94 Build... GT35R, RE Vmount and a whole lot more............ NOW WITH PISTONS!!
11-12-13, 05:58 PM
#776
[QUOTE=jeffp;11619694]
more great logic. does that mean you are going to sell your car and buy a rotary pickup, how about a cosmos? obviously by your logic, engine choice should dictate what vehicle you have to buy.
/QUOTE]
Where the hell do you come up with pickup trucks and luxury touring coupes. The Rx7 and Corvete are similar cars - both light weight, two door sports cars. If the FD were never created, my second choice for an affordable sports car is the Corvette.
Many people buy cars based on the engine in it. Hell I'd love to have a small pickup with a rotary engine but not as a sports car and they are not readily available anymore. When I wanted to buy a comfortable touring coupe, the S65 helped the case for an M3.
My logic is I don't care to see the FD, a rare piece of automotive history with limited production numbers, stripped of the very thing that makes it a rare part of history. A 3-rotor swap maintains the thing that makes it rare - a rotary engine. If there were 200,000 FD's running around, I'd be less passionate about it.
If you're happy with your LS-RX, good for you. I have no ill will or question your logic. Whenver these debates start, the V8 guys get bent out of shape when many here don't praise and fuly accept it. I would not expect much love on the Corvette or Ford forums if I put a rotary in a Vette or a Mustang.
Jack
XLR8 - sorry we've taken your thread of track.
more great logic. does that mean you are going to sell your car and buy a rotary pickup, how about a cosmos? obviously by your logic, engine choice should dictate what vehicle you have to buy.
/QUOTE]
Where the hell do you come up with pickup trucks and luxury touring coupes. The Rx7 and Corvete are similar cars - both light weight, two door sports cars. If the FD were never created, my second choice for an affordable sports car is the Corvette.
Many people buy cars based on the engine in it. Hell I'd love to have a small pickup with a rotary engine but not as a sports car and they are not readily available anymore. When I wanted to buy a comfortable touring coupe, the S65 helped the case for an M3.
My logic is I don't care to see the FD, a rare piece of automotive history with limited production numbers, stripped of the very thing that makes it a rare part of history. A 3-rotor swap maintains the thing that makes it rare - a rotary engine. If there were 200,000 FD's running around, I'd be less passionate about it.
If you're happy with your LS-RX, good for you. I have no ill will or question your logic. Whenver these debates start, the V8 guys get bent out of shape when many here don't praise and fuly accept it. I would not expect much love on the Corvette or Ford forums if I put a rotary in a Vette or a Mustang.
Jack
XLR8 - sorry we've taken your thread of track.
11-13-13, 08:28 PM
#778
^ I was just thinking that we totally jacked your thread to talk how about how we want to build your car, lol
with that being said; i'll vote for you doing what you're passionate about. by comparison, i'm passionate about the rotary itself, so I would never swap an LS. the whole engine design, uniqueness, rarity, etc about it just appeals to me.
now i'm also a Chevy guy at heart so I know the LS motor inside and out. it's a reliable as hell motor that's been around forever and damn near perfected.
you've been doing this stuff for a while....you know what you want and what your goals are. we're rotary enthusiasts, who operate on what's the most efficient/effective way to do something (most times, lol), apply that philosophy to your current situation.
with that being said; i'll vote for you doing what you're passionate about. by comparison, i'm passionate about the rotary itself, so I would never swap an LS. the whole engine design, uniqueness, rarity, etc about it just appeals to me.
now i'm also a Chevy guy at heart so I know the LS motor inside and out. it's a reliable as hell motor that's been around forever and damn near perfected.
you've been doing this stuff for a while....you know what you want and what your goals are. we're rotary enthusiasts, who operate on what's the most efficient/effective way to do something (most times, lol), apply that philosophy to your current situation.
11-14-13, 03:15 AM
#779
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Just wanted to say loved your rotary build up, but understand it can get tiring working on it. Looking forward to seeing your LS build up, I'm sure it's going to be top notch. Regardless of what engine is in it, what really matters is pleasing yourself and not the crowd.
11-14-13, 10:01 PM
#780
Choices
Well folks, I have thought about this long and hard. I definitely do not take this decision lightly. Honestly, I am surprised that I even considered putting a V8 in my beloved FD.
