Im sure it could outhandle one having bigger tires and probably better shocks and springs, stock. Its also a lot more expensive.

Regardless, as a platform to base off of, RX-7s are the best bang for the buck out there, PERIOD. Its why I like them so much. Awesome handling and good weight distribution with even a 'big v8' and the ability to handle them... even if one hinson part didnt handle power very much, and thats only FD issue anyway. RX-7s also weigh less than Corvettes without being stripped regardless. The heaviest race FC Ive EVER seen was a non gutted one with a 383, 4auto, and a big overdone cage because the guy didnt want to get booted. He ran a 9.42 at 3100 lbs race weight.

Anyway, read any review of the C5 or C6. Almost every reviewer bitches about the feedback from the steering. Everyone LAUDS the RX-7. Is this reflecting reality, or is this bigotry? In my case picking a RX-7 is an ECONOMIC decision, Im getting great underpinnings for not a lot of dollar and I can easily give it coilovers and bigger wheels/tires and end up damn near if not better than the handling of a corvette. You seen what Kukris car did at an autocross to a Z06 and a STi with a CARBURATED, iron block 355 cid SBC and coilovers/tires under stock fenders?

RX-7s, right now, in the USA, are the apex of the bang/buck chassis for swaps. Its like a premade kitcar for super cheap but without losing any of the performance. For you its apparently just a mantle for a rotary engine... its apparent a car is no different if mazda made it for a rotary engine or not - but a car can be made good or not so good, and the RX-7 has always been made to be light weight and handle good. And no, its not the rotary responsible for that light weight or handling... as has been proven time and time again.

 

Who are you trying to convince? I have a million and one things to argue with you about, but its not our thread. I have already screwed up this one too much with opinions, and will not be posting again in here unless its related to the subject.

 

Agree 100%, its just not right to me. But i do admire his driving skills as well as the ability to put a different engine into the FD

 

"Just doesnt sound right".

THATS The crux of the arguement against it now that the performance has been proven?



Thats a pretty ridiculous arguement, and deep roar is a lot easier on the ears than a high pitched, raspy weedwhacker/chainsaw sound sound anyway.

 

Hey Luke, what type of coilovers are you using again? And are you using a full roll cage yet? Any fiberglass/ carbon body pieces?

And "Nih" I think everyone knows your damn opinion. You dont have to beat it into our skulls. If someone doesnt like the sound, good for him, who are you to argue his thoughts?????

 

So, what was rmriggin iceman4357 doing?

 

I think I just threw up in my mouth... I would pay to hear a turbo rotary... you would have to pay me to listen to that v8

 

I found out that a hornet gun will put a end to a Nihilanth, is it true? Where can I buy one at? Is your name really from a fictional character? If so its very fitting both you and your name are fictionally here. Sorry I couldnt resist, it was too funny.

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aghl-faq/w.../nihilanth.htm

 

I hate it when people like that think that the ls1 is better than the Rotory. Sorry but if your a true Rotory person you stick with it. Dont Be doin no Mutt bread like that. if you want a corvette then get one. And up to that it aint no drift. No it aint.

 

YOU are a ******* tool. First of all, talk like you have at least a 5th grade education.

Rotard, you are just upset becuase you probably cannot even change your own oil and have already paid a rotary shop for five plus nuked engines, and, your car is probably sitting on jackstands as we speak.

 

Well you know most people that do V8 swaps do it cuz it's cheaper than rebuilding a rotary or they bought the car with no motor. And I'm not saying a rebuild to stock specs... I'm talking about high performance. And you don't have to baby the LS1 like you do with the rotary. Don't get me wrong i have a first gen with stock 12a engine and I'm happy with it. But If I could get the chance to drop the 302 in mine I would. More power for my money while staying all motor. just my .02.

 

for similarly powered motors, the LS1 is far cheaper than a turbo rotary and it is pretty safe to say the LS1 will be much more reliable.
the LS1 has a strong sixspeed and fits RX7s without adding handling problems.
the LS1 also provides excellent gas mileage when mildly modded, I would guess up to 400hp.

my FC had 186,000 miles on it with the stock nonturbo rotary motor, thats impressive, BUT once I looked into 325+hp setups, the LS1T56 swap was an easy choice to make... for the cost, reliability and fit and now I have an even more rare car... how many other FC3S Sports have a widebody setup with an LS1T56 in them?

I dont know why you guys continue to badmouth the LS1 RX7's, especially after seeing Lukes car, its one hell of a car, it has to be so much fun to drive and he was able to build it for pretty cheap considering its potential.

sure the RX7's are rare, but not compared to ferraris or other supercars.

 

The LS1 is a surefire way of increasing the performance of an FD, undoubtedly.

But to take away the rotary engine is, to some of us, to remove the very spirit of the RX-7.

To some, it is about pure performance, and to others it is about simple love and passion for the RX-7 in its entirety. And that's why this debate will never end.

