2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

350 swap

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Old 01-20-10 | 08:25 PM
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From: Tyner IN
IN 350 swap

ok well i traded my paintball gun for theys two mazda rx7 86. one of them ran. well it just started eating antifreeze and oil. so since i dont really know how to rebuild them. i thought bout doing a 350 swap. so i had a few questions

could i keep the same tranny and just make an adapter plate.

what would i use for a fly wheel the 350 has an auto tranny but i want to keep my stick in my mazda

what would i do with the wireing i dont need like fuel injection stuff.

would i have to get a bigger radator and e fan and things

would i have to change my front springs.

if you could give me any addvice i would appriate it thanks im a little new at this im only 16 but i have been working on this rx7 for over 2 years to get it running then i just smokes and everything else. well let me know i think i could rebuild the rotary and i have a stock turbo from a tii so i thought bout a turbo after rebuilding but i want the cheapest way to make some real horse power. all i want to do is beat the civics around here with the dumb 4 banger engines. rember theres no replacement for displacement
Old 01-20-10 | 08:46 PM
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This site probably has answers to most of your questions.

http://www.grannysspeedshop.com/

You could also source a remanufactured engine from a reliable rebuilder.
Old 01-20-10 | 08:54 PM
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v8rx7forum.com

Honestly, it would be cheaper to fix your car if you can't fabricate your own mounts...
Old 01-20-10 | 08:54 PM
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you could aslo check out www.v8rx7forum.com
Old 01-20-10 | 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by dakota's rx7
all i want to do is beat the civics around here with the dumb 4 banger engines. rember theres no replacement for displacement
Really. You're bringing that crap here? Here, where everyone's sporting a 1.3 liter, many making some serious power. And you bring THAT up?!

But, anything can be done, with enough money. V8 rx7's can be fast, but it's not going to be cheap. Definitely not cheaper than making it a TII. The cost of an LS1 is pretty high. If you're considering using a regular old shitty 350, good luck with it. They have about 200 hp. Not only do you need the engine, but you're not going to be able to use the NA Rx7 transmission. Can't handle the torque. You'll also break your differential and axles. You'll have to run new exhaust, change out the computer, make a custom driveshaft, figure out how to make the stock gages work with the chevy computer, lots of welding, etc. There's plenty of information on it, in other places. Good luck though, v8's sound cool. I just personally believe that they have no place in an rx7.
Old 01-20-10 | 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by dakota's rx7
ok well i traded my paintball gun for theys two mazda rx7 86. one of them ran. well it just started eating antifreeze and oil. so since i dont really know how to rebuild them. i thought bout doing a 350 swap.
Houston, we have a problem.
Repairing the rotary is infinitely simpler than swapping in a whole new drivetrain.

Originally Posted by dakota's rx7
i had a few questions

could i keep the same tranny and just make an adapter plate.
No.

Originally Posted by dakota's rx7
what would i use for a fly wheel the 350 has an auto tranny but i want to keep my stick in my mazda
See above.

Originally Posted by dakota's rx7
what would i do with the wireing i dont need like fuel injection stuff.
Usually folks use the ECU from the donor vehicle, so it depends on what it needs to see and what it controls.

Originally Posted by dakota's rx7
would i have to get a bigger radator and e fan and things
Depends on what you have in there now...maybe, maybe not.

Originally Posted by dakota's rx7
would i have to change my front springs.
Probably not.

Originally Posted by dakota's rx7
if you could give me any addvice i would appriate it thanks im a little new at this im only 16 but i have been working on this rx7 for over 2 years to get it running then i just smokes and everything else. well let me know i think i could rebuild the rotary and i have a stock turbo from a tii so i thought bout a turbo after rebuilding but i want the cheapest way to make some real horse power. all i want to do is beat the civics around here with the dumb 4 banger engines. rember theres no replacement for displacement
Here's a bit of advice, and I'm dead serious...
If you decide on the swap, figure out a budget and then triple it.

You will get nickel and dimed to death by unexpected little widgets and doo-dads that will be suddenly necessary, holding the whole project hostage till they show up.
Furthermore, all the current subsystems- brakes, suspension, lighting, etc.- that might seem good now will be exposed as weaklings after you effectively double the power output.

If you really want to beat on all the dumb Civics, become a cop.
Old 01-20-10 | 10:17 PM
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ur (probable) cheapest option is to buy "used" good compression (and street ported) n/a motor (same series) from the classified section. With fuel, intake, exhaust and piggy back, u'll be able to keep up (or beat) slightly modified civic. If you wanna race evenly with highly modified civic, then u need "serious" money to play (sky is the limit).
Old 01-20-10 | 11:35 PM
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Being that you are 16 (very limited experience), i would recommend swapping a decent compressioned engine like "bsecured" said. Invest the rest of your money in tracktime so you dont kill any of our indiana members while trying to "beat" civics.

john ny
Old 01-20-10 | 11:55 PM
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dont use a chevy in that car get a real engine like a ford 4.6 aka 289 or put an even more a nice cozy lttle 460 , chevy is not first on race day , they arent what they were but i guess its better than chrysler eh
Old 01-21-10 | 12:51 AM
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Originally Posted by bostonspgs
dont use a chevy in that car get a real engine like a ford 4.6 aka 289 or put an even more a nice cozy lttle 460 , chevy is not first on race day , they arent what they were but i guess its better than chrysler eh
a real engine would be a 2JZ.....
Old 01-21-10 | 03:51 AM
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..if you needed to ask as many things as you did in that first post, I would stay away from any kind of engine swap If I was you.

buuuuut

1: Doubt it, and standards for a 350 arent always the easiest and cheapest to come by, you can run a muncie 4 speed, a 5 speed(T5?) or a T56 6 speed, none of which will be that cheap to put together with flywheel, clutch, linkage etc...

