choice between 13b rebuilt or fresh ls1 FD, sound, power, reliability etc.

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Old May 18, 2010 | 11:49 AM
  #1  
Sukh's Avatar
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From: Vancouver, BC
choice between 13b rebuilt or fresh ls1 FD, sound, power, reliability etc.

I need help

This is my situation, I've always loved the FD for the looks and the 13b sounds great too. I'm finally at a point in my life where I can financially own one of these without worrying too much about repair costs etc. plus if i dont get the FD now I never will, plan to have kids few years etc.

I have three choices for an FD as of now.

1) one local FD with 130000+ kms on it, its a local car with 8000kms on a rebuild. has all of the reliabilty mods done to it already and is serviced every 2 to 3 k by a local rotary specialist.

2) freshly rebuilt FD. 13b is from a JDM car that was totalled 13b is stock. roller from the US. reliability mods will be done to it but i was told that the JDM 13b had bout 40000kms on it. i don't even know how i would start checking this. for sure I know the car is a fresh rebuild as I've seen it go through its paces.

3) lS1 FD, this car will be a fresh build. the LS1 and roller are separate at the moment and if I want it he will build it to my specs.


Now here lies the problem. This car will be my DD, i have a truck that i can drive if the car needs work so i wont be out of a ride if it breaks down.

I've read that some people are getting a reliable FD if they look after it service every 2 to 3k, keep an eye on temps etc. can this seriously be done in my car (i drive bout max 20km a day on average)??

I know that LS1 is way more reliable and more feasible but the only thing i don't like about it is the sound. I've always been into the sound of a nice tight sounding engine (a few woosh sounds here and there dont hurt either )

is there anyway to get away for the camaro sound of that engine, shorty headers, turbo etc do they help?

I've listened to countless youtube clips and heard a few tight sounding LS1's but not inside RX7's

so those are my two real questions here, yes i have read and searched the entire forum for months now, and never read anything about adjusting the sound of the stock LS1.

Thanks in advance for any input.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 09:31 AM
  #2  
frijolee's Avatar
the implications matter
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Sound doesn't change much. You can add a bunch of dampening to make it quieter but the note will remain the same.

Lots of pro/con threads out there. Most recently check out the commentary here:

https://www.rx7club.com/race-car-tech-103/car-died-vir-monday-time-start-lsx-project-890547/
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Old May 31, 2010 | 09:56 AM
  #3  
blwfly's Avatar
kiwi from downunder..
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i would go with option number 1 as the engine has low miles and still goes to the engine builder every 3000km for oil change

maily depends on how much each car if for sale to.
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Old May 31, 2010 | 10:43 AM
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There are plenty of Good FD's left you just have to look. I bought mine at 58k and drove it daily w/ no problems until 83K when I sold it. It was still going strong. If you know how to look after them they are not bad like everyone thinks. Look for a good clean car that has been taken care of and you should be good. That may mean traveling for it.

From what you posted 1 is your best option. I don't care who did the swap on the LS1 you will find little things not to your liking and could wind up redoing it IMO.

Again I stress to look for a good car. I saw one in Dallas w/ 30K on it and it still looked new. There are still nice examples out there. Good luck.
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Old Jun 4, 2010 | 12:41 AM
  #5  
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ls1 swap if you want reliability
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Old Jun 4, 2010 | 01:15 AM
  #6  
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ls1 for reliability hands down, and yeah they all sound the same depending on exhaust components. but yes if you do take good care of it and have a good rotary head around the 13b can prove to be quite reliable as well.

Last edited by fstbckgt; Jun 4, 2010 at 01:21 AM.
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Old Jun 15, 2010 | 04:46 PM
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How about a 20b n/a? it might be a little more pricey then a ls1 swap but I heard good things about its reliability and that sounds is music to the ears!
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