ls1 swaps why?
12-04-10, 09:01 AM
#1
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ls1 swaps why?
am seeing a lot of guys putting a piston engine in the Rx7...doesnt that beat the purpose of owning an rx7...doesnt that also throws off the weight balancing and handling?
12-04-10, 09:22 AM
#3
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You wont like the answer but I will give it a try.
First the RX was a rotary experiment. So the cars themselves aren't sposd to be a permanent thing, imo. Many say the V8 will add huge weight to the front and in some or even most cases this is true. back in the 90's it was a time of heavy non reliable v8's but with the dawn of the chevy III and IV LS motors the savings in weight over even the II generation chevys is dramatic. With the use of a LS2 with a T56 tranny you are not adding much weight to the front. Add a bad-*** sound system to the trunk and you are at 50-50 again.
With that said the real good reason. The RE motors aren't the most reliable, correction they aren't easily the most reliable. The new LS series of motors are just the oposite. you can slap cams and heads on it and it will still run strong for a long time. A stock LS1 (the lowest base LS series with the exception of truck motors but I wont get into those) can easily push 300+ in near stock form. Whereas the RE motors will take up more $$ towards the goal. You could dump 10k into a car and be making that power one way or the other but you would loose streetability with the stock m,otors.
I am building my 79 with a LS2 T56 and cobra 8.8 rear. I already have two 12" subs to go in with amps and components for front. I am building it as a show stopper and a fun weekend cruiser. Going to require a WB kit though to fit the 10" rear and 9" front wheels.
Anyway I hope I answered your question. I really like the 12a and 13b motors but I am a service member who deploys all the damn time. I really dont want to have to rebuild every couple of years after it sits in storage for a year.
First the RX was a rotary experiment. So the cars themselves aren't sposd to be a permanent thing, imo. Many say the V8 will add huge weight to the front and in some or even most cases this is true. back in the 90's it was a time of heavy non reliable v8's but with the dawn of the chevy III and IV LS motors the savings in weight over even the II generation chevys is dramatic. With the use of a LS2 with a T56 tranny you are not adding much weight to the front. Add a bad-*** sound system to the trunk and you are at 50-50 again.
With that said the real good reason. The RE motors aren't the most reliable, correction they aren't easily the most reliable. The new LS series of motors are just the oposite. you can slap cams and heads on it and it will still run strong for a long time. A stock LS1 (the lowest base LS series with the exception of truck motors but I wont get into those) can easily push 300+ in near stock form. Whereas the RE motors will take up more $$ towards the goal. You could dump 10k into a car and be making that power one way or the other but you would loose streetability with the stock m,otors.
I am building my 79 with a LS2 T56 and cobra 8.8 rear. I already have two 12" subs to go in with amps and components for front. I am building it as a show stopper and a fun weekend cruiser. Going to require a WB kit though to fit the 10" rear and 9" front wheels.
Anyway I hope I answered your question. I really like the 12a and 13b motors but I am a service member who deploys all the damn time. I really dont want to have to rebuild every couple of years after it sits in storage for a year.
12-04-10, 09:25 AM
#4
Ever tried to get parts for your chevy engine at the parts store? Ever try to get parts for your rotary engine at the same place? Did you notice anything about prices?
Now that you guys have me talking about the subject, it just makes me realize how much I miss a nice piston engine. I've been in a LT powered FC, let me tell you it was a blast and the fuel mileage was great. Can't beat the sound of a rotary starting and revving down the road though, but hearing a v8 is sure as hell intimidating : )
Now that you guys have me talking about the subject, it just makes me realize how much I miss a nice piston engine. I've been in a LT powered FC, let me tell you it was a blast and the fuel mileage was great. Can't beat the sound of a rotary starting and revving down the road though, but hearing a v8 is sure as hell intimidating : )
12-04-10, 09:27 AM
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thanx for the info guys...and Dream thanx for your service and be safe out there....in my own opinion...ROTARY ENGINES SHOULD stay in a Rx car....to each is own..right..as long as your happy lol
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12-04-10, 09:59 AM
#8
It is true that no car is meant to be a "permanent thing," because they will all eventually wear out. I guess you could also argue that any car model is a marketing experiment of sorts for the manufacturer because they never know if a car will be a perennial hit or a total failure. I'm sure Pontiac thought they were really onto something with the Aztek...