After tossing it around for a few weeks, and weighing the pro's and cons over and over again; it really came to me while discussing it with a friend. He knows me very well and asked how I could turn my back on the rotary. As some of you know, and as he eluded, I have a few tattoo's that are rotary powered in nature. I explained with this...
"I have owned 9 Rx7's in my life. I got this tattoo 15 years ago. I was 18 years old and beating the **** out of NA 1st Gen's on the back roads of WV. It was pretty much the beginning of my passion for cars, Rx7's and rotaries. I never had a single engine problem. Sure I would have an ignitor go bad, from time to time, but I never lost an engine. Fun, care free, rock solid reliability in a mid 80's sports car."
In saying this I really realized something I already knew, and quite possibly what most of us know. Rotaries aren't reliable making big power. To say that rotaries aren't reliable is just silly. Many Rx7, and even FD owners have had their original engines over 100k. But I would venture to say not many have done so making 500whp. 1.3 liters of a very awesome design, but I can't pretend it will be as reliable as I would want it at the power levels that I now desire.
I have decided to switch to an LS engine. As many of you know me, you know it will be a well sorted swap. I have some cool stuff planned and it will definitely be on the level. There are many ups and downs, chills and thrills of discussing the choice of going with an LS. For me, the answer is simple... At this point in my life, the LS is the right choice for good reliable power. That's really all there is to it.
I want to thank all the people that have helped me with the HUGE amount of helpful information. This forum is so awesome, and because of you all, my knowledge has grown exponentially.
I also REALLY want to thank Turblown, and Rotary Extreme for providing great parts, amazing service, and a good price. Elliot and Ben were extremely helpful and courteous.
I will ALWAYS be an active member on this forum. I love helping others and giving back to the community in every way I can. I have said it many times, anyone can PM me any time with a question, and I will do my best to give good, valid knowledge.
Though the FD is going to the dark side, I have been promising my wife a MG sports car for a few years, and it will likely get an Adaptronic powered S5 NA engine.
I still love those triangles...
Thanks guys!!
Well folks, I have thought about this long and hard. I definitely do not take this decision lightly. Honestly, I am surprised that I even considered putting a V8 in my beloved FD.
After tossing it around for a few weeks, and weighing the pro's and cons over and over again; it really came to me while discussing it with a friend. He knows me very well and asked how I could turn my back on the rotary. As some of you know, and as he eluded, I have a few tattoo's that are rotary powered in nature. I explained with this...
"I have owned 9 Rx7's in my life. I got this tattoo 15 years ago. I was 18 years old and beating the **** out of NA 1st Gen's on the back roads of WV. It was pretty much the beginning of my passion for cars, Rx7's and rotaries. I never had a single engine problem. Sure I would have an ignitor go bad, from time to time, but I never lost an engine. Fun, care free, rock solid reliability in a mid 80's sports car."
In saying this I really realized something I already knew, and quite possibly what most of us know. Rotaries aren't reliable making big power. To say that rotaries aren't reliable is just silly. Many Rx7, and even FD owners have had their original engines over 100k. But I would venture to say not many have done so making 500whp. 1.3 liters of a very awesome design, but I can't pretend it will be as reliable as I would want it at the power levels that I now desire.
I have decided to switch to an LS engine. As many of you know me, you know it will be a well sorted swap. I have some cool stuff planned and it will definitely be on the level. There are many ups and downs, chills and thrills of discussing the choice of going with an LS. For me, the answer is simple... At this point in my life, the LS is the right choice for good reliable power. That's really all there is to it.
I want to thank all the people that have helped me with the HUGE amount of helpful information. This forum is so awesome, and because of you all, my knowledge has grown exponentially.
I also REALLY want to thank Turblown, and Rotary Extreme for providing great parts, amazing service, and a good price. Elliot and Ben were extremely helpful and courteous.
I will ALWAYS be an active member on this forum. I love helping others and giving back to the community in every way I can. I have said it many times, anyone can PM me any time with a question, and I will do my best to give good, valid knowledge.
Though the FD is going to the dark side, I have been promising my wife a MG sports car for a few years, and it will likely get an Adaptronic powered S5 NA engine.
I still love those triangles...
Thanks guys!!
11-14-13, 10:37 PM
#781
Everyone grab their pitchforks!!
In all seriousness , every point you made is valid. Although it can be done, as has been shown by Rich and many others, I don't think anyone can deny that a 13b just isn't the best choice for huge power. You're running in the edge and any small hiccough in the system can lead to failure.
