jmo87

iTrader: (2)

Just wondering what all is involved in installing a 20b in a 3rd gen? and possibly some prices you guys have had. I'm finding motors for around $4k and I want to know if anyone has approximate install prices or other needed purchases on top of that. Thanks!

Greg

try sending this guy an email

www.3rotorrx7.com
how sweet is that

repuguru

That car is awsome. I looked at the site and watched him blow by at 145mph in 4th in that avi. of him in the desert. I guess you'd need a salt flat to go to 5th pinned out.

Evil Aviator

You will need pretty much the same thing that an FC would need, plus a custom engine subframe which you can get from Pettit. A lot of the costs depend on how much work you can do yourself and the current condition of the car, but you should basically plan on $20,000 USD for the project. Pettit will modify it for you for about $40,000, and Peter Farrell Supercars also has experience with the 20B FD engine swap.

http://www.se-rx7.com/20b/
http://www.pettitracing.com/
http://www.pfsupercars.com/bdypags/m...ultimedia.html

Bitchn7

Who the hell would pay $20K US for a 20B conversion?? Thats about $50K NZ.
A fully rebuilt 20B in NZ will set you back about $10-15K,and thats polished and ported etc etc.
A single turbo conversion, $$5-$7K depending on the turbo, and that includes manifold etc.
new ECU, $2500-3K
Intercooler and radiator upgrade $2K.
**** then all up no more than $30K NZ and its done, with all new parts.
Considering the number of workshops in the US, thats not a very competitive price is it.
There must be some very exspensive hidden costs in there somewhere.

repuguru

There is no hidden cost. There are no 20b's over here except for what trickles through the importers. The market is small so the price stands high for the parts and services. Sorta a "you wanta play, you gotta pay" mentallity. And it seems if you question the method of installation and cost of doing this that "some" of the ones who have done it clam up. "Cause you gotta pay to play" and if your talking about spending less to do it ,it must be a hack job and not worth their time discussing.

Evil Aviator

This is true, but there is no conspiracy. The simple truth is that any automotive shop capable of this level of building is not going to risk their reputation by building a substandard and/or underfunded project.

Besides the parts supply problem already mentioned, US pricing for a 20B swap is much more expensive than other places in the world due to the fact that only a handful of mechanics here have even SEEN a 20B, much less worked on one. Also, the price of labor in our country is a great deal higher than other countries. For example, my local Ford dealership charges over $57 USD for an oil change.

repuguru

Good point Evil A. I agree with you 100%. If a shop is going to stake their reputation on it then I think that you must allow them to build the unit they deem suitable for sucess.
I on the other hand have no reservations about dropping this motor in MY truck myself. I have always done my own engine drops. I used to do my own builds till it became cheaper both cost wise and time wise to let one of the remanufactures do it. Its just one more rotor than I have worked with for the last 15 years.
It may not end up being all that it can be. But after looking at the cost of building up a Turbo13B capable of over 350hp with a life expectancy of more than a few months I wonder why not just go for a NA 3rotor. I mean why wring out power from a motor with 2 rotors when you just about start with the same power from one that has 3. Torque is what I am after anyway.
My skills at fabrication will allow me to make specialty parts(motor mount,oil pan,header) and adjustments according to my paticular application. I am not being boastful. I have faith in my ability. And what I do not have the ability to do I can source out to about 10 different fabrication facilities in the Atl area.
All I need is good information from others who have stood there before me. It makes my journey down the road easier.
I enjoyed your site and the info within is very useful. Thanks

Evil Aviator

ONE!

Don't mind me, I'm just counting the number of posts on this forum which give a realistic account of the costs and life expectancy of such a street engine. Yes, I think that you could get a little more hp out of it, as well as maybe 2 years of daily street service, but then it would cost much more to build, of course.

I'm not sure if you are referencing the SPiN Racing site with my car on it, but if you are, and for the benefit of others reading this, I wouldn't recommend copying my exhaust manifold. It is a nicely-fabricated, poorly-designed budget manifold which does not have equal-length runners. I am hoping that this will not cause turbo surging, but it may, and I will not know for sure until I get the engine running. I am quite happy with the design of everything else on the car. Also for the benefit of others who missed it, the first link on my previous post has a "Pioneers" page with links to some 20B projects to help you with your own 20B projects.

BTW, it's good to point out your skills and available tools/facilities so that people can better respond to your posts. This is also the main reason for listing cars and mods in one's signature. I wouldn't consider it boasting at all.