I currently have an '81 rx7 with a stock 12a motor. I am 17 years old and like any right minded teenager, I love cars. Lately I have been realy bummed out about the general lack of hp for the stock 12a motor. I was thinking about taking the 289 out of my dads '67 cougar and swaping it into my car. However, before I go ahead and start I would like to know how long this would take and about how much money it would take to get it running. I did a little research about the conversion but would like some imput from people who have actualy done it. Also if anybody knows of any big problems that you tend to run into during the procces please let me know so I can be aware of them.
Tips and tricks are also apreciated
Thanks!

 

I'm about a year and a half into my 302 12a swap, i did a full bolt on build on the motor, had to buy most of my parts, and i did suspension/bushings. I'm pretty much some wiring away from having it run. I'm in it for 10k (much of that from the motor build and suspension) and be prepared to work around things, find lots of bolt sizes, and be near a parts store haha. If you're in it just for a fun build and use a carb i think you will be in it for much less money, and it's really not rocket science. I say go for it but expect the unexpected. Oh also i will need to cut a hole in my hood, EFI is tall.

Edit: I should mention that a lot of the wait time was because i was gathering funds and/or busy and/or waiting for parts, the cam and rockers took many months as did my wheels...

 

The way to do it Cheap.

Minus the Actual RX7, I only had around $1400 in the whole car, with a Chevy V8, atleast at first, to get it driving.

That counts the cost of buying grannys mount kit, buying a truck with a running V8 ($250) then sold it for $400 with no motor. Found a Tranny for cheap.

Get a Carbed SBC. Find a Tranny (T-5 if you want 5 speed, or Any of the cheap chevy autos)
Buy the Grannys mounts. Make an Oil Pan (if you cant weld, you can still cut it and have it welded) (or you can buy the extra Grannys Oil Pan I have) (or buy grants)
Get a custom Driveshaft Made (or buy Grannys)
Find a radiator that will fit in the car (or buy Grannys)

On a budget, I would have friends/family make the mounts/pan/driveshaft/etc

That being said, It is MUCH EASIER to go ahead and buy the mount kit from Grant. Saves you the headache of trying to have buddies custom fab stuff, and you know its right the first time.

get ready for lots of trips to the auto parts and hardware store

If you are doing a carb'ed motor, there is no reason someone with experience couldn't get the car driving in less than one days work with EVERY PART NEEDED THERE (that never happens)

My first time, it took a few months of collecting parts and whatnot before I did it. But after I had everything I needed, I ordered Grants kit and the motor was in teh car and driving in less than 4 days from when it arrived. If you do carb'ed, there is basically no wiring you will need to do. If you go EFI, make sure you get the ENTIRE ENGINE HARNESS and ECU/PCM from the car the motor came from. Both of my cars have had EFI, which brings in a whole extra level of time because of wiring. Not that it is hard, just time consuming.

If you have any questions at all, feel free to PM me. I've done this a few times now... haha

 

This is kind of a general question. How comfortable is the car to drive with a v8? The last thing I want is a car that isn't comfortable to drive.

 

That would depend largely on your suspension setup and powertrain choice...

 

Go for it. I'm a SBC fan myself.

 

Sbc is easy...just saying

 

Pictures by CRAZYRICAN_RX7 - Photobucket

Evan check my photos on my swap. i did it on after work and weekends with the help of a good friend that had the welding machines, plasma cutter and tube bending machine. do your research good and go for it. for the 5.0 engine all you have to do is turn the cross member around 180 deg, and build your triangles of the original mount location. i used a chevy motor mount with an adapter plate to reach it. good luck on your build.

 

Shouldn't you run a different rear end? Or would that not be needed with the stock Chevy in it? If so what would you run and how would you make it work?

 

I went with a ford 5.0 (302) in my 85, they are nice because a stock fox oil pan clears the subframe if you flip it around, also off the self shorty headers clear the steering box easier, and lastly ford WC T-5's are easier to find in my area. However; when the time comes to hop up your V8 the chebby will offset the initial expenses very quickly. I did ok with a cam and GT40P heads, but chevy parts are far more common and thus cheaper. If your goals are modest, such as 300whp then the ford is still a good motor to start with, I'm certainly happy with my SBF.
A few tips,

1. look for failed projects! these never sell and owners will typically strip off what ever part you want since they get desperate after their cars don't sell after 3 months on craigslist. This is how I got my hydraulic setup for my clutch.

2. Use searchtempest.com to seach out various craigslist areas, most of the stuff you need will fit in a box

3. Take your time! You may long to hear the new engine running in your rx7 but that only means you graduated to the long process of trouble shooting various bugs. Besides this is one of the more fun learning experiances you will get in your life.

4. Short cuts take to long and cheaping out costs too much, this is self explanitory.

5. Your forum time will shift from rx7club.com to what ever engine you go with, since I have a ford motor I now spend more time on the technical section of corral.net then here, yet I prefer the lounge on rx7club, weird.

6. Research, Study, Read! the more you know about the new motor and its background as well as the rx7 itself the better you will be, I can't stress this enough! we live in the age of the internet so when ever you are unsure search or ask if that fails.

7. Money: you will spend more then you think you will, my swap had a way of $25ing and $50ing me to death.

8. After it's all said and done, it's so worth it.