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RX3 ---13bt swap

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Old 08-19-09, 01:47 PM
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RX3 ---13bt swap

how hard would this be, im looking at buying a series 4 or so turboII motor/tranny/ecu and running the stock turbo and IC for a while atleast
i know it will need custom mounts and a new downpipe besides that what am i missing? how much should this cost ballpark?

the 12a runs well but id rather run fuel injection and have some more power, figured might as well go turbo.
at some point i plan on a piggyback/standalone ecu and a bigger turbo, but i need the motor in the car first
Old 08-19-09, 07:44 PM
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where are you in NC??? you have an rx3??? cool!!!
Old 08-19-09, 11:47 PM
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you might need a custom turbo manifold because the stock hits the frame rail.
Old 08-20-09, 05:37 AM
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First of all you need to swap the front timing cover from your 12a over to the 13bt. This way you can mount the turbo block in the bay with the front mount as per.. Are you using your 12a gearbox?? or a turbo one?

Then you will need to re position the turbo with a custom exh manifold
that'll yeep you going for a while....
Old 08-20-09, 10:23 AM
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kiwi from downunder..

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Originally Posted by julzrx808
First of all you need to swap the front timing cover from your 12a over to the 13bt. This way you can mount the turbo block in the bay with the front mount as per.. Are you using your 12a gearbox?? or a turbo one?

Then you will need to re position the turbo with a custom exh manifold
that'll yeep you going for a while....
also a 13b gsle oil pan

iv spent around 4 grand so far and i dontr have a turbo yet lol
i got a bad deal and had to build a new motor with new housings etc

but if you get a good engine i think it could be done for 2500 thats rebuilding the motor and gettin new fuel pump i got a walbro255 and at least 3/8 fuel lines
if you pay some one the cost is cray lol

there is lots of info in the 2nd gen section on the wireing you really just make a harness for the realys but i found the 2nd gen harness way to long for my repu so i went through it and elminated all things not nessacery and took maybe 3feet out.

theres a guy on the forum who makes custom manifolds for older rotarys renne or somthing im having trouble finging his website.


cheers
kiwi
Old 08-20-09, 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by 73rx313b
where are you in NC??? you have an rx3??? cool!!!
in Raleigh, I just got this one and im trying to pickup another soon, just short on cash,

but basically the idea im getting is that it will fit if i have a custom exhaust mani and swap over the timing cover and oil pan and custom mounts

im planning on running the turbo gear box and connecting it to the old rear end, eventually upgrading the diff when i add some real boost

future plans for the build : standalone ECU, FMIC, bigger turbo, diff, and maybe a stronger tranny

does anybody know how a TII tranny sits in an rx3? i know they all bolt up, but the rx8 tranny puts the shifter back further in a 7, ive also hear that supra trannies work well

Last edited by karmasport; 08-20-09 at 03:03 PM.
Old 08-20-09, 04:10 PM
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post pics of the car
Old 08-29-09, 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by karmasport
...

but basically the idea im getting is that it will fit if i have a custom exhaust mani and swap over the timing cover and oil pan and custom mounts

...bigger turbo...
Custom mounts? Maybe, it depends on what you want...
With the 12A front cover or better yet GSL-SE front cover you get to use the stock RX-3 motor mounts and bar. The 13B is just about 3/4" longer so you can drill new mounting points forward 3/4" and your done, kinda. Or you could go the harder way, move the engine back 2.25" and the trans back 3" and use an early RX-7 driveshaft. Of course you can put the engine pretty much anywhere you want if you do a custom driveshaft. One thing to keep in mind is that the motor gets really close to the radiator if you go the easy route and push the motor forward 3/4". Requiring slim electric fan. Will not allow use of RX-7 radiator either.

Custom manifold for a stock turbo seems like a waste of time if you eventually want a big turbo. It would be wise to do the engine swap with the big turbo in hand. There are alot of custom parts that connect to the turbo that you will want to only make once. Save up for a nice turbo and wastegate before you start the project.
Old 09-05-09, 01:50 PM
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get done. put up pics.
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