I'm going to be building a drift FD and i was wondering which would be better. Ls1 swaps are pretty cheap but i do love rotorys and the fact that they sound like sex. Which would you guys recommend a 3rotor or ls1?

 

3 rotor, why be like EVERYONE else who jams a V8 in any car and goes drifting.

 

go with a simple 3 rotor conversion you should be able to make 450-600 easy with very low boost no more than 15 psi

 

uh-oh...i see this becoming another piston vs rotary thread. doesn't matter if you are different or doing what everyone else is....so long as YOU love it. Both have good and bad. I think the V8 would be cheaper...you don't need gobs of hp to have fun drifting.

 

Only reason i'm asking is because a ls1 swap looks like it will be 2-3k cheaper then the 3 rotor. I want the 3 rotor but my budget kinda wont let me spend that much. I'm just asking for an opinion not a vs. thread

 

the ls1 swap is generally way cheaper than a 20b swap. some of the reasons are, ls1 swaps have turned into package deals and are much more common. the ls1 usually comes with a t56 which will hold the ls1's power for quite a while, the clutch setups for a ls1 combined with a t56 are also easier to come by. 20b motors commonly brake the factory fd tranny and you still need around a $1200 dollar clutch to hold the torque coming from the larger displacement of the 50% larger rotary. also ls1's are naturally aspirated and dont need a custom turbo setup (if you change over from a factory twin turbo 20b setup) or an intercooler. If you use the 20b you are going to have to come up with something for the 20b's twin turbos intercooler and piping if you go single now you need a new turbo, exhaust manifold, wastegate, blow off valve, boost controller and downpipe. the wiring involved in a 20b setup is a bit more complicated as well. while the ls1 isn't eactly plug and play, you can still use a gm ecu as compared to a pricey standalone unit, so it does make it a bit easier. also the ls1 combined with the ratios of the t56 transmission provide for better fuel effiency so a simpler fuel system for an ls1 will support more power than you would get for a 20b. so there is some more cost if you go 20b .the 20b is no slouch for low end torque but lets face it over head valve motors with nearly 3 times the displacment just makes more low end torque and its nearly instantaneous since the ls1 is naturally aspirated and has a very torquey low end power band which in the case of drifting is great for breaking the tires loose, however for the 20b this could be over come with different gearing but that will cost even more. the 20b will probably handle staying at high rpms a little better than the ls1, which sustained high rpms is quite common for drifting . basically it comes down to what you will be happy with. Im trying to finish up my 20b swap at the moment. sure it cost me more but.... Its what i wanted. the reason you spend so much more for a 20b than ls1 ( generally depending on how deep you go into each project) is because its just more involved and the the piston engine has had more r and d considering that every multi billion dollar car manufacturer produces at least one version of a piston engine, while the rotary is only currently recieving reserach from tuning companies hobbyists a few aviator's and 1 car manufacturer .
transmission issues, turbo kits, fuel systems, engine management sytems makes it more complicated and complications mean more money and more time involved in building it. either way both are great motors and both will be great for drifting it just comes down to what you want and how much you are willing to put up with to get it.

 

Well explained Rotorooter.

Go lsx.. it's cheaper, reliable, and makes plenty of power for drifting.

 

After doing years of research in the pros and cons of each...I did end up going 20B N/A.

I think the LSX is a more intellectual choice. It makes more sense on so many levels. At times I wish I had gone LSX.
I still don't have my car and this has been an almost five year project...soon, very soon.

I think that the 20B is a more emotional choice. It just rings all of the bells on that level. Plus definitely more of a purist choice.

That being said, I am more of an intellectual, non purist. Go figure on my choice..

Maybe I am as schizophrenic as my car....street car that thinks it's a race car.

Do what makes you feel good. I don't know if that helps any but there is my opinion.

 

Why do either? Well built 2 rotor will take you plenty deep in the hp range.

 

3 rotor. Went from 240s to my current single turbo FD. Love the rotary motor for sliding. High rev range is so nice for those longer drifts where my little ka used to suffer from asthma up top. Thought of the extra power from a 3rd rotor to initiate gives me wood. V8s cheaper but 3 rotor is cooler. You wanna be cool right?? lol

 

If you growing a mullet go with the lsx, I would go with a 20b.

 

I know but, look what happens...if your budget doesn't allow it, then go ls1...or stay 2 rotor as sk8world suggested.

or go mullett as jamespond suggested.

 

I'm going 3 rotor all the way now. I can get my hands on a 3 rotor with 25k miles on it for $3250 shipped to my house =)

 

If you are even in the realm of affording both, this shouldn't even be a question. 20B all the way. The only reason to consider an LS1 is that it is cheaper. Spend the extra money and get the best sounding engine of all time. I would even suggest going naturally aspirated with a peripheral port. 350+whp and a sound rivaling F1 V8's.

 

Something not mentioned that made up my mind; emissions. My turbo 13B was a bitch to get to pass. Everyone in my area liscences their modded rotary in another county. The LS-1 passes LEGALLY with ease every year. If you don't have to worry about this, then go with what you want the most be it V-8 or rotary.

 

3 rotor FTW!

 

4 rotor.. and don't look back ....

 

im pretty sure aaron cake has a mullet and has a pretty well built na-t 13b....