I dont own an rx8 but was looking at it as my next project car.

id imagine live axle swap would mess up the handling without dumping in huge amount of money. i considered this car because of how well it handle so that is a priority.

on research mode at the moment. and it looks like rear end is the biggest downside of this project.

I search and cant seem to find one that still retain the handling the rx8 has. if anyone is familiar with one or can point me in the right direction that would be great.


budget would be ideally less than 2k. max 2.5-3k for the rear end. no slick runs just dr but i want it solid enough where i can dump it and not worry.

i noticed the 8.8 swap is now available.
anyone have experience on changes on how it handles?


power terrain is being transfered from my turbo ws6-that part and swap is straight forward. but rear is a problem.

 

You are planning to put 650 ft/lbs to an RX-8 and you are worried about handling?

Make the power, then worry about the rear end.

 

im not understanding whats funny?

I have that power now in my ws6. its a 76mm turbo LS 5.3
it will be straight transplant. meaning im taking my power terrain off the ws6 and parting out the car. i will be doing rear mount turbo to offset the weight. and eventually swap to a 6.0 block.
power is cake walk on the forced induction LS engine. so thats taken care of.

and yes im worried about rx8 handling because thats the main reason im swapping over the engine from the ws6. if its going the handling like **** then theres no reason for the swap.

 

It's funny because the RX-8 will basically be useless with that much power.

 

op theres a section for swap threads and its not for the faint of heart. engine swaps in an 8 are pretty hard to do right. that being said theres a member here who dropped a 20b with a turbo big enough to inhale children off the sidewalk as he passes by in his car in his 8. he used an 8.8 ford rear iirc

 

you would have to explain this more to me and what you mean by basically useless. I have that power now and the car drives great. with it being turbo that power isnt there unless you want it, most off the time its running probably bellow 300 as you drive around town on partial throttle.


thanks its looking like my best bet is the 8.8 im not finding anything else for the money.

i had considered 20b for the cost ls is far cheaper. i mean stock 5.3 goes for $300-500 and are able to take 700+ all stock straight from factory.

hard?. maybe not for the faint of heart. but shouldn't be that complicated. mechanical stuff are easy to do. if it fits then it fits. considering that theres a few company that make a kit for this car makes it alot easier in my book.

I had swap a turbo 302 in 260z before that for me was hard because at that time people werent swapping them enough so the kits are super expensive. now you can get a engine mount for a mere 200 or less.

the "hard" part would probably be getting the stock gauge to work. but im undecided at the moment if i want to keep the gauge stock or aftermarket.

 

a 20b is in no way cheaper than any ls motor. yes, swapping anything in an 8 is hard to do RIGHT. a rew is probably the easiest and that takes a lot of planning and knowledge.

there have been guys that have done ls swaps and tounge (sp) factory is the cleanest besides the guy that spanked 9k with his car lol jk scott. then theres a total abortion thread with a 383 stroker