Hey guys just bought an 87 FC for $1,500.00 with 202,000. Very good base project. I love the rotaries but they have there pros and cons. Ive been contemplating on doing a LQ9 swap but I'm such a NOOß! Im seriously looking into an LT1 since i have one available. How hard would it be to do the swap? Is it strai ght drop in? Do i need to get a diffrrent oilpan? Ect. I have NO IDEA where to start threading and researching on how much it would cost, how hard of a swap it would be...ect. I've done numerous swaps, wiring, so I'm not really new to swaps and being mechanically inclined but I've never done a badass swap like this. I found an LQ9 here locally for $600.00/complete swap. Not a bad deal! Does anyone know how hard it would be to swap an lq9 in an RX7? Any kind of customization/fabrication? Someone throw me some build threads so I can get some knowledge!* I appreciate all the input thanks!

 

I'd start with a google search for "rx7 v8 conversion" and see what comes up. There is a lot of info out there and I think there used to be a forum dedicated to all kinds of RX-7 swaps but I'm not sure if the forum exists any more. As far as chev motors go, the LT1 is kind of a unique motor with a lot of LT1 specific expensive parts so it wouldn't be my first choice for a swap. I'd go with either an LS series engine or an old style 350/383 with Vortec heads. More interesting would be a Buick turbo V6 or a Nissan 300ZX turbo V6 with all the trimmings IMHO.

 

I have an LT-1 in my '93... some places to search for more info:

www.norotors.com

www.grannysspeedshop.com

thing you will encounter in the swap... engine cradle, transmission cradle, drive shaft (usually included in a swap kit), wiring (the fun of mixing mazda with other things, like chevy!) many swaps have been done so many parts to help with the swap are out there, it just becomes a matter of how much do you want to spend...

 

Im just finishing up an LQ9 swap its been a trip before you start the swap make sure you have all the parts you need to finish it before you start it. Ive spent 5 months just peicing together all the stuff i needed altho i was to blame on some of it due to finding performace stuff that i wanted which did delay things some but i think you will like the LQ9 alot more for the performance aspect and interchangability with ls2 and ls6 motors there is alot more horsepower to be had going in that direction.

 

Two problems with the LT1...
The Optispark ignition really sucks and is expensive as well as failure prone.
The intake is tall and the throttle body is oddly flanged, which makes working with the intake more difficult than it should be.

That said, it is a rather brutishly handsome beast...