Not trying to influence your decision , but I'll throw in my $.02 anyway. As cliche as it sounds, I feel the fd is a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. IMO it doesn't need 500+rwhp to be fun, but I realize my goals and wants/needs are not the same as everyone's, obviously yours included. I myself at one time was heavily debating an LS swap, even had the mount kit and everything in my possession and was sourcing engines. After some heavy thought though I realized that even though the car would be objectively better in almost every category, it most likely would not be special to me anymore. It would probably just then be a fun toy id play with for a while, and then sell once the novelty wore off and I'd move on to something else. I fell in love with the fd because of the character it has and the feeling it gave me driving it, which the engine is a huge part of. I'm not knocking anyway who chooses to do one, as I completely get it and I'm actually a big fan.. I just realized it wasn't for me. Sports cars in general are more of an emotional decision than anything else, and for me a rotary in an fd just feels right and puts a smile on my face, with its flaws and all. I just felt that at least for myself, a year or so down the road when I walked to my fd in the garage that it just wouldn't be the same anymore with the v8 power as it felt cranking up the rotary. But hey, at least you'd be sure it starts and doesn't spew white smoke
. If you're more of a practical guy and all you care about is performance/dollar and increased reliability (which who can say that's a bad thing), then I guess there are no downsides .. But from an emotional aspect it just would not be the same. Whatever you decide I'm sure it'll turn out great and I look forward to seeing the progress.
In all seriousness , every point you made is valid. Although it can be done, as has been shown by Rich and many others, I don't think anyone can deny that a 13b just isn't the best choice for huge power. You're running in the edge and any small hiccough in the system can lead to failure.
Not trying to influence your decision , but I'll throw in my $.02 anyway. As cliche as it sounds, I feel the fd is a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. IMO it doesn't need 500+rwhp to be fun, but I realize my goals and wants/needs are not the same as everyone's, obviously yours included. I myself at one time was heavily debating an LS swap, even had the mount kit and everything in my possession and was sourcing engines. After some heavy thought though I realized that even though the car would be objectively better in almost every category, it most likely would not be special to me anymore. It would probably just then be a fun toy id play with for a while, and then sell once the novelty wore off and I'd move on to something else. I fell in love with the fd because of the character it has and the feeling it gave me driving it, which the engine is a huge part of. I'm not knocking anyway who chooses to do one, as I completely get it and I'm actually a big fan.. I just realized it wasn't for me. Sports cars in general are more of an emotional decision than anything else, and for me a rotary in an fd just feels right and puts a smile on my face, with its flaws and all. I just felt that at least for myself, a year or so down the road when I walked to my fd in the garage that it just wouldn't be the same anymore with the v8 power as it felt cranking up the rotary. But hey, at least you'd be sure it starts and doesn't spew white smoke
. If you're more of a practical guy and all you care about is performance/dollar and increased reliability (which who can say that's a bad thing), then I guess there are no downsides .. But from an emotional aspect it just would not be the same. Whatever you decide I'm sure it'll turn out great and I look forward to seeing the progress.
11-15-13, 10:09 AM
#785
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Wooh you'll love the LS in it and I'm sure based of the level of work you've put into the car it will be nothing but spectacular when finished.
Also lol at all this soul crap.
Also lol at all this soul crap.
11-15-13, 12:40 PM
#789
Everyone grab their pitchforks!!
In all seriousness , every point you made is valid. Although it can be done, as has been shown by Rich and many others, I don't think anyone can deny that a 13b just isn't the best choice for huge power. You're running in the edge and any small hiccough in the system can lead to failure.
Not trying to influence your decision , but I'll throw in my $.02 anyway. As cliche as it sounds, I feel the fd is a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. IMO it doesn't need 500+rwhp to be fun, but I realize my goals and wants/needs are not the same as everyone's, obviously yours included. I myself at one time was heavily debating an LS swap, even had the mount kit and everything in my possession and was sourcing engines. After some heavy thought though I realized that even though the car would be objectively better in almost every category, it most likely would not be special to me anymore. It would probably just then be a fun toy id play with for a while, and then sell once the novelty wore off and I'd move on to something else. I fell in love with the fd because of the character it has and the feeling it gave me driving it, which the engine is a huge part of. I'm not knocking anyway who chooses to do one, as I completely get it and I'm actually a big fan.. I just realized it wasn't for me. Sports cars in general are more of an emotional decision than anything else, and for me a rotary in an fd just feels right and puts a smile on my face, with its flaws and all. I just felt that at least for myself, a year or so down the road when I walked to my fd in the garage that it just wouldn't be the same anymore with the v8 power as it felt cranking up the rotary. But hey, at least you'd be sure it starts and doesn't spew white smoke. If you're more of a practical guy and all you care about is performance/dollar and increased reliability (which who can say that's a bad thing), then I guess there are no downsides .. But from an emotional aspect it just would not be the same. Whatever you decide I'm sure it'll turn out great and I look forward to seeing the progress.
