One vote for V8

 

Keep the rotary. It's expensive, but got to love that sound. Had engine replaced @ KD this summer, trans rebuilt, new cluch assembly, Bonez system...$5000. Probably for that money I could have damn near bought a new 383, trans and installation kit, but didn't want to change. As stated above, if V-8 is something that is desired, get a Mustang, or F body.

 

ROTARY,its the ONLY way to go

 

Oh I didn't know that it had been debated over already. I don't want to start a war.. that's president Bush's job...I can see from all the post that most of you are soooooo!!!! sensitive about your rx7...don't get me wrong..I love my rx7 also..however to me...it's still a car. I wouldn't wanna die over it..well unless I crash at over 260km/h+..ouch that would hurt .. ...I'm staying with rotary..just wanna hear some "professional" opinion about it..advantages and disadvantages that's all..I'm hear to learn about everything..not to bash people around for asking question..administrator could delete the thread..cause I can see I won't learn anything..Peace to all, live long and prosper with our very fast rx7!!

 

try the rotory man and if i dont work out go v8! you really should injoy the t2 motor though

 

ROTARY POWER!!!


CJG

 

What world to you live in?
Domestic V8s are the most affordable engines to fix, and I know of a number of 400hp SBCs getting 18+ MPG. It's not like a Turbo rotary sips gas my freind, especially if it has 400hp. The weight issue can be resolved with the use of aluminum components. I don't understand the advantages to using a imported V8 over a domestic one. A V8 out of a lexus is bound to cost more than an LS1 and it has less HP/TQ. Not to mention the fact that nearly all imported V8s are overhead cam, which means the motor will be top heavy, hood clearance may become an issue, and it will have much more parts to break(not that they will). With a SBC a majority of the weight is at the crank. I don't have the numbers to prove this, but I'd wager that the Imported V8s weigh more than an LS1. If you have the money to spend on a making a 400hp rotary go for it. Figure out what you want from your car, and how much you can afford to spend. Often times people do the V8 swap because they just can't afford to make their goals happen with a rotary. Either way I'm sure you will enjoy the outcome.

 

It's not necesarily about pros and cons, some of us just don't like engines that were designed 40 years ago. It's called forward progress...

 

No... Compare apples to apples, the Toyota 4.0 V8 gets 21MPG stock has an alum head and block stock, puts out 290 hp stock (in 96+ form). Cost is about the same going to a junk yard and pulling from a LS or SC as a mid '90s domestic from a 'vette.

But compare that to your modified domestic, that you have to add the aluminum parts too just to get it into the same ball park weight wise, has worse power (in stock form) and worse gas mileage and radically worse reliability and noticeably worse drivability.

Like Jason said... forward progress... not backwards.

 

Icemark, Have you heard of the aluminum block/head AMERICAN LS1 motor? 98+ Camaro/Firebird, 97+ Corvette, and the Holden cars new GTO. All aluminum block and heads (stock). I work at a tuner shop, We are getting 415FWHP on a stock motor with ASA programming and ASA injectors. That is 415HP bone stock motor.

We just did a big bore 383 at 553HP and 539lbs/ft of torque. Put it in our ZO6, WOW is it fast. A stock LS1 in a 2nd gen RX-7 would easily be in the 11's.

Sure it's old technology, but it's also proven technology. When was the rotory motor designed? Not exactly a the newest thing around.

Goto www.thewrongmotor.com

This type of swap is not for the timid, so if you can't handle it, keep it rotory! Just keep an open mind people.

 

If you want a V-8 rocket then use a miata... with a ford 5.0 they haul. I know some one with that. but a V-8 ruins a 7 and they are so rare anyway. use a mita pleese

 

It's just a car. And there are plenty around, WITH bad engines.

 

Again compare apples to apples...stock vs stock.. I could show you a 4.0 toyota putting out 500Hp as well using a vast majority of stock parts that has been hopped up.

I am keeping an open mind, but I still remember that same basic design GM small block V8 making only 160 hp in most F-bodies and the fancy HO version making a stunning 190 hp. Stock from the factory in the late 80's.

 

Since when are 7's rare? FC's and FB's are a dime a dozen.

From what I can tell from information that I have found, the lexus 1UZ-FE and the Ls1 are almost Identical in weight. A GM crate LS1 Longblock weighs in at 390 pounds, which includes exhaust manifolds, EFI, and Ignition. Finding the weight on the 1UZ-FE was difficult but I did manage to find a few Vague Sources. One was Bullet supercars, who have developed a 1UZ-FE powered Roadster. They say that THE 1UZ-FE weighs in at 175 Kg... which equates to 385 pounds 5 pounds less than the LS1 Long Block. I saw another source that said the Lexus 4.0 litre V8 weighed in at 464 pounds.... though the exact engine model wasn't specified.
Here are some specs on the motors.
LS1
HP 345@5600RPM.
TRQ 350@4400RPM
5.7 LTR(346 CI)
Aluminum Block
Aluminum Heads
Composite Intake Manifold.

1UZ-FE
HP 300@5600
TRQ 325@3400
Dual Over Head Cam 32 valve
4.0 LTR (242 CI?)

