I've decided on a new project.

[JCE]

I've scrapped all of those other ideas for this one: get a 1986-1988 RX-7 and put a new engine in it. After doing some extensive research there are step by step guides, prefabricated parts available, and alot of local guys who have done it themselves. When I do it I do plan on being unique--I'm leaving the stock look of the car's interior and exterior with exception to some respectable wheels and a newer RX-7 Steering wheel, pistol grip shifter, and of course a custom fabricated gauge cluster that I'll do (did one in my old Mustang GT drag car). Since there is a guide to do the Nissan VG30DETT and the VG33ER among other Nissan motors I would imagine that I could fit the VQ35 in it.

Take a look here for some finished products: http://v8rx7.com/visitors_cars.htm

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Pistol grip shifter?

I've only ever seen those for automatic transmissions.

Please tell me you're not going to waste an FC on an AT...

 

[My_Sterious]

Sounds nice mate! That Chevy engined, white convertible looks mean BTW.
My dad's worker was thinking of putting an RX-7-engine, propably from the older model, to his tiny 323 Mazda, like THIS, but he was joking. It would've been cool though...

 

[JCE]

Pistol grip shifter?

I've only ever seen those for automatic transmissions.

Please tell me you're not going to waste an FC on an AT...

Maybe I need to change what I mean, I won't be using a normal manual stick shifter--you know a small stick with a ball or somekind of head on it but more like a vertical grip--it's simliar to the old Eagle Talon auto shifter stick.

Sort of shaped like this:

 

[niky]

Rotary into a 323 wouldn't work... no way to do the transmission... a lot of us Mazda owners have dreamed of it, though... Best 323 swap is a turbo 323 GTX engine, or a Mazdaspeed Protege 2 liter turbo.

But I imagine someone out there with a welding torch and too much time on his hands could convert an old AWD 323 GTX into a RWD Rotary powered 323...

***

Best thing to swap a VQ35DE into would be a Sentra. It's hell crazy, but someone's already done it. If you really want to swap something into an RX7, an SR20DET would give you some good power... and it's not much heavier than the old rotary. Would definitely be better for the handling balance than the VQ. But if you want to go big power, you might as well go straight to the V8s.... don't know if any will fit, though.

 

[My_Sterious]

But I imagine someone out there with a welding torch and too much time on his hands could convert an old AWD 323 GTX into a RWD Rotary powered 323...

Even a thought of that makes me drool Leaving the exterior of the car stock then would be awesome. Think how many guys you could fool in the traffic lights

 

[JCE]

If you really want to swap something into an RX7, an SR20DET would give you some good power... and it's not much heavier than the old rotary. Would definitely be better for the handling balance than the VQ. But if you want to go big power, you might as well go straight to the V8s.... don't know if any will fit, though.

I'm thinking about larger displacement so I'm obviously avoiding annything lower than 3.0 liters. I may just settllle with the Ford 302 or Chevy350.

 

[Famine]

Rotary into a 323 wouldn't work... no way to do the transmission... a lot of us Mazda owners have dreamed of it, though...

 

[Joey D]

The coolest RX-7 on that site is the one with the Grand National motor in it. But ya V8's powered anything is always cool.

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

Wow. Some people have too much time on their hands.
Obviously lots of talent, but way too much time.

 

[ND4SPD]

Boo, don't put a nissan motor in it. I find it sad to see rx-7's with anything other than a rotary in it....Ask the people on RX7club.com. They'd be glad to help you and give you tips. Although lately, I've taken a liking to LS1 powered FD's.....Hmm here's a nifty little project idea, take the miller cycle supercharger from a newer Millenia and put it on the rotary. I believe someone has already attempted it successfully.

 

[JCE]

Boo, don't put a nissan motor in it. I find it sad to see rx-7's with anything other than a rotary in it....Ask the people on RX7club.com. They'd be glad to help you and give you tips. Although lately, I've taken a liking to LS1 powered FD's.....Hmm here's a nifty little project idea, take the miller cycle supercharger from a newer Millenia and put it on the rotary. I believe someone has already attempted it successfully.

I'm already posting on thier forum. And eh, Nissan makes some of the best motors ever. And Rotaries engines are unreliable for people who drive them harder than a grandma. I know more than 1 person who's gone through engine after engine--one of which isn't a young person who drives like a normal person should. 👍 I don't find it sad to see motor conversions--being a huge Nissan fan if someone stuffed an LS1 in a 350Z I'd be thrilled! I think it's a good thing and frankly cool thing for someone to stuff another motor in a different branded car--it's a good accomplishment and I respect it tremendously.

 

[Jay]

Rotary into a 323 wouldn't work... no way to do the transmission... a lot of us Mazda owners have dreamed of it, though... Best 323 swap is a turbo 323 GTX engine, or a Mazdaspeed Protege 2 liter turbo.

But I imagine someone out there with a welding torch and too much time on his hands could convert an old AWD 323 GTX into a RWD Rotary powered 323...

