Prevent another v8 swap!
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Full Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 130
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From: VA
Prevent another v8 swap!
Hey rx7club,
I am desperate for your help! I need you guys to prevent me from swapping in a 302 I acquired for my rx7 v8 swap. I have a red 85 GSL that's in almost perfect condition. I am looking for more power. I decided to go with a 302 because of cost and low end torque but it's very hard for me to give up the special rotary. It's one of the reasons why I was drawn to the car... So I am thinking about doing a cheap turbo build with the stock nikki carb and a tII manifold/turbo or a custom manifold/cheap turbo. I've turbo'd my vr6 in my VW but that was with EFI which is a lot easier. I will boost prep my carb. I have all the info I need to do it from the guys on here. I am keeping it low boost and already have a wideband installed. I can fabricate a lot of my own things. I just have questions regarding oil supply/return, drawthrough/blowthrough, and with a carb setup do you need a blowoff valve or a dv? Help save this Rx7 from loosing it's soul....
I am desperate for your help! I need you guys to prevent me from swapping in a 302 I acquired for my rx7 v8 swap. I have a red 85 GSL that's in almost perfect condition. I am looking for more power. I decided to go with a 302 because of cost and low end torque but it's very hard for me to give up the special rotary. It's one of the reasons why I was drawn to the car... So I am thinking about doing a cheap turbo build with the stock nikki carb and a tII manifold/turbo or a custom manifold/cheap turbo. I've turbo'd my vr6 in my VW but that was with EFI which is a lot easier. I will boost prep my carb. I have all the info I need to do it from the guys on here. I am keeping it low boost and already have a wideband installed. I can fabricate a lot of my own things. I just have questions regarding oil supply/return, drawthrough/blowthrough, and with a carb setup do you need a blowoff valve or a dv? Help save this Rx7 from loosing it's soul....
I need a new user title
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,646
Likes: 1
From: Yaizu, Japan
Oil supply: tap the oil filter pedestal, or buy a Racing Beat pedestal.
Oil return: tap the front cover.
Draw-through/blow-through: blow-through.
Blow-off valve: theoretically it's a good idea, since without one you'll have worse fuel pressure spikes, but I've disabled mine out of curiosity and noticed no difference.
Oil return: tap the front cover.
Draw-through/blow-through: blow-through.
Blow-off valve: theoretically it's a good idea, since without one you'll have worse fuel pressure spikes, but I've disabled mine out of curiosity and noticed no difference.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,376
Likes: 28
From: Chino Hills, CA
That doesn't seem right...
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How frowned upon is the swap anyway??? I have an 83 LE that was my donor for another project and I recently acquired a Mountaineer with a 5.0. I am thinking the same as you Percent... I too am having a hard time as I love the sound of a healthy 12a. After visiting grannysspeed its hard to argue with the value as the kit is pretty cheap.
seriously stick with the rotary, a v8 will never provide the fun a rotary can, i am rebuilding my 12a now with a bridgy, n/a later in time boost it, and since your thinking of going boos and you can fabricate alot of it, do the boost, they are funner than v8's. (everything i wrote is personal preference and opinion, dont want to start a v8 vs rotary argument)
Did the rotary thing, love the lines of the FD but wanted to give a swapped one a chance. Still love rotaries but for now, V8 is for me. Try to get a mustang/camaro/vette down to <2800 lbs.
seriously stick with the rotary, a v8 will never provide the fun a rotary can, i am rebuilding my 12a now with a bridgy, n/a later in time boost it, and since your thinking of going boos and you can fabricate alot of it, do the boost, they are funner than v8's. (everything i wrote is personal preference and opinion, dont want to start a v8 vs rotary argument)
If you still have feelings for keeping a rotary, I think you should seriously keep it. Can be just as fast if not faster than most V8's. I'm a fan of all cars so like every question or debate..your money, your car, do what makes ya happy.
In the end do what you want. Cars don't have souls, they have engines. If you have your heart set on the rotary, just build one and don't look back. They can be great little engines. If your not sure...go V8 you won't regret it.
