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Old 06-24-2006, 08:33 PM   #1
ae86_16v
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Default RX-7 Mods

Look at the size of that TURBO!



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.

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Old 06-24-2006, 09:23 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by everso
that V8 option is what Gob3z (JW member) wanted to do with his RX7.....but as i was talking to a few people about this, they were thinking that all of the good balance and handling of the RX7 would totally be ruined by adding a heavy ass american engine. the original engine in the RX7 was *tiny*

the turbo is huge, btw...lol.
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.
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Old 06-24-2006, 09:50 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by everso
i actually asked around for the LS1 engine here in detroit (for Gobz) for that car, and the people who told me it is heavy *when compared to the RX7's original engine*...and they KNOW what they are talking about...unlike yourself
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.
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Old 06-24-2006, 10:07 PM   #4
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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?
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Old 06-24-2006, 10:30 PM   #5
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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.
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Old 06-24-2006, 10:40 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by sentra_dude
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?
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

Originally Posted by sentra_dude
I'd be interested to see lap times of say equal hp cars, one with LS1 the other with rotary power...
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.

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Old 06-25-2006, 01:12 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by 5vz-fe
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.
As far as I know, yes it includes the intercooler and turbo pumbling.

Originally Posted by RC45
Originally Posted by sentra_dude
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?
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

Originally Posted by sentra_dude
I'd be interested to see lap times of say equal hp cars, one with LS1 the other with rotary power...
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.

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

I read some of the website, pretty interesting.

They suggest:
1. The best way is to remove weight from the front until the car balances. This provides for the lightest possible car. Easy ways are installing an aluminum hood, aluminum intake manifold, lite exhaust components, aluminum heads, lighter starter / flywheel, etc.
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!
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Old 06-25-2006, 01:48 AM   #8
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If I had the money, I'd do the ls1 swap.


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


:shock:
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Old 06-26-2006, 12:54 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by black_magician
If I had the money, I'd do the ls1 swap.


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


:shock:
Ah - at least some of us get it
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Old 06-26-2006, 01:17 AM   #10
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^^ you guys wil only do tht because of the sound ..... i dont see anyhting interesting other then that ... .

this reminds me of a rx-7 here .. the stupid owner put a 2 liter corolla's diesel egine in it haha ... jackass
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Old 06-26-2006, 02:13 AM   #11
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^^ I am almost imagining with each name change you get odder
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Old 06-26-2006, 02:43 AM   #12
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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 ..
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Old 06-26-2006, 02:48 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Marty
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.
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Old 06-26-2006, 02:51 AM   #14
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you see .. the shelby corba wanst a legend before the the engine change .... the rx-7 was/is ... .

goto bed RC ... sweet dreams
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Old 07-04-2006, 05:47 PM   #15
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There is another option. How does low end torque with a 9,500rpm redline sound?

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