Mike's_2nd_Gen

Ok, so I am basically looking for some information on something. I have been looking to make my RX-7 into a racer. I have though about drift, drag, or street and Im thinking about making an all out drag car but still have enough handling to drift sometimes. But keep in mind this is gonna be a daily driver as well!!!

But now for the hybrid info. I have been looking for a 13B S5 bare engine. No one around me has one for less then $2000 used and in need of a rebuild. Which is stupid in my opinion, but... Anyway, I dont want to pull my motor and rebuild it only to have it take months on end of me going without my beloved RX. Now I do love the torque band of the rotary and I may end up rebuilding it and putting it in something else. But I was wondering, I know there will be those of you who say its stupid or would cost too much or whatever and I dont want to hear that, could it be possible to swap in and SR20 or RB26 motor into the engine bay on my '89? I know it would take ALOT of fabrication and work once the swap was started, but pound for pound I think either one of those two engines makes a better drag motor. So what do yall think?

WadeMCarter

sr20 is inferior to the 13bt. But anything is possible i guess, just prepare your flame suit. If you are willing to fabricate a lot, as you mentioned in the piston swap idea, swap in a 13b-rew. It has been done before and you will get a lot more help from the fellow members for doing a worthy swap.

classicauto

iTrader: (3)

Sure, do it.

But if you can't find a bare block S5 engine for less than 2K, good luck finding an SR20 ready to swap in for a more affordable price.

And FWIW, drag and drift require hugely different setups. If you want to be even close to proficient in either of them, pick one and build towards it.

WadeMCarter

Coilovers would help in the ease of swapping from drag and drift suspension though, don't you think?

toplessFC3Sman

iTrader: (1)

you could, if you dont mind the time, cost, and the way the RB would throw off the weight distribution. Theres no realistic way to get a nice long iron block I6 to sit behind the front wheel centerline unless you mount it in the passenger seat. Even if you do get it in there, its adding quite a bit of weight overall. Of the two listed, an SR would be the better choice for handling. What engine is in your car right now? Why cant you build that up?

Overall, the RB (and maybe the SR, depending on what you're used to) would make better drag motors, but the RX-7 isnt an ideal drag platform. The wheelbase is on the short side, the polar moment of inertia is low (so if it starts to come around on you, it'll come around quickly), and depending on your hp goals, you may need a new transmission, rear end etc.

Why do you ask what everyone thinks if you dont want to hear whether your idea is stupid? Personally, I think it is, and you would be better suited with a 240sx since the SR bolts in, and im sure that there are kits for the RB's as well, plus they have a larger polar moment of inertia, and a longer wheelbase IIRC. If you're building a drag motor, why not choose a proper car to put it in?

Spectator

iTrader: (1)

Sure, but over-powered cars for drifting is not that practicle though.

WadeMCarter

what do you mean by practical? Every engine so far listed as a swap idea to the OP is currently used in D1. Not in the rx-7 necessarily, like topless said, the weight distribution would be all wrong, but they have also put sr20det's into rx-7s in D1. And I he didn't state how much power he wanted but since it is a drag car, we will assume its a lot. But many drift cars have the power to be decent drag cars, power-wise; its not like the engines in D1 are stock.

BoostinFC

let the RX7 be a rotary-motor monster! If you NEED a nissan motor, swap an SR20 into a 240SX or Z31 or 280SX.

P.S. I didnt mention the RB25 or RB26 because the aftermarket is bit narrower and WAY more expensive. SR20's are growing like a virus over here so parts are getting cheap. You wont find any of these motors for under 2k, except a Red Top SR20 for maybe $2100 w/ tranny. But you'd want a Black Top if you're gonna beat on it, and dont wanna re-build it.

MaczPayne

iTrader: (5)

You think you won't do well in drag with a rotary?

Ask J-Rat.

Mike's_2nd_Gen

Im not saying I wont do well in drag with a rotary. In fact I said I would probably keep the 13B and build it up later and put it in something else.

