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1985 RX7 GSL BMW V8 Conversion

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Old 10-28-13, 09:47 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by chambeers
Makes about 320 to the wheels after its tuned. Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNSjPBf_OJE makes it move quite nicely in the last build
Yeah that looks sweat mines a small block ford was a chevy with a lot of street cred but unfortunately i had to fix alot of hack and when i first got it was intended to be a daily driver but ended up alot faster than i thought . But now looking for something that idles nicer like im sure yours does . Kinda thinking coyote ? But that little budget engine is about 12 years old and keeps ticking! when i do drive it im not very nice lol.
Old 10-28-13, 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Frankenmazda
I've never been much of a bimmer fan but that is pretty cool. Nice fab skills.
Just looking at yours and you have pretty mad skills . Not usually a wide body fan but yours is definitely the exception !
Old 10-28-13, 04:01 PM
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Thank you everyone for all the good comments, its definitely motivation

I got stuck waiting on a shipment of metal so it's been on hold for the weekend but ill post more pics later!
Old 11-25-13, 01:33 PM
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common sense prevails....

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Originally Posted by chambeers
Thank you everyone for all the good comments, its definitely motivation

I got stuck waiting on a shipment of metal so it's been on hold for the weekend but ill post more pics later!
??????????????? going on with this build???
Old 11-26-13, 12:24 PM
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Ok, it's been awhile since I update this haha. Had to pull the car out to finish up some other work. The aluminum came in and we machined it for the subframe spacer and we had to wait on a custom radiator and new front strut/shock inserts.


Exhaust work and steering linkage to the custom steering rack











Pulled the engine back out to do header wrap








Cleaned up the engine bay


Old 11-26-13, 12:27 PM
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New Aluminum Subframe Spacers












Old 11-26-13, 12:46 PM
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Home Made strut compressor haha


Cut and welded bracket on strut to adjust ride height




New big radiator




Had to cut out transmission tunnel for shifter




Big external fuel pump






Old 11-26-13, 12:49 PM
  #33  
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New radiator installed, working on the wiring and had it running in about 2 hours from a jump pack
Old 11-27-13, 12:21 PM
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Looks like alot of work , looking good though . Why are you running a steering shock ?
Old 11-27-13, 11:48 PM
  #35  
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Badass! I really like the uniqueness of your build and the idea of a modern engine swap into a FB.
Old 12-02-13, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 79v8fb
Looks like alot of work , looking good though . Why are you running a steering shock ?
Thank you!! I put in the steering shock because every first gen I have ever driven follows imperfections in the road. That gets rid of bump steer and helps make it feel more stable above 100mph
Old 12-04-13, 06:14 PM
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Just got the driveshaft done and now the transmission is connected to the rear wheels!! No transmission control module yet so we only have reverse and 4th gear. Here's a little video of the car starting and driving on the lift.


Last edited by chambeers; 12-04-13 at 06:17 PM.
Old 12-09-13, 12:45 PM
  #38  
clutchless manuals
 
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Dave drove his BMW V8 powered RX7 around the block today for the first time and came back with a childish grin on his face Have to do a few jobs while some more parts are on order for the transmission control as it only has 4th and reverse without the finished electronics. Will soon have a few sloppy GoPro videos to show lol
Old 12-09-13, 01:16 PM
  #39  
is tempted

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How Many hours and how much money do you have into this swap
Old 12-10-13, 09:52 PM
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Roughly 80 hours so far and should only need 4 to 6 more for it to have all its gears and whipping around town. The urethane bushings were ordered for the entire rear of the vehicle and I'm sure Dave will have feedback soon on what he wants to do with the ride after that. An alignment and tires are in order also. Money... so far roughly $4000 which includes drivetrain, new technology electronics, front end and suspension, radiator, fuel pump, plumbing, normal supplies and $4800 labor.
Old 12-17-13, 07:25 AM
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Love creative swaps! Nice work!
Old 12-17-13, 08:49 AM
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NY F* In Awesome

I'm on Long Island in Suffolk County- would love to see that in person one day.
Old 12-18-13, 01:58 AM
  #43  
No, it is not stock!

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"Badass! I really like the uniqueness of your build and the idea of a modern engine swap into a FB. "

I did a Ford 302 swap into a 1984 GSL, drove it for 9 years, sold it two years ago. I suspect the BMW will have similar weight, although it is much bulkier. My GSL weighed 2400 pounds stock and 2550 with the V8, but that included a very heavy AOD transmission. Of course I had aluminum heads,intake, radiator. Gas mileage about the same as the rotary.

Last year I took an identical 1984 GSL and installed a Skyline straight six turbo motor. This car weighs 2500 pounds with the Skyline manual 5 speed. It seems to get about 27-28 miles per gallon all around, not quite as fast as the V8, but very quiet and smooth. The build is detailed starting with post number 6 on this thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/nw-rx-7-foru...roject-982785/

We have a couple of BMW motors here including a V8, but the Skyline front clip was too good a deal to pass up. The engineering on your swap looks like it is well thought out.
Old 01-06-14, 01:30 PM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by MYWAYNY
I'm on Long Island in Suffolk County- would love to see that in person one day.
I'm in Suffolk also, maybe if you are available sometime I can ask the owner if he can take you for a ride. I don't think it would be a problem.
Old 01-18-14, 01:24 AM
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Cool something unique!! Nice man! Sounds good too! Always been a fan of bmw's especially e46 m3's and the e92 m3's.
Old 01-25-14, 06:21 PM
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The car has been on the road for awhile but as soon as the snow clears I will have some more videos up for everyone
Old 01-26-14, 08:18 PM
  #47  
FB=OS Giken LSD

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Awesome, sounds sick!
Old 02-01-14, 12:18 AM
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Very cool build. I have a couple questions if you don't mind....

What transmission do you use?
Stock rear end?
Wired through stock ECU/TCM?
Beyond customizing the cradle what other parts had to be changed?
Old 02-01-14, 07:00 PM
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This is the craziest 1st gen swap I have ever seen. I am amazed that thing fit in the bay so easily. Well, you made it look easy anyways.

Looking forward to the videos!
Old 05-03-14, 12:05 PM
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Looking sick as always! Bad news: the guy I sold the RX-5.0 to smacked his garage the first time he moved it. I warned him to watch his ***. I'm going to tell him your user ID, in case he wants to buy one of your lower subframes. Are you selling those things on here, yet? People need them lol!
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