1988 RX7 Convertible - Engine Transplant
 

Hi all, Kevin here.
I've been looking for a convertible to transplant a Taurus SHO engine into.
Just last week I decided on an RX7 and purchased one locally.
I'm still learning about them as this is my first.
I hope to have the transplant done this summer.
I've been viewing the rides on here, very cool.
Here are some pics.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...1-01-19002.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...1-01-19003.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...1-01-20001.jpg
And for those unfamiliar wth the SHO DOHC V6.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...9-06-04008.jpg

Well this post will be going no where.
Thanks for the welcoming.

welcome hope the swap goes well.

what tranny you going to use? never herd of this swap

There are several ways to go.
A Ranger 3.0 5 speed will work.
Or a T5 mated to a rare Aerostar 3.0 bellhousing.
Or a Canfield Industries adapter plate to use any T5 with a 5.0 bellhouse.
I'll be going the last route.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...r/100_3049.jpg

welcome!!! that would be something different.good luck with the swap

OH I SEE. great.. put in some work!!

want to see when done... using one of ur own cars to swap?

Nah, I have engines awaiting.
I plan to do my 1997 Ranger as well.
Oddly enough, the wheels for my 1968 Cougar XR7 would fit the RX7.
Front 18x8, offset = 1-1/4 (30mm), backspace = 5-3/4, frontspace = 3-1/4.
Front 245/40x18, diameter = 25.7 (25.625), section = 10.0 (9.50), tread = 8.8, weight = 24.8.
Rear 18x9, offset = 1-1/4 (30mm), backspace = 6-1/4, frontspace = 3-3/4
Rear 275/35x18, diameter = 25.7 (25.50), section = 11.0 (10.625), tread = 9.9, weight = 27.2.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...r/100_0560.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...0-05-29001.jpg

i'd like too see pics after the swap also. sounds really cool

Sounds like an interesting project you have going on. Just be prepared to have alot of fabrication work ahead of you.

??

this looks cool. I was researching this, and was thinking about the Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe trans. It's a Mazda trans, and it has the same bellhousing pattern and a hydraulic slave cyl. Not sure about the input shaft tho.

Here's the wheels I'll be using.
2003 Mustang V6, 16x7".
Bought them for another vehicle but never used.
Probably mount 225/50/16's.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...8-12-12003.jpg

I found good buy on a set of Konig Troubles with near new Dunlops.
17x7 with 215/50/17's.
These will be used instead of the Mustang wheels.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...7/100_3707.jpg

The tires are hitting the lower spring mount.
I guess 215/50/17 is too wide.
The rears fit fine.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...7/100_3762.jpg

What made you want to do this swap? I have never heard of this, but I applaud the individuality!

Bump!

Not much new here.
I added the two wire harnesses I found loose in the truck.
Then powered up to see what works and put the top down.
Still working on the electrical schematics.
I scored a wiring manual which is much nicer than the black and white copies I was using.

That's interesting. Should be a challenge.

Unique car
 

Kevin,

I'm new here, but bought a '88 RX 7 convertible a couple moths ago that has a LS Chevy engine, aftermarket parts and Z06 cam. It has a t56 6 speed transmission which is nice sinc emost peopel use the T2 rear end which is geared kind of low, the tall 6th gear helps out with cruising. .I'm still working out the bugs here and there, but it is a lot of fun to drive and surprises people. Your car should be pretty unique, I've heard of a guy that put a SHO engine in a G body Lotus Esprit.

Hi ncaudio.
Sounds like a fun car.
I'll be using the T2 rear also.
There are plenty of cars out there with the swapped SHO engine.
Esprit, Austin Healy, Cobra kit car, street rods...
I plan to swap a SHO engine into my 1997 Ranger too.
But now the RX7 takes priority.

Cool project. Are you going to do some kind of supercharger/turbo setup or keep it N/A?

Normally aspirated.
Supercharger in the future possibly.
The SHO engine has 220hp and 200tq.
It has a flat, wide hp / tq curve and a 7300 rpm redline.
Ford lowered the rpm to protect the accessories.

Hey you look familiar :)

I wish you luck with it. Im selling my turbo sho to fund my ls1 fc project.