So, my friend and I have started discussing making kits since Hinson isn't on the ball and I believe that they are leaving a lot on the table. The only thing most people have against the RX8 (aside from the take it or leave it style) is the gutless, not long lived, thirsty engine. More and more are popping up with issues all the time and they are getting cheaper because of it. Not saying it is going to happen, but this is a way better idea than the Toyota 2000GT replica.
Keith Tanner wrote: Actually, the gauge solution we have looks good enough that I think it's actually going to sell to un-swapped NC owners. We've got a terrible picture of it on our site right now, I'll get a good one this week.
reminder. picture would be interesting to see.
Thanks for the reminder, here it is. It's not great - the car is parked with the power hardtop immobilized at the moment and it's in a dim part of the shop. But here you go, a 1 second handheld exposure 
Nice gauges, actually. They'll trigger warning lights if various parameters go out of range. They're fed by OBD-II so they have a pretty wide range of inputs. We have them mounted in a brushed stainless plate with hidden fasteners.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
Those are awesome! I am guessing that the RX8 doesn't share a pod with the miata. Where might I procure a set of these gauges incase I try to build a v8 rx8?
1-800-FLY-MX5S.
Those look nice.
Speedhut offers some pretty nice gauges that I am probably going to run in the LS6 RX-7.
Been thinking more and more about throwing a 13B back in the RX-7 and picking up a cheap RX-8 for the LS6/T56 sitting in the garage.
There are half a dozen RX-8s for under $5k near me including this one.
http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/3689330430.html
Greg Voth wrote: Been thinking more and more about throwing a 13B back in the RX-7 and picking up a cheap RX-8 for the LS6/T56 sitting in the garage. There are half a dozen RX-8s for under $5k near me including this one. http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/3689330430.html
I approve. Make the 13B do this:
http://youtu.be/QDbjZHHyXA4
After driving around my RX-3 for a while I would probably go back with a stock 89-91 6-port block with a stock flywheel and clutch. It would be streetable and fun. The RX-3 has that basic setup but with a carb. Ton of fun and a pretty cheap setup.
It doesn't need to have no tq and rev to 9k with the 9lb flywheel and 6 puck clutch like the last motor. Fun at an autocross or open road but tiresome around town.
Plus an RX-8 would be a better platform for 400hp. More tire, better suspension etc.
Keep us posted. I'm really looking For some v8 rx8 inspiration.
As am I - this would be the perfect all-rounder for me.....
I was just thinking about this again and how there seems to be NO aftermarket progress at all. Then I see how cheap some of them are on copart even with clean titles
My 5.0 swap, just for giggles
http://s869.photobucket.com/user/aussiesmg/media/RX50/MVI_0575.mp4.html?sort=3&o=29
We're making progress. I think we've sorted out some of the CAN problems (the top goes up and down on our NC!) and there's a possibility that might port over. Or, at the very least, we could do a similar solution for the RX8.
But you know what would really make things happen? Someone walking around with a wad of cash looking to pay real money for real parts. Not "please solve this for me so I can duplicate it in my garage" or "I have $500, make me a swap kit".
Keith Tanner wrote: I think we've sorted out some of the CAN problems (the top goes up and down on our NC!) and there's a possibility that might port over.
Cool! I didn't know you guys were working on the NC, but should have figured.
I also didn't know that an engine swap would make the RX8 into a convertible, but that's the kind of magic you guys are capable of. ;-)
I've posted about the NC several times in this thread, and there are pictures of the gauges on the same page of this post :) So, umm, not sure what else I have to do...
A couple of the GRM/CM guys drove our NC at the Mitty. They kinda liked it. As for the CAN, without an interface between the GM PCM and the Mazda one, you'll lose your gauges and your ABS. The retractable power hardtop is more of a challenge to retrofit to the RX8
Well Keith my thought was if I am considering dropping 17k on a C5z06 and I can get a RX8 for less than 5k that leaves a fair amount of wiggle room to try and do a LSx swap :)
Especially possibly if you go L33, with LS7 intake/cam or whatever they were doing for the V8Rspec, and maybe even use their bellhousing to run a T5 vs the T56.
If I can get a 4dr miata/vette out of it that would be money well spent :)
Keith Tanner wrote: I've posted about the NC several times in this thread, and there are pictures of the gauges on the same page of this post :) So, umm, not sure what else I have to do...
Yeah, I'm smart.
I can totally see why you'd want to do this swap, and I have suggested to Bill that it would be a legitimate side avenue for us to explore. Of course, having a paying customer would raise the enthusiasm level.
Assuming it takes the same amount of dosh to swap an RX8 as it does a Miata, I'd say that starting with a $5k RX8 would put you right about $17k total when you're done - unless you're gonna start building all of your conversion parts such as the subframe and radiator.
I don't think the L33 is the budget way to go, especially if you have to build it. As someone who owns a V8RSpec engine, an LS1 and has driven the LS3 and LS376/480 - don't bother with the L33. It's noticeably deficient on torque compared to the others. It's fine on the racetrack at sea level, but on the street the LS1-powered MG feels significantly faster. The L33 is missing that punch-in-the-back factor below 4000 rpm. Plus, in my experience, the GM OE stuff is solid but the aftermarket parts are what fail.
The V8R T5 setup puts the shifter in very much the wrong place (no interior for you), requires a $400 (!) slave cylinder, has a poorly designed clutch in my opinion and uses a heavy steel bellhousing. After all that, you have a trans that's not really strong enough for the application. So, umm...
Thought of this thread as i watched a 2004 rx8 bring 3800 at auction today.
Ouch good to know Keith. So what is the best cost effective option for an engine? Can you find a slightly used Erod? would that drop in more easily? Have to address the oiling issue for track work then?
Interesting, you think that will be able to work a kit together for a final swap of around 12k? Spendy, for sure, but if it goes in easy, everything works, and it costs the same as a rebuild and a turbo kit for a renesis, I could see that working out nicely.
I would do it anyway because I don't want a renesis
I'd be amazed if there were slightly used E-Rods on the market. That's a crate-only engine that hasn't been around for long. The least expensive option will come from a junkyard, the 4th generation F-body is a good source. Then you can part it out, like everyone else who's doing an LS1 swap
I do think that $10-12k is a reasonable estimate, unless you expend Challenge levels of effort at cost-cutting. You're still going to have to spend some effort at containing costs, of course, but I think it's legit if you do it well.
The big question is. I could see this easily being a 20k worth car to me, but would it be worth much to anyone else? If not, find a clean car with a salvage title if resale doesn't matter?
The rx-8 has the same drag coefficient as the c5 z06 (.31) according to google fu if true and you swap in a LS and T56 combo you should be able to pull off the higher 20's mpgs highway have over 400hp and still seat 4 people in a nice handling smaller/lighter car than pretty much anything else out there?
You'll need to log in to post.
