So am I crazy? V8 RX8

The NC Miata is on an RX8 platform. I was driving this car on Friday. And yes, we have parts but not on the website yet. I know the front subframes are interchangeable.

Neat! I have to go with the RX8 due to the seating situation. Do you have a solution for the electronics and working with the stock Mazda gear?

I'm not sure what "working with the stock Mazda gear" means.

This is a development car, that drive on Friday was the first drive. At the moment, ABS isn't up and running but I think we'll have that back before too long. The stock ECU passes the wheel speeds along to the ABS module, and we loaned that out to someone else so it's not in the car. We swapped different gauges as well. Traction control will likely never work - but you don't build a car like this and then NOT try to spin the tires.

Sorry for not being clear, I mean do the stock gauges work? (swapped so I guess not). ABS is something that I think I would need but yeah the traction control can be thrown out for all I care. I suppose the major items needed are mounts, headers, and some basic (or advanced) guidance on the electronics front. For me the RX8 would be built as a 40% DD, taking back seat to the Mazda2, but needed to be fairly liveable and reliable. Keep up the good work Keith!

Here is an interesting car. 2004 RX8 with a blown apex seal, 3500.00.

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/3576807413.html

Interesting car, but it has all the options that I don't want (leather/power seats, sunroof, and auto) plus it is REALLY far away from me. There is one at a dealer in St Louis that has "motor problems." They are taking offers on it and it only has a sunroof so manual and cloth seats. He has it listed for 7k though (ha).

Keith Tanner wrote: The NC Miata is on an RX8 platform. I was driving this car on Friday. And yes, we have parts but not on the website yet. I know the front subframes are interchangeable.

Does that mean it might be possible to build an RX-5?

jstein77 wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: The NC Miata is on an RX8 platform. I was driving this car on Friday. And yes, we have parts but not on the website yet. I know the front subframes are interchangeable.

Does that mean it might be possible to build an RX-5?

Mazda already did that:

If you are dead set on 4 seats, why not, but I'd rather put money into the MR2. They are underpowered, but have inherently decent handling. They really wake up if you stuff a high output 4 in there - Toyota, Honda S2000, GM Ecotec etc.

My Solstice gets 30 mpg on the highway with 350 BHP - just think about that in an MR2

jstein77 wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: The NC Miata is on an RX8 platform. I was driving this car on Friday. And yes, we have parts but not on the website yet. I know the front subframes are interchangeable.

Does that mean it might be possible to build an RX-5?

i had the same response.

i can't justify it logically, but i'd rather have a rotary NC than a lot of things.

In reply to wspohn:

I do like the idea of building the mr2 into a monster but from what I gather the RX8 has the best (inexpensive) chassis that will hold a car seat, and I keep being told that I should worry about that. Maybe my wife is hinting at something...

Also, your list of cars is nuts. I would love to own pretty much any of them and cheers on getting one of the very few Solstice coupes.

Keith,

IMO If you guys are doing the all the work and R&D on the NC chassis you should definitely look into the RX-8 if they are pretty interchangeable. Poking around on LS1Tech / RX8club and NoRotors (V8 RX7 site) there appears to be at least some interest.

I myself would be interested seeing several sub $4000 RX-8's around recently. Seems like an awesome toy or even possible DDish car.

I'll take the Renesis when you pull it out. but only if you buy a manual version.

No, no, no.

I want the Renesis, but only if it is a 6 port (2006 and later automatics got the 6 port, too!)

I'll even keep my RX-8 rotary powered.

2004 Mazda RX8 - $4000 http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/3562552105.html

In reply to Gasoline:

Oh my god, it's that one. I stopped a friend from buying that exact RX-8 from that scummy place a few months ago. The front end was completely bent to the point where the subframe wasn't even bolted in properly. Nothing in the engine bay was bolted down (seriously, the ABS controller was flopping around), parts were just left in their general homes unattached. I don't know what happened to that car (besides the obvious flood damage) but the mechanic had convinced her that she could get the engine replaced for like $800. They were asking $7k for that thing back then. The rear wheels were at like 3 degrees positive camber.

Cold A/C, but no engine. Hahaha.

I like the RX8. I loathe the Renesis. I'd love a 4.8L built to rev in one of those. probably get 30mpg on the highway, but would make enough power to get stupid.

I honestly would consider one if I knew it would be as reliable as any of my other vehicles.

In reply to Bobzilla:

Wasn't there a debate not too long ago that said that there is no real reason to sacrifice the half liter over the 5.3. The piston speed difference isn't that different, I imagine. Maybe Im wrong.

I'm more attracted to the idea of a V8 RX8 than a V8 Miata. I'm very receptive to the notion of a swap.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there an engine only harness/ecu for the LS series?

Which of course makes an LS swap much easier than other V8s?

I think the market for a V8 RX8 is about to explode. Great chassis, great interior, general fear about the engine keeps the values insanely low. Just recently in this area there has been a rash of 70 mile cars in the sub $5500 market. I think an LS1 RX8 would be the perfect daily driver - more practical than a Miata for those of us who occasionally need back seats, and I personally prefer a hardtop in very high performance cars.

Keith, I'd buy one of your RX8 kits.

That said, a quick email to Hinson a few months ago confirmed that while they suck at website updates, they do have a compete RX8 kit available, with working factory gauges.

Nathan JansenvanDoorn wrote: Keith, I'd buy one of your RX8 kits..

I'd even settle for a turn key.. But this is the car I too have craved for several years, since I will never fit in a Miata.

Hinson's website gets updated every other year, unless it gets dark that night.

Knurled wrote:

build thread? Words? Or just one great teaser photo?

In reply to OHSCrifle:

Interesting. That didn't make it through my filter at work.

mine either.

I personally find the idea of an ls1 rx8 strangely compelling. I would have zero desire to own one with a rotary.