2.3L Speed3 engine swap
#1
2.3L Speed3 engine swap
Hello all,
I am considering getting an RX-8 as my next vehicle (used). The engine is frankly so awful that it has kept me from every seriously considering it. A 3000lb car should not be getting a max of 19mpg on the highway. Especially considering a 3900lb Camaro can beat it with 200hp more.
Nevertheless, it fits the majority of the things I want. Has anyone considered or tried swapping the 2.3L turbo engine from the speed3 into the RX-8? It would solve most of the common complaints with the car. Simply going by stock numbers the car would gain close to 30hp and 120lb-ft. On top of this mpg would most likely increase significantly.
Is it possible to do this? Or would it take major modifications?
Thanks
I am considering getting an RX-8 as my next vehicle (used). The engine is frankly so awful that it has kept me from every seriously considering it. A 3000lb car should not be getting a max of 19mpg on the highway. Especially considering a 3900lb Camaro can beat it with 200hp more.
Nevertheless, it fits the majority of the things I want. Has anyone considered or tried swapping the 2.3L turbo engine from the speed3 into the RX-8? It would solve most of the common complaints with the car. Simply going by stock numbers the car would gain close to 30hp and 120lb-ft. On top of this mpg would most likely increase significantly.
Is it possible to do this? Or would it take major modifications?
Thanks
#5
Wheels, not rims!!
iTrader: (8)
The 2.3 MZR DISI is similar to the MZR found in the Miata. I still dont see the purpose of this. There is a cap to the DISI when it comes to massive power output and the tuning window is small. If you are going to put a piston engine into an RX8, might as well put in an LSx. The OP is either an idiot or a troll, perhaps even both.
#6
hakuna matata!
iTrader: (41)
Troll no doubt. I don't even know what to say.. so I'm just going to say...
It's a ******* rotary engine. THINGS ARE DIFFERENT.
Do yourself a favor and get yourself a Camaro, a Civic, a ******* Scion TC, but don't do yourself and others a disservice by getting an RX8.
It's a ******* rotary engine. THINGS ARE DIFFERENT.
Do yourself a favor and get yourself a Camaro, a Civic, a ******* Scion TC, but don't do yourself and others a disservice by getting an RX8.
#9
I'll make this real clear for you then. As obviously you can't think outside the box. Only one comment on here was even remotely constructive. If I wanted your bs I wouldn't have bothered asking.
Yes the car was engineered to have rotary engine. It is the reason that the RX-8 has not become more popular. Mazda wants to retain it's heritage. If the engine type was so great more manufacturers would use it.
The car is a great platform, but it can be improved on. Turbocharging the existing engine is not the answer for what I want. I stated the goal of improving the mpg not reducing it.
I also don't care if the 2.3L isn't a huge power platform. I have no intention of building a 500hp car out of it.
I found a person swapping to an LS v8, so I'm not the only person looking past rotary as an option.
If you are too small minded to be constructive don't waste my time replying.
Yes the car was engineered to have rotary engine. It is the reason that the RX-8 has not become more popular. Mazda wants to retain it's heritage. If the engine type was so great more manufacturers would use it.
The car is a great platform, but it can be improved on. Turbocharging the existing engine is not the answer for what I want. I stated the goal of improving the mpg not reducing it.
I also don't care if the 2.3L isn't a huge power platform. I have no intention of building a 500hp car out of it.
I found a person swapping to an LS v8, so I'm not the only person looking past rotary as an option.
If you are too small minded to be constructive don't waste my time replying.
#10
The Stink w.o The Sause
iTrader: (5)
major modification will be necessary as I believe the 2.3 MZR will be MUCH taller than the renesis ... it will not fit under the firewall like the renesis does... it will be longer as well. You will do a major **** up on the weight distribution, I recommend against it ... v8 engines are not as tall as i4's ... oh and as the rx8 is obd2, and the stock ecu controls EVERYTHING, good luck with inspection and registration. This is the MAIN reason why people don't swap more piston engines.
I think you are a bit silly with this engine swap as it will cost you a couple times MORE than the gas money you can possibly save
you are better off looking into proper rotor deactivation techniques to improve MPG ... it has been discussed but no one has done it
This will require: independent exhaust runners, fancy engine management to begin ... it can be done ... GOOD LUCK
the engine has a reputation of being horrible because of ignorant asshat owners who think that reading the owners manual is too much work
in reality, it almost doubled the performance of the previous incarnation of a Naturally Aspirated Rotary
I think you are a bit silly with this engine swap as it will cost you a couple times MORE than the gas money you can possibly save
you are better off looking into proper rotor deactivation techniques to improve MPG ... it has been discussed but no one has done it
This will require: independent exhaust runners, fancy engine management to begin ... it can be done ... GOOD LUCK
the engine has a reputation of being horrible because of ignorant asshat owners who think that reading the owners manual is too much work
in reality, it almost doubled the performance of the previous incarnation of a Naturally Aspirated Rotary
Last edited by stinksause; 02-13-2011 at 01:20 PM.
