Any V8 Swappers here???
 

hi all, I am a new member, trying to gather some information on what it takes to put a small block ford (347) and a 5-(or 6)speed into an FD RX7. my biggest concerns are fitment, k-member, transmission location and mounting, fuel delivery, electronics compatability, and if I can run an 8.8" or 9" rear end in it without a problem. I'd also buy a rolling FD for the swap, as long as the body panels are there and nothing is bent, bashed in, or missing, what would they run? I'm sure its been done before so I'm not entering uncharted territory. the motor would be carb'd so fuel injection wouldn't be an issue.

I'm sure you'll have to weld some mounts. No biggie. Electronics will be a PITA. I've seen it done to an FB and FC... but never to an FD.

How much difference is there between the 3??

well im not a fan of v8 swaps at alll!!!! but it can and has been done before.. they sell mount kits for them, not sure about fd's though, but the hardest part would be fitment.. since its gunna be carbed then there are no wiring issues...

If it wasn't carbed out...what would be the wiring issues it would have??

Check your engine sizes, I'm not aware of many Carb'd V8's that could fit comfortably in an FD body. Too shallow I think. That's why it's mostly done with FC's since they are more conventionally shaped under the hood.
Good luck though, the rotary is the keystone of RX7's but if it is better to have a V8 than no motor in one of those beautifiul babies.
One of the best parts of a V8 swap into an rx is the large amount of low end torque you'll get. Burnout city! So be prepared to slap a mean differential onto the car and don't just dive into a new engine.

oh also go here:
http://www.torquecentral.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=3
lots of info on v8 swaps there

thanks for the info. I'm sure there are lots of after market and cowl hoods for these guys available right? hehe, personally I have never seen a cowl hood on an FD, I think it'd look bad ass cause FDs are one of the best looking cars around IMO. the 347 is physically the same size as a 302 (based off the 302 block), welding mounts shouldn't be a problem, but a pre-fabbed mount would save a lot of time and hassle for me. things like speedometers and other gauges based on sensors are what I'm concerned about as far as electronics go. are they standalone or are they controlled by the onboard computer? Also about rear ends, are there any companies that make direct bolt in 9" or 12 bolt rear ends for a RX7, and would a t-56 or tremec t-5 bolt in more or less? Do any of you have pictures of fords (or GM small block chevys) in FDs?

Most guages are controlled by vacuum hosing and wires. I don't believe the ECU is given that load of info to handle, although I do know that all of those solenoids can be wired to the ECU to control them directly. But not to show them on guages.

I've never seen or heard of an FD v8 swap sorry.

www.hinsonsupercars.com hasa bunch of LS1 swapping stuff, it doesn't look that hard, but I don't want to deal with an LS1s expenses and fuel injection in general :P, I'll post around on torque central

there is a guy in east texas who drops GM and ford motors into rx7s. talked to him at a race once, he has a drag car FD with a 383 stroker motor and "NOS" he claimed he was making big power, was running an Rx7 trany, though he did get eliminated in the first round by an Rx7 with just a 13B, mid 9 sec pas if i remember.
if your gona go through all that trouble why not go with a 3 rotor 20B?

20bb can cost upwards of 15k to install. and thats w.o a rebuild... most likely you wont be able to run twin turbos unless you remove all the solenoid shit.. single turbo is money too...custom manifold plus nice size turbo around 5k... plus intercooler piping, intercooler, radiator, subframe, fuel, and most importantly computer.... Its a big ass mission and I doubt its even comparable to a simple ass v8 swap...

either way your gona have to make a subframe to fit the larger motor. with custom plumbing. 20B will cost about $3500.
most of either swap would be custom fabrication

3500 will barely get you the motor... let alone a rebuild... subframes are expensive but thats not the whole cost of the motor... atleast runnin a carbed v8 you dont need a computer... regardless I would have to say that a 20b in a fd is alot more costly than puttin a v8 motor...

Parts total will cost 10k for the 20B. You can get Alamo Rotary to do it for 20k or do it yourself for the 10k.
http://66.69.208.196/tfatf.jpg

most 20Bs are $3-4K thats about the same price as a decent SB crate motor (around 350hp). with both motors you will need to fabricate a subfame.
you would need to do custom plumbing with both motors. with the small block you would need you would need to fabricate headersthen weld up an exhaust system, the 20b already comes with the turbo manifold and down pipe, you would just need a mid pipe welded up.
with the SB you would still need a transmission and transmission mount, and custom drive shaft, or just make a custom bellhousing and use the mazda trany and custom fly wheel. with the 20B I believe you can bolt it up to the stock rx7 trany.
you would also need an ignition system for the SB.
you would also need a manifold and carb for the SB, depending on how much power you are making this could cost $500-1500 easy. or you can go with an EFI set up, kits for SBCs run 2k i think.
if you are doing the 20swap from a clip then you will have the harness and ECU, if not then you would need a haltech that will run you $1500.
I just do not see how a SB swap will be any cheaper then a 20B

ok starting off, an engine will cost you 3-4.5k, the front clip is a hell lot more and a hell lot more expensive... ignition for small block=dist.
ignition for 20b=coil packs, like you mentioned an fd tranny can bolt up to the 20b after you change counterweights and flywheel... and let me tell you that the work is tidious and I dont think I met anyone that put a 20b into an fd themsleves unless the owner owns a shop.. basically im just saying that puttin any engine in the 3rd gen is hard work even the stock one, but regardless both swaps require nice amount of money to complete....

since we are talking about v8's here how about getting a new one installed in a car that already has one? im thinking about getting my dads car and the engine has like a shitload of miles on it, the engine seems to run fine but everything around it is turning into crap and im guessing the engine is about to go another few thousand miles. it would help if anyone knows of any sites that could help me out :]

I changed the motor in my corvette in about a day, so not long. but I still think a 20B is a cheaper swap then a small block. and a 20B will make more power $ for $

Good site for v-8 swaps is www.grannysspeedshop.com

Ok that was a while ago, I have since changed my mind about v8 swaps in rx7's. 20b is the way to go no matter what...