RX-7 Mods
 

Look at the size of that TURBO!

http://img138.imagevenue.com/loc266/...5_DSC_1091.JPGhttp://img19.imagevenue.com/loc237/t...1_DSC_1092.JPG

I am not familiar w/ that engine, but obviously it is an American V8 upgrade. Actually I saw a few number of RX-7s w/ this upgrade. Some even w/ a LS1 too.

http://img44.imagevenue.com/loc23/th_80747_DSC_1093.JPGhttp://img37.imagevenue.com/loc293/t...3_DSC_1094.JPG

Typical trash talking from the uninformed.

The LSx motor is not heavy - period.

I guess in order to prove the point I'll just have to drive an RX-7 rotary against an RX-7 LSx on track and publish the results for all to see.

Well - did these so-called "experts" you spoke also then add how that once you do the LSx mod the car is fats enough to blow every one of those rotary engined freaks into the weeds.. on raod, drag and race course?

See - thats the part you never added.

While the LS1 is known for its relative low weight, I think we can safely assume the rotary is lighter.

(3rd gen RX-7 engine) 13B-REW=162kg/356lbs (this is an estimate, on the high side)

Chevy LS1=226kg/497lbs (http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...06/ls1ls6.html)

Both engine weights are fully dressed wet weights. So both would include drivetrain, ABS pump, power steering, air pump, air conditioning and alternator.

In addition, the LS1 is a physically larger engine and would not be able to sit as far back in the chasis as the original engine, and weight balance would probably be adversely affected. I'd be interested to see lap times of say equal hp cars, one with LS1 the other with rotary power...

I certainly have nothing against American V8s, but I think one in an RX-7...would just be out of character. The rotary is such a unique engine, if you want an LS1, why not just get a Corvette?

sentra, when u say fully dress up, does that includes the FMIC? Also, judging from the second pic, the LS engine does sit quite far back. The FMIC usually sits the furthest from the Cg of the car, and given the LS is a NA engine, that should deduct some of the disadvantages.

Out of character does not mean unsuitable.

The point is, in the context of the modification which has been done by many many people, the hybrid is very capable - and I have personally witnessed an LSx RX7 lap a rotary powered, track only car at Texas World... the "race" RX7 just made a lot of noise and was not as fast as people would have you believe, so what little advantage it hadint twisty bits by being lighter was all but lost when the track straightened out.

Unless the lightweight car has the HP to take on the straights, it is not always as it would seem.

[edit]
Here are some resources on the way the guys and girls who do the RX7/V8 swaps take care of the weight issue that everyone thinks is so bad..

http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/rx7balancing.html

http://members.tripod.com/~grannys/rx7.html

Equal HP cars? The very reason people go with V8 swaps is that the cost and complexity of a reliable streetable Rotary with 500hp is well, lets just say thats why the V8 swap exists in the first place.

;)

As far as I know, yes it includes the intercooler and turbo pumbling.

Well everything you say may be true, but I still say, if you want an LS1, why not just buy a Corvette? ;) :P

I read some of the website, pretty interesting.

They suggest:
Aluminum hood...I'm pretty sure a 3g RX-7 has one of these already, correct me if I'm wrong.

Aluminum intake manifold...doesn't the LS1 have a compsite one, which is even lighter than aluminum?

I'd assume if you mod an RX-7 you'd add a lighter exhaust system.

Aluminum heads...again, doesn't the LS1 already have these. I guess they are talking about earlier RX-7s and LT1 V8s? I'm sure they have something worked out, but I find it hard to believe that the handling hasn't been affected, even when the battery is moved around, etc.

And you know, I really don't care what the V8 does, I'd still rather have a rotary powered RX-7! :P

If I had the money, I'd do the ls1 swap.


here's the reason.
http://www.lukelonberger.com/media/lukesfd_0001.wmv


:D :shock:

Ah - at least some of us get it ;)

^^ you guys wil only do tht because of the sound ..... i dont see anyhting interesting other then that :P ... .

this reminds me of a rx-7 here .. the stupid owner put a 2 liter corolla's diesel egine in it haha ... jackass :lol:

^^ I am almost imagining with each name change you get odder :P

lol ......

imo .... puttin in an american engine in a rotary legend is just lame .. :) ....
it gives great performace and everything .. but it just dosnt seem right ..

That is the entire point of hot rodding - how do you think the Shelby Cobra came about?

By taking ou tthe lame-o stock wimpy excuse for an engine, and putting in some decent power.

Same principle.

you see .. the shelby corba wanst a legend before the the engine change .... the rx-7 was/is :P ... .

goto bed RC :P ... sweet dreams :mrgreen:

There is another option. How does low end torque with a 9,500rpm redline sound? :)

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5...eader117cw.jpg

I know a guy planning on a tri rotor in his RX8 as we speak...

It's a hell of an undertaking depending on how you do it. The cheap/easy way is to create a new subframe and move the steering rack. However, this creates bump steer and upsets the weight distribution.

I cut the firewall so I could move the motor back and down. It now sits lower and closer to the center of the car than the stock motor. The RX7 is not a very large car, so this made it even more difficult to find room for the turbo and turbo manifold.

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/6...igt42rs1bj.jpg
Ultimately we got it all to fit though.

I thought about doing a pushrod v8 instead, but they sound very rough to my ears, and regardless of the weight, they have to be positioned further forward in the engine bay than a 2 or 3 rotor.

The defining characteristic of the RX7 (IMO) is that it feels like a go cart. I don't see the point in doing anything to it that would take that away. Besides, the corvette C5-C6 has a very nice chassis/drivetrain. In fact, I am working on trying to use a T56 corvette transaxle/torque tube assembly in my car. I would much rather have a Z06 than an RX7 with a Z06 motor.

meh put this in there

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...8793_large.jpg

now that is heavy :mrgreen: :twisted:

i like being able to grab my rotary motor and pick it up and move it around the garage ;)

and im being serious lol! the 1.3 liter (no accessories) and the 1.8 miata motor (no accessories) i can pick up and move around without too muhc trouble

i like the v8 swaps (i know a guy here in phoenix who has to 2nd gen 7s with SBC power)

but i prefer the frantic fast reving smooth power of the rotary. when i wasnt v8 sound ill go borrow my friends mustangs ;)

Well, considering you can buy a used C5 Z06 for about $25,000 now - why don't you save the trouble and just go buy one? ;)