What engine would you put in an RX-8?

106.4" wheelbase. It's long, but doesn't drive long.

That's what she said?

Motion of the ocean, how you row your boat, etc...

I love all these people making conjecture about a car they've never driven nor barely know anything about.

The RX-8 is like a fast miata that you can rev to the moon and it asks, nay begs to be wound up to 9k rpm. It's a fun car. It's not for everyone.

The RX-8 is meant to be used like a sedan. Hence the wheelbase that lets you comfortably fit 4 actual sized adults in it. Except it doesn't handle like a sedan nor is it as heavy (3100 lbs).

clutchsmoke wrote: The RX-8 is meant to be used like a sedan. Hence the wheelbase that lets you comfortably fit 4 actual sized adults in it. Except it doesn't handle like a sedan nor is it as heavy (3100 lbs).

This is precisely why I'm asking the question. The vehicle is perfect for me, other than the engine--I just don't trust it to last.

mtn wrote:

clutchsmoke wrote: The RX-8 is meant to be used like a sedan. Hence the wheelbase that lets you comfortably fit 4 actual sized adults in it. Except it doesn't handle like a sedan nor is it as heavy (3100 lbs).

This is precisely why I'm asking the question. The vehicle is perfect for me, other than the engine--I just don't trust it to last.

I feel you. I think if you stay on top of coils and plugs (and maybe delete the cat) on an early RX-8 it'll last. Part of it is luck of the draw too. My brother has an 05 and he's been a bit lazy with the plugs and coils. They seem to keep being an issue since most of his driving consists of 15min or less drives. Plus I don't think he winds it out often enough. 60k+ miles and never left him stranded.

clutchsmoke wrote: The RX-8 is meant to be used like a sedan. Hence the wheelbase that lets you comfortably fit 4 actual sized adults in it. Except it doesn't handle like a sedan nor is it as heavy (3100 lbs).

When I fit one actual sized adult (namely, me) in the driver's seat, the only person who is going to sit in the back is an amputee who doesn't mind a face full of headrest.

But you can put a backpack back there, at least.

Knurled wrote:

clutchsmoke wrote: The RX-8 is meant to be used like a sedan. Hence the wheelbase that lets you comfortably fit 4 actual sized adults in it. Except it doesn't handle like a sedan nor is it as heavy (3100 lbs).

When I fit one actual sized adult (namely, me) in the driver's seat, the only person who is going to sit in the back is an amputee who doesn't mind a face full of headrest.

I had one. The first thing I did was put the drivers seat where I wanted it. Then I sat behind myself. I fit just fine for short trips (30 mins or less).

I am 6' tall and 225 #.

If you are expecting it to be a true 4 door sedan, then yea, it doesn't have a big back seat.

For a trip to the airport, I got 4 people in there with 2 people's luggage in the trunk. Then again, my wife and I are short people.

In reply to Knurled:

How tall are you? I have all my limbs and am 6' 180lbs. I can fit behind my brother who is 6'1. I wouldn't want to be back there all day, but up to an hour or so and I wouldn't complain.

Just went out and snapped this. Didn't touch a thing on his seat. Sorry the sun didn't really want to cooperate.

Ok so back to the original question.

I'd be down with scrapping this thing for the motor.

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/4715850297.html

But with a properly sized turbo, so it makes 600whp, instead of the ugliest 470whp ever made.

In reply to Swank Force One:

God that is nasty. The motor would be pretty awesome though. I think that if you used the setup as is with a lower psi it would make damn near the power in a much more usable form, no?

As far as back seat and trunk space they are not bad. I have put 4 adult men, 170#- 200# all about 6'0" in it for an hour long drive to the track. A 48 quart cooler will not fit through the trunk opening but three 25 quart coolers will fit with space left over. Packing in several small bags instead of one steamer trunk size bag is necessary. Long items, like fishing poles, fit through the removable panel between the rear seats. It is more "practical" than it initially appears.

singleslammer wrote: In reply to Swank Force One: God that is nasty. The motor would be pretty awesome though. I think that if you used the setup as is with a lower psi it would make damn near the power in a much more usable form, no?