In all seriousness , every point you made is valid. Although it can be done, as has been shown by Rich and many others, I don't think anyone can deny that a 13b just isn't the best choice for huge power. You're running in the edge and any small hiccough in the system can lead to failure.
Not trying to influence your decision , but I'll throw in my $.02 anyway. As cliche as it sounds, I feel the fd is a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. IMO it doesn't need 500+rwhp to be fun, but I realize my goals and wants/needs are not the same as everyone's, obviously yours included. I myself at one time was heavily debating an LS swap, even had the mount kit and everything in my possession and was sourcing engines. After some heavy thought though I realized that even though the car would be objectively better in almost every category, it most likely would not be special to me anymore. It would probably just then be a fun toy id play with for a while, and then sell once the novelty wore off and I'd move on to something else. I fell in love with the fd because of the character it has and the feeling it gave me driving it, which the engine is a huge part of. I'm not knocking anyway who chooses to do one, as I completely get it and I'm actually a big fan.. I just realized it wasn't for me. Sports cars in general are more of an emotional decision than anything else, and for me a rotary in an fd just feels right and puts a smile on my face, with its flaws and all. I just felt that at least for myself, a year or so down the road when I walked to my fd in the garage that it just wouldn't be the same anymore with the v8 power as it felt cranking up the rotary. But hey, at least you'd be sure it starts and doesn't spew white smoke
. If you're more of a practical guy and all you care about is performance/dollar and increased reliability (which who can say that's a bad thing), then I guess there are no downsides .. But from an emotional aspect it just would not be the same. Whatever you decide I'm sure it'll turn out great and I look forward to seeing the progress.While i don't fully comprehend the emotional tie to the rotary, i acknowledge it is there. If that is the reason for some to keep the rotary, i am all for it. You'll never see me criticize someone who wants to keep their rotary for those reasons.
I get frustrated when the pro-rotary people scoff at us ls-powered FD's like we murdered a kitten. For some people, the rotary just doesnt work for what we want. Does that mean i shouldnt be allowed to own an FD? I love the body style, i love the size, i love the suspension design, i love the weight distribution, i love the light weight, i love that it is a 2 seat coupe, i love how rare it is, i love how you can fit large tires. Basically, i love pretty much everything about it, except the rotary.
11-15-13, 01:45 PM
#790
Rotary Freak
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that's $2.5k until the next blown motor. he actually wants to enjoy his car rather than having a never ending round of fixes and upgrades. good for him.
11-15-13, 01:45 PM
#791
RX 4BPT
Join Date: Feb 2011
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Got a good name for your new project EffDeviate (FDV8 get it)? Looking forward too the ongoing build with the LS swap.
Please put a power adder ont it... Preferably nitrous😏😧
Please put a power adder ont it... Preferably nitrous😏😧
11-15-13, 03:14 PM
#793
After some heavy thought though I realized that even though the car would be objectively better in almost every category, it most likely would not be special to me anymore. It would probably just then be a fun toy id play with for a while, and then sell once the novelty wore off and I'd move on to something else.
XL8R,
Hey man it’s your car do what pleases you
. I'm sure your build will be nothing short of amazing. I must say though I do lose interest the minute I find out a certain car has a V8 instead of a rotary. Don’t know why either as I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe I drank the kool-aid and didn’t even notice lol 
11-15-13, 04:13 PM
#794
Thanks for the input and comments guys. The replies went just about how I imagined. Some concur, some do not, and some are indifferent. Just know that I didn't take this decision lightly. I discussed it with my wife a lot and I feel it is the best choice. She will be retiring from the AF soon, and I will be following eventually. We both agreed that we need something a little more stable under the hood, that would still wet my apatite. As far as getting boring or selling? I just don't see it happening. In fact, I will be more inclined to take trips, and enjoy it.
