Hi, I have a random question and it might be a stupid question.... is it possible when you own an RX-8 to take out the rotary engine and say put in a Mazda 6 or Mazda 3 engine in it instead?!?!? Reason why i am asking is becuase no offense but I HATE THE ROTARY ENGINE. I have had the worst luck with my car and i have 2 more months left of paying the f***er off. I lovvvvve the sexy look to the car but hate the engine. I wanted to try to save money to put a 6 cylinder engine in my car if it is possible.... if not i am trading her in!

Any suggestions or advice will be most appreciated!

Thank you! =)

 

Prepare the flame suite.

 

Heya Kim... long time no see.

I'd probably be a bit harsher except I know you


It's all going to depend on how much money you have laying around. Expect a budget of ~$10,000 for the labor, plus the cost of the engine going in, the ECU and electronics to run it, the different mechanical parts of the drivetrain, etc... A total budget of about $20,000 is probably a good starting point.

Doesn't matter what the engine is really. Even an RX-7 engine that uses the same mounting points is easily $12k-15k to swap.

I know your issues with your 8, and unfortunately your best option would be to sell it.

Moving this out of DIY since it's not an instruction list, and guys, I will close it if this gets rowdy.

 

I say trade it in for something you will like more

 

I say we make this a bewb thread.

 

Hey Kimmy,

A Mazda 3 or 6 engine isn't possible. They were built to be placed in a car sideways. Most likely the biggest problem would be the oil pickup point. Getting a transmission that would work would be a problem too.

 

If it's a matter of economics, pushing it off a cliff (or donating it to charity) and starting over with a different car makes more sense than an engine swap. Anything you can get on a trade-in puts you that much further ahead.

Ken

 

not to mention the 4port AT's were weak to start off with. I contemplated this same question many times. To me, adding FI was a lesser expensive way to go.

 

Then buy a new car...The rotary engine is what makes the rx8 unique...Don't ruin it because you made the mistake in buying it.

 

Her RX-8 has been rife with problems, and she has owned it a bit shy of 5(?) years. It's not a sudden issue. She isn't a typical complaining owner.

 

Best to just sell it and get something else...IMO, removing the rotary engine just ruins the car.

I mean...Sure...It will still look good...but then that's really all it has...Looks...Nothing unique.

 

If you like your 8 and want something similar with a different engine, maybe check out the Subaru BRZ.

 

why not a new engine and trans that are working as they should so that you can love the rotary again?

 

Yes, but we'd have to kill you afterwards

Sell the Rex, buy a 350Z instead if you want a V6 (that handles like a barge!)

 

+1 on this. Might be right up your alley.

 

^Pun intended? o_0?

 

This

 

She also hasn't logged back on since she made the thread

 

RIWWP, you said u know her (well, I think I seen her name b4 too, 100 something post), but do u know what's wrong with her engine ?

ok, I just noticed her sig, 2005 AT ... are you thinking what I'm thinking?

 

Does that mean she has not yet seen and benefitted from the collective wisdom we've imparted?

Ken

 

Mission Accomplished

Nice work gentlemen - everybody take 5

 

No, not sure what it is this time. Not any comment about it in facebook either. If it is her engine, it would be moving to at least her 4th. She has had various electrical issues, a fuel pump failure that destroyed her first and second motor, a transmission failure, paint problems, and I think something else. In addition to the normal maintenance stuff that caught her by surprise initially.

I had sent her a PM, but she hasn't replied to it. I'd really believe that whatever the issue was, she just created the thread in a bit of a burst of anger and frustration, and once vented, moved on.

She is like that

 

How is any of this the fault of the rotary engine?

 

^^ I was about to say the same thing rg.

So maybe she thinks that if it's a piston engine it wouldn't blow up?

well I can feel her pain. I mean if it's me I think I will be pissed too. But it sounds like she got a lemon. **** happens.