Barkalarr
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 08:51 PM |
|
|
Mazda RX8 - Which Engine
Now, at the moment, this is purely hyperthetical.
there are loads of Mazda RX-8 's available for small change because the engines have blown up.
Leather seats, bose speakers, 4 doors semi sensible for the kids...
Now, my question is, what engine is going to fit under the bonnet with the least amount of fuss ? I.e what engine would happily bolt up to the rx8
gearbox ?
Don't suggest another recon RX-8 rotary engine.
I'm not looking for anything which will break land speed records - just something quite sensible which could be used as a daily driver and would
return > 35 mpg
I've seen another post which could suggest a duratec ? This would be great - any idea if this has been done already ?
Could a diesel fit in there ?
Ideas and justification welcome
|
|
|
|
|
Volvorsport
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 09:04 PM |
|
|
Pinto
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
|
|
|
JonnyH
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 09:05 PM |
|
|
Lot of people put MX5 engines in them, pretty simple swap i believe.
On a slightly unrelated note, unless you want to get shot on site i suggest not ever telling a serious RX8 owner you're thinking about dropping
a diesel in one... 
|
|
|
big_wasa
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 09:11 PM |
|
|
Duratec, at least its related  I didn't think anything was a bolt on fit to the gearbox ?
|
|
|
nick205
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 09:22 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsport
Pinto
It would be a talking point, especially if you opted for a Weber 32/36 carb poking out of the bonnet with a nice chrome air filer.
|
|
|
INDY BIRD
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 09:23 PM |
|
|
Isn't the gearbox almost the same as a mx5 6 sipped so should be able to bolt upto a duratec?
Other than that v8 ls1 conversion,
Honda s2000 swap,
Nissan sr20 engine
Perhaps a toyota engine
Another project for you then?
|
|
|
nick205
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 09:29 PM |
|
|
On a more serious note, given the low bonnet line of the RX8 a Subaru flat four might be an idea.
A work colleague had an RX8 a few years ago as a company car. This meant we all got to have a bash in it. I have to say whilst it was a nice car
overall, the rotary engine really didn't do it for me. The car was reasonably quick, but lacked any excitement or nice engine noise. It would
be interesting to know what the car is like with a different engine.
I also find it strange given Ford/Mazda sharing that Ford didn't use the car for something more interesting. They could have made a
Subaru/Toyota GT85 type car, which IMHO would have been popular with Ford fans.
|
|
|
Volvorsport
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 09:32 PM |
|
|
More sensible, Volvo 5 cyl
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
|
|
|
macc man
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 09:55 PM |
|
|
I looked into this some time ago. I wanted to fit a V8 but not many will fit. I got a quote for insurance which was quite high.
Insurers don't like modified cars. Its a nice idea but not quite as easy as you may think. In the USA they use the LS engine which is readily
available over there. Check with your insurance fist before making any plans.
|
|
|
Ugg10
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 10:04 PM |
|
|
Keep it in the Mazda family, klde 2.5 v6 with bike tbs and mega squirt, will bolt, with adaptor to an mx5 or rx7 gearbox so rx8 may be possible.
200hp, decent torque, v6 sound and revs well norh of 7k. Search clairetoo on here and other forums for here mx5 and fury installations.
Worth having a u2u with this guy he has done the rx8 klde install - http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=194351
[Edited on 16/10/14 by Ugg10]
[Edited on 16/10/14 by Ugg10]
---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com
|
|
|
morcus
|
| posted on 16/10/14 at 10:17 PM |
|
|
My dad wants to do the same thing (But never will unfortunately) as you can get them for peanuts and they're nice looking cars, just really
expensive to run because of the engines. He reckons there's a big enough market that you could go into business doing conversions.
I thought it was weird that Ford never made use of the RX8 or MX5 Platforms.
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
|
|
|
Barkalarr
|
| posted on 17/10/14 at 06:22 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by INDY BIRD
Another project for you then?
No, not yet but was just looking about and couldn't believe how many there are on the market with knackered engines.
It's such a great car.
SWMBO has different ideas - I've got to fit a new kitchen in the utility room next week.
macc man I think is on the money below - insurance companies don't like the modified car, so this might be the sticking point.
The ideas for the engine I'll investigate further, but I think the duratec or the klde could be the routes to go down.
|
|
|
Dingz
|
| posted on 17/10/14 at 09:18 AM |
|
|
They do look very nice, its a bit of deja vu here, like when people were fitting 'normal' engines into the NSU Ro80! I think the ford V4
was favourite at the time.
