I'm considering purchasing an FD this summer, I eventually would like to put a LS1 with a T56 6speed tranny in it. I found a company by the name of Hinson Super Cars whom specializes in this swap. I was quite suprised to see how high of a price IMO that the 93 FD's are still going for. What do you feel is a fair price to pay for a straigt FD with a bad engine, or preferably no engine and trans at all? Any opinions will be most helpful, also if you guys know of a good place to find such a car would be awesome. I'm new to RX7's so please forgive me if I said anything that would show my ignorance. Thanks

 

there is someone on here who has done that swap, hopefully they will speak up. i would think an FD with a bad motor would be about 8000

 

Your best and cheapest version of this will be to find one from a private buyer that has one with a blown motor. Once they have seen how much it costs, you can often get a halfway decent car for your purposes for *quite* cheap. You want a car in this manner, not from someone that knows what you are doing with the car. This will be the best and cheapest way, sometimes under 5k under certain circumstances.

That said, you DO want one that still has the motor and tranny in it. Parting out the engine, tranny; and accessories you won't use can really lower your overall costs.

J

 

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/r...&ac_afflt=none


this was from san diego but you get the idea

 

personally 2nd gens would make the better swap car... cheaper parts and build up costs for the swap.

 

True, except they look like ****.

 

Do a search on LT1-7 (John) he has done the conversion with twin turbos!! Check out his site http://phamspeed.com/ and look under company cars. But you might find better pics of the engine bay on the forum. I'm sure John would be able to give you a killer deal.

 

If you have the money buy a single turbo Rx7 with a higher inital cost and part-out the mods and drivetrain. You should be able to get it cheaper than buying on that in bad shape from the start. Plus the overall shape of the car will most likely be in better condition.

 

Sorry i love FCs... owned an 88 TII before.

 

I would do what he said, it will probably cost you less in the long run.

 

http://www.torquecentral.com/index.php?


lots of info on the rx7 swaps

 

I see you're from Dallas, as soon as you get this project underway, i suggest you talk to "GsrSol" on the forums as he is from dallas as well and has a z06 engine in his FD. I'm pretty sure he can give you some "do's" and "don'ts." His car sounds pretty badass.

 

I strongly disagree. My 'vert looks nothing like dookie.

My guess is you are an infant (i.e. under 25)

No child of the eighties thinks this car looks like ***, and the younguns' all are wanting " that cool yellow car from initial D".

 

I got my 93 for $3500. It's not in perfect shape - needed a fender, hood and door ($500 used). The stock motor was blown and removed, but I have everything else (turbos, intake etc). Selling those off will help a bit. I've seen rolling chassis go anywhere from $3000 to $7500 depending on the condition of the car itself.

 

Nope over 25 actually. I just don't like the fact it doesn't 'flow' well. I do like older 300ZX's (87-88) and some of the older Supras. Sorry!

That said, everyone has their own tastes - so no worries.

 

dookie Never heard that before. Was that from the 80's also?

 

Hey guys thanks for all of the valuable info. Much appreciated

Also what do you guys know about Hinson Super Cars? What seems to be a good price for a used LS1/T56 combo?

 

Hinson(Lane) makes a good product, but sometimes have problems getting things shipped out in a timely manner. For example I waited 4 months for my driveshaft/ torque brace and over 6 months for my cooling system. Had I known the radiator would take so long I would've kept the koyo and mounted it vertical.

Ls1/t56 combos usually go for 2500-4500+ depending on mileage and year. I paid 4300 for an '01 combo w/ 40k miles, warranty and shipped to my door from americancamaro.com . Just be careful who you buy from, I've read quite a few horror stories from people who thought they were getting a great deal.

 

Are you sure it is a Z06 engine or a Camaro/Firebird engine with Z06 heads or something? The Z06 engine hasa different oilpan that doesnt fit so well.

 

You can put the F-body pan on the Corvette engine.

 

It's definitely a Z06 engine. He went through the trouble of hunting down the F-bdoy oil pan, throttle body, and belt driven accessories so he could run it in his car. He got a smoking deal on the engine, otherwise he'd have been better off starting with an LS1, and upgrading the cam and intake.

 

Yes I know that but the F-Body LS1s seem to be able to obtain for a bit cheaper then swap out some of the parts for the same power and you still come out ahead. The getting a smokin' deal on the engine makes sense. I guess it is cooler to say "I got a Z06 engine in my car" rather than "I got a Camaro engine in my car" of course I would just say it has a LS1 in it.

 

Wouldn't it just work out easier to say "I now have a powerful, reliable, economical engine?"

 

Some might think: "So you put a 3 Rotor in it?"

 

then you would need to make sure you didn't stutter when you said RELIABLE and ECONOMICAL the first time