greg1647545532 Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Not something I'm planning on doing anytime soon, but I've seen it suggested elsewhere, and it seems like a solid idea, to put the new 305hp 3.7L V6 from the '11 Mustangs into an RX-8. I know LS1 swaps have been done, as well as SR20/2JZ things, but the 3.7L was a joint Ford/Mazda venture, so I'm wondering if the electronics would match up any better, or if there'd be any combination of Mazda6/Miata/RX-8 ECUs and harnesses that would have a chance of snapping in and running a V6 without rewiring the dash. I'm not sure where to start. I know a standalone would work, but I come from the Honda world where there's always an OEM part from some car that you can use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furloaf Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 I doubt it would work, due to the RENESIS engine not having much in common with a V6. If you're going to put that much work into it, why half-ass it? (3/4 ass it really) I'm saying to drop a V8 in it if you are going to go through the trouble of swapping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted February 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Well, the 3.7L V6 is pretty sweet -- all aluminum, composite intake, 7000 rpm redline. It's a nice little compact and reliable way to get 305 hp. If the electronics line up that's a huge bonus over an LSx. I envision this as a dual-use DD + road course car, so I 300hp would be "enough." If the electronics don't line up then you're right, it probably wouldn't be worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleguy Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Here is a shop in houston that has done RX-8 swaps before and has a very good reputation for them. http://www.secretservicesauto.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripleskate Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 No. As with most Mazdas, there are no direct ecu swaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berto Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 I don't know much about the ford v6 but its an interesting idea. How much is the whole set up going to run you? you can get LS1's for a pretty decent price now. Another thing to consider is if you are a swap pioneer it will cost more money and take more time. If you do a swap thats 'been done' at least you aren't pioneering. Have you been on http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=1544.0 ? Here is a link to the Hinson kit. All though I hear their customer service isn't very good. Also another thing to consider is what are your power goals? LS1 power is relatively cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 I don't know much about the ford v6 but its an interesting idea. How much is the whole set up going to run you? you can get LS1's for a pretty decent price now. Another thing to consider is if you are a swap pioneer it will cost more money and take more time. If you do a swap thats 'been done' at least you aren't pioneering. Have you been on http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=1544.0 ? Here is a link to the Hinson kit. All though I hear their customer service isn't very good. Also another thing to consider is what are your power goals? LS1 power is relatively cheap agreed I would bet for the price of just the engine you would be able to fund most if not all of a ls1 swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 I don't know much about the ford v6 but its an interesting idea. How much is the whole set up going to run you? you can get LS1's for a pretty decent price now. Another thing to consider is if you are a swap pioneer it will cost more money and take more time. If you do a swap thats 'been done' at least you aren't pioneering. Have you been on http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=1544.0 ? Here is a link to the Hinson kit. All though I hear their customer service isn't very good. Also another thing to consider is what are your power goals? LS1 power is relatively cheap I imagine it'd be expensive at this point. In 5 years when wrecked mustangs start filling up junkyards it will get better, especially since people probably won't be clamoring for V6s. The whole pioneer thing, I'm with you on that. I didn't realize there was a kit coming out for the LS1, and it looks like they've got a pretty good solution for the electronics too. I'd rather have the lighter 3.7L, I think, but it'd be hard to argue with a working product. For my goals, if it stays around 3000 lbs, I think 300hp would be more than enough for what I'd do with it. It's plenty for a DD and enough to do some murdering on a road course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 No. As with most Mazdas, there are no direct ecu swaps. Sucks. I was hopeful because so much stuff seemed parts-bin on my Mazda5. Why do they do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripleskate Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 To frustrate people. For the record, the Mazda3 04-09 aka the 1st gen has 6 different PJB's, and new ECU setups every half year! That makes tuning these cars damn near impossible because there is no standard in wiring/design, and Mazda tends to keep the schematics for everything locked up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 Wow. That... really sucks. That's pretty much like 6 nails in the coffin of my idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trouble Maker Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 If you start swapping out ECU's, even using the same maker (i.e. Mazda) some things might line up, but a single CAN signal not lined up will cause an error and without access to detailed info in the ECU's and/or a deep understating of CAN it will be hard to tell what's really wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 It's all so much easier on 20 year old cars... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 imagine sourcing a new mustang v6 motor/trans combo will be more expensive than a used LSX motor/6spd combo, and will make much less power. not that power is everything, but the LSX swap is your best bet imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted February 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 I think if I were gonna LSx swap it I'd just scrap the whole idea and get a C5. They'd weigh about the same at the end of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fubar231 Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 I think if I were gonna LSx swap it I'd just scrap the whole idea and get a C5. They'd weigh about the same at the end of the day. Smartest thing ive read in this thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 I think if I were gonna LSx swap it I'd just scrap the whole idea and get a C5. They'd weigh about the same at the end of the day. so unoriginal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Borgen Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 Viper V10 swap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neonkiller Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 so unoriginal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWW$HEEET Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 itt brokedicks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 Do something insane and swap in a boosted S2000 motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berto Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 I imagine it'd be expensive at this point. In 5 years when wrecked mustangs start filling up junkyards it will get better, especially since people probably won't be clamoring for V6s. The whole pioneer thing, I'm with you on that. I didn't realize there was a kit coming out for the LS1, and it looks like they've got a pretty good solution for the electronics too. I'd rather have the lighter 3.7L, I think, but it'd be hard to argue with a working product. For my goals, if it stays around 3000 lbs, I think 300hp would be more than enough for what I'd do with it. It's plenty for a DD and enough to do some murdering on a road course. The electronics associated with the LS1 swap are well documented, also the factory engine harness is almost a standalone harness on its own. There are 5 connectors that connect it to the chassis. For my swap I got those 5 connectors off a wrecked f-body and made a jumper harness to the RX-7. It was ~ 20 wires? not bad at all. you think 300hp in a 3000lb car is nice but you will want more. Mine dynoed 328 rwhp and I already want more. Also, I see your plans are for the occasional road race. Not sure how hardcore you are with this but some guys running slicks have pulled enough lateral g's to starve the oil pick up. Some of those guys are going big bux with a dry sump kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neonkiller Posted February 4, 2011 Report Share Posted February 4, 2011 The electronics associated with the LS1 swap are well documented, also the factory engine harness is almost a standalone harness on its own. There are 5 connectors that connect it to the chassis. For my swap I got those 5 connectors off a wrecked f-body and made a jumper harness to the RX-7. It was ~ 20 wires? not bad at all. you think 300hp in a 3000lb car is nice but you will want more. Mine dynoed 328 rwhp and I already want more. Also, I see your plans are for the occasional road race. Not sure how hardcore you are with this but some guys running slicks have pulled enough lateral g's to starve the oil pick up. Some of those guys are going big bux with a dry sump kit. Not to mention you can jump on EBAY and buy a longer harness for your swap as well. There is no wrong with a LS! tons of Aftermarket options and OEM ones. Draco-REX Do something insane and swap in a boosted S2000 motor. http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/../ubb/biggrin.gifHope you plan on building a 4k trans so you dont explode the stock ones they suck just as bad as the ap1 rear diffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco-REX Posted February 4, 2011 Report Share Posted February 4, 2011 4K for a good trans is cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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