Clearly the LS1 is a simpler design, and it is more powerful. The lexus motor may be a **** hair lighter, but that doesn't mean that it will be more compact.
The cylinder head has to be pretty large to fit 2 seperate cams and all of the related components. BTW.... Wilkinson Motor Car Company offered an Overhead Cam motor in 1898. That was 104 years ago.... "some of us just don't like engines that were designed 40 years ago. It's called forward progress... "
Hows that foot taste?
If I remember correctly the SBC was debute in 1955... which would be 47 years ago. Some things just don't need to change... like wheels for instance. One could say that wheels have made strides(?) in technology... I mean look at the Crystal forged titanium 3 peice deluxe whatever. Compare your Konig Ninja Assasine megas to a bicycle wheel.. Big difference, same basic design. That is the difference between the 55 SBC and the LS1. One is carburated with a solid lifter cam and shitty fuel economy... remember in those days that didn't really matter. The LS1 gets excellent gas mileage has EFI, a roller cam, and its powerful and light weight.
Same basic design, but throughout time, technology has made it much more effective, just like the F'n wheel.
Of to the General automotive section!

 

Ive got one word for you..
SMOG

 

im the v8 expert , put an all alunium block and heads v8 in it and itll get up and go , like run 11.70'' in the 1/4 but youll lose that handleing , if i could afford it i would , all thies rotar heads are dumbfounded about how much ezer a v8 is to work on , i build race cars. Take my advice and itll go fine , youll need a powerglide and a detomsa pantera rear end lol good luck youll need about 10,000$ if ya wana do it your self else wise tll cost 20,00$ just put a 20b in that car and youll be better off , a petty racing engine puts out 610 hp not that bad but a small block chevy can get 1000hp with 2000$!

 

And you think that smog has changed????Yeah the regulations got worse (or for the better if you are partial to clean air).

If anything it forced GM to update an piston engine design that almost no other manufacture still uses or much like Mazda had to do with the new reny motor for the RX8.

But all this which V8 is better crap is off subject as I know there would be little chance in hell of passing smog tests in CA with a push rod V8 in a RX-7.

 

why not just go with corvette rear, while you're getting the motor already? I could do an LS1 swap for $10k including 6-speed trans, kit, rear and car!

edit: and not pass smog in CA? Maybe not a visual...

hey, waitaminute! did your car come like this?
Well I put the corvette valve covers on, but that's all, I swear!

But many people have made more than 450 Horse/500 torque and passed smog...

 

what the **** kinda V8 are you talking about? how does 590 for rebuild kit that comes with pistons, rods, camshaft, lifters, all gaskets needed, rings oil pump and then some. How many Rotary rebuild kits are under 800 and come with new rotors for that same price? Kiss my ***, learn some info. Oh, btw, anyone can get over 500HP with under 3grand with a V8. Dont get me wrong, i love the rotarys and would never put anything but a rotary in an RX7, but i love the V8s just as much.

 

It is pretty obvious from this thread that a lot of you have not ever even driven an American V8 car. Also, it seems all too suspicious that nobody wants to acknowledge the fact that a guy on this board DID the LT1 swap and weighed the car. The weight bias was about 51/49.

A lot of you are talking out of your asses. The few that are open minded deserve credit.

I'd MUCH rather see an RX-7 at the track with a V8 than an RX-7 with a 0 compression Wankel in the yard.

For the record, the pushrod V8s are some of the MOST reliable engines ever. Rotary engines are more finiky and I believe they are worse on emissions. NA = no torque. Turbo = Low reliability.

Don't get me wrong. I think Wankels are cool, but some of you are way out of line on describing American V8s as "gay-***." Unbelievably ignorant.

PJ

PS- Before you start assuming, I drive a V6 T-Bird besides my '86 NA.

 

by the looks of everyones responce, bad move making a 7 a V8.......i dont see any reason to anyway, they were built to be rotary, why throw in something that everyother car on the road has..Pistons

F that!

 

but if you have the money, go ahead

 

Actually the V8 swap is pretty cheap. I have maybe $6000 in my entire swap...car included. That's with Convertible, 300+HP & 400+ft-lbs to the flywheel, KYB adjustable suspension, and crossdrilled rotors. You can barely buy a STOCK rotary Convertible for less than $4000.

 

I remember when I first got my TII I thought that every car was inferior to it. I didn't bother looking into anything but rotarys. I was constantly preaching to all of my freinds about rotary this rotary that. I know what its like to be really excited about rotarys and RX-7s. I don't blame any of you for thinking a V8 swap is bogus.
But, I would advise that you experience as many different cars as possible. I think everyone should experience american muscle at least once.

 

This is for the open minded people: So tell me how is the handling of a v8 rx7? that is with everything done..like upgrade suspension..would the rx7 chassie take the aditional torque or would it twist the whole car like a pretzel?..I will be driving my rotary until it blows up in my face..and then will be considering alternative powerplant..I love the fc design and looks..that's why I don't consider buying a domestic..however I do love the v8 power and sound..put the 2 together and then pow!!!!awsome....again I don't belong to any rx7 religious group..to me a car is a car...just as long as it serve my purpose....I want to get as much information as possible from both side of the playing field..and then decided for myself...hell if I have the money I'll buy a Mclaren F1 and join the F1 forum..do they have f1 forum? give me a link..hehehe...