Debating Engine Swap Ideas - Cheap, Reliable, Modable?
02-04-2008, 08:17 PM
#46
Race Car
I love the rotary engines but a modded 951 engine with 400hp outlasts a rotary way more than twice the mileage. I can't find too many rxs on the road here in CA anymore and spare good housings with chrome intact are much harder to come by. I sold my last complete 951 motor running for $500 so I am not sure whether a rotary especially a turbo 13B will be less. All the internals of a 951 engine is identical to an n/a block (85.5+ or some early will work) other than the ceramic coating, sodium valves (which modern stainless can replace with no problems), and rods/pistons so replacement parts are very cheap if you go used n/a stuff. I am talking about a reasonable person doing the rebuild not comparing every new part from the dealer as a new crank will cost $3800 but a good used one is $75 on ebay. The cost of engine repair (labor) is cheaper if its a carburated non turbo rotary (but will not yield 400hp) as the turbo has the same counterparts on a 951 along with fuel injection. I have never heard of a 600hp rotary that didn't require teardown after every few quarter miles but I got out of the rx7 business about 10 years ago so better new parts may exist.
The lasting impressing of a rotary is the "London Fog" syndrome when we use the secret trick to start the engine wnen its low on compression by pouring a little tranny fluid down the carb so we could drive the car in/out of the shop. The FB rx7s are fun to drive but got me 15 mph with a small 12a engine and 13 if I put my foot in it. My 84 944 did better at the track than an 85 GSL-SE though I wouldn't mind getting one in good condition for nostalgic reasons.
The lasting impressing of a rotary is the "London Fog" syndrome when we use the secret trick to start the engine wnen its low on compression by pouring a little tranny fluid down the carb so we could drive the car in/out of the shop. The FB rx7s are fun to drive but got me 15 mph with a small 12a engine and 13 if I put my foot in it. My 84 944 did better at the track than an 85 GSL-SE though I wouldn't mind getting one in good condition for nostalgic reasons.
02-08-2008, 08:41 PM
#48
Racer
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Consider swapping in a PORSCHE 968 motor.
Did this six years ago to my 944 NA, model year 1986. Everything is PORSCHE stock, feels like PORSCHE stock, and with PORSCHE stock reliability. Plug-and-Play. Couldn't be happier.
That is the motor the 944 should have had on day one! and we wouldn't have such so many postings on that topic.
Did this six years ago to my 944 NA, model year 1986. Everything is PORSCHE stock, feels like PORSCHE stock, and with PORSCHE stock reliability. Plug-and-Play. Couldn't be happier.
That is the motor the 944 should have had on day one! and we wouldn't have such so many postings on that topic.
Last edited by MN; 02-08-2008 at 09:26 PM.
02-08-2008, 11:03 PM
#49
Rennlist Member
There is no such thing as cheap swap. I am in the middle of an LS1 swap into a 968, because the 944 just wasn't there, and found that the LS1 is really not doing justice to that lump of metal so I got ZO6 heads, ZO6 cam and now its going to the shop for pistons and rods and CNC porting and thats 5gs right there. All this to do justice to the chassis. OBW the chassis now has 02 turbo brakes and soon to follow turbo Cup suspension. Oh yeah the 6 speed was the wrong box so I traded for a turbo S box. Cheap, hell no, however 500 hp should solve the lack of power I hate in the 944 I have now and with a bit of luck the car may actually make it around a recetrack.
02-09-2008, 12:28 AM
#50
The cost of a full 968 drivetrain and engine swap easily outweighs the cost of an LS1 swap. I just saw an entire 968 powertrain for sale here for $8,000!!!! for that kind of money, you could have an LS2 which will cost less to upgrade, cost less to maintain, has more HP and more Tq stock, and is every bit as reliable as a 968.
02-09-2008, 03:56 AM
#51
6th Gear
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If I were in the position to do such a swap, I would do a vr6 turbo swap. There are tons of companies selling hi performance parts for the vr6 and when you turbo charge these motors they can make big power. Also there are tons of vr6s engine the can be had for less than 1000 dollars
02-11-2008, 08:31 PM
#53
Racer
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03-19-2008, 11:20 AM
#56
Three Wheelin'
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Even if you don't swap it into the P-car, jump on that good deal.
But I agree, you really should do that swap. The first time you fire that biotech up you will not regret stepping over to the dark side.
But I agree, you really should do that swap. The first time you fire that biotech up you will not regret stepping over to the dark side.
03-19-2008, 11:32 AM
#57
Racer
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hahhahahahahha oh dear. it needs a slight rebuild. the car's been driven hard, but it's being sold by an older guy who desperately wants to make my car fast for some reason. best part is, the deal on the motor is open for a long time so there's no rush. i just keep factoring in costs and... wow. this isn't cheap.
i have no intention of going all-out, though. i will keep the stock trans till it blows up, then buy another one. i will also keep stock rims and brakes. rims because 225s will break loose quite easily and save the driveline from getting beat to hell. this is all dreaming at the moment, though.
i have no intention of going all-out, though. i will keep the stock trans till it blows up, then buy another one. i will also keep stock rims and brakes. rims because 225s will break loose quite easily and save the driveline from getting beat to hell. this is all dreaming at the moment, though.
03-19-2008, 12:32 PM
#58
Drifting
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If I were in the position to do such a swap, I would do a vr6 turbo swap. There are tons of companies selling hi performance parts for the vr6 and when you turbo charge these motors they can make big power. Also there are tons of vr6s engine the can be had for less than 1000 dollars
03-19-2008, 07:14 PM
#60
Someone else may have said it already...
You want:
1) Swap price and ease (assuming you mean low price, easy swap)
2) Reliability/Cost of Maintenance (you mean high reliability, low cost)
3) Power/Modability (you mean moderate to high power, ability to further mod later)
Too many posts to read through, but I don't think you can get all three with but one engine. The LSx swaps are the closest thing to being relatively cheap/easy, highly dependable and affordable to maintain, as well as producing lots of power out of the box.
1) Swap price and ease (assuming you mean low price, easy swap)
2) Reliability/Cost of Maintenance (you mean high reliability, low cost)
3) Power/Modability (you mean moderate to high power, ability to further mod later)
Too many posts to read through, but I don't think you can get all three with but one engine. The LSx swaps are the closest thing to being relatively cheap/easy, highly dependable and affordable to maintain, as well as producing lots of power out of the box.