how hard is it to put a ls1 in my rx7
12-07-11, 03:29 PM
#51
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just my 2cents.... i have a friend who dropped a ls2 from a 05 C5 corvette and a pontiac GTO 6spd tranny into his FD3 , i remember the motor, tranny, wire harness and ecu etc costed him around $8k including shipping from PA to CA. I helped him pick it up at the truck company. Most LT and LS V8 engines at junk yards go for around $2k-$5k depending what year and model etc. IMO, when i drove his car, it felt better then sex. 
he also had a build thread at nopiston.com or something like that. i did his wide body and paint etc. was a blue FD, his name on those forums was like "marcus" something.
he also had a build thread at nopiston.com or something like that. i did his wide body and paint etc. was a blue FD, his name on those forums was like "marcus" something.
12-11-11, 02:12 PM
#53
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The install is easy, bolt in the subframe, bolt in the engine. It's about as hard as installing any other engine.
I used the truck wiring harness and modified it, I ended up removing like 7lbs of crap that isn't needed. I had the engine running with 3 wires, constant +12v, switched +12v, and fuel pump, I added a few more to make the gauges work. Overall the wiring is pretty easy but kinda time consuming.
I used the truck wiring harness and modified it, I ended up removing like 7lbs of crap that isn't needed. I had the engine running with 3 wires, constant +12v, switched +12v, and fuel pump, I added a few more to make the gauges work. Overall the wiring is pretty easy but kinda time consuming.
01-23-12, 10:08 PM
#56
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It can vary greatly depending on what your capabilities are also what you're looking to get out of it. You can get a LM7 (5.3L truck motor) used from anywhere between $300-500 or you could get a crate LS7 for $12,000.
01-28-12, 01:35 PM
#59
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Sacrilege....
I wouldn't do it. Get an American car if you want American muscle. If Rotary isn't good enough, then maybe you shouldn't be using a car it was made to work perfectly in.
I know "To each there own", but c'mon.... It's already been done now, it's not he "new" thing anymore so I would stop romanticizing about it. I feel a true enthusiast who is passionate about the RX-7 would try and give it a good name. Not swap the engine because it isn't good enough. Good luck with your build as long as it's rotary.
-Zeki
I wouldn't do it. Get an American car if you want American muscle. If Rotary isn't good enough, then maybe you shouldn't be using a car it was made to work perfectly in.
I know "To each there own", but c'mon.... It's already been done now, it's not he "new" thing anymore so I would stop romanticizing about it. I feel a true enthusiast who is passionate about the RX-7 would try and give it a good name. Not swap the engine because it isn't good enough. Good luck with your build as long as it's rotary.
-Zeki
02-01-12, 02:38 PM
#60
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Regarding cost - a good drive train is going to cost good money. If you're going with an LS based engine and the stock differential ratio, then you probably need the T56 6 speed transmission. The engine/trans combo usually go for $3500 and up. Most of the cars with LS1's for under $7K-8K are projects waiting to be finished. Most people spend more than $5K for the conversion, not including the car. Obviously, some people prefer rotary, some V8. I think you can build rotary cheaper than Ls1, but more people can maintain the V8. If you want cheap V8, Ford is another option.
02-01-12, 05:47 PM
#61
Its really not that hard at all, I was going to do that swap on my FC S4 TII but i decided to go with the Ford 2.3L turbo swap to keep the weight distribution even and total weight down. The hardest part is getting all of the LS1 parts w/o spending 10 grand. But heres the place where i bought all of my swap mounts and cross members http://www.grannysspeedshop.com/ , they also have complete wiring schematics on the site as well.
