ichihollow

iTrader: (2)

hey guys i dont really know if i should post this in the FD forum or the FC forum but i want to move into a FD if figured i would post it here.

Background: I have an 88 gxl the original motor is dead so i put in a stock replacement until i have the old motor street ported and rebuilt. The motor is going for its rebuild next month and is going to built and ported for turbos.

Now i love the blocky FC body but i really love the FD body, as the FDs do not have the renisis (spelling???) motor that the rx8s do im wondering if its possible to take my FC motor, just the motor it self and interfacing it with the components in the FD? Has this been done before, are there MAJOR differences that would make this move impossible? Talk to me guys, i dont mind customizing, and have PROPER tools and space to do the work. What do i need to know??? The rx is not my daily so if it needs to be down for a long time for the work then thats absolutely fine, i have no intention of selling the car ever so im not expecting to make money on it, and dont mind putting money into it.

Im not TOO worried about the cost of possible conversion cost unless they are just completely astronomical. I am going to be looking at a turbo roller and if i cant do the conversion i know i wouldnt be upset with a FC Trubo 2 body, but it would be really cool to just build it into a turbo FD.

Right now i want to disregard thoughts about costs and time, as they are of some but little importance to me, and just want to know if the concept is possible with out MAJOR customization?

FD3Smaniac

iTrader: (3)

Honestly, i dont think it would be a huge pain... i dont know EVERYTHING though, so im not a good person to judge this. But i think if you have the engine already, and dont have the money to spend on a REW then go ahead. The Wiring might be the downfall though. Im sure its been done, or if not done contemplated and researched. You might be able to find some info on this. I know there are a lot of thread diggers on here for unique stuff like this. Some one should have some knowledge on it. Personally i would like to see it, just because it isnt my money spent on a swap like that and i would like to see results on an outcome. If it was me i would build a REW to throw in an FD just for the fact that its the engine that was designed for the car. But then again, LS1's were not meant for our cars either, good luck, and if you go that route take lots of pics and write down some good info for us.

SLOASFK

iTrader: (5)

It's been done before, and the cost of fabricating the swap often outweighs the cost of buying a running FD. The main problem, aside from the shitty eletronics from the FCs, is that the FC's motor mounts are drastically different, as are the cooling passages. So You you can't just swap irons from an REW on to a TII motor to achieve the proper mounting pointers.

The FC motor will not interface with FD components, you will have to get an S4 engine wiring harness, a standalone ECU(probably a Haltech or something ridiculously complicated). You'd have to have a lot of custom work done for the turbo, since the FD engine bay is a lot smaller than the FC engine bay and the FC turbo kits do not bolt up to an FD, you'd have to get a completely custom turbo kit.

Then you have to keep in mind that even if you cheap out on the motor, everything else will be FD parts which are still crazy expencive.

Really, if you want an FD I'd suggest just selling the FC, keeping the civic and start a savings account until you've got enough.

Also, I noticed you're in TN. You should try talking to David Jerome (djseven on this forum) about your situation. He's a great guy and he deals FDs. Maybe he can give you some pointers or even sell you a car.

GreatShamanGT

iTrader: (9)

might as well go three rotor

Dudemaaanownsanrx7

iTrader: (23)

as another option you could sell the FC engine and use that money to go towards an fd engine. Or even go ls1. Addressing the FC engine mounts, i'm sure a bracket could be made to offset this obstacle. If you were to run manual idle control, and remove any emissions, run single turbo, Remove PS and AC that would simplify alot as well. It seems like rewiring an FD engine harness to the existing FC engine and electronics on it wouldnt be THAT hard. They have the same basic components. The block and requirements are basically the same as well.
At the same time convert to a MAP sensor i think the T2's use MAF....?

ichihollow

iTrader: (2)

thats what im asking about, only the BASIC BLOCK from the FC will be swapped, as the motor is going to be street ported and other wise modified for performance using a standalone is in the plan anyway. i expected the engine mounts to be different. I pulled the AC out of my FC, but does the PS have to go? I'll switch to electric fans so those wont be a problem, as far as the cooling system, piping and hosing can be fabricated(bent or custom cut) to match the ports on the FC block. I have no intention of using the stock turbos from an FD i just need the tranny and drive train from the turbo to handle the higher HP from the rebuild and porting. I plan on adding turbos latter. what i dont know about is the tranny will it mount up. thats the only thing i know i cant just fabricate to fit.

Dudemaaanownsanrx7

iTrader: (23)

If you're going to be opening it up for a street port and i'm guessing a rebuild at the same time. It seems to make more sense to get like a jdm fd engine and have it rebuilt and ported. Often times they have a transmission included

arghx

iTrader: (3)

uh he has a nonturbo engine. there is no way in hell that is going to work... that adds even more bullshit to it. they are 6 port motors with a completely different intake manifold etc. Best bet would be to buy a JDM 13B-REW, rebuild it, and stick it in an FD rolling chassis.

to the OP, you would want to have multiple [easier] engine swaps under your belt before you attempt such a thing. The people who succeed with these type of things just do it first and tell everybody about it later. It's hard enough to do an turbo 6 port n/a motor on an actual second gen, much less do it on an FD with completely different wiring, subframe, etc.

RX7 RAGE

iTrader: (22)

It ain't going to work.

ichihollow

iTrader: (2)

ok, i think im just going to sell my 88 and move on to the FD world. i was prepared to drop a bit of money on this one so i might as well right? thanks for all the help and advice guys.

ichihollow

iTrader: (2)

this thread should be considered closed, thanks again guys.