RaisPark

I know that one of the factors that identify an RX-7 may be the rotary engine to a lot of people. However, my friend and I are planning on rebuilding a 3rd gen RX7 with a V8 (LS1). A friend recently went off about how a I shouldn't mess with rotary since it is so efficient. He talks like he really knows what is talking about but for all I know he is just talking out of his ***. From what I researched, rx7 bodies are well designed for V8 conversions despite being compact sports cars due to the solid structure of the sides of the chassis and the spacious engine bay for its size. Not to mention it will be easier to tune afterward. My friend who will help me build one from ground up agrees with me and actually dislikes the rotary. I have enough experience nor the engineering know-how on these cars until I begin working on one myself, so any opinions on this?

farberio

iTrader: (7)

The V8 / Rotary argument will never go away and there really is not a 'correct' answer.

Do what makes you happy.

However, research rotaries yourself before making a decision. Your friend, especially if he has never had the car, is talking out his ***. Lounge around the 3rd gen forum to really learn what the 3rd gen is all about, what the real advantages and the weaknesses are of the rotary and come to your own conclusion.

sunburn

+1

as for the swap it is fun -but expensive. I'm in the process of collecting parts for an FC ls1 swap.

MR. RX9

+2

I keep seeing a few LS1 swapped RX's pop up here and there for sale asking 25k+....that considering the guy selling it blew 20k on a swap.

Grappler

iTrader: (6)

Theres a few guys on here with ls1 swaps in there cars and they like it a lot.
Basically around here you have two sides of the coin in this argument

1. Purists - Think that anything besides a rotary is blasphemy
(i.e guys that will swap s4 TII's or s5 TII motors into any RX chassis)

2. Radicals - Think that whatever floats your boat and makes lots of power is worth a shot
(i.e. Think that dropping 20k on a swap is nothing and do anything for more power :P)

But really man its your car and you should do what you want with it. Its not we are driving it. Anyways GL with your swap

autoappearance

I've already ordered parts for my 88 V8 swap from Granny's speed shop, and I have ooked into this pretty good, at most the whole conversion will cost me about 1400.00

Not including what I have into the 350 and trans.

RaisPark

Thanks for the advice and the hospitable welcome, everyone. I'm almost dead-set on getting the LS swap once I have the money together as well as a good supply located. I do find the rotary engines fascinating; yet, I'll be building one up from practically a shell in my garage and the rotary engine seems to be very high-strung in maintenance and lacks the HP potential. I'll also have more options with the v8 to modify it to my personal taste.
However, I'll have to do more thorough research to calculate the differences in the LS engines. I thought that the v8s would make the weight ratio a bit front heavy despite only being a few pounds heavier than the rotary; but I'm hearing that with the conversion, the final product would be closer to a 50:50 distribution. I've never been a purist when it comes to cars anyways. I'll be slowly (I hope successfully) rebuilding one into my very own throughout the next 1-2 years.

By the way, for those of you who have an LS1 swap or seen one; how is the sound on the engine for idle and high rpm under an RX-7 hood? I don't want to be a Sally when it comes to wanting some comfort for my car but the sound of my car when I drive really affects my mood.

Chupacabra

Your car your choice but if you superbee that itll be a rocket

Chupacabra

How much you think my mint 85 GSL-SE 16 000 kms is worth???

farberio

iTrader: (7)

^ You should make your own thread for this question and not treadjack the OP.

Blacklist

there is no replacement for displacement regardless of what dunce you are talking to.

Hello Roto

^^^ this argument never gets old!! but b4 we start ANOTHER civil war thread.. i am not gonna lie.. i am a purist.. rotary engine ftw! but yeah it is your car so dont listen to anyone else cuz either way your stuck driving it!

bigtiger1810

its a fun and fast swap. i enjoy driving mine all the time...

