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So I've been a rotorhead for a LONG time (FC) but I finally stepped away from the game a few years back. I wanted to get back into it but prices have become insane. I've literally seen non-running NA FCs where people are asking $5k or more. Engine components are even worse. In light of that, I decided to find an RX-8 that needed a heart. I had thought about an LS swap but decided I wanted to keep the near perfect balance of the stock car. After some looking I found out about the LFX swap that has been done in the Miatas and 8s.
I found a 2006 Shinka a few hours north of me that already had most of the engine bay cleared by someone that intended to do a V8 swap. It isn't perfect but for $1000 it was too good to pass up!
I spent a couple of weeks looking for the MV5 and engine. I bounced between using a Camaro motor vs an FWD setup and settled on an engine from a 17 Impala with 27k miles. I'll source the accessories from Rock Auto and LKQ. I haven't decided if I'm going to go with a 3 55 or 3.73 Explorer diff. I haven't seen much input from people with those gear ratios.
The painful part is going to be plunking down the money for the Totality swap kit. I am fully in for the engineering and completeness of it; it's just a large chunk of change.
I'll be doing all of this on a compacted crush gravel driveway so that will be an adventure. I thought about paying Andrew to do it but i REALLY want a project again, especially one I can involve my son in.
I look forward to hearing from anyone with tips or a willing set of hands if you're in the area. I'll try to keep this updated as I go! How i found her How i found her How i found her. Broken bumper and all Front end off to finish taking everything out Just about ready for a new heart Interior is in pretty good shape Interior is in pretty good shape New gearbox. Engine arrived today! Looks good under the valve covers I decided to go with something a little different for the valve covers since almost everyone goes with red. Copper on a black car should work well, I think.
Last edited by 20b10ae; 09-27-2022 at 08:18 PM.
Reason: Incorrect year in title
I spent a couple of weeks looking for the MV5 and engine. I bounced between using a Camaro motor vs an FWD setup and settled on an engine from a 17 Impala with 27k miles. I'll source the accessories from Rock Auto and LKQ. I haven't decided if I'm going to go with a 3 55 or 3.73 Explorer diff. I haven't seen much input from people with those gear ratios.
With the factory 25.9" tire and a 3.55 rear, you'll be at 2419rpm at 70mph. A 3.73 would be even worse with 2541 at 70mph. Nearly 3000rpm at 80mph seems like it'd be screaming.
The factory Camaro has a 28.6" tire and a 3.27 rear ratio for 2000rpm at 70mph.
To match that cruising RPM with a 25.9" tire you'd want to use the 3.08 rear end. If you're going to spend any time at all on the highway I'd lean toward the 3.27 or 3.08. If it's just for backroads and rowing through the gears, 3.55. If you have a specific use for the car like autocross, you'd pick your final drive ratio based on tire height and desired mph range in your chosen gear. For drag racing you'd top out your desired gear at the end of the track. For a road course, you'd size your rear end that way.
For all around fun, I'd lean toward 3.27. You can do 0-60 in the first two gears, 2228rpm @ 70mph in 6th. I realize coming from pony cars, muscle cars, or trucks a 3.27 seems like an economy gear or highway gear, but the RX-8 is going to be much lighter than the pony cars and its much shorter tire provides its own inherent gear reduction (a 3.73 with a 28.6" tire is the same as a ~3.40 with a 25.9" tire). The V6 transmissions were designed to make a heavy car with a tall, heavy tire feel peppy, so they're better paired with a taller final drive. First gear in the MV5 is 4.48:1, where the Tremec in the V8 cars is a 3.01:1. It'd be ridiculous with a 3.73 rear end, you'd have to shift twice just to get across an intersection and 60mph wouldn't come until halfway through third.
I definitely appreciate the input! I'd like something similar to the FC turbo trans. I loved the way that gearing was and that was with around 450 whp. I know it's a different beast but if I could get close...
I'm mainly going to use it to cruise and take to the mountains for the twisties.
09-13-2022, 10:18 PM
