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Small Block Chevy Conversion

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Old 01-06-02 | 07:19 PM
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http://www.v8rx7.com/

Just a warning: V8 conversions are usually frowned upon by the members of this forum
Old 01-06-02 | 07:57 PM
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No prob. Nice typhoon!

I want to swap a v8 in my 88 GXL when the motor or tranny blows.. It's such a beater no rotorheads should mind Also the Auto tranny makes it a real dog, high 17 sec quarter mile times
Old 01-06-02 | 08:12 PM
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good. i think i saw your typhoon a WHILE ago in philly late at night when we were looking for the street races.... nice to see another person from NJ. atleast you were gonna do this to a broken car. excellent thinking
Old 01-06-02 | 09:19 PM
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Originally posted by NJTy180


yeah, that was probably me. you go to DU right?
what is DU ?? sorry if i'm retarded. anyway nice looking truck
Old 01-06-02 | 11:51 PM
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WooHoo!
I am gonna SBC my 89 GXl as soon as either
1. The engine blows
2. The auto tranny dies
3. I get off my lazy *** and fix my AWD Laser and make it into a mid 13 second car.

I am either gonna runa T5 or a 700R4. Havent decided yet.
Old 01-07-02 | 12:07 AM
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Originally posted by NJTy180


nevermind, I thought you were someone else I met with an RX7 from Drexel University. I dont take my truck into Philly that often, so I am surprised when anyone sees it
oh ok. i thought it was a college. that was the only time i went and my last time. i give up on street races i would rather just race @ etown etc. yeah i saw it i was like then i saw your site and said hey i remember seeing that truck. those things are very rare. i'm in north NJ. i never met ya but if i ever see the truck i'll say hello
Old 01-07-02 | 12:20 AM
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personally i wouldnt do the conversion. The rotary is what makes the RX-7 so unique and that hillbilly chevy engine wont be able to take as many redline runs and that much punishment if you are racing it.
Old 01-07-02 | 12:28 AM
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Originally posted by 787B
personally i wouldnt do the conversion. The rotary is what makes the RX-7 so unique and that hillbilly chevy engine wont be able to take as many redline runs and that much punishment if you are racing it.
Actually built properly it can. My friend had a 355 in his 69 Camaro that pulled 7200 RPM every day. Ran it for nearly 5 years. Sold it last year to put an LT1/ 6 speed in his car. Still runs today.
Old 01-07-02 | 11:02 AM
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Originally posted by NJTy180


yeah, thats why i never see any camaros, firebirds or corvettes at the track. just messin with ya.

I think the car will be alright if i lighten it up a bit, toss in an LS1 w/ 6-Speed, a 11PSI supercharger and 125 shot of nitrous ...hehe
you want a 9 second rx7 ??? :p if it doesn't tear the chassis in half when you launch with all that
Old 01-07-02 | 12:25 PM
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Originally posted by NJTy180


There is a red 2nd gen by me that runs 10's I think ....
rotary powered or V8 powered ??
Old 01-07-02 | 12:59 PM
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Originally posted by NJTy180


small block V8 supercharged.... dont think it has nitrous

If i can make it a 10 sec car on motor and charger, the nitrous will definately dip it into the 9's and should twist the car
for all that $$$$ and work it better be in the 9's lots of 10 second rotary cars. converting the car to V8,supercharger, nos etc will cost a bunch to make it work right. you would also need to change rear end. looking at lots of work almost easier to stay rotary
Old 01-07-02 | 01:07 PM
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Originally posted by vosko


for all that $$$$ and work it better be in the 9's lots of 10 second rotary cars. converting the car to V8,supercharger, nos etc will cost a bunch to make it work right. you would also need to change rear end. looking at lots of work almost easier to stay rotary
Or maybe TII Although I dunno if those will run that fast!
Old 01-07-02 | 03:12 PM
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Originally posted by vosko


for all that $$$$ and work it better be in the 9's lots of 10 second rotary cars. converting the car to V8,supercharger, nos etc will cost a bunch to make it work right. you would also need to change rear end. looking at lots of work almost easier to stay rotary
I don't know about there being "lots" of 10 second rotary cars. ANd especially at the price point and overall durability levels we are talking about.

Due to the light weight of the converted RX7s, 11s are easy on N/A small blocks of around 400 hp, and are easily daily driveable as the engines are so understressed. 10s can be had with nitrous and still retain the driveability, or run a 500 hp supercharged version without nitrous and have the same result... A supercharged version of around 600 hp should hit 9s. A car tuned to run 10s can also still be tuned to handle good (due to the light weight of teh V8 and teh total engine setback in teh chassis), though faster than that and weight transfer issues to allow accelleration start to encroach on handling setups, regardless of car or engine choice.

The rear ends are surprisingly strong internally. It's the mounting ears that are weak in this application (it's not a drag car, and this is an issue even for built rotary cars at these speeds). You can weld them up for strength however, if you want to retain the IRS.

In the end, this will cost less for the power than the rotary version, and at the same power levels, be more reliable. But, rest assured, it will still not be cheap (not as cheap as an 11 second V8 7 would be)
Old 01-07-02 | 03:32 PM
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Originally posted by ChrisV


I don't know about there being "lots" of 10 second rotary cars. ANd especially at the price point and overall durability levels we are talking about.