+5

loki993

what exactly does he mean by efficient?? efficient in power production?? yes the rotary is capable of more hp per liter, but thats a wash, there are other things I could say but well leave it at that.
as for other efficiency, ie gas mileage, the ls1 with a t56 would probably beat the rotary hands down, rotarys are thirsty, its just the way it is. an RX with ls1/t56 would probably get better mileage than even a stock rotary powered rx, even modded. the ls1 can make stupid power, easy and cheap. they are very reliable as long as you dont get really crazy, but once youre at that point any motor gets less reliable. id say go for it, but its all up to you.

farberio

iTrader: (7)

You know I just realized about this, you are 100% correct. Only when you apply it to piston engines. Only dunces try to compare apples to oranges.

mazdaspeed82

imho, it depends if this will be a daily driver or just a toy.

if you plan on driving it daily and using it as your main mode of transportation, i would suggest proceeding with the LS1/T56 swap but only if you have the money to do it right. you'll get far better gas mileage.

if you want this car as just a toy, the rotary engine is a lot of fun. if you're not already one, it will turn you into a mechanic, but it's a great engine.

cammeddrz

i am the second one

i myself plan on the v8 swap, in fact i picked up an '88 with a blown motor for just such a purpose, i got sick of getting stomped by imports at drifting with my f-body so i plan on an lt-1 swap (which granny's tells me is only a mere 40lb increase in weight)

jstrunk

iTrader: (10)

Im thinking about doing this same swap, or buying one with an LSx swap in it already.

Good luck to you! personally i think that there are many advantes of having hte LSx in there car.

Its yours and honestly, do whats happy for you!

Personally i think im looking at the car with the LSx because it would be like me, a mixed mutt! since im asian and white and the car would be.... asian and white... it would be perfect!

but in my opinion, i think that reviews from people who have done this will say that it is an absolute blast to drive.... i mean.. vettes and GTO's are fun as hell and sounds mean too! so why cant a lighter more stable and sexier car cant be even more fun!

anyways! good luck!

Blacklist

My friend had a fd with a t78 and like tens of thousands of dollars worth of stuff done at rotary services.

I drove it countless times on race gas and high boost, blew the rear end up in it once even, and raced people with it hundreds of times. It was fast yes and a blast to drive and a terminator on the street.

This car now, with a stock ls6 is not even comparable. The torque and power curve is so barbaric compared to that rotary. Yes they may make massive hp per liter and rev up to the sky, but bottom line, when you feel your guts slam into the seat from nearly 400 ft lbs with like 92 octane and some headers as your mods, it just opens your eyes to the possibilities.

I hated domestics, i drove one of these one time and had my check book out. Dont hate, appreciate.. Drive one and you will see for yourself. Maybe they all suck and mines just fast cause its light? who knows, who cares.. im happy just like you said... whatev ya gotta do to be happy.

NoPistons!

iTrader: (3)

The replacement for displacement is technology.

NoPistons!

iTrader: (3)

double post.

*smacks self*

Eat-Pez

iTrader: (1)

Yup. When you open up an LS motor for the first time and see how it's head and shoulders above the SBC, you'll be amazed at the engineering that went into the design of the motor. Snobs think pushrod engines are dinosaur technology, but when GM is producing V8s that are lighter, smaller, more fuel efficient, and more powerful than any other engine currently being produced, who's really the fool?

DT racer

Was new to Rx7's, now I have two 86 GXL's. My first one is a rotary which is (was) a really amazing car to drive and track and one is a 350 SBC conversion I found for sale when I was looking for a good N/A motor to replace the one that popped in the first car. (eventually I will fix the rotary)

Rotarys are awesome when they run good and I love the sound. Great fun car! Great sports car in every sense. I loved it at the track and just cruising. Its in good shape so I got alot of attention as there not an everyday car people see. And cool body lines. It was quick but not really fast - that made it a really manageable track car for me - and I love buzzing through the gears in it. And the longer I owned it the more I learned about how to keep it running well, they do take alot of care but your smiling when your driving.

The V8 one I bought at a real good deal (instead of a new rotary motor) is an older style SBC built nice. Makes about 320hp now and has 5speed from a camaro with the OD. Its really great for the street, a real fun toy and easy to tune. Its like a muscle car that actually handles! (had a big block chevelle and a GTO - grew up with 60's - 70's muscle cars- they suck at anything curved unless you do lots to em). But it has enough power to break stuff and you have to respect it cause it can bite you (as I'm sure a high power rotary can if the turbo comes on in a corner). Also with the N/A rotary I can focus on driving skills. I think the V8 would be a handful at the track - the suspensions not properly set up for it or the brakes as I would definitely be going faster. Would be much more of a brute coming out of corners.

I really like em both so my plan is to fix the rotary and make it a track/street car and keep the V8 just as a fun toy.

In the end what is most important with either car is to not skimp and do everything right the first time (especially the V8 conversion) or you will learn to hate the car and you wont have any reliability.

Blacklist

I dont really see any astonishing results in the performance department that back that up though. Most road comparisons between rx8's and **** are a joke.