CHEF_EG_1

Ok, after a conversation at the bar last night with zyounker and Kurgan, I've decided to ask what all would be involved in swapping a 20B into a Mazda 929? Granted, the obvious auto-manula swap, but what else? Living in Central IL means we doen't have emissions laws, so that's a bonus. However, would I still be able to register it as a 929, or would it have to be a "component car?"


I found some 929's in town that are for sale for like 4-7K, and even cheaper on ebay. a Cosmo front clip is like 3500 on ebay, so... like 10grand for the project. OBVIOUSLY, it's not that simple, so that's why I'm asking to find out.

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

Weren't some 929s front wheel drive? Well, either way, $10k later, that would be an awesome project! See if you can keep it registered as a 929. It's not like you're trying to install a non Mazda engine in there or anything. It should be pretty easy to keep it registered as a 929 with no emissions checks in your area.

CHEF_EG_1

IIRC, all 929's were RWD. It was one of the only RWD sedans in the US left after the big behemoths like the Impala, Crown Vic, etc.... However, I have been wrong once before .

gamble302

yeah i think they were rwd until the early 90's
what i want to do is a 12a 79-82 626 swap, those are sweeet

buzz

In Jap-land the later model 929 2door (the pop up headlight model) came out with a 12a turbo - it was the Cosmo model. Check Lance Warren's www.3rotor.com as he has done a 3 rotor conversion into his 929 Cosmo.
The earlier model model 929 (the rx4 clone) would be trickier and will need the firewall "relieved" to fit.

Bridgeported

I think a 20B in a 929 would be a nice idea. Some good torque, smooth running, and fast too! Would you have to replace the drivetrain with a TII transmission/rear end? I am not familiar with 929's at all...

turboren

I had thought about doing something similar, but I think you will be on your own for conversion. You're talking about the 92-96 model, right? The earlier ones are easier to do, as mentioned above, because they were available with a rotary, although I'm pretty sure it was a 13BREW. Personally, I think the 92-96's look a LOT better, which is why I was thinking about it.

You might talk to the folks at Corksport. I called them once to ask about modding my (late) 97 Millenia S, and we got to talking about the 20B/929 swap. I don't think they had done one, but I do believe they were looking into it. This was about a year an a half ago.

Ren

SmokingClutch

All 929s have been RWD.

The HC was the first 929 sold in the US, from 1988-1989. It's the boxy model, and in Japan was available with the 13B Turbo II from the FC RX-7, with 180 hp in this state of tune. In the US it was available with a 3.0L SOHC V6 with 150 hp and a 5-speed manual or 4 speed auto, and the 929S had about 200 hp from a DOHC 3.0L V6.

This was replaced by another 929 available only with a 3.0 DOHC V6 with about 200 hp. Still it was RWD, but was put to rest in the US a year after the Millennia was introduced.

Obviously a 13BT in an HC is fairly simple, and I'm pretty sure a 20B can be done more easily than it can in the FC or FD.

CHEF_EG_1

I'm hoping it's a fairly easy and QUICK swap.... seeing as it will likely be my daily driver.....

Vega

Its probably off topic but over the summer when I was on way to a drag event with my cousin with his 12.5 sec. 13b n/a 73 corolla and his friend with a 12.2 sec. 13b turbo 85 rx7 we stoped at a dukin donuts before the event and there was this white stock looking 929 rolling around the lot looking for a space then finally finding one next to my cousins car. At first it sounded like a V6 with a very rotted out exhaust but as the sound kept rolling through my ears It was very apparent as to what it really sounded like and actually was.......a Ford 302 V8. when the guy finally parked and got out of his car my cousins friend looked over and stated to the guy "thats not a stock motor" the guy smiled for a sec and then playfully said "damn those noisy mufflers".

Mld>7

you sould try using a Millenia and make it Rwd
Its basicly a Cosmo for N/A

CHEF_EG_1

A Millenia, while as NICE as they are, and I'd love to have one someday, is UBER-PRICEY.


929's are like 2500 on ebay. with a 20B for around 3500, and another grand in parts, I should be well under 10K, without changing the drivetrain layout. I have yet to see a Millenia for less than 12K.

turboren

Yeah, then you'd still have to spend a LOT in mods to make it RWD.

The Millenia was never set up to be a RWD. Not that I've ever seen a JC in person, but from the pics I have seen, they aren't even close.

However, the Millenia IS set up for 4-wheel steering, and possibly AWD, but neither are available in the US, and I haven't heard of them being available anywhere.

Ren

peejay

Not to be a d!ck but that's like saying you could convert a Ford Probe to RWD and put in a 13B because it looks kinda like an FC.

The Millenia is a stretched 626, IIRC. It was designed to be the 929 replacement in the US. All US model 929's, as SmokingClutch has noted, have been RWD, and are the obvious choice.

I recall seeing somewhere that the JC Cosmo and the "second gen" 929 are the same/similar chassis. Certainly would be a helluva lot easier than trying to convert a FWD car to RWD if you plan on retaining things like the front suspension, dashboard, center console, floor, gas tank, etc!

CHEF_EG_1

I found a 93 (or was it a 94???) 929 for 1800 bucks here, just outside of town.... and the best part.... engine is blown, tranny is toast, and the front fascia needs work. (I was planning on swapping the JC Cosmo front fascia anyways).


There's a JC Cosmo full front clip (with little to no damage on the front of it, with the 20B, stock twins, and basically a complete front clip, with ECU and uncut harness) on ebay for 3100 bucks.


If I can get them to come down on the price of the 929, I may just have my "Project Grocery/*** hauler" underway for less than 6grand.

9ine Deuce

1st post ( I dont have a Mazda)

The 92 came to N/A in 88, it was a box, the engine was a SOHC 3L V6 from the MPV and came in either 5spd or auto, it was rated at 158 HP and 170 lb-ft of torque, this engine was used in all 929 untill 1992, but this was not the engine in the 1990-92 929 S which featured a sport tuned suspension, 15' mesh rims on 60 series tires and a different grill, the engine in this model was a DOHC 3L V6 rated at 190 HP and 191 lb-ft of torque. In 1992/3 it was a make over year and numbers were slightly bumped.

I know all this cause I wanna sell my Infiniti G20 and get a 1989 Mazda 929 5spd thats in immaculate condition

what year of RX 7 engine (FC RX 7 ??) comes with the J spec 929 ? I read that they shared the same trannys ?

turboren

Thjat doesn't seem too likely, since the output shaft is in the center of the engine on a rotary, so the tranny sits higher up than in would in a piston engine car. It also has a different bolt pattern from just about anything else.

Ren