Phoned the local ramblers club today, but the bloke who answered just
went on and on.
|
|
|
DAN@ADRIAN FLUX
|
| posted on 17/10/14 at 08:13 PM |
|
|
Hi,
If you'd like an insurance quote with any form of engine swap then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.
|
|
|
Barkalarr
|
| posted on 17/10/14 at 09:05 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by DAN@ADRIAN FLUX
Hi,
If you'd like an insurance quote with any form of engine swap then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.
Funnily enough I spoke to someone from Adrian Flux earlier today and they said it probably wouldn't make much difference to the cost of the
insurance as you guys specialise in modified vehicles - so that's handy to know...
|
|
|
Browser
|
| posted on 17/10/14 at 09:52 PM |
|
|
Audi V8?
|
|
|
nick205
|
| posted on 17/10/14 at 10:13 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Browser
Audi V8?
...in a mid-engine setup would be interesting.
|
|
|
Neb
|
| posted on 18/10/14 at 07:11 AM |
|
|
What about a BMW 6pot and box?
Power would need to be comparable to a existing rotary otherwise it would be a little pointless, although they didn't make much torque.
Did all RX8's come with a LSD?
Anything else to worry about with these I.e. Rot?
|
|
|
Neb
|
| posted on 18/10/14 at 07:21 AM |
|
|
Forget the 6pot. To long.
http://www.reyland.co.uk/adaptor-plates/
|
|
|
Nickp
|
| posted on 18/10/14 at 07:34 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Neb
What about a BMW 6pot and box?
Power would need to be comparable to a existing rotary otherwise it would be a little pointless, although they didn't make much torque.
Did all RX8's come with a LSD?
Anything else to worry about with these I.e. Rot?
+1
Cheap 328i donor, which'll do 230+bhp with an M50 manifold and remap
|
|
|
Nickp
|
| posted on 18/10/14 at 07:35 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Nickp
quote:
Originally posted by Neb
What about a BMW 6pot and box?
Power would need to be comparable to a existing rotary otherwise it would be a little pointless, although they didn't make much torque.
Did all RX8's come with a LSD?
Anything else to worry about with these I.e. Rot?
+1
Cheap 328i donor, which'll do 230+bhp with an M50 manifold and remap
Will do 35+mpg on a run but can be a tad thirsty when thrashed but not in the same ball park as the wankel 
|
|
|
Ugg10
|
| posted on 18/10/14 at 07:45 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Neb
Forget the 6pot. To long.
http://www.reyland.co.uk/adaptor-plates/
That is a good spot, vag 20v turbo to rx8 box plate. Easy 300hp reliably, loads of info and tuners out thereand donor engines are cheap, just make
sure you get the right one (big/small valve versions etc.).
---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com
|
|
|
Neb
|
| posted on 20/10/14 at 09:56 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Ugg10
quote:
Originally posted by Neb
Forget the 6pot. To long.
http://www.reyland.co.uk/adaptor-plates/
That is a good spot, vag 20v turbo to rx8 box plate. Easy 300hp reliably, loads of info and tuners out thereand donor engines are cheap, just make
sure you get the right one (big/small valve versions etc.).
Cheers, I really like the shape of the RX8 and did hanker after one as a project.
My only worry with the VAG turbo't lump is the torque and whether the RX8 box could take it.
The Reyland chaps had started the project but not found that they had finished it. Bit more googling required me thinks.
|
|
|
KFC
|
| posted on 1/11/14 at 01:23 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Barkalarr
Now, at the moment, this is purely hyperthetical.
there are loads of Mazda RX-8 's available for small change because the engines have blown up.
Leather seats, bose speakers, 4 doors semi sensible for the kids...
Now, my question is, what engine is going to fit under the bonnet with the least amount of fuss ? I.e what engine would happily bolt up to the rx8
gearbox ?
Don't suggest another recon RX-8 rotary engine.
I'm not looking for anything which will break land speed records - just something quite sensible which could be used as a daily driver and would
return > 35 mpg
I've seen another post which could suggest a duratec ? This would be great - any idea if this has been done already ?
Could a diesel fit in there ?
Ideas and justification welcome
Hey, I'm doing the conversion with the KLDE V6, same purpose, every day car and on LPG. It's a great fit, ok, I had to make some cuts on
the bulk head to make some clearance for the cylinder heads but most importantly, the width of the heads fit between the clutch master and the heater
pipes on the other side. It's tight but fits. Clears the subframe and rack. I wanted to keep as much of the running gear as possible so the
8's moded flywheel and back is all standard. I had the flywheel cut and lightened at work and fits the klde crankshaft perfectly. I'm
having adapter plates made with the flywheel and spacer. The flywheel combination with the clutch weight is light, flywheel alone weighs 4.5kgs, the
pressure plate is a bit heavier than the small klde pressure plate but I still think it will sound right when you blip the throttle. These will be
available soon.
|
|
|
