Rally Pat Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 There is an FC for sale on craigslist that I have been looking at. The guy says it "needs a new engine", which I took to mean that it must have a blown apex seal or something. If I were to buy it, should I A.) Fix the engine in it or B.) Swap in a V8. And if its the V8 option, how hard is it to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl1647545492 Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Does he know what the failure with the motor is? The V8 swap would yeild a relatively high hp motor/low cost option,and Matt (Tinman) has sussed it out pretty well. A 13b rebuilt motor with turbo/fuel/porting and supporting mods will yeild big power but will cost double.If you could own it really cheap it would be a fun project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pat Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 This is the actual car: http://columbus.craigslist.org/car/206096155.html As you can see, he doesnt give much input into what is actually wrong with it. I was messing around with it on Google when I found this: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/641869 This guy really inspired me to start thinking about a V8 swap. Like that dude, I have nothing against the rotary engine, but I am all for something different. I have seen all sorts of swaps into these things, and this seems like it is the most fun and cost effective of all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 I know an LS1 into an FD is going to run you around $7000. I don't know about an FC though. You can build a rotary with turbo and more power than the stock LS1, for $5000. Only issue is the rotary gremlins you have to work out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest powers Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 ls1 motor, harness, ecu, and t56 trans can be had on ebay for around 3500-4K. With a 400 dollar cam and tune you can easily make 380-400 rwhp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 you can buy the k member kits for around $1200. I think that price is kinda high for a car with a dead motor. I have seen a couple running FCs that looked alot better than that for the same price. There were 2 up in Sandusky at a small dealership, a red one and a white one 3 months back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pat Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 What do you guys think is more expensive generally, an LS1 or an LT1? Because the guy in the above link used an LT1/t56 combo. I wouldnt really want a carbed engine due to fuel economy. There are also the Ford swaps, but I heard those were harder. Not sure if that is true or not. I am not really partial to Chevy or Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justalilow1647545502 Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Try taking a look at http://www.torquecentral.com. You will get all kinds of ideas around there. I am in the process of building a 383 stroker for an FC and torquecentral.com answered alot of questions I have had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pat Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Try taking a look at http://www.torquecentral.com. You will get all kinds of ideas around there. I am in the process of building a 383 stroker for an FC and torquecentral.com answered alot of questions I have had. lol literally not more than 10 seconds before having refreshed this thread, I loaded up Torquecentral, having read about it on that cardomain page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 You won't regret installing a LS1, LT1, or just about any motor dare I even say a another rotary into an FC.They are very capable chassis and have a decent aftermarket. I would chose another car though, the 86s had more rust issues then the later FCs and that one is worth $500 at best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Get an FB for a V8 swap. nothing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Oh and apex seals are a bitch to replace i hear. i don't know much about 13b's, more 12a's. 13b-REW in it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanello Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 Huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Science Abuse Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 If you get something carburated, the swap will be easier. Make sure it's not down because it sat too long. If memory serves, those things wont run if thay sit too long, but the fix is simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pat Posted October 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 I am not a big FB fan. I think they are cool and everything, I just wouldnt want to own one. The FC is a car I can see myself driving every day, and not looking like I only spent a grand on it. I am going to keep shopping, though. If any of you guys could let me know if you find any FC's that are in good shape and are cheap and at least will run until I get all the parts together for a swap, that would be great. Eric: What about buying a carbed engine first, then buing one of those EFI conversion kits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotarded1647545491 Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 Oh and apex seals are a bitch to replace i hear. i don't know much about 13b's, more 12a's. 13b-REW in it? Yeah those pushing those apex seals back in with the motor assembled is a real bitch. Worse if it's a turbo! All kidding aside, I can assemble a 13b REW long block in less that 2 hours, by myself. It's actually much easier than a assembling a piston motor. There is very very little difference between a 12a and a 13b short block, other than the size of the components (non-interchangable). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 If you get something carburated, the swap will be easier. Not so true. EFI swaps are easier and sometimes cheaper as most of the existing fuel system will be reused. There are only 8 or so wire splices that need to be made between a GM PCM and the RX7's harness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pat Posted October 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 I havent ruled out the rotary option yet, just trying to brainstorm ideas. My main argument is price. As far as I can tell, it would cost a lot more for me to squeeze power out of the existing 13b than it would be to just put another engine in it. You can blame this on greedy tuner companies. "You know you own an RX-7 if you've taken apart and put back together your entire engine and still dont know what a valve is." <- clbsinvaders told me that joke Edit: Tinman - Yeah, the guy who built the above car didnt seem to have much trouble with all of the wiring. He just put the V8's ECU where the Mazda one used to be, and he wired up everything else with little trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 What do you guys think is more expensive generally, an LS1 or an LT1? Because the guy in the above link used an LT1/t56 combo. I wouldnt really want a carbed engine due to fuel economy. There are also the Ford swaps, but I heard those were harder. Not sure if that is true or not. I am not really partial to Chevy or Ford. LTI is fuel injected. It's also far cheaper than an LS1 setup, and many of the parts are interchangable with SBC's. If money is an issue, an LT1 is a good way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaplay1647545503 Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Damn I tried to bid on one a minute aago but I was outbid. I looked all over for your phone number to let you know. I was going to buy it and offer it to you. I figured if you didnt want it I would have no problem getting rid of it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200033180120 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pat Posted October 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Holy hell, I would have been all over that! Thanks for trying though, man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Huh? Mess of thoughts. the 13b is the larger, more powerful of the two in the RX-7's. 12a=1.1L, 13b=1.3L 12a=carb'd 13b=FI...6 port correct?i know the rotors and rotor housings are larger as well in the 13b. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Mess of thoughts. the 13b is the larger, more powerful of the two in the RX-7's. 12a=1.1L, 13b=1.3L 12a=carb'd 13b=FI...6 port correct?i know the rotors and rotor housings are larger as well in the 13b. LOL. He works on Rotary's for a living. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Science Abuse Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Not so true. EFI swaps are easier and sometimes cheaper as most of the existing fuel system will be reused. There are only 8 or so wire splices that need to be made between a GM PCM and the RX7's harness. ahhhh. I'm used to ford EFI, more complicated.... without needing to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanello Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Mess of thoughts. the 13b is the larger, more powerful of the two in the RX-7's. 12a=1.1L, 13b=1.3L 12a=carb'd 13b=FI...6 port correct?i know the rotors and rotor housings are larger as well in the 13b. Basically yeah. But only the 84-91 non-turbo 13Bs are 6 port. The 13Bs rotors, and rotor housings are wider than their 12A counterparts, but the diameter is the same. The letter in the engine code stands for the width. The 12A rotors also have a funky directional combustion chamber bowl. LOL. He works on Rotary's for a living. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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