docholiday

Alright, don't mean to be rude but I don't need all the people clogging up the thread saying just sell the FC motor and buy a proper FD motor. I've got a lot of money invested in a high horsepower FC engine but my chassis is toast so I picked up an FD roller. I'm just wondering if anyone else swapped an FC motor into an FD and if they had any major stumbling blocks besides engine mounts and ecu. Thanks ahead of time.

Dave

getgone

iTrader: (2)

You probably need to pose your question in the Tech and Performance section in the subsection called Rotary Car Performance--Other Engine Conversions - non V-8.

docholiday

I posted it here because I figured I'd get more eyes on it but I'll give that a shot as well.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

i've seen people ask, but nobody has actually tried it AFIK

arghx

iTrader: (3)

what is your game plan then? FC engine has different engine mounts, front cover, crank angle sensor (although the actual signal is the same), oil pan. a lot of the other stuff depends on what parts you are using like turbo manifold and injectors.

docholiday

Looks like I'm gonna have to learn as I go. I'm aware of the mounting issues. I'm a metal fabricator by trade so making a new mount to accommodate the engine won't be a problem I'm gonna leave the S5 front cover and CAS and run a Microtech instead. I'm gonna basically run it like it was in an FC but with custom mounts, a standalone and a v-mount for the single turbo. I'll document it and share it in case anyone in the future attempts this.

getgone

iTrader: (2)

The more I think about this the greater the headache this all likely seems. You have to consider the mounts for the power steering pump and the AC (maybe just a bracket needs to be fitted). Also, I believe the water pump circulates in reverse on the FD to the direction on the FC. That would mean you need to transfer the water pump housing from the FD or change radiators(??). And that's just what strikes me so far. I like creativity, but the problems just seem to keep mounting.

stevensimon

iTrader: (11)

buddy did it once.
had to cut up the subframe. should be relatively straight forward if youre running stand alone..

docholiday

None of this matters since I'll be running all FC peripherals. I've done a bunch of reading and running the entire engine as an FC engine ie: manifolds, alt, water pump etc etc. All i need is a standalone suited for an S5 motor instead of an S6 motor. Should be relatively straight forward. The only thing I'm not 100% sure on is if the subframe will interfere with the FC oil pan. I can't really swap it to an FD oil pan due to the mounting points. My only other real option would be a dry sump.

I forgot to mention this is going to be a track car and not a DD.

getgone

iTrader: (2)

The subframe would need to be changed to accommodate the FC oil pan, but to use the mounting points on the s5 motor you will need to modify the subframe anyway. Just remember ... the subframe gives rigidity to the front clip, so you will need to keep structural integrity in whatever way u modify it.

docholiday

I don't think I'd have to modify the subframe actually. The idea is to basically make a cradle that wraps around the engine starting from where the stock FC mounts bolt to the engine, wrapping around the back and ending where the FD mounts would bolt to the subframe. It may raise the engine a bit but I'm fairly confident I can get it to work.

getgone

iTrader: (2)

You going to have some poly material in there to absorb vibration? Plus the bulge in the FC oil pan extends back and may interfere with the subframe.

getgone

iTrader: (2)

Here are some pics to ogle over:

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

I wouldn't buy an FD that someone had hacked up to put an FC engine in. Seems like going backwards.

docholiday

Thanks for the input. Good thing I'm not selling it, especially to you but trust me this won't be a hack and slash job.


Thanks for the images and measurements getgone. Much appreciated since my FD is in storage at the moment. Gives me something to start brainstorming over.

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

Ok then. Good luck with project!

docholiday

Thanks, I'll start a build thread once the ball gets rolling.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

actually i'm just finishing an REW into FC swap, and its been a huge PITA, harder than the 20B, i would have been WAY ahead if i sold the FD engine, and just bought and rebuilt a JDM T2..

its a square peg in a round hole, you've been warned.

dguy

iTrader: (8)

You need to really think about the effort of putting your 'high horsepower' FC engine in the FD chassis versus turning it into an REW because I don't think you're taking everything into account.

By the time you have modified the subframe, waterpump, etc etc you could have just bought an REW with accessories, pulled it apart, port it to your current specs, have larger runners and rebuild it with your internals for the same cost/time investment and not have to worry about making a custom part every time something goes wrong or breaks.

I think you should probably listen to what everyone has been telling you.

-David Guy

Mrboost7

Hi Doc. Did you end up doing this and document it? I have an FD race shell and a spare FC engine and I'd like to do the same. Be great to hear how you found the conversion, what had to be done and whether you could replicate the engine mount for me? (i'm not a fabricator!). Cheers.

FDAcosta

Mrboost IM me if you need some engine mounts for this.

Mrboost7

I'm a NEWB, not sure how!!

FDAcosta

I think you have to wait a couple days to be able to message members. I will try to message you,

mr2peak

Be careful of new members offering to sell you parts you need. Often times it's a scam, you have been warned.

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

This is true.
@FDAcosta if your only purpose for this forum is pimping parts, you are welcome to become a forum vendor. It isn't particularly expensive. People skirting those rules typically get banned.