Im looking for peoples opinions on engine swaps for a 3rd Gen Rx-7. What do you guys think is the best engine to put in.

 

An LS7, failing that an LS1 failing that perhaps a GN Turbo 6 motor?

 

LS7 or 20B

 

^^^ agree with everyone one here...ls1 - ls7 series motors are light and powerfull...and theres aftermarket to get the motor in...and help if you run into a problem

 

Maybe I'm crazy, but going with a small, light, very powerful, amazing volumetric efficiency theme, I'd love to see a Powertek 3.0L V8 in one (the engine Radical built for the SR8). I don't think any have actually been built yet, but it should top 430hp at the flywheel. The 2.6L makes 380hp. It's basically 2 Hiabusa engines put together to make a V8, very cool.

Other than that, LS7, or a 20B if you want to stay rotary.

 

i say a 20b because the car is a rotary you should keep it a rotary

 

Nah! take the R out of RX7

 

The car's not a rotary. Rotaries are engines. The car is an RX-7. Or did I miss something?

 

13b-rew

 

What engine the car from the factory with shouldn't effect what type of engine you choose to replace it with.
If your going to swap it, swap it with the biggest best engine that will fit.
(Hint LSx)

 

LS7 is the ultimate choice but expensive

you can have a decently built 402 stroker LS2 making over 550rwhp for less if not the same price. SLP sells built shortblocks and all you gotta do is find the rest of the parts to go along with it.

an LS1 or LS2 can be built to make great power. so they are great choices.

also, the LQ9 is a great motor... the 6.0 liter truck motor found in the bigger silverados and the escalade. one guy i know swapped this in his truck and for cheap, he has made tons of power and is running very quick times. hasnt been to a real track yet but at this past weekends Thunder in the Burgh, he ran the 330foot in low 5's.. i think 5.1 so thats really moving

 

Whatever you decide keep it domestic and common. You want it reliable ,fun and easy to get parts for...right? Put some "special" engine in there and good luck finding parts in a hurry or for that matter affordable parts. For these reasons I favor the LT-1 there common can be found in junk yards and affordable. The LS-1 is also a great engine a step above the LT-1 but not as cheap and youll never find one in a wrecking yard. As for the newer GM engines they really seem to have only improved but also cost more$$$$$$$$$! Remember your going to need $$$ for the rest of the conversion. RX-7 V8 conversions make for a very fast and reliable car but with any conversion you will get nickle and dimed to death until its done. So if you have 5,000 for a budget I wouldnt spend over 1,000 for the actual engine. You can easily get a nice low mileage LT-1 with transmission harness and ecu for 1,000. Just keep in mind your going to need a custom exhaust,bigger radiator,bigger electric fan,grannys or hinsons subframe$$$$ and other items. Just my opinion,good luck.

 

That's simply not true. Almost all of us that have swapped our drivetrains to LS1 power got their motors from a wrecking yard.

 

Well consider yourself lucky then. I have never seen one in a wrecking yard so I am sticking with what I said earlier.

 

Yeah. me and a couple hundred other engine swappers are lucky.

Just becasue YOU haven't seen it doesn't make you any less wrong.

I got my drivetrain pullout from F-Parts through ebay (http://www.contemporarycorvette.com/)

They are readily available here too.
http://car-part.com/

Any engine from an 98-2002 F-body will suffice.

 

I think what he meant is you will never find a LS1 in a pick n pull style junk yard where you get the whole setup for like $500. With that said I've only seen one LT1 at pick n pull and it wasn't complete and it was a caprice motor.

 

Agreed.

I got mine from Contemporary Corvette as well, and they are a genuine "wrecking yard" just like any of the rest of them. You can get an engine/trans setup there for less than $1k, but not an LS1, simply because the market commands a higher price.

 

Crash, You seem pretty bent on proving me wrong. If I'm wrong so be it...thats part of life. I've been to many jards regular and pick n pull types and never saw a single LS1,I wish I had but I hav'nt. Dosnt mean it dosnt happen just saying its unlikely. I was just suggesting to the thread starter to go with something common so if he needs a coil mounting bracket or whatever he can just go to the yard and grab one rather than ordering one and waiting for it to come in. Im just here for fun and to try and help out the new guys. If you still want to say Im wrong...go right ahead and knock yourself out,Shawn

 

yeah LT1/LS1's would be hard to find in junk yards of multiple vehicle types....

i'm lucky to have a shop/yard near me that collects mostly GM cars, being fbodies and trucks... all of which have good motors.

those little 5.3 motors in those trucks are potent too!

 

It's nothing personal. You stated something erroneous, and it was pointed out to you.

While I can appreciate the need to save a buck, and the convenience of not having to wait a day or two for your part to come in, IMHO that's a poor reason to choose a drivetrain. Just because something is common doesn't mean that the local junker is going to have exactly what you need.

One of the nice things about using an LSx series motor is that they are still in production, and parts are thus readily available, even through your local dealer. Sure the expense is greater, but you pay to play. If you can't afford new parts, you've got no business messing with an FD.


The thread starter asked specifically about 3rd gens. There are more than a few reasons why the LSx series of motors are the flavor of choice if you're considering piston power, even over a good powerplant like an LTx series motor. Not the least of which is the availablity of a conversion kit that works. Throw in power potential, decreased weight, the lack of the troublesome Optispark system, and Erector-set like modularity to the motor and there's no contest. The only downside is cost. And IMHO if you're on a shoestring budget you've got no business messing with an FD.

There's no reason to get butthurt about it. You made an erroneous statement and got refuted. It's not even in doubt.

 

Whatever you choose, keep it a rotary. Never understood the guys who put Vette engines in their cars. If you want a Vette, go buy one. (Not flaming anybody...just venting.)

 

The reasons why have been covered ad naseum. You might try reading a few.


That has to be the most played out cliche against engine swaps.

 

Yeah, i know the reasons why, and yes...i've read a few of them. It just doesn't make sense to me. The RX-7 is a rotary, and it should stay that way. I'm fine with my Corvette engine in my Corvette, there is no reason to make the swap. I said i wasn't flaming anybody for doing it, i was just venting over the idea.

Relax!

 

I love my corvette, and I love the LS1 that powers it. I also love the FD except for one painful thing, and that's the engine that powers it. you have no logical argument about why people should keep the rotary engine over doing an engine swap for their cars. Every argument you put out, can be rebuted with hard facts about why the engine replacing the rotary will be superior.

Great gas mileage? Check. Minimal weight gained? Check. Parts available anywhere? Check. Even your local hole in the wall mechanic can work on it? Check. Smooth powerband? Check. Superior sound? Check. Great reliability? Check.

I'm not seeing any downsides to these swaps other than cost. And after 2-3 rotary rebuilds, I think that would be offset anyway.

 

Well thank god you wandered into the other engine conversions subforum to share that opinion with all of us.

No, the RX-7 is a car. The 13brew that powers it is a rotary.

Except for the resulting smaller, lighter car not burdened with traction control, power seats, etc.

Great. Go vent someplace else. It doesn't serve any constructive purpose here.