T2 or cosmo 13BTT swap? i need your opinions.
08-09-05, 11:53 PM
#1
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T2 or cosmo 13BTT swap? i need your opinions.
i am planning on doing a turbo swap in the near future, and decided on either the T2 or the Cosmo 13BTT. i have a few questions. first, i have to decide which engine i want. the cosmo has 30 more hp, but is sequential twin turbo, which means i will have better low end power with sacrificing the higher boost of the single turbo setup. but im also a new driver, so maybe less boost is better? what do you guys think? my next decision is: where to get the engine from. from what ive heard, Rotary Shack is a highly respectable company (correct me if im wrong). they are selling 89-91 T2 motors for $1200 and 13BTT cosmos for $1800. but there is a 13BTT cosmo on ebay selling for $1200 buy it now. all three engines are low mileage imported from japan. so if i decide on the cosmo, should i pay the extra $600 and buy from a company who ive heard is very respectable, or do i take the risk buying it from ebay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZDA...spagenameZWDVW
i need your opinions. thank you.
i need your opinions. thank you.
08-09-05, 11:59 PM
#2
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also, i can get a loan from a very good friend if i decide to buy off ebay, and just keep the motor in a garage until i have everything i need to swap it in. i could ave this loan tomorrow if i wanted, so i would like to know before the auction ends. im leaning more towards the cosmo from ebay for $1200, unless someone can convince me otherwise.
08-10-05, 12:26 AM
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If you're a new driver, I do not reccomend the TT. It will require MUCH more maintnence, and is harder to repair if anything goes wrong.
It's also MUCH easier to find aftermarket parts for an S5 TII motor than a 13BRE.
Rotaryshack is a very reliable place to get stuff.
It's also MUCH easier to find aftermarket parts for an S5 TII motor than a 13BRE.
Rotaryshack is a very reliable place to get stuff.
08-10-05, 12:26 AM
#6
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I think what he meant is, you could buy a complete car and have everything that you need for the swap. Buying it piece by piece could add up in a real hurry....
08-10-05, 12:30 AM
#7
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True. If I'm not wrong, when Robert states those prices, they are Shortblock ONLY, as in, not including ECU, etc.
You can find an S5 TII for under 4K if you look around long enough. Look for WRECKED cars, as they are dirt cheap and still have what you need
You can find an S5 TII for under 4K if you look around long enough. Look for WRECKED cars, as they are dirt cheap and still have what you need
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08-10-05, 12:37 AM
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the one off ebay is a long block and is still cheaper. thats why i was really considering it. the only other big parts i would need are the T2 tranny and an intercooler, right?
also, what do you mean by harder maintenance? what would i have to do to maintain it that would be harder than a T2?
also, what do you mean by harder maintenance? what would i have to do to maintain it that would be harder than a T2?
08-10-05, 12:42 AM
#10
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It has the ECU and everything?
You'll also need a front plate from a. . . what was it? SE maybe?
If you're running a 12A, you will also need a much bigger Fuel Pump, preferably one from an SE or FC.
As far as the intercooler goes, Volvo intercoolers are great, but you'll need some custom piping.
Maybe tranny mounts and motor mounts too, if I remember right.
Oh, and the shifter sits farther back. That may require fab-work.
You'll also need a front plate from a. . . what was it? SE maybe?
If you're running a 12A, you will also need a much bigger Fuel Pump, preferably one from an SE or FC.
As far as the intercooler goes, Volvo intercoolers are great, but you'll need some custom piping.
Maybe tranny mounts and motor mounts too, if I remember right.
Oh, and the shifter sits farther back. That may require fab-work.
08-10-05, 12:51 AM
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it says its a long block engine, that means it includes everything, right? like the ecu, fuel pump, and all the other bits and pieces? also, where could i get tranny and motor mounts? i heard with the T2 transmission, the shifter sits about an inch back, but does not require and fabrication.
08-10-05, 12:52 AM
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im sure finding an exhaust wont be a problem, and my brother knows a shop that said they'll do the complete swap for $3500, so i think that includes all the custom work as well.
08-10-05, 12:53 AM
#14
Since you're a new driver...
How about you learn to drive your car 1st. Then upgrade with bolt ons.
You can get plenty of power from these cars without a turbo.
Try a turbo later on down the line, when you have already outgrown your current needs.
How about you learn to drive your car 1st. Then upgrade with bolt ons.
You can get plenty of power from these cars without a turbo.
Try a turbo later on down the line, when you have already outgrown your current needs.
08-10-05, 01:01 AM
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i dont mean new driver as in iv'e never driven. i mean im about to get my lisence and have been driving for about six months. i could have gotten it today (wed.) but the next available appointment is sept. 6th. so that kind of sucks.
my car has about 130,000 miles on it, so i figured thats too may for me to start upgrading it. plus, by the time i get my stock 12A as fast as a T2 or 13BTT, it would have just been cheaper to buy the engine. and i considered the V8 swap, but i think that ruins the point of owning one of these amazing cars. if i wanted that i would just go buy a cheap mustang.
my car has about 130,000 miles on it, so i figured thats too may for me to start upgrading it. plus, by the time i get my stock 12A as fast as a T2 or 13BTT, it would have just been cheaper to buy the engine. and i considered the V8 swap, but i think that ruins the point of owning one of these amazing cars. if i wanted that i would just go buy a cheap mustang.
08-10-05, 01:08 AM
#16
New Driver = Anyone driving for less than 5 years.
Statistics have shown that people don't really learn to drive safely and properly
until they have at least 5 years experience.
Of course, you may be the exception. I used to drive like an a-hole all the time back then.
Statistics have shown that people don't really learn to drive safely and properly
until they have at least 5 years experience.
Of course, you may be the exception. I used to drive like an a-hole all the time back then.
08-10-05, 01:16 AM
#18
I have to agree, save up your money for the time being and learn to drive at this time. It takes alot more then 6 months to really learn how to drive well.
If I was you I would drive the car until it needs the engine swap and then look at your options then.
If I was you I would drive the car until it needs the engine swap and then look at your options then.
08-10-05, 01:19 AM
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^^ good idea. ive heard that from a few people. that will also give me time to save a good amount of money, and to decide what engine i want to swap in. but while im waiting for my engine to die, should i start upgrading the suspension, brakes, and stuff like that?
08-10-05, 01:25 AM
#22
****ty Tune= Low #'s
nice outlook i have been driving for under a year now and only drive like an ahole when the time and place are good but as for my car i keep dumping my money on keeping the car drivable..like crappy suspsion, brakes, and cooling..instead of heavy mods .but thinking about the t2 swap now....but the 12a rolls off the tounage easy so i may keep it and turbo it....
as for too old to mod.. i have 138k and car runs even stronger...
as for too old to mod.. i have 138k and car runs even stronger...
08-10-05, 01:30 AM
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i shouldnt have said ill never drive like an a-hole, but living through something like that changes you life completely; the way you think, act, etc. but i think i will definitely start with the smaller things first. the only thing it could do is make the car safer to drive.
08-10-05, 01:47 AM
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i just added everything up that i would want other than engine work. i was thinking about getting the suspension package from racing beat that includes the front and rear springs and sway bars for $462.60, and the tokico struts that would be $107 for front and rear. then, front and rear pads would cost $127. that adds up to almost $700, which is a lot for someone trying to save up for an engine. so now im confused again on what i should do.