Hey guys, I'm definitely looking to invest some big money in the FD over a period of time and was wondering the best route to take and/or advice you guys could give me. You may ask, what is the purpose of the car? Mainly maintaining the car, to a car show quality, while putting out some fun HP. I do plan on keeping this car up until my death bed, and passing it on to my son when I pass away. So, whatever I invest in this car, won't be wasted.

I'm thinking the only perk of goin' 20B is the uniqueness of the motor. What do you guys think?

Might as well ask, will a 13B transmission fit a 20B? I'm guessing not, but, enlighten me if I'm wrong.

 

Show car? 20B it will put up the show any where you go.. just be readdy to spend lots of money and time. every one that i know that has gone 20B ended up with a 3+ yr project.. even that it looks easy it is not. try to talk to some one that has don it and get their feed back.

 

Appreciate the feedback, Yea, thats my problem. Where I live, RX-7's and rotorheads are extinct. I live in a truck/muscle town. I'm basically the only one who drives imports, thats not a civic. Well, I plan on having the car for a while, so 3+ years doesnt sound to bad on that part. I'm not even sure where to begin, or whom even to talk to?

 

where in Tx are you located? are you planing to do most of the work your self?

 

I'm in Burleson, South of Ft. Worth. No, I plan on just saving up for the conversion. I dont have any of the tools nor anyone to help with the swap. I wouldn't dare attempt an engine swap to an RX-7, wiring etc. Let alone do it myself, I'd be scared the thing wouldnt ever get done. To risky if you know what I mean. I do realize the swap will cost more money by having someone do it, but, atleast it'll be done right.

 

3 rotor is the way to go...and even the most thought out planned swap takes a long time...and the truth of the matter is...it's never done. I am always coming up with something new that needs to be done...

My suggestion is build the FD 3 rotor and find a low milage FB to enjoy.

At least that's what i decided to do.

My wife told me yesterday that i drive Old School way more than the 7 BEAST. Old School is a lot of fun and no one has any idea what it is

 

I've been mulling around the idea of 20B, altho I don't have a beautiful FD to put it in I still like the potential 1000 HP. so I would say 20B bro.

 

Big money should hopefully be atleast $20k...atleast. I'm not saying it's not possible or feasable, but this is no simple engine swap process.

If it was "MY" show car, I would keep the 13B in it and invest in a wicked kit like the Veilside one. I love that look, and everyone loves that car, and 95% of the people that like that car could care less if it's a 13B or a 20B (as long as it's rotary). You'll save a ton of money not going with the 20B, and you'll be able to get more "bang for your buck" as far as a show car is concerned (looks > power).


But if you've just won the lottery or something, and have money just burning a hole in your pocket, Godspeed to you...get the 20B.

 

In other words:
Whatever you can afford, be it lots of cash or lots of downtime.

 

I'm not too sure about the cost of the 20b swap, but from what I've seen its in the ballpark of 20k when all said and done. If you went that route I would just swap it with the GTO MN12 T56 transmission. In all honesty though, the 20b is unique and cool, but its just way to expensive of a swap especially if you have a shop do it for you.

I would go with the 13b and a massive single for a show car, just make it a dyno queen. All people see at a car show is 1 huge turbo and then you have a dyno sheet stand right beside it with some crazy numbers. You will spend a lot less money this route and it will still be cool at the car shows, I mean who doesn't like seeing a huge single turbo with lots of power lol.

Or...since your in Burleson, TX around all the truck and muscle cars you could always cross over to the dark side and put an LS3 and transmission from the GTO, and I'm sure you can easily find people more familiar with that to help you do the swap. I'm more biased towards this though because if my rotary which I do take care of decided to pop one day, I do plan on putting a V8 in it and making it a road car. I live in Fort Worth btw, would always love to help with a swap and got friends that do swaps on cars all the time.

GL on the brainstorming, I'm sure what ever way you go you will be happy.

 

Since when did the gto come with the ls3? They had ls1 and ls2 but I don't remember them ever having an ls3, that's from the vette, the ls3 came out in the 2008 c6 vettes, and gto was only 2004-2006 which the ls3 wasn't even out yet

 

you're correct my mistake. So would be the LS2 with the MN12 T56 then.

 

That might be what I do with one of my fc's, but I'll still keep one with a rotary, unless it keeps costing me too much time and money, then it may get a 2jz

 

Probably the only honest and non biased opinion you will get here:
1- First, SAVE your money!!!
2- Putting money on an RX7 is NEVER and investment, it is a losing ordeal
3- Unless you are a millionaire, which I know you are not or you wouldn't be asking this question, then don't do it
4- Save for your retirement or kid school, better investment you will EVER make
5- Read in the 20B forum to get a hint of the task at hand and the difficulties achieving your goal of fabication/power/cost/parts acquisition
6- Reliability on an RX7, LOLOLOL, is an OXYMORON
7- $25K is just the tip of the iceberg, anyone telling is less, are not at the SHOW level you are looking for and did a lot of the fabrication themself
8- If you are not naive, then you will accept, that the rotary engine is a dying breed, then imagine what it will be for a 20B in the near future
9- Have you ever heard the David Hayes terror nightmare with a 20B conversion and he has cash to burn with the best in the business.
Here, enjoy and for your enlightment:
https://www.rx7club.com/build-thread...ersion-325733/
10- Trust me, I had some means to take care of a track/street RX13 single turbo and speak from experience, have used the best builders here in Texas and have endure all the abuse a rotary has to offer.
11- What is your level of comfort and expertise with tools around the rotary engine???
2 sayings come to mind:
1- The Mazda RX7 makes excellent mechanics out of ordinary men
(I am one now, after 14 years of ownership)
2- The RX7 will make you a small fortune, but first you must start with a BIG fortune

Stay 13B, do the basic bolt on upgrades and enjoy it without spending a fortune.
Ask Marshall and Gilbert, how much they have spent to keep their car in pristine condition and they don't track and are not after power or the kind of project you are after.