Too weird not to share: Mazda RX-8 with Ford inline-6 truck engine. NMNA| Cars For Sale forum |

slowbird New Reader
6/13/19 12:37 p.m.

$1400 of...something.

Mazda RX-8 with a Ford 300 ci Inline-six

https://engineswapdepot.com/?p=41526

Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/13/19 12:39 p.m.

This is what happens when you call an LS swap "played out".

dculberson UltimaDork
6/13/19 1:30 p.m.

I can't imagine a less suitable engine for a sports car. But I can imagine that going over very well to the Lemons judges!!

Daylan C UltraDork
6/13/19 1:34 p.m.

He really wanted that Barra until he saw what international shipping on an engine is, so he made do.

NickD PowerDork
6/13/19 1:39 p.m.

I remember a wheelstanding Maverick with a 450hp(!) Ford 300 six. No clue what was done to it (I believe it was naturally aspirated) but it sounded insane and yanked 3-foot high wheelies every run. Just need that engine in this car.

Toyman01 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/13/19 1:46 p.m.

What a wonderfully bad idea.

I can't even imagine the amount of mind altering drugs it took to make that seem like a good idea.

accordionfolder Dork
6/13/19 3:16 p.m.

I know we're knocking it, but if you look closely - the details themselves are pretty good. That wiring setup is pretty and the radiator routing is definitely not bad.

I mean, I wouldn't do it, but that's not half bad....

I guess it's stock rear-end? I bet you can't get on it too much, that's a bit of torque from a 300ci motor....

Shadeux GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/13/19 3:21 p.m.

I'm horrified and yet strangely attracted. I was worried what to do with the radiator sticking up, but when I saw the engine bay photo I kinda got it.

AxeHealey GRM+ Memberand Reader
6/13/19 3:30 p.m.

There's a whole racing series in Argentina that uses American inline-sixes. They sound incredible.

http://www.roadkill.com/watch-argentinas-stock-car-series-running-high-strung-american-inline-sixes/

No Time Dork
6/13/19 3:49 p.m.

They should’ve used a slant 6 to keep the height down and have a nice spot to tuck in a turbo.

slowbird New Reader
6/13/19 5:51 p.m.

I wonder if it would qualify as a gastropod as it sits...

Daylan C UltraDork
6/13/19 6:12 p.m.

In reply to slowbird :

Something about an obvious lack of interior...

bluej UberDork
6/13/19 6:23 p.m.

slowbird New Reader
6/13/19 7:04 p.m.

In reply to Daylan C :

Oh, that. Yeah.

Well, something this awesome should probably be going after the overall win anyway.

Mndsm MegaDork
6/13/19 7:17 p.m.

This thing has been around a long while. I'm surprised it is for sale.

Fueled by Caffeine MegaDork
6/15/19 4:38 p.m.

Mndsm said:
This thing has been around a long while. I'm surprised it is for sale.

Yeah. I remember posting something about it nearly ten years ago.

TJL Reader
6/15/19 4:50 p.m.

Its equal parts stupid and awesome. I dig it. Anyone got videos of it running or doing any sweet jumps?

ShawnG PowerDork
6/15/19 5:10 p.m.

I love the Ford 300 but it's a packaging nightmare even in it's natural environment.

Fueled by Caffeine MegaDork
6/15/19 7:28 p.m.

It was 3 years ago. https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/cars-sale/rx8-with-a-ford-300-inline-6/121877/page1/

Thinkkker UltraDork
6/15/19 8:09 p.m.

I think I said this, outloud, on this forum once.

Sil80redtop HalfDork
6/17/19 12:48 p.m.

Is it safe to assume that a SBF would bolt up to that trans?

Daylan C UberDork
6/17/19 12:55 p.m.

In reply to Sil80redtop :

Nope. This ain't GM we're dealing with here.

slowbird New Reader
6/17/19 1:07 p.m.

Actually I think the M5R2 should bolt to a 5.0, at least, there are versions of the M5R2 that bolt to the 5.0, and also the 3.8 supercharged V6 of the Thunderbird Super Coupe...might require different flywheel/starter due to different balancing, and other small changes. I have plans to acquire a M5R2 out of a Super Coupe to swap into my 5.0-powered Cougar someday. The truck version isn't the same internally, but I think the bellhousing pattern should be.