ATTN: Guys with V8 swapped RX-7's
 

Is it worth it? Would you do it again if you could start all over? How much did you spend? How difficult was it to make everything work? Is clearance an issue? I have always been a fan of RX-7's since my first car, which was a 2nd gen. I love the way the 3rd gens look, but I'm not too sure I want to deal with the issues associated with the rotary motor. How much does a rebuild usually cost? How many miles do they usually last? I am thinking it would be easier to swap a mildly built V8 as opposed to getting the rotary rebuilt/replaced. Opinions please.

have you riden in one?

I would do it over again in a minute. If the stock rotary had lasted more than 10 miles after I bought it I would have kept it and would have always wished my car was faster and more fun. But the swapped car is no comparison. It makes it a totally different car.

I spent in the neighborhood of 7k for everything including the car. Not bad for a 12 second machine that looks like very few cars anywhere, but a little on the high side. I did a few things that you don't need to do for a swap but I wanted to - Autometer gauges for a custom dash, full length large tube headers, full dual 3" exhaust, an Art Carr transmission with TCI valve body and converter, B&M Pro Ratchet shifter, things like that. I also spent close to 1k in tires because it took 2 sets of front tires and 3 sets of rear tires to get ones that cleared right with the type of wheels I chose (had to get a 2nd pair of rear wheels as well. And I upgraded to NEW 4 piston brakes for a Turbo model, swapped in a 5-lug LSD Turbo rear and put new brakes in the back as well.

If you start with a Turbo model, half the work is done. I spent more time getting the proper brake lines and laboring to remove the pitted brake rotors from the rear than I did actually swapping the engine. That's the only thing I would do different for a 2nd Gen swap, instead of using the bare bones model I started with.

As far as 3rd Gen cars go, well I bought a rolling chassis for $3500 a few weeks ago, and I will use an LS1 with a T56 for that one. It's going to be my winter project, as well as my daily driver once it's done. With the new (expensive) set of wheels I'm looking at, I should come in at about 18k total, for a low 12 second daily driver that is one of only about a dozen or so in existence (ok there's more in the works with other folks but hell 1 in 100 is still amazing).

The 2nd Gen car is either going to be put up for sale any day, or I am going to pull the tags, gut the rest and have an 11-second pump gas track car - that starts every time, without pulling the fuel pump fuse or adding ATF to the engine :)

IMO

I'd go with as light of an engine as possible. I chose a 6 cyl grand national drivetrain. Weighed in at 2650... With a new set of draglites up front that will dip below 2600lbs... The car currently ran a 12.01 at 112 on a set of 28x10 dirt track tires. Very modest boost as well. The car should run low 11's once turned up and tuned in.....

Just my 2 cents.....

I have a fd with an 02 LS1 V8 in it and it s absolutely awesome , wouldnt have it any other way.

Any of you guys road race with your V-8 cars or all of you 1/4 mile guys?

I do road course events, but nothing competetive. Anyone who tells you a ls1 swap kills handling is full of shit.

Go for it! The car puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it, whether it's to the dragstrip, grocery store or road america for a track event.

Another non-competitive racer here. Drag racing bores the crap out of me, and is only good for benchmarks and judging improvements due to mods. I prefer my racing with turns in it. :bigthumb:

I hear that!!

Curves > Lines

oh my god hells yeah its worth it!
I would still do it again if I could start all over, definitely, I'd only change a few things, nothing major either.
I dropped just under $11k to get mine where it is and IT RIPS!
I think it was pretty easy to make everything work and I did a lot by myself.
Clearance is not an issue, anywhere... the fact you can fit an LS1 under a stock RX7 hood is really pretty awesome.
I was never a fan of RX-7's yet I love the way the 3rd gens look, but I never wanted to even get close to dealing with their tempermental rotary motor.
I agree that its easier to swap a mildly built V8 as opposed to getting the rotary rebuilt, evcen more so if you keep the V8 stock and just make sure your RX7 is up to snuff in the LSD, brakes, suspension and tires.

I do mostly daily driving and occasional autox and the car is incredibly fun... I look forward to HPDE's but its fun enough around town, it is realy one hell of a machine, incredible brakes, awesome handling, huge power thru a wicked transmission, and all in a nice rwd sportscar froma mfg'er that supports grassroots racers like ME, thru mazdaspeed discounts!

how do i get in on this discount support? ;)

im thinking of doing a fd with a ls1 for my next daily driver, i live in socal anyone know what range price im looking at for a roller and the ls1 stuff

https://www.rx7club.com/search.php

It's been covered alot. Rollers go from $2k-$12K depending on condition. Figure another $10K to complete the conversion.

Only thing I would do different is buy a local swap so I know what I getting and the person is local so you can deal with them, and also not taking a year to do the swap. Other than that, it's all good!

I just got my first shakedown run in my LS1 fc and holy jesus, I can't wait til I put exhaust on it so I can get the full torque experience.

i'm in the process now... but i can tell you that bodywork SUCKS!! my car originally had a widebody (which i yanked off).... my engine bay is ready for a motor, but my body isn't ready for paint just yet... i would totally do it again... even just for the learning experience..

Love it, and would not have it any other way :)!

Took my first ride in a swapped FD, WOW is all I can say. Nothing bad to say about this swap.

Um, did this start in 04?

thanks dude :) nice meeting you too. another convert.

Just got back from JesterJess's (another member on this board) house and took him for a ride in my V8 (LT1) Vert, ill PM him this link and he can describe what saw and felt...

We are now going to take my "little beast" up another notch, and have it make even more power!

For all of those that think that dropping a V8 whether it is an LT1 or LS1 throws the "weight displacement off"...Think again :)...It does not do that at ALL!

Love my LS1 FD, can not wait till I have it back on the road

89FCVert... Thanks for stopping buy. We will be stepping it up 3 notches... However, these specific Notches will ONLY be revealed by 89FCVert. I will be doing the wrenching, but togher, we will get this think Wicked Fast...

I have never rode in a V8 RX7 before. However, I have been in MANY different sports cars. I would have to say that the V8 RX7 gives up NOTHING to a Rotary. It handles great, has great power, and overall, seems like a VERY balanced car. It did seem better, once we filled up the fuel tank.

Stay in touch
Jesse

Seems pretty safe to say everyone with a V8 powered Rx-7 is happy they converted. I have yet to see anyone who wasnt happy..unless they ran out of money and cant drive it yet...lol. All these people can't be wrong a V8 powered RX-7 is a good thing! Yes I love mine as well and wish I did this conversion years ago.

There have been a couple that purchased additional rotary-powered cars, but nobody that I've seen has ever posted that they prefer it over the V8 car.

What is there not to like :)

I will try to keep those (who are interested) updated on the progress of what JesterJess and I are planning on doing.

I guess I will start another thread, when we begin...

Pretty excited, about kicking the "Little Monster" up a few notches!

I've definitely considered building another. For a bit I wanted to build up a TII rotary powered one, but I keep coming back to the realization that the V8 just makes more sense.

I wish I could find my old car. Sentimental reasons for finding one of the first V8 RX7s completed. Last I heard it was in Louisiana, but that was 5 years ago...