I think the setup as is would make a very wide 350whp. Looking at the curve, the turbo is way too small for what it's trying to do, which is what's giving that huge gross-looking spike.

I'm sure the tune isn't perfect, either.

With a modern turbo, you should easily be able to make another 100whp, keep it all the way to redline, and probably spool earlier/faster.

But yes, it's nasty. That motor will make an absolutely ridiculous amount of power if you let it.

God dammit another FE3 discussion. How hard is it to put one in a Miata again?

ProDarwin wrote: God dammit another FE3 discussion. How hard is it to put one in a Miata again?

It's not. Bolts to a 6spd after you drill two holes in the trans flange and slightly modify the throwout arm. There's blueprints for mount adapter plates out there that any machine shop should be able to cut for you for $50 or a 6 pack. Gotta notch the oil pan to clear steering rack.

From there it's really just wiring.

All kinds of options from mild to wild.

This is about as wild as i've seen in a Miata. The Australians have done some crazy stuff with the FE3 in the 626/MX6/Telstars, though.

http://www.miataturbo.net/build-threads-57/build-thread-fe3-rx7-tii-efr-6258-ms3-58140/

Swank Force One wrote:

ProDarwin wrote: God dammit another FE3 discussion. How hard is it to put one in a Miata again?

It's not. Bolts to a 6spd after you drill two holes in the trans flange and slightly modify the throwout arm. There's blueprints for mount adapter plates out there that any machine shop should be able to cut for you for $50 or a 6 pack. Gotta notch the oil pan to clear steering rack. From there it's really just wiring. All kinds of options from mild to wild. This is about as wild as i've seen in a Miata. The Australians have done some crazy stuff with the FE3 in the 626/MX6/Telstars, though. http://www.miataturbo.net/build-threads-57/build-thread-fe3-rx7-tii-efr-6258-ms3-58140/

But the motor in the car linked would lunch the miata 6 speed in no time flat.

Leafy wrote:

Swank Force One wrote:

ProDarwin wrote: God dammit another FE3 discussion. How hard is it to put one in a Miata again?

It's not. Bolts to a 6spd after you drill two holes in the trans flange and slightly modify the throwout arm. There's blueprints for mount adapter plates out there that any machine shop should be able to cut for you for $50 or a 6 pack. Gotta notch the oil pan to clear steering rack. From there it's really just wiring. All kinds of options from mild to wild. This is about as wild as i've seen in a Miata. The Australians have done some crazy stuff with the FE3 in the 626/MX6/Telstars, though. http://www.miataturbo.net/build-threads-57/build-thread-fe3-rx7-tii-efr-6258-ms3-58140/

But the motor in the car linked would lunch the miata 6 speed in no time flat.

Well yeah. If he turns up the boost.

Attaching an R-box to an FE3 isn't exactly rocket science, either.

I'd vote for the small LS V8 too. I like the car overall, it has some pretty smart features that would make it a nice DD. The LS makes the most sense to me given that overall finished product for the $$$ ratio is so high. If you were willing to spend the money for a more unique motor I think you would get into a price bracket where the RX8 with a swap no longer makes sense.

Petrolburner wrote: I'd vote for the small LS V8 too. I like the car overall, it has some pretty smart features that would make it a nice DD. The LS makes the most sense to me given that overall finished product for the $$$ ratio is so high. If you were willing to spend the money for a more unique motor I think you would get into a price bracket where the RX8 with a swap no longer makes sense.

Some of the more unique options mentioned would be cheaper than a $1500 motor in front of a $1500 tranny.

I thought the 4.8 LS was available in the $500 ballpark.

Petrolburner wrote: I thought the 4.8 LS was available in the $500 ballpark.

maybe the iron ones that no one wants. I havent seen or heard of an aluminum LS block of any type of size go for under a grand in years.

I thought the 4.8 was iron only.

The 4.8 shares the same iron block as the 5.3 truck motors with the exception of the L33, which is an aluminum 5.3.