I know the ls series the sought after swap for the FD but seriously they are just too expsensive... What other motor would u use for budget build?

 

You can probably buy a cheap LS series engine with harness and ECU cheaply from the local auto wrecker. RB engines are more rare and coveted, so I'd expect them to be harder to find and more expensive. Either way, both swaps have been done so check out the Other Engine Conversions subforum.

 

I would do a JZ series before the RB.
Easier to get parts, less expensive, exhaust on the other side on the engine bay for less stress on the steering and BMC and for easier downpipe fabrication.

 

LS motors are much easier to find and will be much cheaper. Replacement parts will be easily available as well.

 

I second the jz engine mostly because they come rear sump and rb's don't. Don't get me wrong I would rather have an rb any day of the week, in fact I do, but for the simplicity and cost the jz fits better. Whatever motor you get cheaper is really the way to go.

 

If you've got a TII then a 4g6x wideblock will bolt up to the transmission with proper bellhousing.

http://www.projectzerog.com/rx7transmissions.shtml

 

Budget rotary

 

Most motor swaps will not be "budget" as you typically will need custom mounts and such. I agree with ^^ keep it rotary unless your motor is completely useless. But depending on how much you are looking to spend there are a ton of options. It just depends on what you are looking for and how much you want to spend.

 

To be honest I have been trying to find an FD that is in the process of getting swapped for sale... I figure since the economy and most ppl. don't have around 10 to 15k cash laying around to buy and banks usually don't lend money out for a car that is older than ten years..

 

keep your eye on norotors.com

 

5.3 truck motors can be bought cheap and still make great power

 

I daily drove an s13 for 2 years with an rb25 and it was a fun motor. You should do a 25 swap and keep it tt that'd be freakin sweet.

 

I meant a 26 swap not a 25 sorry

 

they sell a swap kit for the JZ series motor. www.myjzswap.com the brackets are kinda costly tho . 1500 just for the front subframe, munts , trans shifter adapter, trans mounts ect .

JZ is just sick tho

 

why would you buy a rx7 and then not have a rotary>.<

 

I agree stick with the rotary but, if you do decide to swap I would go ls1 its the most documented and bolt in swap and there is a reason why 50% or more of formula D has a ls1. Or if your on a budget the ford 302 or sbc sounds nice.

 

I've got a 5.3/t56 in my 87. The torque is stupid fun and even with the iron block the f/r balance is still acceptable, obviously the AL block would be better though.

I did manage to munch the N/A diff in short order, wheelhop is what killed it. It would spin/hop on the shift to 4th with the stock wheels/crap tires. In the rain it was scary, a set of 17x9's with 255's helped make it a ton more manageable.

Price wise, I don't think you can do it much cheaper with any other engine, I want to say I've got ~5k in it including new brakes and the price of the car. I'm ~1-1.5k away from a super reliable 400rwhp(cam and headers).

 

dont do rb50, i had one for a while. theyre fast when they work. parts are hard to find and expensive when you do. theyre extremely heavy. the motor and trans are 700ish pounds and theyre not super responsive to drive. theyre nutless without the boost on it. if you want 6 cyl id reccomend 1 or 2jz or a nissan vq35

 

My opinion an LT1 would be the cheapest and most rewarding for the money. The LS1 would be nice but they are a little pricey

 

I would keep it rotary

 

Also dont forget about weight reduction I have my DD FC down to about 2300 pounds. Taking 1000 pounds off a rx7 makes a big difference.

 

hey guys i appreciate the info... I'm deployed right now so i'm gather as much info about what ideal swaps i will do when i get back or if i'm lucky i can find one that is already swapped for a decent price.. You know how it goes you dump tons of money and time in but u never get close to what you put in it...

I live in IL.. I have a friend of mine who checks craigslist frequently to see if there are any posted around chicago/st.louis area... There is one posted w. a rb25det...

 

Rb is a great motor I helped install and tune one in a 240z. Be prepared for lots of tuning to make it run.

 

I had an rb25 it was the best motor i had

 

Keep it rotary man...if not just go over to Ford,Chevy,Nissan w/e and leave the rx7 for the true rotary guys...if u want rb,get a 240sx shell if u want v8 get a muscle car or something...