i think it makes the fd mor american, and if mazda had given up on the rotary, the new rx's would probablly have a 4.6 liter v-8 ( can u say mustang? )



are you keeping the parts in the ford motor family?

 

Nah, it would have been something like a 3.0 DOHC TT V6 or a 2.0-2.5L DOHC Turbo I4.



But I don't even see that happening. What about the Japanese market? You can't sell V8s in Japan, barely get away with V6'es, then the problem of two diffrent platforms...too much confusion. I doubt there would be an FD if they didnt want to use rotary anymore.

 

i was generalizing, a light weight ( not an american thing ), v-8...



are there a lot of modifacations needed to the mounting points for the new engine etc etc in doing it?

 

papasmurf, all the parts I'm using are straight from the local GM dealer with the exception of the new subframe and transmission mount. They are coming from Hinson Supercars, in Alabama. They have kits available that start with just the conversion parts all the way up to a drive-in, drive-out deal. All their parts have been exceptional quality and I've been very happy with everything I've gotten from them. With the new subframe and tranny brace, the 5.7/T56 combo just slides right in. No moving this, finessing that, no cutting/drilling or otherwise required. Hell, even the hole the shifter pokes thru is in the exact same spot. Some serious thought and planning when into their stuff.



I can't say I necessarily agree that the rotary engine makes an rx7 an rx7. I think the rx7 just happens to have a rotary motor. I think if Mazda developed an extremely lightweight, high output, piston-driven motor, you'd see it in the next version of the rx7. But that's a pretty tall order, which is why you'll probably see the 4th Gen rx7 with a version of the Renesis in it.

 

Rotary does make an RX-7, that's their uniqueness. Want a light Mazda road handling, piston driven 2 seater, with the same weight balancing? Miatia.



And, if there is going to be a 4th gen of RX-7, why was the RX-8 developed?

 

The rx8 has nothing to do with the rx7. They aren't even in the same segment of the market.



And how exactly does the rotary make an rx7? Is the rx3 an rx7? how about the Cosmo, is that an rx7??



If mazda had the capacity to make a lightweight, high horsepower, high torque v6 or v8 don't you think they'd put it in a sports car?

 

7's are 7's, no matter what makes them go really fast

 

There are plenty of V-8 japenese cars.



I like this swap, and good for you talking on such a swap.

The reliablitly is the key factor for me, I dont give a rats *** if

a FD has 500hp, if it doesnt start up and let me drive it 300 miles in a day,

then its useless.

Not too mention the fact you wont need a single hour on a dyno to tune your car! Maybe just to confirm the HP.



A cold day wont give you a boost spike and grenade the engine, a load of bad gas wont blow up the engine, I can think of more positives for this swap then negatives. How many guys with FDs are on thier 2nd if not 3rd engine, how many miles do they get out of them? I know there are guys on thier 1st engine, but they probably baby the car, Lost Time is doing a conversion that will let him drive the **** out of the car EVERYDAY.

 

They'd put it in something else. They have a lot of other platforms. The 626 for example. I mean, it's a tremendous shock to put a completely diffrent engine in a platform built, and notibly known for it's rotary engine. Not to mention a pain in the ***.



I already addressed the V6, V8 problem. Mazda is japanese too. Engines over 2.0 Liters are too expensive to market. (No, we do have a few, but it's a long story) Rotaries are a great awnser to that. Low displacement, and high yeild, for such low displacement. Why do you think Japanese cars are mainly I4s with either VVT, or DOHC. And the higher ends have turbos. Low displacement, power through either high revving engines or forced induction, or both. As for my "makes an RX-7" I wasint targeting that spesfically towards RX-7s. And I think you know that, my comment was in context, since I was speaking in refrence towards the V8 swap in an RX-7. Think about it that way.



Oh, by the way..Japanese V6 and light weight normally don't go together. They normally end up kinda beefy. I mean, why use the RX platform? Just develop a new line. Or use the 626, or 929, MX-6..etc





So, are they developing a new RX-7, when the RX-8 came out? Of course it isnt in the same demographic. The 2 seat fast as hell car isnt that popualr. Now we want a lot of speed, and a lot of luxury.



I apologize if anything was too offbase, and dragging this on. I'm a mitsubishi guy..But I know the import world.

 

when you say the v-8 is more reliable, does that apply to an n/a rotary, or just the turbo?



and I think a mazda salesman said they are discontinuing the 626 and 929, in favor of the 6 and protege...please correct me if I'm wrong