BTW there is a reason people don't swap their Mustangs V8 for a rotary. Just sayin'.
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,376
Likes: 28
From: Chino Hills, CA
as for the topic a 302 in a first gen would be wicked fast and cost effective for the power gained. the ford 302 is fairly light for a v8 so you wont be screwing up weight and such too badly. sure, its soul is gone, but there are some wicked beasts without souls. and gingers.
anyway, its your car. but id do the swap if you already have the engine
You might guess from my user name that I am a Mustang guy and V8 fan. You would be correct on both counts.
Several years ago I looked into doing a 302 swap into a really nice FB I picked for use as a spare chassis to support my racing habbit. The engine swap it self is straight forward but what gave me pause were everything else that I feel needs to be addressed. Brakes, steering, spindles, tire/wheels, and traction become issue with a V8 in my opinion because I would want this car to perform on the track as well as the street. There are ways to solve these problems but the work and cost soured me on the deal.
So....I bought an 85GT Mustang.
I still have my RX7 racecar for track use. Even with stock ports, brakes and carb I could turn faster laps than most any street mustang/camaro/vette. In fact it was embarassing.....to them! In the next year my RX7 will have a Street Port 13B and a MUCH better suspension. It will go EVEN faster....Porsche beware!
As far as reliability.....I have owned a Mustang racecar and a Mazda rotary powered racecar. Guess which one was broken more often? Yep....the Mustang!
Several years ago I looked into doing a 302 swap into a really nice FB I picked for use as a spare chassis to support my racing habbit. The engine swap it self is straight forward but what gave me pause were everything else that I feel needs to be addressed. Brakes, steering, spindles, tire/wheels, and traction become issue with a V8 in my opinion because I would want this car to perform on the track as well as the street. There are ways to solve these problems but the work and cost soured me on the deal.
So....I bought an 85GT Mustang.
I still have my RX7 racecar for track use. Even with stock ports, brakes and carb I could turn faster laps than most any street mustang/camaro/vette. In fact it was embarassing.....to them! In the next year my RX7 will have a Street Port 13B and a MUCH better suspension. It will go EVEN faster....Porsche beware!
As far as reliability.....I have owned a Mustang racecar and a Mazda rotary powered racecar. Guess which one was broken more often? Yep....the Mustang!
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: VA
You might guess from my user name that I am a Mustang guy and V8 fan. You would be correct on both counts.
Several years ago I looked into doing a 302 swap into a really nice FB I picked for use as a spare chassis to support my racing habbit. The engine swap it self is straight forward but what gave me pause were everything else that I feel needs to be addressed. Brakes, steering, spindles, tire/wheels, and traction become issue with a V8 in my opinion because I would want this car to perform on the track as well as the street. There are ways to solve these problems but the work and cost soured me on the deal.
So....I bought an 85GT Mustang.
I still have my RX7 racecar for track use. Even with stock ports, brakes and carb I could turn faster laps than most any street mustang/camaro/vette. In fact it was embarassing.....to them! In the next year my RX7 will have a Street Port 13B and a MUCH better suspension. It will go EVEN faster....Porsche beware!
As far as reliability.....I have owned a Mustang racecar and a Mazda rotary powered racecar. Guess which one was broken more often? Yep....the Mustang!
Several years ago I looked into doing a 302 swap into a really nice FB I picked for use as a spare chassis to support my racing habbit. The engine swap it self is straight forward but what gave me pause were everything else that I feel needs to be addressed. Brakes, steering, spindles, tire/wheels, and traction become issue with a V8 in my opinion because I would want this car to perform on the track as well as the street. There are ways to solve these problems but the work and cost soured me on the deal.
So....I bought an 85GT Mustang.
I still have my RX7 racecar for track use. Even with stock ports, brakes and carb I could turn faster laps than most any street mustang/camaro/vette. In fact it was embarassing.....to them! In the next year my RX7 will have a Street Port 13B and a MUCH better suspension. It will go EVEN faster....Porsche beware!
As far as reliability.....I have owned a Mustang racecar and a Mazda rotary powered racecar. Guess which one was broken more often? Yep....the Mustang!
