Chevy V6 RX8 swap kit

I have been lusting after a RX8 for a while. The low torque and awful gas mileage have kept me in my E36 until now. But this new kit from V8Roadsters might be a winner. No pricing or details announced but it looks promising. Apparently they are developing LLT and LFX kits for the MX5 and RX8 and adding a LS series kit for the RX8 too. They already have LS series swap kits for all generations of MX5.

The GM LFX looks like a badass little engine with small dimentions. The weight of the LLT/LFX is supposedly less than the Mazda bp.

The only possible downside I see with the LLT/LFX into the RX8 might be a shift up of the center of gravity because of the OHC configuration.

http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?7582-NEW-from-V8Roadsters

The only possible downside I see with the LLT/LFX into the RX8 might be a shift up of the center of gravity because of the OHC configuration.

That would ruin it. It would handle just as BAD as an NC miata!!

A salvaged car can be obtained for a little more than a high end turbo kit

Oh, only 7-8k, then?

I would do it, but then the annoying part is having to mount some custom speedo/tach/gauges/idiot lights etc. I rather like the stock gauges in the RX-8.

So have you driven a rotary at all, or are just going by hearsay?

clutchsmoke wrote: I would do it, but then the annoying part is having to mount some custom speedo/tach/gauges/idiot lights etc. I rather like the stock gauges in the RX-8.

Yeah, I will be interested to see how they deal with the CAN bus system.

Honestly I don't know why Mazda has been so pigheaded about this car. With a lightweight, 300 HP V6 and a slightly wider track with flares, the RX8 would be flat badass. But they had to stick with the rotary to the bitter end....

I just want to stick one of those in my 91 Camaro.. haven't seen a kit for that yet.

In reply to JtspellS: I love rotaries and have driven several. They are awesome on the track. I do not want one without boost in a 3000 lb car.

bgkast wrote:

clutchsmoke wrote: I would do it, but then the annoying part is having to mount some custom speedo/tach/gauges/idiot lights etc. I rather like the stock gauges in the RX-8.

Yeah, I will be interested to see how they deal with the CAN bus system.

i read rumors that GM was going to offer that engine as a standalone crate motor at some point..

323 hp, 278 ft lb torque, 72oo prm redline, and 30 mpg in a 3000 lb car that is on rails. If I can build one for less than $15k, I'm all over it.

In reply to novaderrik:

Yes, but the Mazda also has integrated systems. Radio, climate control, gauges, etc I believe.

I have a cheap RX-8 shell available for somebody who wants to try this. Oh, wait, now I want to try this.

As for the CAN BUS: http://www.canbusauto.co.uk/9.html

I'm intrigued...not many people messing around with direct injected engine swaps so far, which is a shame. I'll be following this!

Bryce

I'll take your renesis off your hands...

alleykat wrote: 323 hp, 278 ft lb torque, 72oo prm redline, and 30 mpg in a 3000 lb car that is on rails. If I can build one for less than $15k, I'm all over it.

Should be more like a 2800lb car. Or less, if the V6 happens to be lighter than the Renesis as well.

Not bad.

Or for less money, work, and hassle, you could make similar numbers on the Renesis if that's your bag.

I still like this swap, though. I'd never do it, but i appreciate that it exists or soon will exist.

I likey.

I can't imagine the V6 is less weight than the Renesis/Trans. It's probably within 50lbs however.

I think it's a neat swap. Seems like the Camaro donor makes sense (Assuming the ECU integration is relatively straightforward). What is the Kit price? They indicate ~8K for a donor car. I would think if you would be looking at ~12K plus the RX-8 shell for a finished car that seems pretty ok. You can get a pretty nice condition RX-8 shell for $3-5K so $15-17K for a 300Hp, 2800lb, RWD car with 4 decent sized seats and those chassis dynamics seems very interesting.

In reply to Swank Force One: "Or for less money, work, and hassle, you could make similar numbers on the Renesis if that's your bag."

I am going on hearsay now, but I have heard the Renesis is not boost friendly. I can't help but think the lfx would be bullet proof. Especially since it would be stock. This engine would also swap nicely into an E30 or E36.

From what I have read, the MX5 kit will use the engine, transmission, and differential from the Camaro. Evidently, all manual Camaros come with a LSD as standard equipment. That is a nice bonus.

alleykat wrote: In reply to Swank Force One: "Or for less money, work, and hassle, you could make similar numbers on the Renesis if that's your bag." I am going on hearsay now, but I have heard the Renesis is not boost friendly. I can't help but think the lfx would be bullet proof. Especially since it would be stock. This engine would also swap nicely into an E30 or E36. From what I have read, the MX5 kit will use the engine, transmission, and differential from the Camaro. Evidently, all manual Camaros come with a LSD as standard equipment. That is a nice bonus.

I'd say it's probably mostly heresay. 323hp wouldn't take much boost at all. Usually when you see statements like that, it's when people are disappointed that they can't reliably make 500hp on stock unopened motors.

In terms of power, the RX8 is more boost friendly than a 90-05 Miata. Chew on that for a moment or two.

But as i said... i like the swap, i'd like to see someone do it. I just don't see the value in terms of dollars and hassle in it just yet.

In reply to Swank Force One: "In terms of power, the RX8 is more boost friendly than a 90-05 Miata. Chew on that for a moment or two." I might need a beer with that ;)

You might be surprised at the weight. I was looking at the 3.7 liter ford ecoboost display at the auto show and was amazed at how compact it was. Stripped of the Turbo stuff, it's not hard to imagine an all-Aluminum v6 weighing less than a rotary.

Boosting a renesis and you still have a renesis. Something about turds and polish?

Bobzilla wrote: Boosting a renesis and you still have a renesis. Something about turds and polish?

That analogy is lost on me. You've seen my cars.

In reply to Bobzilla:

More rotary trash talk? I thought we were beyond this. Everybody thinks their own poop doesn't smell. How is that Accent sale going, Bobzilla?

In reply to kreb: "You might be surprised at the weight"

I have no doubt the weight of a NA LFX is less than a boosted Renesis. My primary concern is where that weight is located. The Wankel is very low in the chassis and I am sure that contributes significantly to the car's handling prowess.