Mazda rx8 with ls1 5.7 v8 conversion
Discussion
Hello ! I am new to piston heads but I wanted to share this conversion , it's the biggest mod I have ever had done and am really excited !!!! I will be doing some of the work my self and will be repainting it my self in the winter (I have a bodyshop with my family in Birmingham )
A short history since I started in December 2013
After a long time trying to find an engine pull out I found an ls1 (5.7 v8 with 16000 miles from a monaro I eventually received this in early February )
I found a tidy mazda rx8 in mid February with a seized engine
In-between then I have brought lots of parts ready to put together
New uprated cam, valve springs, sump etc
Hsd coilovers
18" rota alloys
I brought some drilled and grooved discs all round and some cl brake pads all round
I have since brought a brembo brake calliper and disc upgrade
Polly bush kit for all the front suspension
I also had a sump baffle made
It goes in to a friends garage ( Dyno torque in Birmingham) on Monday to start the conversion I am really excited I will post pictures and updates as we go through
A short history since I started in December 2013
After a long time trying to find an engine pull out I found an ls1 (5.7 v8 with 16000 miles from a monaro I eventually received this in early February )
I found a tidy mazda rx8 in mid February with a seized engine
In-between then I have brought lots of parts ready to put together
New uprated cam, valve springs, sump etc
Hsd coilovers
18" rota alloys
I brought some drilled and grooved discs all round and some cl brake pads all round
I have since brought a brembo brake calliper and disc upgrade
Polly bush kit for all the front suspension
I also had a sump baffle made
It goes in to a friends garage ( Dyno torque in Birmingham) on Monday to start the conversion I am really excited I will post pictures and updates as we go through
Can I ask why you have chosen a V8 and not gone down the route of a freshly rebuilt RX7 engine? You could easily get at least 450BHP from a specialist plus your weight distribution will be kept near the original not affecting the handling and your centre of gravity would be lower..
However I can understand parts are easier to come buy and maintenance would be a lot easier on the V8!
However I can understand parts are easier to come buy and maintenance would be a lot easier on the V8!
Joeguard1990 said:
Can I ask why you have chosen a V8 and not gone down the route of a freshly rebuilt RX7 engine? You could easily get at least 450BHP from a specialist plus your weight distribution will be kept near the original not affecting the handling and your centre of gravity would be lower..
However I can understand parts are easier to come buy and maintenance would be a lot easier on the V8!
Short of putting double the original horsepower through an LS, you aren't going to be worrying about it throwing it's internals all over the road.However I can understand parts are easier to come buy and maintenance would be a lot easier on the V8!
There is no getting away from it, rotary engines are a bit of a nightmare and cost a decent wedge to rebuild and they do blow up. RX-7 engines more so than RX-8 ones too. At least with an LS there are no oil usage concerns, the engine is largely bulletproof and it'll be reasonably trouble free motoring; at least with someone like DynoTorque doing the work, that's probably true.
Great project, this may turn out to be the perfect solution for what I am looking for. A great looking sports car, with enough room in the back for 2 kids, a kick-ass V8 power and soundtrack and decent handling.
Don't mean to offend anybody here, but the RX-8 despite being cleverly designed lacked sufficient cojones.
Please keep us updated.
Don't mean to offend anybody here, but the RX-8 despite being cleverly designed lacked sufficient cojones.
Please keep us updated.
At the expense of handling, but then each to their own. IMO as an RX-8 owner, nothing about the car lends itself to being a muscle V8 type, everything is lightweight to touch and hold and feel, including the steering wheel, body panels, interior. I think it's a shame not putting a rotary engine back in it as it is a virtually a bespoke car designed from the ground up.
Nothing against your work or choice, I just think that if people look at how the RX-8 was designed they may think twice and appreciate the thought and build behind it.
Nothing against your work or choice, I just think that if people look at how the RX-8 was designed they may think twice and appreciate the thought and build behind it.
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