Are you thinking of the 80's FWD 323's (Famine pictured) or the late 70's early 80's RWD 323's? Because the earlier RWD 323's (I have one) are great for Rotary transplants, tons of room and large trans tunnel to fit. If you are thinking of the RWD 323's what transmission problems are there?

BTW Skylinegoes was refering to the RWD 323 looking at the picture supplied.

miller cycle supercharger from a newer Millenia and put it on the rotary. I believe someone has already attempted it successfully.

Miller cycle Superchargers are not really designed for outright power, Im curious how well this Supercharger worked on the Rotary?

 

[ND4SPD]

Are you thinking of the 80's FWD 323's (Famine pictured) or the late 70's early 80's RWD 323's? Because the earlier RWD 323's (I have one) are great for Rotary transplants, tons of room and large trans tunnel to fit.




Miller cycle Superchargers are not really designed for outright power, Im curious how well this Supercharger worked on the Rotary?

Damn I don't remember what forum it was but it was an NA FC RX-7 and it gave him a bump in hp of around 15-20hp I think.

 

[ND4SPD]

I'm already posting on thier forum. And eh, Nissan makes some of the best motors ever. And Rotaries engines are unreliable for people who drive them harder than a grandma. I know more than 1 person who's gone through engine after engine--one of which isn't a young person who drives like a normal person should. 👍 I don't find it sad to see motor conversions--being a huge Nissan fan if someone stuffed an LS1 in a 350Z I'd be thrilled! I think it's a good thing and frankly cool thing for someone to stuff another motor in a different branded car--it's a good accomplishment and I respect it tremendously.

Touché, all power to you man. Infact I'm liking V8 RX-7's even more, but not as much as rotary powered ones.

Damnit, sorry for the double posting. Damn convo forum kinda screwed that up for me.

 

[JCE]

Touché, all power to you man. Infact I'm liking V8 RX-7's even more, but not as much as rotary powered ones.

Check out this guy's videos of his LT1 swap...the sound is just mesmerizing. I'm talking to him now about how his went in more detail. 👍 I definately want to do this--all that's left for me is a second job just to fund this endeavor. If I have to work 6 days a week for a bit I will. It won't cost that much for an LT1 swap if I choose to go that route and not a VG30DETT.

 

[ND4SPD]

Check out this guy's videos of his LT1 swap...the sound is just mesmerizing. I'm talking to him now about how his went in more detail. 👍 I definately want to do this--all that's left for me is a second job just to fund this endeavor. If I have to work 6 days a week for a bit I will. It won't cost that much for an LT1 swap if I choose to go that route and not a VG30DETT.

Awesome man, get an LT1! That'll sound quite nice. Just wondering, what are the weight differences between an LT1 and an LS1?

 

[JCE]

Awesome man, get an LT1! That'll sound quite nice. Just wondering, what are the weight differences between an LT1 and an LS1?

I think about 50lbs? Either way both can be installed and still keep the FC RX-7's 50/50 weight distribution. 👍 LS1's make alot more power but LT1's are much cheaper.

 

[niky]

@VIPERGTSR01, was talking about the late 80's GTX... merely because it has AWD, thus you won't have to fabricate a new transmission tunnel for the driveshaft.

Early 80's 323/Lasers make great project cars, too. They're hella cheap, light, and are half primer and rust by this time. I know a few guys getting 14s in those with tiny TINY amounts of money.

That is just too cool. How did he mate the tranny housing? Give us details!!!!

@JCE3000GT - V8s get my vote... simpler plumbing, more power. And it's bound to get both domestic lovers and import lovers in a snit.

 

[Jay]

@VIPERGTSR01, was talking about the late 80's GTX... merely because it has AWD, thus you won't have to fabricate a new transmission tunnel for the driveshaft.
Early 80's 323/Lasers make great project cars, too. They're hella cheap, light, and are half primer and rust by this time. I know a few guys getting 14s in those with tiny TINY amounts of money.

Yeah I have a early 80's RWD 323 and was considering installing a rotary into it, you just confused me abit because SkylineGoes was refering to the early RWD 323 then you came along and said a Rotary into a 323 wont work, cleared up now.

 

[YSSMAN]

1) Sweet, go for it. I love seeing Japanese cars go American power... There is a guy with a Nissan 280Z with a Chevrolet 350 4-barrel driving around these parts, and he used a lot of old Corvette pieces for the engine, transmission, and rear axle.

2) You might, however, have an easier time swapping a V8 into an early Miata more than likely for less money... But, its your decision...

3) The biggest difference between the LT1 and LS1 the aluminum construction, new heads, new intake, and a few other goodies... Power jumped from 285 to 305 in the Camaro Z/28 going from 1997 to 1998, and also gave improved fuel economy as well...

Other than that, there really arent huge differences between much of the Small Block Chevy designs other than casting materials, heads, and intake manifold designs. The cylinder design has changed a teeny tiny bit, but overall, it is much the same... Heres to another 50+ years of great V8 engines!