I'm glad you posted that. Thank you. I am not made of money so for me to do things to my car comes last in my life. (thanks to the wife) I feel that if I swap a 302 or any motor in the car without giving attention to my brakes, suspensions and wheels/tires I'd be wasting time and money right now. The car is stock, the suspension and brakes are good for the power it has right now but they are getting towards their end. I will do suspension, brakes, wheels and tires first. Then I'll start shaving weight. If I am still in need for 400+hp then I will consider the swap. I enjoy drifting and love auto crossing. A jump in power is not needed for me right now. I think I was just itching to go fast again.
Thanks rx7club for your help!
carb newb
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Charlottetown,P.E.I
I've considered the v8 swap when I first got my 7. Granted I still haven't even gotten to drive it rotary powered but I've decided the rotary is what gives the car it's charm. It stays for me. But a v8 would probably be a ton of fun as well.
I have both a V8 swapped car and a "built" NA 13b and have had several stock 12A and 13B cars.
The Rotary car you can see the mods in my signature. Its a nice project that I have had for several years. Its on its third motor, second paint job and third suspension set up. It is fun at the autocross but a PITA around town thanks to the clutch and flywheel combo. I also deleted the 5th and 6th actuators which was a mistake. Should be correcting all that soon. The car was honestly more fun with the stock motor, suspension and and RB Exhaust.
The V8 RX-7 is a Lemons/Chumpcar. It is much faster than the rotary. We ran the 24 hour race at PBIR over new years less than one month after buying the swapped car in non running condition. We did not have one mechanical problem aside from going through 11 sets of brake pads. We were also the fastest car on the back straight. We geared out at 130mph about half way down the back straight then let off since the brakes were so weak. The suspension was largely stock aside from used RB springs and unknown condition KYB non adjustables.
We stayed on track for about 18 of the 24 hours. We had a three hour penalty for spinning it and the rest of the time out was for changing pads. The brakes were stock 83 GSL units. We are currently upgrading to an Turbo II front rack and brakes and a mustang rear end so we can get bigger tires under the car.
We put together the car including cage, seat, harness, etc for about the price of the last motor build on my GSL-SE. Granted I used almost all new parts for that build.
I love the rotary but if you are after cheap power do the V8. Its nice having the torque to not care what gear your in. It wont rev out like the rotary but you can spin the tires in the first three gears.
At some point I would like a stock GSL-SE, a turbo II swapped GSL-SE and a 5.0 GSL-SE. They would all be tons of fun just in a different way.
The Rotary car you can see the mods in my signature. Its a nice project that I have had for several years. Its on its third motor, second paint job and third suspension set up. It is fun at the autocross but a PITA around town thanks to the clutch and flywheel combo. I also deleted the 5th and 6th actuators which was a mistake. Should be correcting all that soon. The car was honestly more fun with the stock motor, suspension and and RB Exhaust.
The V8 RX-7 is a Lemons/Chumpcar. It is much faster than the rotary. We ran the 24 hour race at PBIR over new years less than one month after buying the swapped car in non running condition. We did not have one mechanical problem aside from going through 11 sets of brake pads. We were also the fastest car on the back straight. We geared out at 130mph about half way down the back straight then let off since the brakes were so weak. The suspension was largely stock aside from used RB springs and unknown condition KYB non adjustables.
We stayed on track for about 18 of the 24 hours. We had a three hour penalty for spinning it and the rest of the time out was for changing pads. The brakes were stock 83 GSL units. We are currently upgrading to an Turbo II front rack and brakes and a mustang rear end so we can get bigger tires under the car.
We put together the car including cage, seat, harness, etc for about the price of the last motor build on my GSL-SE. Granted I used almost all new parts for that build.
I love the rotary but if you are after cheap power do the V8. Its nice having the torque to not care what gear your in. It wont rev out like the rotary but you can spin the tires in the first three gears.
At some point I would like a stock GSL-SE, a turbo II swapped GSL-SE and a 5.0 GSL-SE. They would all be tons of fun just in a different way.