#11
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
![TX](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/tx.jpg)
I'll make this real clear for you then. As obviously you can't think outside the box. Only one comment on here was even remotely constructive. If I wanted your bs I wouldn't have bothered asking.
Yes the car was engineered to have rotary engine. It is the reason that the RX-8 has not become more popular. Mazda wants to retain it's heritage. If the engine type was so great more manufacturers would use it.
The car is a great platform, but it can be improved on. Turbocharging the existing engine is not the answer for what I want. I stated the goal of improving the mpg not reducing it.
I also don't care if the 2.3L isn't a huge power platform. I have no intention of building a 500hp car out of it.
I found a person swapping to an LS v8, so I'm not the only person looking past rotary as an option.
If you are too small minded to be constructive don't waste my time replying.
Yes the car was engineered to have rotary engine. It is the reason that the RX-8 has not become more popular. Mazda wants to retain it's heritage. If the engine type was so great more manufacturers would use it.
The car is a great platform, but it can be improved on. Turbocharging the existing engine is not the answer for what I want. I stated the goal of improving the mpg not reducing it.
I also don't care if the 2.3L isn't a huge power platform. I have no intention of building a 500hp car out of it.
I found a person swapping to an LS v8, so I'm not the only person looking past rotary as an option.
If you are too small minded to be constructive don't waste my time replying.
Small minded? Interesting choice of words.
Honestly if there was even a remote chance of you actually having the money or the ability to do this you would not be asking about it here. Any idiot with two minutes of searching could determine that there are much better swap options out there. Are you retarded? Of course swapping a FWD Turbo hatch engine into a RWD sports car will require tons of money and fabrication ability.
Can it done, of course it can. Is the DISI worth the money, time, and effort? No. Are there much better engines with far greater power potential that would be a better fit? Yes. With enough money and the right builder, any production engine can be put into any production car.
I felt like feeding trolls today.
#13
Registered
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Yeah I asked a question like that a while ago too... I got flamed too. a lot of rx8 owners just dont want to man up and admit the downsides and that it probably would be better with a v6, so close minded, maybe not so much but many people cant take the truth/criticism without blowing up on you.... hence all the replys
A LOT of people out there wish they had made it around I4's and V6's but they didnt........
Basically what it all boils down to is its not worth it unless you have money to throw away in doing the custom swap, plus it throws off the weight ballance. not worth the time and money
If you have that kind of money I would say go for a genesis coupe.
A LOT of people out there wish they had made it around I4's and V6's but they didnt........
Basically what it all boils down to is its not worth it unless you have money to throw away in doing the custom swap, plus it throws off the weight ballance. not worth the time and money
If you have that kind of money I would say go for a genesis coupe.
#15
Registered User
We love are cars for the rotary, not power or mpg, get a tercel, it will solve your mpg problem, seriously what kind of response were you looking for?, its like going to iran and preaching about jesus , then calling them all close minded.
Last edited by Speed_8; 02-14-2011 at 07:04 AM.
#16
BearBlasterExtraordinair!
iTrader: (3)
I'll make this real clear for you then. As obviously you can't think outside the box. Only one comment on here was even remotely constructive. If I wanted your bs I wouldn't have bothered asking.
Yes the car was engineered to have rotary engine. It is the reason that the RX-8 has not become more popular. Mazda wants to retain it's heritage. If the engine type was so great more manufacturers would use it.
The car is a great platform, but it can be improved on. Turbocharging the existing engine is not the answer for what I want. I stated the goal of improving the mpg not reducing it.
I also don't care if the 2.3L isn't a huge power platform. I have no intention of building a 500hp car out of it.
I found a person swapping to an LS v8, so I'm not the only person looking past rotary as an option.
If you are too small minded to be constructive don't waste my time replying.
Yes the car was engineered to have rotary engine. It is the reason that the RX-8 has not become more popular. Mazda wants to retain it's heritage. If the engine type was so great more manufacturers would use it.
The car is a great platform, but it can be improved on. Turbocharging the existing engine is not the answer for what I want. I stated the goal of improving the mpg not reducing it.
I also don't care if the 2.3L isn't a huge power platform. I have no intention of building a 500hp car out of it.
I found a person swapping to an LS v8, so I'm not the only person looking past rotary as an option.
If you are too small minded to be constructive don't waste my time replying.
It's one thing to already have the car, and want it to be different. You don't even have one yet! It seems silly going into a large purchase already knowing you aren't happy. This isn't like a Honda where things swap easily between all the cars, since the cars are all very similar.
How much money do you have? How mechanically inclined are you? These are two very important questions. If you don't have one, you better have a lot of the other.
