rx8 VAG 20v motor

[Fastdruid]

Wide and tall though, I think you'd struggle to fit it. I did consider seeing if the 1UZ-FE would fit (no point as stock but can be boosted to 500 easily without any mods). I still might.

[OlberJ]

chuntington101 said:

How about the Audi A4 V8? they are very short (well the one with the chain drive at the rear is) and can take some boost (TTS do a 600bhp supercharger kit).....

Really? I'll need to research that one as that's exactly what's going in my next Mr2. Cheers.

[chuntington101]

Here is a very good thread about how to shoehorn a Audi V8 in to something tiny.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Justin S]

Oh dear, this thread has me looking at dead RX8's. The missus did say that some possibly had hideous tax bands for road tax. Is there a cut off for it being cheaper to tax?

[Fastdruid]

Same as all cars, pre 23rd March 2006.

[ManOpener]

OlberJ said:

chuntington101 said:

How about the Audi A4 V8? they are very short (well the one with the chain drive at the rear is) and can take some boost (TTS do a 600bhp supercharger kit).....

Really? I'll need to research that one as that's exactly what's going in my next Mr2. Cheers.

I did some digging for anothe thread a while back. The ABZ engine (out of an A8) is smaller in dimentions than almost any other V8 out there.

From Hilly over on Motorgeeks
Length of engine (front pulley to bellhousing face) = 490mm
Max width of engine (across exhaust manifolds) = 760mm
Max height of engine (sump to idle air valve) = 660mm

In comparison, an LSx
Length of an engine- 700mm
Max width- 760mm
Max height- 690mm

So smaller than an LS series.

[OlberJ]

Oh i know, i've been planning it for quite some time. With the 2010 Audi box too, driveshaft centre to front of engine is only 780mm or so. It's some combination.

Anyways, hi-jack over. Any more progress OP?

[Garybee]

To the OP, are you planning on changing the final drive ratio? I'm planning on doing an engine conversion on my RX8, thinking about either a Duratec or possibly just a 2 litre Zetec on TBs.

With the diff having a ratio of somewhere around 4.4:1 that could do with being swapped out. I don't believe there are any Diff's that would just swap in with a different ratio though, which means looking at making hybrid driveshafts which is a bit of a faff.

[Don1]

Great ideas - good engine for a good car. Will be good to see the finished products.

[RobCrezz]

Fastdruid said:

RobCrezz said:

Cant help thinking a Honda S2000 F20C motor (or a CTR K20A if it could be mated to the rx8 gearbox) would be more suited?

Why? Serious question, why?

It makes all of about 7 more HP, about 2 more mpg and weighs a lot more. The cost in getting it to work would buy you a replacement RX-8 engine and I can't see any project like this (once complete) doing more than the 50k or so that a new/replacement RX-8 engine should last so reliability isn't the goal.

V8's, big power turbo'd engines yes but the S2000? Pointless.

Mainly as its a nice engine. Wasnt really thinking about higher power or more mpgs, but if the wankel has failed then the Honda lump has similar character but very reliable in my experience.

But I am also aware on cost, so I understand why the VAG lump is being used

[rotarymazda]

The guy who did my RX8 engine conversion (Renesis into MX5) got his last dead RX8 for £250 and is putting a 20b in it for racing. (Engine failed at 99k)

Most of the dead RX8 engines he rebuilds are caused by using oil that doesn't completely burn in the combustion chambers (synthetic or semi-synthetic). A brown residue builds up, causes the apex seals to chatter, score the housing and then its all over. I was shown some examples.

For my conversion, I have premix injected into the chambers via a custom controller rather than the main oil supply. The engine should last longer than the rest of the car. There is no cat to block up and better coils are also used.

I think the RX8 engine just hasn't got enough torque for the weight of the car, its suits the weight of the MX5 much better.

Good luck with your conversion.

[JB!]

just curious as to why you chose a transverse-mounted 20vt and not a longditudinal from a passat/a4...

[r1tey]

could the VAG motor be fitted to a mk3 mx5?

[John_S4x4]

Any updates ?

[tinker-27]

Been so busy at work we have do e some but not much ! Will get back onto it soon

[adaptive]

bookmarked... I fancy one of these for a track slag, will be interested if a kit or trailer in/drive out option becomes available

[FloppyRaccoon]

Be interested in the cost of this build all in. Presume you could get an RX8 with a naff engine for not much more than £1k.

[John_S4x4]

Still busy, I presume ?

[Donkeyx]

How about a Subaru flat 4? 2.0 impreza or 2.5 legacy turbo? Certainly low enough and short enough, wouldnt think the width should be a problem of you can squeeze a v8 in one, there cheep and tuneable! Have been thinking of this route when my rx8 finally dies, just the matter of making it mate up to the gearbox, any ideas people?

[Kitchski]

Although the spirit of the RX-8 revolves around the rotary lump, I can understand wanting to switch with conventional lumps in pursuit of durability. Like the RX-8 too.

But christ I'd have gone for something with a bit more 'zing.' Those 20v lumps are just so dull!