Just curious as to why the inline 6's from Nissan haven't been tried. Are there major weight issues, too long, too tall, gets in the way of the steering, or some other huge negatives to a swap? I know the tranny set-up of the RB26's obviously causes difficulties(duh), but these two smaller 6's are from rwd cars. I'm currently considering options for a swap to something other than a stupid loud NA and I'd like to see possibilities other than the 13bt which seems easiest and quickest. Thanks for any info you guys might be able to spare.

 

length of inline six will be basicly double the 2 rotor engine. I am sure it has been done and surely could be done. Might need a custom hood and some steering rack work, but this comes with the territory. In my limited experience the mazda 2 rotor engine is basicly the length of a medium sized v6. the v8's fit easily with the right oil pan. but with enough work any engine can fit in any car you like.

 

Deckheight is your enemy in that regard.

Also, the fact that its LONG, and it has camgears at the front, AND the hood slopes down, and the steering rack kind of prevents going too low, means you get to put in a buldge or hood scoop!

So, either play with the firewall, or the hood, or the rack, or some mix of them, or just go with something that friggin works, a pushrod v8 that sits a lot lower.

 

It certainly can be done; not sure why you'd do it, unless you already had the engine spare. Also, your definition of a "smaller 6" is pretty far off, the RB25/26 are some of the biggest (externally) 6s there are, unless you're comparing vs. a V motor.

If you want to get near clearing the hood, you're going to have to go way into the firewall or way into the steering geometry.

 

Thanks for the info guys. Out of curiousity, how involved is breaching the firewall? Obviously the dash will have to go, but what type of fabrication is needed? Is there alot of chassis integrity in the firewall area that would have to be re-planned out, cutting out flooring etc.? I'd prefer to do that with any motor other than a 13, to keep the engine completely behind the front wheels. Structural metal work isn't a huge problem for me, but I'd like to get some practice with thinner bodywork types of things.

 

http://www.acostamotorsports.com