Found this locally, went to look at an Integra engine, and the guy had a couple of cool cars in his yard. Mentioned that he bought it from a family who bought it for their college age kid. Standard rotary care was not taken, engine is popped. Said he would take $800 for it, and it appeared to be in good shape. Only negative was the automatic, but I don't think LS-swappers will care. Took some photos to share with the group, can put you in contact with the seller if anyone is interested, just trying to pay it forward to the GRM crew:
I miss my RX-8, but even I'm not tempted at that price.
I thought $800 was pretty reasonable for a clean shell, but admittedly it's not a market I keep a close eye on.
I really have a soft spot for these, never driven one though.
how terrible of an idea would it be to try and sell off the auto & engine core, attempt to find manual swap parts, and run it in lemons? Given the renesis is a wear item, i suspect that finding a solid manual engine on a lemons budget would be difficult.
The 2.5/NC miata swap sounds like a good idea. There is a thread on here of someone actually doing it. Also the LFA? v6 swap Tom just did a video review on seemed like a track weapon.
I've talked myself into and out of an rx-8 like 16 times. I just don't think I can get over how they look. A little too aggressive to be a sleeper, and a little too pedestrian to be a 'cool car mister' vehicle.
Fupdiggity (Forum Supporter) said:
I really have a soft spot for these, never driven one though.
how terrible of an idea would it be to try and sell off the auto & engine core, attempt to find manual swap parts, and run it in lemons? Given the renesis is a wear item, i suspect that finding a solid manual engine on a lemons budget would be difficult.
I think it'd be better to just get a different one and keep the trans. I can't image the trans is worth really anything at all if it isn't in a running and driving car. I bet the below is cheap.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/632487310893463/?ref=product_details&referral_code=marketplace_top_picks
not an rx8 guy so I don't actually know, but I bet you'd struggle to sell an auto trans for $100.
I spoke to someone doing MZR swaps on these years and years ago. It's not a new idea, driven by Renesie reliability.
My problem is that I just don't find the car desirable regardless of engine. It just doesn't do anything for me.
I had one. It was a donut doing monster!
I want another one and slap an aluminum 5.3 in it.
I want a car that will be reliable and I can take my wife and kids in.
This is the only sporty car I know that I can sit behind myself comfortably.
I really like these chassis and I like the interior too.
I will be keeping an eye on finding the right one and I'll start collecting parts soon.
The early auto cars (like that one) used a 4 port engine vs. a 6 port on the manuals. They had smaller wheels, too.
Doing a manual swap pretty much means replacing the engine, trans, wiring harnesses, ECM, dashboard cluster, pedals, etc. It's pretty much rebuilding the car from the back seats forward.
As a platform for a different kind of engine swap, I'd want to pay scrap price for the shell- I might possibly go as high as $500 if it has a clean title and no rust.
