VR6 RX-8 Swap
#27
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It's not that I don't like the VR6, it's that you are taking an engine out that is a smooth as they come and makes 50 more HP and than the one you are putting in. Sure you could eventually turbo the VR6 I guess but it's a high mileage engine so it probably won't last long boosted so why not just rebuild it and boost it from the get go? Driving an RX-8 with a tired VR6 in it even for few months seems really depressing.
#30
Short block is 205lb according to someone who claimed to weigh it themselves. Another source claims 308lbs complete coming out of the car. Locost forum claims 373lb. But no it's NOT 600lbs. It's not a Cummins! I felt it swinging on the hoist and it's easier to twirl around then a SBC. The Isuzu is still lighter.
Last edited by kickerfox; 01-25-2015 at 11:13 PM.
#31
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I highly doubt it is over 100lbs lighter than a Honda B series. Talking about a fully dressed long block of course. A stripped VR6 long block could weigh 308lbs.
Last edited by 9krpmrx8; 01-25-2015 at 11:18 PM.
#36
You jealous bruh? I can't hold a VR6 block over my head but the Isuzu, no problem. Plus I trust an aircraft manufacture's weight specifications long before I trust any internet sources. Same goes for the VR6. I'm sure the OP will weigh it if he can.
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It's not that I don't like the VR6, it's that you are taking an engine out that is a smooth as they come and makes 50 more HP and than the one you are putting in. Sure you could eventually turbo the VR6 I guess but it's a high mileage engine so it probably won't last long boosted so why not just rebuild it and boost it from the get go? Driving an RX-8 with a tired VR6 in it even for few months seems really depressing.
Boost is in the plan though, I would just like to get the hard stuff done first, Like making it work in the 8.
Kennedy Engineering (they make adapter plates) lists the VR6 as weighing 374 lbs.
But the truth is weight info is all over the place online. I'll probably get something along the lines of a fish scale that'll read up high enough and see if I can actually weigh the engine I have. The intake manifold weighs a few pounds itself and I likely won't run with it once boosted.
It looks like a lot of vw forum guys say it's around 400lbs for the complete vr6 with accessories.
It took 3 guys to carry it out of the back of a van into the back of a Subaru. 400 lbs sounds right. I'll begin my search for a scale to figure out the true weight of my particular engine
Last edited by Prescription 8; 01-26-2015 at 08:06 PM.
#40
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That Isuzu engine is really light. I watched Kicker carry it from the garage, through is house, down the stairs then through his basement into his workshop without breaking a sweat, and he's not a big dude.
Last edited by Prescription 8; 01-26-2015 at 09:58 PM.
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As this will be a drift car I read about the RX-8 not having a lot of steering angle.
Some searching has brought up "JTP's Knuckle Mod" That allowed a bunch of angle, but I can't seem to find that info through the search, maybe my search terms are wrong.
Would anyone happen to know where I can find info on the modding the steering knuckle?
Some searching has brought up "JTP's Knuckle Mod" That allowed a bunch of angle, but I can't seem to find that info through the search, maybe my search terms are wrong.
Would anyone happen to know where I can find info on the modding the steering knuckle?
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Oh, did I not mention my plans for the car? Given the rough shape of the body and the deal I got on it, I decided to make it my track day car. If everything works out I'll likely take it to autocross and drift days... but more drift days because it's fun as hell
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VR6's are all forged inside? Damn! 2 of my 3 buddies with them have had their completely stock, low milage, and otherwise babied VR6's spit rods out the side of their blocks!
There is 3 VR6's in the scrap pile by his shop since they all swapped to 1.8T's now if you need extra parts
Good luck with the swap! Neat idea (not that I'd ever support so much effort in a VR6 ), and if you want a track car and dont care if anything inside works properly, give'r ****!
There is 3 VR6's in the scrap pile by his shop since they all swapped to 1.8T's now if you need extra parts
Good luck with the swap! Neat idea (not that I'd ever support so much effort in a VR6 ), and if you want a track car and dont care if anything inside works properly, give'r ****!
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So I drove about 13 hours to pick up the trans. Found it in Stillwater MN.
I followed Kicker's route and got one from a solstice.
This one came from an '08 solstice with 38k miles, It was in a bad accident and totaled out.
I went with an 08 because Pontiac added a PPF mid 2007. Although it bolts on the other side of the transmission than the RX8, it gives me the option to create a bracket and retain the PPF.
First things first, I need to make it fit the VR6
I followed Kicker's route and got one from a solstice.
This one came from an '08 solstice with 38k miles, It was in a bad accident and totaled out.
I went with an 08 because Pontiac added a PPF mid 2007. Although it bolts on the other side of the transmission than the RX8, it gives me the option to create a bracket and retain the PPF.
First things first, I need to make it fit the VR6
#49
They were off by 3lbs. Someone must have left the oil in it.
I really don't understand all the bias for or against automotive engines, with the rotory trainwreck being the exception. If all the manufactures are using the same technology and materials, similar results can be expected. The VR6 is a hell of an engine. 7 mains, forged internals. If people are popping them, they built it wrong. Out of all the auto hobby enthusiasts that I've met over the years, 1 out of 10 might know how to properly blueprint an engine, 1 out of 100 actually do it.
WonderWorks - I have a buddy who had a 1.8L in his Jetta and damn was it fast. But he blew it up on a weekly basis. Now he drives a 73' Ford Pickup. He hasn't blown that up yet.
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Pulled the pan off the VR6. Everything looks super clean.
Pulled a rod cap and the bearing and crank look real good.
The previous owner must have been up on maintenance.
Pulled a rod cap and the bearing and crank look real good.
The previous owner must have been up on maintenance.