02-02-12, 10:37 AM
#62
02-02-12, 10:40 AM
#63
compared to?
if you say a honda i'm putting your ignorant *** on ignore.
yes, not greatly impressive but also not as bad as the people who complain about getting 14-16mpg from stock 7's with less than 200 brake horsepower(obviously having issues). or all that far off from new V8 powered cars getting max 30mpg at the same horsepower level.
so do us all a favor and put your ego in check.
if you say a honda i'm putting your ignorant *** on ignore.
yes, not greatly impressive but also not as bad as the people who complain about getting 14-16mpg from stock 7's with less than 200 brake horsepower(obviously having issues). or all that far off from new V8 powered cars getting max 30mpg at the same horsepower level.
so do us all a favor and put your ego in check.
Last edited by RotaryEvolution; 02-02-12 at 10:42 AM.
02-03-12, 09:12 AM
#66
the install is easy, bolt in the subframe, bolt in the engine. It's about as hard as installing any other engine.
i used the truck wiring harness and modified it, i ended up removing like 7lbs of crap that isn't needed. I had the engine running with 3 wires, constant +12v, switched +12v, and fuel pump, i added a few more to make the gauges work. Overall the wiring is pretty easy but kinda time consuming.
i used the truck wiring harness and modified it, i ended up removing like 7lbs of crap that isn't needed. I had the engine running with 3 wires, constant +12v, switched +12v, and fuel pump, i added a few more to make the gauges work. Overall the wiring is pretty easy but kinda time consuming.
02-06-12, 04:58 PM
#69
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Its a project im seroiusly considering. I just need to get the cash from my wife, which is like sticking up a Brinks truck. Anyways, You need about 5-7k. Go with the Fbody camaro 99-02 because the engine and tranny fits in the rx7 like the OJ glove.. For a good investment, either an 01-02 ls1 engine because it already has an ls6 intake. The GTO and corvette engines fit but the tranny does not line up so perfect and you will have to change where the alternator is monunted. The Granny kit will run you $400 for the basic kit and then you need a c4 corvett drive shaft that you can find for about $100 and a JTR radiator cooling system and coil overs. But its really worth it. Horsepower to weight ratio is INSANE!!!Throw a cam and horsepower increases to 400!
02-07-12, 06:49 PM
#70
I agree that does sound tempting but I i would rather not make the front end so heavy throwing off the weight distribution too much can end up making the car handle terrible, with the 2.3L Turbo i was able to actually lose 55lbs and the engine sits 1" behind the rack which in turn is going to make the car handle amazing Im also going to be putting down around 370-415 hp and around 440tq but the engine and turbo setup is far from stock but should be able to be daily driven
but the engine and turbo setup is far from stock but should be able to be daily driven Its a project im seroiusly considering. I just need to get the cash from my wife, which is like sticking up a Brinks truck. Anyways, You need about 5-7k. Go with the Fbody camaro 99-02 because the engine and tranny fits in the rx7 like the OJ glove.. For a good investment, either an 01-02 ls1 engine because it already has an ls6 intake. The GTO and corvette engines fit but the tranny does not line up so perfect and you will have to change where the alternator is monunted. The Granny kit will run you $400 for the basic kit and then you need a c4 corvett drive shaft that you can find for about $100 and a JTR radiator cooling system and coil overs. But its really worth it. Horsepower to weight ratio is INSANE!!!Throw a cam and horsepower increases to 400!
02-08-12, 09:29 PM
#71
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Its a project im seroiusly considering. I just need to get the cash from my wife, which is like sticking up a Brinks truck. Anyways, You need about 5-7k. Go with the Fbody camaro 99-02 because the engine and tranny fits in the rx7 like the OJ glove.. For a good investment, either an 01-02 ls1 engine because it already has an ls6 intake. The GTO and corvette engines fit but the tranny does not line up so perfect and you will have to change where the alternator is monunted. The Granny kit will run you $400 for the basic kit and then you need a c4 corvett drive shaft that you can find for about $100 and a JTR radiator cooling system and coil overs. But its really worth it. Horsepower to weight ratio is INSANE!!!Throw a cam and horsepower increases to 400!
02-10-12, 10:26 AM
#75