efranklin

Well... I really want a v8 FD.. I dont want to do the swap myself I want to buy one thats already done... but my question is what do you guys think i should do as far as getting rid of my car? Should i try to trade some1? But who would want to trade back to a rotary... or should i sell first then buy? Let me know what you guys think and dont flame because of the v8 rx7 thing... i just want something a little more reliable - Eric

Sprockett

You might be able to do either...just depends on how long you want to wait. I might offer something like Trade+cash, then work out how much extra you'd be willing to spend. Otherwise, selling and buying is the best option, but you'll still probably have to come up with a little extra.

silverflash2

iTrader: (2)

If i were you, i just buy another car for reliabilty, and keep your car.For me a sports car got to be turbocharged. There's so much potential with a turbo, upgrade the turbo and it's a whole new car to you. Plus when you drive by people and they hear that turbo whistle,then the blow off noise, they know it fast without even having prove yourself. I bet you'll miss having a turbo car. I've never driven non seq turbos, but i would switch it back to seq, or go single. I drive Contour SVT as a daily driver. You can get these car for 3,000- 5000. Leather and 200 hp v6 and 4 doors. Then you have the 7 for going out and having fun.Just my 2 cent. GL

slow7NC

he doesnt want your 2 cents on why he should keep his car. he wants info on getting a v8 rx7.

post on www.v8rx7forum.com and see whats up over there

efranklin

It does no harm to post your opinion, but i really have my money set on a v8 fd. I know i will miss the rotary and turbo, i love both i just cant keep up with the maintenance right now. Ill post on v8rx7 forum but i dont see anyone wanting to go back to a rotary who has built a v8 rx7...

Syncro

iTrader: (1)

For some reason V8 FD's are always for sale shortly after the swap is completed...

You shoulnd't have too much trouble finding one thats been for sale for a while (they also never sell!).

I doubt a V8 conversion guy will want to go back to the 13B-REW, you'll probably have to sell yours separate.

You might simply need to fly out and drive it back - atleast you know it will make it.

Sprockett

What would stop you from turbocharging the LS1? APS makes a TT kit for the LS1 that makes 500whp without replacing anything inside the engine (just fuel injectors, fuel pump, clutch, and tires) and running something like 6psi.

rosey

iTrader: (1)

There is no bolt in or near bolt in solution for a turbo in an ls1 fd...it would have to be a custom job and would be very difficult to the average guy in his garage.

Don't swap an ls1, the car may be a little faster, but it will be no where near as satisfying as it is with the rotary. Maintenance will can be a problem with either...LS1 guys talk about how their swaps are so reliable, but the fact is, most swaps come out of old junked f-body's and reliability can be a problem too.

Sprockett

Just because it is difficult does not mean it is impossible...nobody said it would be easy, just that it can be done. I was just using the APS kit as a reference to show what is possible with a turbocharged LS1

turboIIrotary

iTrader: (9)

this is starting to be a debate on the rotary and the v8 i know its comin...

rosey

iTrader: (1)

Anything is possible with enough money....

I don't think 500whp is impressive for a turbo ls1 considering 500whp is being cranked out of well built H/C 346 ls1's semi consistently now-a-days.

Sprockett

500hp without opening the engine...that's the key. If you want to go replacing internals, that number jumps up to the 900+hp range

aaron1017

It's true though, people here my BOVs and never even try to race me.

Troux

iTrader: (6)

I'll have to disagree with this. You'll get out of it what you put into it. If you buy a 150K miles LT1 (LS1 predecessor, fits the same), rely on electrical tape for your wiring, and try to nickel-and-dime your way to getting it done ASAP, then yes, you'll be getting reliability issues. If you get the '00-'04 LS1 (as is strongly recommended all over any LS1-oriented website) or an LS2, put some time into it, and pay attention to the fact that you're building a car, then you're good to go. From reading, it seems the biggest reason for people to swap for a V8 has been reliability, not seeking more power. I recall reading a guy who was a rotary fanatic that decided on the swap when his track car went through 3 motors before it went through 1 set of tires.

I would suggest trying to sell your car outright and buy one of the swapped cars available, as there are a few VERY clean ones out there right now, including a 22K mile silverstone R1 with an LS2 on eBay. Be prepared to pay a minimum of $21-22K for a clean, sorted car, though.

I hope to be starting my swap as soon as possible, and am looking forward to the work as much as looking forward to the reward. It will be satisfying to know that I've gone through almost the whole car and set and sorted things the way I'd want them.

TOM DENSLOW

My Daily Driver Is An Audi 05 S4 With A Great V-8 And Four Doors.
Nothing Like The Rotory Thou!

dbragg

iTrader: (7)

so, why not do a LSX swap to your current car?

Troux

iTrader: (6)

Where to start....
First of all, saying a turbo has potential really means nothing. Potential (power-wise) really lies in the size of the motor and the strength of its components. LS-based V8s have gotten up to (probably over) 1000 HP without boost, and up to 2K with it, not to mention a lot of the big power turbo cars rely on race gas to make that power. In this case, to say a turbo rotary has more potential than an LS1 is just silly, but you can let the track record of each engine tell you that much.

As for the noise, all a BOV seems to do is impress Fast & Furious teenagers. I think the sound of a hulking V8 is a lot more intimidating than a weedwhacker followed by a whistle. Not to mention a decent sized cam and a good flowing exhaust on one.

Also, if you've never driven non-sequentials, I assume you've never driven a large single, either, but even if you have, if you prefer sequential over parallel, then I think you would prefer a low-end torque car over a high-HP single. You almost seemed to contradict yourself there.

rosey

iTrader: (1)

You can make 500whp without touching the shortblock and just a well sorted heads/cam package and ported fast intake. The forced induction setup will probably be a little better in the streetability category, but there is also a lot more cost associated and a lot more to deal with on the turbo setup.

I wouldn't do a forced induction setup on an ls1 unless I was going to build an engine for it and was looking for some huge numbers. I still prefer nitrous for the reason that a 600+whp car is practically out of control on the street and I like to be able to turn it off and run on the motor if I don't want to be getting sideways in 4th gear...

This is all getting way off topic though...

Troux, go ahead with the ls1 swap, you sound like a good candidate and you'll love it

efranklin, step away from the ls1.

Troux

iTrader: (6)

Could ya give him reasons? The numbers are pretty much all in favor of the LS vs. the 13B, and his rotary seems to be constantly having problems. It is going to be pretty much impossible to trade a 13B car for an LS car, though. It's going to be a big time investment for the swap, which you need to be aware of.