That said, I agree there are many good reasons to consider an LS1 or LS2 swap with the RX-7, and also agree that most of the common myths (that it throws off handling, adds a lot of weight to the nose, hurts gas mileage, etc.) have long been disproven. I will still agree with the OP that for me, the point of owning an RX-7 is to have the rotary engine. But I totally respect the amount of work and skill that goes into putting together a V8 RX-7 cleanly and well.
12-04-10, 10:05 AM
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true and true. I ain't denying that at all. Sorry if I was misleading, but if you look at my sentence I did say "IMO or In my opinion." Either way it is the choice of the owner, whichever makes you happy is the way you should go. I guess when I show up at the rally in 2012 with the car I should get some love 
12-04-10, 10:57 AM
#10
Many say the V8 will add huge weight to the front and in some or even most cases this is true. back in the 90's it was a time of heavy non reliable v8's but with the dawn of the chevy III and IV LS motors the savings in weight over even the II generation chevys is dramatic. With the use of a LS2 with a T56 tranny you are not adding much weight to the front. Add a bad-*** sound system to the trunk and you are at 50-50 again.
And with a Ls motor you will add no weight to the car and still maintain the 50/50
If you are talking about a base model 87 coupe then yes, but a TII-LS swap you will end the same if not lighter
12-04-10, 12:45 PM
#11
rx7 almost a religon
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my two cents
rx7 actaully means rotary sport as in most cases x represents sport (honda crx rsx tsx mazda mx6 mx5 rx7 etc.) this was verified by someone who was envoled with the rx7 alot just can't remember but I'll look it up
50/50 is with an empty tank of gas so with the v8 will help with true 50/50 ratio but that's just my guess I don't have scientific data for this.
ls weighs about 50 pounds heavier than a 13b but with a 13bt you have to add the weight of the turbo innercooler and piping so I'm pretty sure it evens out.
the rx7 was ment as transportation like clokker mentioned, so what does it matter what's under the hood when you drive, I don't think most leave their hood open. Power is power tourque is tourque.
the rotary is not the soul of the rx7 so I hope no one truly believes that. And it all just comes down to preference I personally love my rotary powered fc but I would love to build a v8 rx7 soon. (lsx7)
rx7 actaully means rotary sport as in most cases x represents sport (honda crx rsx tsx mazda mx6 mx5 rx7 etc.) this was verified by someone who was envoled with the rx7 alot just can't remember but I'll look it up
50/50 is with an empty tank of gas so with the v8 will help with true 50/50 ratio but that's just my guess I don't have scientific data for this.
ls weighs about 50 pounds heavier than a 13b but with a 13bt you have to add the weight of the turbo innercooler and piping so I'm pretty sure it evens out.
the rx7 was ment as transportation like clokker mentioned, so what does it matter what's under the hood when you drive, I don't think most leave their hood open. Power is power tourque is tourque.
the rotary is not the soul of the rx7 so I hope no one truly believes that. And it all just comes down to preference I personally love my rotary powered fc but I would love to build a v8 rx7 soon. (lsx7)
12-04-10, 01:13 PM
#12
Lol... another one of these threads. Butthurt subject lol.
I think the rotary is what makes the car it is(obviously). Honestly, one of the main reasons I like these cars is the challenges that you face with the rotary, but then I like challenges.
I've driven a few higher horsepower v8 cars, and unless they're boosted, the powerband is boring. And american v8's sound like complete **** imo. From what I've noticed, owners with v8 swapped RX7's get bored with the car quicker too.
But its your car, do what you want. You could spend the same amount of money and build a kickass rotary, but instead people follow this trend of swapping.
