My plan is to build up everything that i can with the 13b, while making sure im not going to be buying parts twice.

So that means building up the fuel system, cooling systems, driveline, and suspension before finally dropping in the 20b...

Its still going to cost alot of $$$ but it hoppefully will be spread out over a couple years time.

 

i wouldnt do it, in the long run i think it would be more of a pain in the *** to do the work and the money for it and all the kits but a "20b" would be a nice motor to have.

 

Ted,
Those are real cheap prices you quoted too.

Nick,
Brian told me he's going to help you tune the 20B project with the Haltech.
Good luck! It should be worth every blood drop and sweat drop when you have it running.


Like many who addressed the topic, No, the $2800 20B is not a good deal.

J

 

Mmmm carb'd 20B....still have to figure out the ignition control though...

 

what about emissions? how do you pass? also i was thinking at least 15k for the swap into an fc but wouold the engine even fit into an fb? or how much "massaging" would you need? i realy would't need more that 300 hp on the street any way so maybe i can cut some of that cost off.

james

 

This one passed emissions by using two Electromotive EMS units (not cheap) to run split timing, and the boost was limited to 10psi, and made over 400hp. I think it's still for sale.
http://www.cris.com/~Asam/20B.html

Here is a link to a 3-rotor FB buildup. You could do the same with a 20B.
http://www.hitman.hm/rx7.htm

BTW, the cost of the swap doesn't skyrocket until you upgrade the turbos.

 

So what would be a reasonable price for a quality, running, complete (less the useless computer/wiring harness, but including the factory twins) 20B in the United States?

Not that my po' *** is in a position to do the swap now, but it's food for thought. It'd be worth all 15 grand to me just to have an engine that sounds like that... I love 3 & 4 rotors....

 

A good used 20B-REW engine will sell somewhere between $3,000 and $4,000. It will include the twin turbos, and usually also includes the belt-driven accessories. You can get them from these vendors:
http://www.fc3s.org
http://www.nippon-motors.com/
http://www.jspecjdm.net/main.htm

If you are the trusting type of individual, and are not concerned about the previously-mentioned importer's warranties or quality assurance policies, then I think that the want-ads (E-Bay, etc.) would be a good place to find a cheap 20B. I have noticed a lot of these selling around the $2,000 range. There are a lot of people who think that they can install the 20B easily and cheaply, so they buy it for 3-4K from the importers, and then later realize what is REALLY involved in the conversion, and end up selling it for a loss to try to recover some of their ill-thought investment. Their loss, your gain, just as long as they didn't screw up the engine in the process.

BTW, the stock computer/wiring harness isn't completely "worthless", but since you can get an aftermarket EMS and ignition system for $1,500-2,000, I don't see much point in paying the extra $2,000 or so for the JC Cosmo front clip just to get the stock electronics nightmare. Personally, even if I got the stock electronics for free, I would still rather fork out a couple grand for better aftermarket products instead of wasting my time trying to figure out how to make the lame stockers work, but that's just me.

 

Just as an addendum to this thread...
Check out the 20B section in this forum.
now has managed to get the stock ECU, electronics, auto transmission up and running on his FC; all the details are posted.

I still think it's a waste of time; you'll see my comments as such in those threads.


-Ted

 

Thanks for the information, gentlemen. I agree- if I were to spend the money to do a 20B conversion, budgeting for the aftermarket EMS would be part of the plan from the very beginning instead of trying to decipher the Cosmo E-CCS electricals- especially without a service manual in a language I can read.