But fact of the matter is, I was looking for a bare 13B block. I dont want to pull mine, like I said originally, and be out of a car for a few months trying to get it rebuilt and shipped off for porting and all that ****. I want to have a motor in my car so its driveable then have another motor on the side that I am building. And once the build motor is finished, then I will swap them out and only be down about a week or so.

I would love to keep the rotary in my RX-7, but unless I can find a used bare 13B block for me to rebuild (I dont want it prebuilt) for about the same price that I can get a bare SR20 block (which is right about $300 with no internals) then its out of the question for me to keep the rotary. Because I am not buying another car so I can rip apart my RX and I cant seem to find used bare rotary blocks anywhere.

So.....

phoenix7

hahaha. So, you bought an FC and want an extra motor but you're going to build an SR20DE-T??? makes no sense to me. Looks like you either need to keep looking or buy another car.


the SR20 and RB26 better drag motors?? Ask all the guys in Puerto-rico with their 10 and 9 second rotaries. Look up LA ATREVIDA. Go away, SEARCH and put your feet firmly on the ground brother because you're in for a rough ride in this thread.

RB_eater

iTrader: (1)

I don't know what you are imagining but there is no such thing as a rotary "block". It's all housings and irons and you will never find them for 300 or less but you have less parts you need to buy afterward (cams, valves, etc.) so either engines will probably end up costing you the same.

Mike's_2nd_Gen

I know what is involved in rotaries. I know there is no such thing as a rotary block but that is the easiest way I know to explain it. I know that NEW rotor housings will run me about $600 a piece and thats a price I am willing to live with. I planned on buying that anyway. But In that respect I cant find new irons either. So if someone knows a place that sells either new or rebuilt irons then thats what Im looking for. If not then shut the hell up.

Basically this thread was intended on showing my desperation in looking for the main engine parts. But so far no one has been of any help. So much for this being an actual working RX-7 tech forum. So far all I have seen is stupid flaming and no help what so ever!

phoenix7

dood, do you want us to search craigslist for YOU?
how about ebay?
How about the FOR SALE SECTION?
HOW ABOUT PARTSTRADER.COM???
TEAMFC3S.ORG/FORUM HAS A FOR SALE SECTION!!!
The V8 RX7 forum HAS TO HAVE A BUTTLOAD OF ROTARY MOTORS!!!

come on you lazy ***!!!! DO SOMETHING BESIDES BITCH AT US FOR NOT DOING YOU HOMEWORK!

toplessFC3Sman

iTrader: (1)

Well you arent getting much help because your argument doesnt make much sense... you want the car to be down for about a week instead of months... and you think that an SR or RB swap will take less than a week? Do you have 24-7 access to a machine shop and welder? How about knowing some place that will make you a custom driveshaft from the nissan trannies to the RX-7 rear? If you keep the RX7 tranny, you'll need a custom bellhousing, which will be even longer/more expensive than a driveshaft. Im assuming you have an NA, and the torque that you are talking about will blow up an NA rear pretty quickly.

My suggestion would be to look at some of the japanese motor importing places for (generally) good rebuildable cores. You will also get all the manifolds, turbo etc with it, and possibly a transmission too, for $1500 or under. Just be sure to compression check the motor, and as long as an apex seal hasnt gone, (or its been sitting in water or coolant) you should have a good reusable set of housings and irons.

As for the week thing, i've heard of people pulling, rebuilding, and re-installing a motor in that time, if not less, altho they are a bit more familiar with the car and motor than you likely are.

phoenix7

it took me about 1 week to do a TII swap ( working 8-10 hrs. a day with another helper). I couldn't imagine trying to make mounts, wiring, piping, oil, fuel, water lines, then troubleshoot when it doesn't run. NOT IF, WHEN.

Thread regarding swaps like this should be written in this form:

Hi guys,
I have an Sr20DE-T and I just finished rebuilding it and about to put it in my FC. I have THIS mounting and these mounts made but i'm having a problem with the following:

EXPLAIN WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AND WHERE YOU ARE STUCK SO WE CAN FIGURE SOMETHING OUT.