2:^

3: Get whatever the old engine is working with, if its an EFI 350 get the ecu and wiring and, start tracing wires and splicing into your harness, its tedious.

4: dependant on what your doing with your car yea you may need to upgrade your rad and cooling.

Your also gonna have to be able to weld up exhaust plumbing, engine mounts, custom tranny brackets etc etc etc. unless your gonna get a shop to do that, which is gonna cost $$$$$

Last edited by mot_bot; 01-21-10 at 04:00 AM.
Old 01-21-10 | 06:58 AM
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its an older 350 its sitting in the gaurge right now and its carbed. so i have the motor. but ya what does an older 350 put out for horse power or just go with the turbo swap
Old 01-21-10 | 07:43 AM
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Just go here.
Old 01-21-10 | 08:01 AM
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A 350 w/ a carb is going to have crap for power stock. You'll have to start adding on parts like heads, intake manifolds, performance carbs, cams, stroker kit, headers, etc. until you have some decent power. 350's varied in power, and came with about 145hp originally in 1967, but when I looked at one from 1990, they came with 195. That's even EFI, so you're not seeing a really big improvement. You'll have a lot of torque, and go nowhere fast. Not to mention your differential is probably a 4.10, so you'll have almost no time until the engine redlines. Those v8's don't rev too high.
Sell that 3fitty and get a good TII.
Old 01-21-10 | 02:19 PM
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well i decided to through the turbo on my na motor. so ya im going to do a rebuild and things.
Old 01-21-10 | 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by dakota's rx7
well i decided to through the turbo on my na motor. so ya im going to do a rebuild and things.
What could possibly go wrong?
Old 01-21-10 | 03:43 PM
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Hey man, I just turned 17 a while ago and got my T2 when I was 16. It was in good running condition but I cracked an apex seal and I'm doing a rebuild over easter break myself. If you know you're gonna stick with your project, and you will know that you will, don't just try to convince yourself, then by all means, get a job and start saving. Lots of people have V8 FC's they're a good option but just the fact that you are like me and don't have a lot of knowledge/experience will make it that much harder to commit to as there's so much more to do with swapping in a whole new drivetrain.

As bsecured said, it would be a LOT easier to swap in a motor in good running condition of the same series. You'll save a lot of money and time and there's a lot of support here and useful information on rotaries. I'm sure there's just as much info on v8rx7forums.com but there's just that much more to do.

My point is, don't try to convince yourself that you WILL do something you know you can't commit yourself to.
Old 01-21-10 | 06:27 PM
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Do the V8 guys a favor and don't worsen their rep with this bad idea. Even a Civic could beat that lousy setup. Heck, 200 HP carbed on an old engine? I might be able to go faster with a stock NA rx7. With equal money put in to the Civic or with a much cheaper 1.3 L turbo rotary, you get creamed. Either go all out with an LS1 and some shorter gearing (it has a poor low end and too tall gearing), or start with a V8 car. A swap costs way too much to use a cheap engine. Or you don't have the dough so the car never gets done but you keep talking smack.
Old 01-21-10 | 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted by AGreen
A 350 w/ a carb is going to have crap for power stock. You'll have to start adding on parts like heads, intake manifolds, performance carbs, cams, stroker kit, headers, etc. until you have some decent power. 350's varied in power, and came with about 145hp originally in 1967, but when I looked at one from 1990, they came with 195. That's even EFI, so you're not seeing a really big improvement. You'll have a lot of torque, and go nowhere fast. Not to mention your differential is probably a 4.10, so you'll have almost no time until the engine redlines. Those v8's don't rev too high.
Sell that 3fitty and get a good TII.


You make it sound like 350's are horrid lol :P (IF I was the op tho I would stick with 13b,)

but yea they varied alot within power, proabbly around 150-300+ but you have to remember parts for a 350 are also like dirt cheap compared to anything for our asian engines. SO gaining power will be easier

with headers, a good cam, a new carb you could make some pretty good power, not too mention torque numbers compared to a rotary

You really wouldnt want to have a stroker kit as it will reduce your revs even more, a 327 would be a better choice to the 350 as it is practically the same engine but different revving characteristics (higher revving)

Last edited by mot_bot; 01-21-10 at 11:39 PM.
Old 01-22-10 | 02:44 PM
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F*** Ford!!!

Originally Posted by bostonspgs
dont use a chevy in that car get a real engine like a ford 4.6 aka 289 or put an even more a nice cozy lttle 460 , chevy is not first on race day , they arent what they were but i guess its better than chrysler eh
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