1985 RX7 GSL BMW V8 Conversion
 

Hello Everyone!
Not sure how many happy responses I will get from posting a V8 conversion in this forum but here goes :lol:.

I have a 1985 RX7 GSL black with a red interior. My goal is to have this whole swap completed in under 3 weeks. Started this project October 19, 2013 so im about 4 days into it as of right now and here is my progress from the start. These are all pics from the day I bought it last week.

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More pics from the first day bringing it home

These pics are a mix of day 2, 3, and 4 in the garage. This is as up to date as it gets right now

Sitting Pretty Beside my '79
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Rotary coming out with the bmw engine and trans sitting in the background
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Trading Places
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v8 from a 5 series? that thing is huge compared to the tiny 12a.

Looks like a nice car there. Interesting swap too! Look forward to seeing more of this :)

V8 is a from a 7 series with a clutchless 5 speed behind it :) plenty of power and its going in N/A for now

Day 5 of the project. More pics coming right up...A picture of the original subframe I modified to delete the steering box and mount in a steering rack. Also check out the big sway bar I modified from the BMW to fit this car

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The first engine/subframe test fit. Came out almost perfect without having the modify the hood. I measured everything before welding to make the engine sit as low in the subframe as necessary and there is about 1/4" of space between the idle otor and the hood when its closed haha
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Engine and transmission is in and hood is shut haha
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My handy engine transmission and subframe cradle made out of an old engine stand and some wood
http://www.getawaycarz.com/pictures/gsl/036.JPG

Made my own transmission crossmember and body mounts directly on the frame
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HUUUUUUUGE transmission pan!
http://www.getawaycarz.com/pictures/gsl/038.JPG

Where did you get the new rack ?

We modify a Toyota power steering rack, then modify the original subframe for the mounts. In the last pic above you can see it in front of the transmission pan. You can also see the steering stabilizer we use. A problem with our last FB build was it followed road imperfections easily and the car felt unstable over 100MPH..Problem solved.

Excellent work! !

Wow crazy interesting........

How much does that engine/trans weigh? it looks absolutely enormous

Nice work.. Bavarian Iron..

Whats the added weight?

The last swap we did was on a 79 RX7 with a similar engine and tranny, the front end was still about at stock ride height after the conversion. Leads me to believe an all aluminum/alusil V8 block is the same or very close in weight to the iron 12a. The other car handled nicely and was light on its feet, so it didn't push through turns like a freight train.

Im curious , how much power do you think it makes ? We have one at work just sitting there . That would be a blast with power steering and auto . Nice work by the way .

I think that v8 is around 450lbs where as the 12a is around 350lbs?

Who knows. after everything is in for the V8 I'll weigh the whole car and compare it to someone who has weighed the same car with the 12a rotary. This car has power windows and AC so I cant compare it to one that doesn't...Should have made a before and after weight comparison. :(

Bmw
 

I've never been much of a bimmer fan but that is pretty cool. Nice fab skills.

Makes about 320 to the wheels after its tuned. makes it move quite nicely in the last build

How. Crazy build and Im impressed with the amount of work put in in such short time. (day wise, not hourly)

Sweet! I like it. Not much of a fan of V8 swaps with typical Chevys and Fords....this one is cool!!!!

That's super gnarly! Good luck with the swap, looking forward to seeing this completed

nice work