Before you get ticked off at everybody saying how closed minded they are, you might want to think about what you are asking. There is the realm of practicality that is very important in this case.
If you want a car that has more power, better gas mileage, and still handles well, I'd look elsewhere. Go for test drives to find what you'd like. A 350Z might be for you.
#17
Small minded? Interesting choice of words.
Honestly if there was even a remote chance of you actually having the money or the ability to do this you would not be asking about it here. Any idiot with two minutes of searching could determine that there are much better swap options out there. Are you retarded? Of course swapping a FWD Turbo hatch engine into a RWD sports car will require tons of money and fabrication ability.
Can it done, of course it can. Is the DISI worth the money, time, and effort? No. Are there much better engines with far greater power potential that would be a better fit? Yes. With enough money and the right builder, any production engine can be put into any production car.
I felt like feeding trolls today.
Honestly if there was even a remote chance of you actually having the money or the ability to do this you would not be asking about it here. Any idiot with two minutes of searching could determine that there are much better swap options out there. Are you retarded? Of course swapping a FWD Turbo hatch engine into a RWD sports car will require tons of money and fabrication ability.
Can it done, of course it can. Is the DISI worth the money, time, and effort? No. Are there much better engines with far greater power potential that would be a better fit? Yes. With enough money and the right builder, any production engine can be put into any production car.
I felt like feeding trolls today.
![Nono](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/nono.gif)
#18
Phone Booth'd
iTrader: (4)
I love that this is the 3rd of 4th thread about swapping in the MZR.
OP if you have done any research at all, you'd know that the MZR is prone to bending and breaking connecting rods, especially after adding just a bit of boost. The stock turbo is un-reliable, and it's shitty enough that BNR and other don't even bother rebuilding it.
Your getting flamed (especially by me) for knocking the rotary that the car comes with without even owning one, while talking about putting in an engine that is unreliable and gets terrible mileage for what it is. If you came in talking about swapping in an LSX engine, or something proven to be reliable, powerful, and capable, it would be a whole different story. Instead, you've come in called us all closed minded and spouted off about not one, but two engines you obviously know nothing about besides they're stated flywheel hp and tq numbers.
Grow up, learn to read. Come back when you actually know what your asking.
OP if you have done any research at all, you'd know that the MZR is prone to bending and breaking connecting rods, especially after adding just a bit of boost. The stock turbo is un-reliable, and it's shitty enough that BNR and other don't even bother rebuilding it.
Your getting flamed (especially by me) for knocking the rotary that the car comes with without even owning one, while talking about putting in an engine that is unreliable and gets terrible mileage for what it is. If you came in talking about swapping in an LSX engine, or something proven to be reliable, powerful, and capable, it would be a whole different story. Instead, you've come in called us all closed minded and spouted off about not one, but two engines you obviously know nothing about besides they're stated flywheel hp and tq numbers.
Grow up, learn to read. Come back when you actually know what your asking.
#21
SARX Legend
iTrader: (46)
![TX](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/tx.jpg)
I love that this is the 3rd of 4th thread about swapping in the MZR.
OP if you have done any research at all, you'd know that the MZR is prone to bending and breaking connecting rods, especially after adding just a bit of boost. The stock turbo is un-reliable, and it's shitty enough that BNR and other don't even bother rebuilding it.
Your getting flamed (especially by me) for knocking the rotary that the car comes with without even owning one, while talking about putting in an engine that is unreliable and gets terrible mileage for what it is. If you came in talking about swapping in an LSX engine, or something proven to be reliable, powerful, and capable, it would be a whole different story. Instead, you've come in called us all closed minded and spouted off about not one, but two engines you obviously know nothing about besides they're stated flywheel hp and tq numbers.
Grow up, learn to read. Come back when you actually know what your asking.
OP if you have done any research at all, you'd know that the MZR is prone to bending and breaking connecting rods, especially after adding just a bit of boost. The stock turbo is un-reliable, and it's shitty enough that BNR and other don't even bother rebuilding it.
Your getting flamed (especially by me) for knocking the rotary that the car comes with without even owning one, while talking about putting in an engine that is unreliable and gets terrible mileage for what it is. If you came in talking about swapping in an LSX engine, or something proven to be reliable, powerful, and capable, it would be a whole different story. Instead, you've come in called us all closed minded and spouted off about not one, but two engines you obviously know nothing about besides they're stated flywheel hp and tq numbers.
Grow up, learn to read. Come back when you actually know what your asking.
Exactly.
#22
Dum Spiro Spero
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The only way I can justify your post is if you were under the influence of lsd or some sort of hallucinating drug. What is the point to put a piston engine in an rx-8, even if it was feasible, which I doubt? You said Camaro beats Rx-8 so just make yourself a favor and go get a Camaro!!! You want to get more mpg go get a Prius!!! One thing I am certain; Rx-8 IS NOT FOR YOU!!!