I will have a pretty big For Sale thread once I get to MS. I will post here when I get it together. As of now, my vmount, turbo kit, water injection and exhaust are being sold to a good friend of mine, so they won't be on the list. However, pretty much everything else will be. From ceramichromed manifolds to dual oil coolers.... Everything
I saw my thread title got changed. I don't really mind because it reflects the future. However, I don't want it to turn people off from my thread as I do feel it has a good bit of info to help others. Either way, Mods can do as they wish. You guys have always been cool and I respect your judgement. Maybe we can change it once I find out what particular LS engine is actually going in...
As far as the LS build engine selection, I am on the fence. I've been looking at an LS3 crate engine for an easy swap. No it will not get boost, nitrous or any other power adder. I want strong, reliable NA power and mid/high 400's is very achievable without sacrificing a drop of reliability or driveability. I have also been looking at building a stroker motor and go for the throat but there is a substantial amount of initial cost involved. Also, I would be building my first engine so there is a lot to learn if I chose that route. I have also looked at an LS7 crate engine, but they are functionally a bit more than what I need. Perfect for power, but the dry sump and overall factory cost is up there. They sure are nasty though.
The overall fit and finish of the new setup will reflect my current. The wire tuck will continue of course and, I will carry over the black and polished color scheme.
I will have a pretty big For Sale thread once I get to MS. I will post here when I get it together. As of now, my vmount, turbo kit, water injection and exhaust are being sold to a good friend of mine, so they won't be on the list. However, pretty much everything else will be. From ceramichromed manifolds to dual oil coolers.... Everything
I saw my thread title got changed. I don't really mind because it reflects the future. However, I don't want it to turn people off from my thread as I do feel it has a good bit of info to help others. Either way, Mods can do as they wish. You guys have always been cool and I respect your judgement. Maybe we can change it once I find out what particular LS engine is actually going in...
As far as the LS build engine selection, I am on the fence. I've been looking at an LS3 crate engine for an easy swap. No it will not get boost, nitrous or any other power adder. I want strong, reliable NA power and mid/high 400's is very achievable without sacrificing a drop of reliability or driveability. I have also been looking at building a stroker motor and go for the throat but there is a substantial amount of initial cost involved. Also, I would be building my first engine so there is a lot to learn if I chose that route. I have also looked at an LS7 crate engine, but they are functionally a bit more than what I need. Perfect for power, but the dry sump and overall factory cost is up there. They sure are nasty though.
The overall fit and finish of the new setup will reflect my current. The wire tuck will continue of course and, I will carry over the black and polished color scheme.
11-15-13, 05:18 PM
#796
Thanks for the post though. I now you have been around awhile, like me.
11-15-13, 05:23 PM
#797
I'm sure your revamped ride will be super sweet and well done. Nevertheless, it makes me sad.
That's just a video of a bunch of mediocre LSx converted imports all sounding the same and breaking my heart. For some reason it was poignant for me. Especially the one with the blower through the hood....
That's just a video of a bunch of mediocre LSx converted imports all sounding the same and breaking my heart. For some reason it was poignant for me. Especially the one with the blower through the hood....
11-15-13, 08:01 PM
#798
The butthurt is at an all time high. Name one category that's OBJECTIVE, where the rotary is better than the LS. Here are all the ones I could think of right quick where it loses- ease of power (ie LS1's make 500whp all day on pump), power delivery, fuel mileage, RELIABILITY, less complexity required to make power (no need for AI injection etc.) , emissions (if you cared about that sort of thing), etc.
11-15-13, 08:28 PM
#799
Looking forward to see what you gonna do with the LS, I'm a little disappointed but hey it's your car. I'm not a fan of engine swap, not just LS swap in FD but any car and any engine in general. I won't stop following your thread because of it tho, because I know it is going to be a quality build regardless of engine type.
11-15-13, 09:46 PM
#800
The butthurt is at an all time high. Name one category that's OBJECTIVE, where the rotary is better than the LS. Here are all the ones I could think of right quick where it loses- ease of power (ie LS1's make 500whp all day on pump), power delivery, fuel mileage, RELIABILITY, less complexity required to make power (no need for AI injection etc.) , emissions (if you cared about that sort of thing), etc.
i wish i knew how to use a meme generator.
mefarri: exists on rx7club so he can argue the superiority of GM LS engines.