You ask if the swap is possible? YES, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME AND MONEY! You KNOW it will take lots of custom work but that's a general statement. That's like saying I know the sun is hot and as I get closer to it it will be hotter!!

your original post ends with: "what do you all think?"

WE TOLD YOU WHAT WE THOUGHT AND YOU STILL CRY LIKE A WOMAN ON HER PERIOD WITH CRAMPS!


do your research, do your HW and don't ask stupid questions. IF you DO IT and run into a problem then PLEASE do ask, but asking if it's possible is not only stupid but a waste of everyone's time.

Mike's_2nd_Gen

No you acted like an elitist *****! This is supposed to be a full on tech forum for 2nd Gen specific RX's. However, I have made a couple of threads asking about help finding parts with no one ever really helping. I think out of about the 40 people who posted in a thread of mine, only about 2 or 3 have been helpful. So thats saying something about this forum.

Im not asking anyone to do research for me, I could care less if someone wants to take the initiative to do that. Thats their business, not mine. I was simply asking about these things since I thought most of yall have owned RX's for a while and done a substantial amount of work on them. But apparently not. I ask about parts not because I want anyone to tell me the Webster's definition of them and what they do, but merely to find out what dealers are good and reputable with decent parts for fair prices. But again, Im guessing more then half of you are clueless to this as well.

So **** off, Im done. I dont give a flying **** if you think Im whining. Obviously most of you are nothing more then pathetic little kids with nothing better to do then talk **** on an internet forum about how much more superior your car is to everyone else's. I have only seen about two cars built on here that are anything to brag about, and none of yall have them. So, **** you. I'll build this on my own without the help of a bunch of pathetic little elitist bitches, who I thought had worked on cars before, and yall can sit back and know that while your on your little forum having a pissing match about how good your car is, or how much time you spent building it, there will be a guy down in Texas who's car can spank all yalls asses.

And yeah, for the record, I have access to all the **** I need to do complete custom fabrication. Including a full machine shop. I dont have to send my **** out for people to fabricate **** for me.

So whatever RX7club.com, yall can all go **** yourselves!

killinit937

you came to the wrong forum to be asking about how we thought about a piston swap into teh 7.

Mutaku

Get off your high and mighty *** and go do it then. You want to keep the motor in there now and build another one on the side so you are not without a car for a long period of time? Well doing the bloody swap is going to take up more time then getting your current motor rebuild! No ones being an elitist here! There have been quite a few more cars here built by forum members so you obviously haven't searched this issue at all. You did not ask for a reputable dealer you said you could not find any and they are not hard to find! So go leave the club build your fast car that can smoke all of our asses. You have everything you need? Why don't you rebuild it yourself?

Go **** yourself this forum doesn't need you if your just gonna be an *** when someone criticizes your stupidity.



and FYI, if you would have searched you would have realized how helpful this forum really is.

GtoRx7

iTrader: (5)

We have complete parts to build a full TII or N/a rotary engine for you. We can port it anyway you want. Then, once we ship it to you complete and ready for use, ship us your core back for a refund. This could all be done in less than 2 weeks. PM me if you are interested. Thanks, Logan

phoenix7

elitist *****?? damn, that's what happens when kids buy those "word of the day" calendars. I'm far from an elitist *****, I hate threads like this because you're never going to buy the SR20 and then put it into the FC. You know it, I know it. I could go further but i don't want to hurt your feelings. If you make a detailed thread and SOMEONE KNOWS HOW TO ANSWER your question they WILL! If they don't it's because we don't know (kinda hard to believe with the # of ppl here) or you didn't write coherently, or thoroughly expalined your problem so we could UNDERSTAND (most likely the case).

