If you want to try and make money off the car then spend as little money as possible to get it running and looking good and sell it in the $10-12k range to some teen with rich parents. It takes a lot more money than you think to put a new (Mazda Reman) in and replace all the things that need replacing like gaskets, hoses, belts, filters, mounts, bushings, etc. I would recommend getting the Mazda reman and all your OEM parts from Malloy Mazda as you will save a ton. I would stay away from the LS-1 conversion because it's more expensive, especially if you count your own labor, while adding little value kind of like other aftermarket mods.

I will add that the LS-1 + T56 *IS* heavier than the rotary with turbocharger, intercooler and transmission but not by much (50-100 lbs range) and will negatively affect handling and breaking but not by much. Most of the LS-1 guys are pulling out more than they're putting back when they say the weight is the same and the handling is unaffected. They do gain more torque, an extra speed=gas mileage, and better engine longevity. They lose with the cost, weight and uniqueness and feel of a turbocharged rotary.

 

If the car is completely stock and you bought it for $5k then spend around $3k on a Reman, swap it yourself, spend $1 or $2k on good maintenance and reliability and care, and either keep it or sell it for $15k and make some profit.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am only 17 and I bought the car because it was cheap and it already has a downpipe, midpipe, cat-back, ingnition wires, and apexi air intake. I got ahold of JDM.net and they said it would cost me around $2,450 + $250 S/H for a complete engine swap (no core-charge either). The swap has 11k miles on it and comes with Engine, Intercooler, Turbos, Transmission, Ecu, Intake, etc. I can install it with a couple of friends, so i can save money that way. The main reson I got the car is so I can have a fast ride, put like $5-10k in the car and smoke everyone around who says imports suck (Yes, this does happen alot in Ohio), but I need money for college so if I do indeed sell it, I would like to make a pretty good profit. If you guys don't think I would make a fair or good profit off of this then I proubly wont sell it.

P.S. If you guys are wondering, I also think that $2,450 is cheap for a complete swap too.

 

Being in college and 17 years old, My guess would be a V8 swap done properly would be too expensive. Keep it real, keep it rotary...

 

I also hear alot about the 3 rotor 20b. Is this what the rx-8 has, and would it be a better buy if I could put it in my 7. Does it have more power? Is it more expensive? Please fill me in.

 

Probably couldnt afford that either man...

 

about 30 grand for a turn-key 20B swap

 

$30,000 for a complete swap!! That is outrageous. I could just get a brand new car for that price. JDM.net has them for around $5,000 but that is the engine only. Do all the other little parts in the conversion add up to $25,000?