at selling that and buying a mk1 rx7 and putting the rx8 motor in it keeping the ecu efi ect ect

speaking to rotor heads ive discovered that mounting it is the easy part

its the rest of the upgrades that i dont totally understand

so im trying to find someone that has done this swap so i can get some of the details on how to move on from where i am

mikewoodkozar

Weird you cant have a turbo car until your license allows

dyoungre

I've slowly been collecting parts and info to do the same thing. I'm using an SA trans, so I picked up a lightweight flywheel that I can then bolt a Renesis counterweight to. That way, the starter locates correctly, the shifter locates correctly ...
Originally I was going to use a 1984/85 GSLSE front cover to do the mounts, but the more I mock it up, the more I want to use the RX8 mount brackets and fabricate my own subframe mount brackets.
I'm fabricating my own mechanical throttle linkage to a stock shaft, and using Megasquirt. Pulleys, accessories ... I'm still working on.
I have more reading to do, as my project stalled when my twins were born. I'll keep you posted, though!

FIBREMAZ

Hey man, give M.R.E in Adelaide a call PH 08 8443 8299, they have done a Renesis conversion into a 1st gen already so they can give you lowdown on what it will cost and what's involved.

FIBREMAZ

It's different in almost every state of Australia....I've seen a "P" plater driving an FD around my area. Lucky bugger!!

yoda2026

thanks for the information ill call the company in adelaide

and ill let u know if i start going ahead with the convertion

steve84GS TII

Thats retarded......
So what if you buy an Acura RDX,a late 80' Subaru Wagon or a turbo diesel PU......or any other multitude of vehicles that are turbocharged simply to overcome their weight and improve the overtaking performance thats lacking from using a smaller engine thats more effecient when just cruising?
Just cause its turbocharged doesnt automatically make it fast,dangerous or racey.That law is blind,unfairly biased and probably made by uninformed individuals who saw too many movies.

Vashner

lol They love to watch reruns of Mad Max. Mel Gibson turbo 4 the win vs bad guys.

yoda2026

the rule is no modified motors and no forced induction until you get ur full license but modified motors.... proove its modified

unless its desiel then u can do what ever you like to it

mjm4jc

If it were me, I would work with what I have. A N/A 12A can generate a lot of horses and accelerate rather quickly with an good, free-flow exhaust, porting, aftermarket carb/intake, light flywheel, high performance ignition, etc. A 200-225 HP N/A 12A is very achievable.

Mike

djessence

and that way you keep the balancing of the car and whatnot. RX8 engine is a fair bit heavier than the 12A. and that way you keep the car simple vs having to wire a ton of ecu, comp, engine managment and all of that. and then if you throw an engine code, ppl are gonna be like, uhh intresting this could be difficult.

IMO i do not think its worth it. You'd be better to put that 2g of rx8 engbine money into exhaust and suspension and stuff like that and you will have a better car anyways. and brakes. those too

TAS

I have RX8 rotors 12a irons and GSLSE housings sitting in the garage....

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

my thoughts are that the Renesis can work in a Gen I and retain most of it's stock characteristics if you allow bank for it. it won't be the eacvt same as stock, but at the very least, you should break even. a custom intake and the right engine management and you should be just fine ...