Please forgive us for not answering your questions about an SR20DE-T into a ROTARY CAR you sound ridiculous kid. I posted about 5 different places where you could look for a motor but you're still childish enough to call me a *****.

and i bet he has an SR20DE-t in there too, right?? GO away kid, you're wasting your time and ours. Go get another car and go to another forum where mediocrity is accepted as the norm.

then why do you ask stupid questions about what is needed?? I would have gone to this supposed shop and asked them how to mount it and start drawing up some schematics and plans.

go away and don't come back until you have actually DONE something TOWARDS your project, otherwise, it's a silly little pipe dream that will not come to fruition. NOt because it's impossible, but because you don't know what the hell you're doing. ANy sane person that has done any kind of work on ANY car can tell you that a completely different motor will take fabbing and work and MONEY to put into a 7. seriously, go cry somewhere else.

monkhommey

no your wrong.

i dont know if you noticed but this is the "Other Engine Conversions" forum.

i dont understand it. the higher your post count the bigger the D-bag you are. there is a difference between constructive criticism and being a total tool because you think no one should do a piston swap.

hey if you want to do the swap your thinking of it will take take you much longer then pulling your motor and rebuilding it. plain and simple.

if you have an na you could do a tII swap for less time and money. if you have a tII just pull your motor and rebuild it...less time and money. if you need a turbo block i have a spare s5 tII block. it was a jdm and i have reason to believe it popped a apex seal. I might be willing to part with it.

one big expensive problem for the SR20 swap is an ecu. you can buy a expensive standalone and be done with it. or you can use a sr20 ecu but that would be redicculously hard <<pretty sure i didnt spell that correct. or you go budget megasquirt and have the nighmares of trying to learn enough info about your setup to build a MS to run it.

if your really serious about doing the swap then do it. you will learn alot. my brother is currently doing a 1jz swap into his 7 and its been a pain in the *** for him and has taken 20 times longer then a rotor motor. Now i have to fly out and help him put together an ecu that will work.

a good place to start is talking to guys who have sr20's and figuring out what all you have to purchase to build a working setup.

phoenix7

I didn't agree with the "the SR20 is inferior to the 13BT" comment but I left it alone.

It's not a "you suck because you want to install a boinger in your car," it's a "you suck for not doing the research in order to make an educated, reasonable thread about a swap that will take lots of time, money and RESEARCH!!!"

who cares if you want to put an inline 4 turbo motor, or an inline 6, or a v6 or a v8?? Just get your **** together, figure out what you need, START the swap and post here if you run into problems!! Don't ask stupid **** like: " is it possible? is it hard? what will I need??" because we don't all think the same way, we don't all do the same mods. A simple SEACH would have yielded the "other engine" section where this topic has come up on MANY OCCASIONS!!!


I'm leaving the post count comment alone I don't know if it's directed at me or not but either way it doesn't apply.

This guy doesn't need constructive criticism, this guy needs a kick in the *** and then a kick in the face to bring him back down to earth.

dizzy_drifter

iTrader: (-1)

Just something else to think about guys, this kid want to build an all out drag/drift car. Let me understand you wnat an "ALL OUT" DRAG/DRIFT car that is a daily driver. Sorry this just doesnt add up. I say no piston motor, rebuild a 13bt get a three inch DP, and some Megan racing, or D2 coilovers. With a few more simple bolt-ons I think you would be pretty happy with the outcome. Youd have power, suspension, and not have to bust out the flame suit for attempting a piston swap, just my 2 cents

Richter12x2

iTrader: (1)

The cheapest solution for performance on a good rotary motor, if you do your homework, would be to swap the front cover, manifolds, and turbo on from a TII and move up from there. It could be done in under a week, and, setup properly, and conservatively, you'd be looking at about 220-240hp at the e-shaft. Once you're comfortable, you can follow the upgrade path for the TII cars.

Do your homework and you can get it done (yourself) for less than $500 in parts. You'll need more fuel, bigger injectors, and a way to control them. Isn't J-Rat making 500ish HP on a turbo'd NA block? SlammedBlk7 is putting down 600hp on his TII, and he drives that one to the club meets.

For cheap housings, check the for sale section for RotaryResurrection - he sells off his overstock sometimes, and they're good rebuild quality irons and housings, for under $100 per ea. He doesn't sell them all the time though.