I've come to a sort of Crossroads...
Should I A: Build and Twin Turbo the Rotary(Wich I am so in Love with.)?
Or B: Swap in an Edelbrock 350 with 435hp/435ft.lbs. (Who doesnt like torque?)

I wouldn't mind doing either one, but with my intent to drift I beleive there could be pros and cons for both. Please offer any advice you may feel could help with my decision.

Thx,
Rabbit

 

V8

 

i would keep it rotary just so you are'nt adding all that wieght up front which will kill the handling

 

It's a matter of personal choice in what you want. I'd love to have a twin turbo rotary. I'm currently looking for the right deal on a 3rd gen car, matter of fact. I've been looking at rolling chassis' as well as running cars, and I will go with the best deal on whichever I find.

Ask yourself this: do you have the knowledge and experience with turbo'ed rotaries to deal with their "quirks" as they sit? A lot of people don't mind having to pull the fuel pump fuse or remove the plugs to add ATF. All part of the "mystique" as it were. If you're good at that sort of thing and you want to be part of the traditional RX7 crowd, by all means a rotary is a good thing, assuming you can afford any problems that may arise.

The additional torque of a V8 is a whole different story. The "swap" is not overly difficult depending on which model, which engine you pick and your own skills. The most common swaps still are basic small block Chevy's or Ford 302's into 2nd gen cars. LS1 swaps into 3rd gen cars are gaining in popularity. What I would LIKE to do is to find a 3rd gen car in good shape, drive it as is for awhile, and when the rotary dies (be it 10 miles or 100,000 miles later) swap in an LS1.

All that being said, I don't understand the whole "drifting" thing. Autocross or roadracing, I like (tracks are more fun than parking lots hands down). But the whole point of building a car that handles great is lost on me when you're trying to break traction intentionally. I always thought that traction was a GOOD thing.

Don't take that the wrong way - it's simply my opinion. I'd be more than happy to help with advice or anything else if you swap a V8 into the car, since that's what I know how to do. What you do with it is entirely up to you - it's YOUR car, so YOU make all the decisions.

 

Better go back and do your homework.

I don't think it adds that much mass, but depending on how you install, you may end up with a slightly higher CG

In reality, this forum is the absolute last place to ask about v8 swap. Most of the veterans are pretty biased IMO. Looking at it as unbiased as I can, I'm indifferent about a v8 swap. You could probably get the same power (obviously not torque) from probably about the same investment keeping the rotary. And the advantage is you didn't rape your 7 to do it.

You can throw in a v8 and have power. Some people say you disgraved the 7 in doing so, but.. hell I've seen a rotary in a DMC delorian too. Bottom line is what you want to do.

Personaly I'd look very hard into keeping it a rotary. Why? For the sake of it being a rotary. If you want to put a v8 in something, get a nissan z, throw a v8 in there. You're not replacing something that has a unique value that way. (Sorry datsun guys, your straight six isn't that special in my eyes.)

Isn;t an edlebach 350 like $4000 anyway? You could make a damn fast rotary engine with that kind of investment...

 

Thanx, with all that in mind I believe I'll keep the rotary...the one thing i feel has been overlooked was the high rev capability of the rotary as opposed to the v8. High rev's are invaluable in any racing sport...even drifting. I appreciate any more advice added to this thread. Also, does anyone recommend any twin turbo kits aside from HKS(personal fav.) that i should look into?

 

i'm glad you chose to keep the rotary. Now I have the sour news of reminding you that while we have lots of power up high, pittiful down low. V8s have massive torque just above 1500... We've got to wait until at least 3-4k before we see any action...