RX8 Engine Swap?? What Engine
KFC - 16/10/13 at 03:36 PM
Hey all,
I've posted another thread about a V6 as a replacement for the rotary engine in the RX8. The cars are really cheap at the moment because of the
crap engines are coming to the end of their life.
I would like to put in a V6 just because I love the sound and it's compact design 
, it's measurements are somewhat square, short, low and
wide rather than an inline 4 that is tall.
I don't want to get into chopping out the bulkhead to fit the engine. I need to see a RX8 with the engine in to see if the split line is really
far back, I have a sneaky feeling it is.
Does anyone think no other engine would fit without chopping into the chassis anywhere and keeping the standard gearbox where it is??
S2kPower - 16/10/13 at 03:51 PM
I think a lot of people use the 200sx engine. I should think that your options are limited as the rotary is extremely compact
big_wasa - 16/10/13 at 04:25 PM
you will have to chop it.
[Edited on 16/10/13 by big_wasa]
rdodger - 16/10/13 at 05:11 PM
How much is a new engine?
If you are doing the spanners surely it's got to be cheaper to fit a brand new engine than swopping it?
A recon with 2tr warranty is £1300.
KFC - 16/10/13 at 05:54 PM
quote:
Originally posted by rdodger
How much is a new engine?
If you are doing the spanners surely it's got to be cheaper to fit a brand new engine than swopping it?
A recon with 2tr warranty is £1300.
Yeah, I've been a mechanic all my life and still like working on cars, mad I know.
I don't particularly like the rotary engine as it has a horrible sound and really thirsty. The 2.5L V6 I'm during at the moment is not bad
mpg wise, 30mpg back and forth to work which is a mix of driving and can get 40 on the motorway. I never look when I put my foot down but a happy
medium would be good.
big_wasa - 16/10/13 at 05:58 PM
A rebuilt rotary is daft money, in the order of £3k. Hence why they are getting written of.
And where is the fun in that
rdodger - 16/10/13 at 07:40 PM
Ok FUN it is!
If it helps I know the later RX8 shared the gearbox with the MX5. I suspect that is the MK3 MX5 though so Claire's adaptor for the KL V6
isn't going to fit.
That doesn't help really does it!?
KFC - 16/10/13 at 08:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by rdodger
Ok FUN it is!
If it helps I know the later RX8 shared the gearbox with the MX5. I suspect that is the MK3 MX5 though so Claire's adaptor for the KL V6
isn't going to fit.
That doesn't help really does it!?
Well, it's always a good read..
big_wasa - 16/10/13 at 08:56 PM
But that should mean the the rx8 box bolts to the 2.0 and 2.3 duratec ?
Bare - 16/10/13 at 09:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by big_wasa
A rebuilt rotary is daft money, in the order of £3k. Hence why they are getting written of.
And where is the fun in that
You might believe so .. But 3k is about average Retail price for a rebuild on most any Moderne engine.
Still, does that reduce that not inexpensive to buy new car, to 500!? Hardly.
Perhaps some dodgy adventure going on where everybody is looking at the One and Only RX8 at that 500 price?
macc man - 16/10/13 at 09:36 PM
I looked into the prospect of dropping a v8 into an RX8, but when I checked out the engine options available, the american LS engine was the front
runner due to size & weight. It is a big undertaking and not exactly cheap. Such a shame as the RX8 is a great looking car in my opinion. Best of
luck.
swanny - 16/10/13 at 09:38 PM
Yep me too, I love them, only wish there was a way to resolve the inherent rotary issues.
theduck - 16/10/13 at 09:40 PM
Put a proper rotary in it, rx8 is crying out for a 13b
rdodger - 16/10/13 at 09:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by big_wasa
But that should mean the the rx8 box bolts to the 2.0 and 2.3 duratec ?
It should. I don't know if it was altered at all to fit the rotary, but the box is supposed to be the same in the later ones.
Perhaps not. A little more research seems to show that the gearbox's have been shared between The MX5, RX7, RX8 and S2000. Although they are made
by Aisin to the same architecture I don't think they are interchangeable with each other as they will have different bell housings.
Looks like I've become even less useful now! 
[Edited on 16/10/13 by rdodger]
dhutch - 17/10/13 at 05:34 AM
Ive been the passenger in a rx8 and I have to day I really liked it, its sort of a really happy balance between a car engine and a bike engine. But
the running costs are mental.
Daniel
Simon - 19/10/13 at 07:25 PM
Ok, here's a pic of an RX8 engine bay (all stuff removed) with an LS1 engine hanging in there:
Big init
ATB
Simon
Nickp - 19/10/13 at 09:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Simon
Ok, here's a pic of an RX8 engine bay (all stuff removed) with an LS1 engine hanging in there:
Big init
ATB
Simon
Looks like it'll take a turbo either side
coozer - 20/10/13 at 10:55 AM
What about a Lexus V8, sure its been done before..
KFC - 7/11/13 at 08:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Simon
Ok, here's a pic of an RX8 engine bay (all stuff removed) with an LS1 engine hanging in there:
Big init
ATB
Simon
Hi Simon,
Would you have measurements of the engine bay? The width somewhere your exhaust flanges would be? Those protruding shelves make the clearance look
tight.
Also the measurement from the gearbox bellhousing flange to the subframe or steering rack, what even is closer?
I want to see more of this. There's a bloke on the miataturbo.net forum putting a V6 into one, The site won't allow me to contact him but it
looks like it will be an amazing conversion. His user name is lazzer408.
Have a look.
http://www.miataturbo.net/engine-performance-56/v6-swap-options-70159/page4/