What engine would you put in an RX-8?

Because you're a whovian.

This would keep the hi rev/modest torque characteristics of the RX8, but improve upon them and allow for some added reliability and potential for mods.

Kenny_McCormic wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: 4.8 truck engine, cam/valvesprings, FAST intake w/90mm TB tuned to run appropriately. Smallish displacement means good highway manners (30+mpg likely), short stroke means it'll rev (7500k rpm redline)and it should produce an easy 350whp/tq. More power. Better economy. Longevity to boot. The 4.8 is cheap ($300 at the local yard for a low mile unit), parts are readily available and it sounds cool.

I'd guess closer to 450, but yeah, that and a 0.5:1 6th T56.

I prefer to go conservative on the estimates. That way when the real numbers are larger you can go ...

Plus, think how unstressed that engine would be making that power compared to some of hte other options.You still get rev-happy, you get good power all around and it makes the right sounds for a sports car.

Stay rotary or build something else, IMO. The engine is so much of the character of those cars.

Powar wrote: Stay rotary or build something else, IMO. The engine is so much of the character of those cars.

I agree that the rotary is part of the attraction, but am drawn by the suggestion of an S2000 engine in there.....zing!

As much as I like the F20/F22, I'd go with a K20. You can still rev it to the moon and its a much more modern platform that you can get 300hp out of in NA form.

wspohn wrote:

Powar wrote: Stay rotary or build something else, IMO. The engine is so much of the character of those cars.

I agree that the rotary is part of the attraction, but am drawn by the suggestion of an S2000 engine in there.....zing!

then buy an s2000 and enjoy the free time you just saved.

Powar wrote: Stay rotary or build something else, IMO. The engine is so much of the character of those cars.

Broken, gas guzzling, oil chugging and slow? What's appealing in that? If I want that I'll go buy a run down late 80's W-body.

I'd put the MZR 2.3 liter in there. Decent power, nothing fancy and good gas mileage.

In reply to 92dxman:

has there been any rwd 2.3mzr swaps?

iirc isnt it the same bolt pattern as a zetec/duratec?

Bobzilla wrote: Broken, gas guzzling, oil chugging and slow? What's appealing in that?

Nobody mentioned diesels yet.

I would put this one in a RX-8.

Mercedes OM606 3.0L diesel engine. I would put on a turbo on it at a later time.

Maybe two.

Bobzilla wrote:

Powar wrote: Stay rotary or build something else, IMO. The engine is so much of the character of those cars.

Broken, gas guzzling, oil chugging and slow? What's appealing in that? If I want that I'll go buy a run down late 80's W-body.

You know how I know you've never driven an RX8?

I am going to be more odd than usual and say a Merc V8 out of one of the AMG beasts running around

fidelity101 wrote:

wspohn wrote:

Powar wrote: Stay rotary or build something else, IMO. The engine is so much of the character of those cars.

I agree that the rotary is part of the attraction, but am drawn by the suggestion of an S2000 engine in there.....zing!

then buy an s2000 and enjoy the free time you just saved.

Get outta here with your goddamn logic and sensible reasoning. That has no place here.

MrChaos wrote: In reply to 92dxman: has there been any rwd 2.3mzr swaps? iirc isnt it the same bolt pattern as a zetec/duratec?

Yes but no swaps. The Duratec and MZR are the same block and in rwd fashion are in the +01(?) ranger and NC Miata.

The Zetec is the old Ford 4 cylinder pattern and not related to the Duratec/MZR other than they are built by FoMoCo.

Driven5 wrote: Swap F20C into RX-8, and Renesis into S2000...Embrace the hate.

I nearly E36 M3 my self laughing.

It wouldn't save any gas but a small turbine seems like the next step after a rotary.

Curmudgeon wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Powar wrote: Stay rotary or build something else, IMO. The engine is so much of the character of those cars.

Broken, gas guzzling, oil chugging and slow? What's appealing in that? If I want that I'll go buy a run down late 80's W-body.

You know how I know you've never driven an RX8?

I know for a fact that an RX-8 cannot break the tires loose from an idle in 4th gear.

(I wish I was kidding: Had someone upset that his car was weak and slow because it could not do this. Said car had traction problems in every gear including 4th once on the cam)

Curmudgeon wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Powar wrote: Stay rotary or build something else, IMO. The engine is so much of the character of those cars.

Broken, gas guzzling, oil chugging and slow? What's appealing in that? If I want that I'll go buy a run down late 80's W-body.

You know how I know you've never driven an RX8?

In a straight line, it is slow. Sure they handle great but that lack of power makes it feel cumbersome at times. That's a feeling I loathe in a DD.

If my engine goes TU I would like a 3 rotor 20B, possibly turbocharged.

Pentastar.

Seriously, it would be a good fit if you were against the GM V8 family. Chrysler doesn't have a vehicle like that. The stock power level is about the same as the Renesis and the torque is bound to be much better.

There's been too many engines suggested that just arent going to berkeleying fit. All yall 4 banger people with tall as motors (Fs of both manufacturers, mrz, etc), stop.

LFX if you dont care about branding, 2011+ mustang v6 if you care about being scca street mod legal since thats the same block that comes in the cx9.

S52 just to piss everyone off.

Bobzilla wrote:

Curmudgeon wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Powar wrote: Stay rotary or build something else, IMO. The engine is so much of the character of those cars.

Broken, gas guzzling, oil chugging and slow? What's appealing in that? If I want that I'll go buy a run down late 80's W-body.

You know how I know you've never driven an RX8?

In a straight line, it is slow. Sure they handle great but that lack of power makes it feel cumbersome at times. That's a feeling I loathe in a DD.

In a straight line, it's MILES faster than anything that you currently own, maybe not counting the bike.

I'm a speed junky like everyone else, but i didn't find he 2009 Sport we recently test drove to be "slow."