 

In rational terms of reliable performance for your dollar, its been over.

Love and passion for a specific motor is by definition not rational. Youre a rotary enthusiast, or just a RX-7 Purist. Me and many others here arent anti rotary, just pro chassis.

 

I would say that the V8 is a great swap into a Rx-7 of any year, especially when using the LS-1. But I can't deny the fact that EVERY car has a different personality. A soul in a car does not exist, neither a real personality as well, BUT to anyone who has a passion for cars, knows each one has certain mechanical trademarks either bad or good, that make up its "feel" and "personality". Some people like a certain "feel" that contains attributes of different mechanical componets that work together in a way of unity to make up a certain condition. I would not say a Rx-7 has a real soul of course, but a Rx-7 feels a certain familiar way with the original motor in it. A 3-rotor, a V8 or anything else may "feel" better than the stock personality to some, but to others it would ruin what it once had transposed, and will never truely feel the same. I have driven many cars, of countless companies, and all the cars had a distinct feel that can be translated by a human as his or her "type". So for someone to say "pick your car and engine baised souly on its performance" is very logical in thinking, but heartless in passion for what truely "mechanical" setup strikes home every time its driven and brings a smile to their face. I might get ripped on for that, but I think everyone in this great hobby thinks the same way. That is why everyone builds their car the way THEY want it to be, and no-one has the right to say they are a idiot.

 

Feel and personality is subjective. Passion is by definition irrational.

Anyway, that said, the personality of a FD with a v8 is hardly a BAD one. Cut and thrust (well, nearly point and click) torque on demand, the same great handling but with even more power available for sliding your rear, and just constant thrust, instantly, isnt undesireable.

Its not the whole tapdance while downshifting and go speedy speedshift to keep the turbo spun up kind of feel you get with a smaller displacement turbo engine, but to deny the roar and raw power of a large displacement v8 is ridiculous as well.

 

You sound like a annoying computer, from some irobot movie. Anyway, I bet you wish you knew what a V8 Rx-7 feels like, as you've never driven one, you can only speculate and imagine. That must suck to not have anything in memory to pull from, seriously, I am not trying to be a smart ***. I would'nt mind driving a V8 Rx-7 too, maybe someone with one would swap with me, I let them drive mine vise versa.

 

Jesus christ, you're bitter. Lighten the hell up already.

 

Hahahaa, your a funny guy! Happy new year!

 

ok... dont know what you guys have been fighting about, but i have a good idea.

just saw the vid, Nice Vid, but i do have to admit it sounded strange to me the first time i saw it, hearing that 350sbc instead of the hummm of a rotary. not that it sounded bad... just different. not what I had expected seeing the FD.(like a lions roar coming from a small kitten)

 

psst... its a LS1!

 

come to a car meet this spring in Rochester, NY about 4 hours east of cleveland and you can come for a ride in my LS1FC, maybe drive it if youre not a clueless driver. if youre lucky we could meet up at a Niagara falls car show or Buffalo?

 

Doesn't having that big engine in there throw off the balance of the car?
Not hating on the LS1-rx7 at all im just wondering since the rotary Rx7s are balanced really well with the bulk of the weight at the back of the long engine bay well behind the front wheels.
The LS1 seems to shift the center of gravity toward the front of the car and over the front wheels.

I'm sure they are damn fast though, i mean they should be with more displacement. An rx7 wasnt meant to compete with cars like that, that swap puts you into a different class altogether.

As far as small displacement cars go the rotary just ******* owns, and i love the way it pulls harder and harder as you start and then approach the redline. The feel of exponentialy increasing acceleration is what i love about the 7.

I do think the LS1 guys should go make their own forum tho since most of us dont particularly care since we have rotarys, it seems like the only feasible reason you are here is to argue with us since you dont drive our cars anymore, and the information we come here for doesnt apply to you.

 

Ive lost count of how many people have said how many times it doesnt change the COG or the balance of the car dude. SEARCH BUTTON IS YOUR FRIEND!

As far as your subjective comments like you PREFER peaky torque.... okay? They're looking to go fast with reliability and torque in mind - which is faster, just doesnt FEEL as fast. A broader powerband making the same power as a peaky one might not feel as fast but it is actually faster.

And there is a 'other engine conversions' forum, and there's torque centrals v8 rx-7 forum - but I dont see why you need to get your panties in a bunch becuase a drift car has a LS1 in it.

 

From what I understand the steering rack makes it have some bum steer, but not as bad as 3Rotor....

Either way, has anybody looked into resale value !? Has anybody tried to upgrade a 7 with LS1 and say 50-100k mi on the chassis, and seen how much a buyer will give you for it ??
I'd be interested, since I'd belive that all you V8 Afficianatos, would pay top $$ but in the real world... would you just lie, and say, that's how THAT "R1" came... they upgraded the 13B ? or would you be honest and discose an engine swap, and how would the buyer react ???