Due to the light weight of the converted RX7s, 11s are easy on N/A small blocks of around 400 hp, and are easily daily driveable as the engines are so understressed. 10s can be had with nitrous and still retain the driveability, or run a 500 hp supercharged version without nitrous and have the same result... A supercharged version of around 600 hp should hit 9s. A car tuned to run 10s can also still be tuned to handle good (due to the light weight of teh V8 and teh total engine setback in teh chassis), though faster than that and weight transfer issues to allow accelleration start to encroach on handling setups, regardless of car or engine choice.

The rear ends are surprisingly strong internally. It's the mounting ears that are weak in this application (it's not a drag car, and this is an issue even for built rotary cars at these speeds). You can weld them up for strength however, if you want to retain the IRS.

In the end, this will cost less for the power than the rotary version, and at the same power levels, be more reliable. But, rest assured, it will still not be cheap (not as cheap as an 11 second V8 7 would be)
i'm not sure but most of the guys with V8's spent alot of money just making everything fit.... ask jimlab with his FD. it's all preference. over here in NJ,PA,NY. there are LOTS of 10 second and 11 second rotary powered rx7's here. i have never actually seen an converted rx7 with V8 running. if i wanted a V8 in my car for drag racing i would have bought a camaro. i wanted a rotary with a big turbo so my FD is getting a haltech e6k, greddy T78, greddy 3row fmic, etc it should be very reliable. the main factor in rotary reliability is quality of the work and tuning. both are very hard to find good people to do i'm not gonna criticize somebodies car its theirs they can do whatever they want to it i will argue on the price issue. yes a V8 is more reliable but to do the conversion properly without turning the rx7 into a camaro costs alot of $$$.
Old 01-07-02 | 04:53 PM
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Originally posted by vosko


i'm not sure but most of the guys with V8's spent alot of money just making everything fit.... ask jimlab with his FD. it's all preference. over here in NJ,PA,NY. there are LOTS of 10 second and 11 second rotary powered rx7's here. i have never actually seen an converted rx7 with V8 running. if i wanted a V8 in my car for drag racing i would have bought a camaro. i wanted a rotary with a big turbo so my FD is getting a haltech e6k, greddy T78, greddy 3row fmic, etc it should be very reliable. the main factor in rotary reliability is quality of the work and tuning. both are very hard to find good people to do i'm not gonna criticize somebodies car its theirs they can do whatever they want to it i will argue on the price issue. yes a V8 is more reliable but to do the conversion properly without turning the rx7 into a camaro costs alot of $$$.
My complete conversion cost under $2k including engine, and has been together, reliably at 400+hp, since 1994. I know of many of these conversions now, some using the Granny's kit, some using the Philly Fabrication kit, and some using my own motor mount plans. Do they run? Yes, they do. It can be done for under $5k including cost of the car originally. AND still retaining most of teh benefits the RX7 chassis offers.

Sorry, I've been watching these boards for years, as well as being part of the list, and have run rotaries since the late '70s. Rotary reliability is a non-entity at these power levels regardless of who builds them.

Don't speculate. Ask those of us that have done it.

BTW, I didn't put a V8 in my car to drag race it. It was an autocrosser. Drag racing doesn't interest me much. I built a light (2720 lb) car with excellent suspension in a stiff, small, chassis. Has zero to do with "wanting a Camaro." I wish people would figure that **** out. Even with a V8, the 2nd gen RX7 chassis is vastly superior to any Camaro. Overall agility, driveability, style, and "fun" is the hallmark of teh chassis. With the V8, you get to add cheap reliable power. And not just lots of it, but lot's of it all over the powerband, not a 2000 rpm wide peak way up there.

I have YET to see a 10 or 11 second FC that is 1) reliable or 2) very streetable, including overall driveability on a day to day basis.
Old 01-07-02 | 05:14 PM
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Originally posted by ChrisV


My complete conversion cost under $2k including engine, and has been together, reliably at 400+hp, since 1994. I know of many of these conversions now, some using the Granny's kit, some using the Philly Fabrication kit, and some using my own motor mount plans. Do they run? Yes, they do. It can be done for under $5k including cost of the car originally. AND still retaining most of teh benefits the RX7 chassis offers.

Sorry, I've been watching these boards for years, as well as being part of the list, and have run rotaries since the late '70s. Rotary reliability is a non-entity at these power levels regardless of who builds them.

Don't speculate. Ask those of us that have done it.

BTW, I didn't put a V8 in my car to drag race it. It was an autocrosser. Drag racing doesn't interest me much. I built a light (2720 lb) car with excellent suspension in a stiff, small, chassis. Has zero to do with "wanting a Camaro." I wish people would figure that **** out. Even with a V8, the 2nd gen RX7 chassis is vastly superior to any Camaro. Overall agility, driveability, style, and "fun" is the hallmark of teh chassis. With the V8, you get to add cheap reliable power. And not just lots of it, but lot's of it all over the powerband, not a 2000 rpm wide peak way up there.

I have YET to see a 10 or 11 second FC that is 1) reliable or 2) very streetable, including overall driveability on a day to day basis.
if you want to see a daily driven street car 10 second FC PM boostn7. there is also a 10 second first gen street car the next neighborhood over that is a daily driven car too. there are many on the forum. i'm not argue about your car. its yours do with it as you please. my cars don't have 2k rpm power band. you seem to be talking about very old technology. i would like to hear from more than just one person about the V8 conversion before i decide it is the end all for cheap reliable fun



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