I'm a bit of a purist of keeping the rotary in these cars, because that's what I love about these cars. And its irritating as hell listening to honda fanboys/other dumbass's saying how "you should put a v8 in that car cuz rotary garbage!!!11!"
/opinion
BTW: Camaros are cheap. So are old corvettes
I think the rotary is what makes the car it is(obviously). Honestly, one of the main reasons I like these cars is the challenges that you face with the rotary, but then I like challenges.
I've driven a few higher horsepower v8 cars, and unless they're boosted, the powerband is boring. And american v8's sound like complete **** imo. From what I've noticed, owners with v8 swapped RX7's get bored with the car quicker too.
But its your car, do what you want. You could spend the same amount of money and build a kickass rotary, but instead people follow this trend of swapping.
I'm a bit of a purist of keeping the rotary in these cars, because that's what I love about these cars. And its irritating as hell listening to honda fanboys/other dumbass's saying how "you should put a v8 in that car cuz rotary garbage!!!11!"
/opinion
BTW: Camaros are cheap. So are old corvettes
12-04-10, 01:47 PM
#13
Rotary Enthusiast
To me, it's the same as putting a 350 into a Mustang. Sure it may run better, faster, and stronger. But it's still a bastard child with it's true heart and soul removed.
It's pretty much the whole reason for me buying one!
12-04-10, 02:54 PM
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For me, the main reason was because I had a hell of a time getting the rotary to pass emissions tests and it was getting 13mpg around town and 19mpg on the road. Oh yea, it was SLOW!. With the LS-1, I pass emissions at about 20% of the allowable level, get 16mpg around town and 28mpg on the road. It now suprises anyone who tries to outrun it and I have more acceleration in 5th than it had at the same speed in 2nd with the rotary. They aren't for everyone but it sure worked for what I need.
12-04-10, 03:04 PM
#17
having owned both I can tell you one thing- a V8 RX7 draws way more attention then its rotary cousins. When people here the sound, which is far from crap, coming from the tailpipe of a RX7 they do a double take
It makes the car that much more unique and symbolizes modern hot rodding- taking a "bigger" motor and stuffing it in a smaller lighter chassis- this is what hod rodding is all about
it aint for everyone, but I know I build a car for myself not for what some strangers on the internet think my car should be
It makes the car that much more unique and symbolizes modern hot rodding- taking a "bigger" motor and stuffing it in a smaller lighter chassis- this is what hod rodding is all about
it aint for everyone, but I know I build a car for myself not for what some strangers on the internet think my car should be
12-04-10, 04:22 PM
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couldnt have said it better. were americans, its about how fast me can make that thing go. and come on, when you can hit 500+RWHP for a fraction of the cost of a 13b why not? and if you over heat it just pull the heads off, shave em, replace that gasket and your good to go. no rebuild required.
12-04-10, 04:24 PM
#20
Dont get me wrong, swapping in an ls1/2 is cool as ****! However, a rotary engine is what makes the rx7 unique and special. Putting a piston engine in it is like putting a full fairings on a buell motorcycle. It will make it more aerodynamic, but takes away from buells unique naked street bike look.
12-04-10, 04:48 PM
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But it's not a hot rod.
Dont get me wrong, swapping in an ls1/2 is cool as ****! However, a rotary engine is what makes the rx7 unique and special. Putting a piston engine in it is like putting a full fairings on a buell motorcycle. It will make it more aerodynamic, but takes away from buells unique naked street bike look.
Dont get me wrong, swapping in an ls1/2 is cool as ****! However, a rotary engine is what makes the rx7 unique and special. Putting a piston engine in it is like putting a full fairings on a buell motorcycle. It will make it more aerodynamic, but takes away from buells unique naked street bike look.
it might not be a nova or a chevelle, or a mustang fast back, but this is our generations hot rod. the games the same, just got a few different chassis to choose from.
12-04-10, 06:33 PM
#25
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hmm i think when u put a bigger engine into a smaller car your taking the lame *** way out of fun car building, becasue u have a cookie cutter engine being put into everything....