First of all hello all got a big question for you guys:
Im looking at buying a Fc Rx7 Turbo ii with a blown engine for cheap. Was thinking of doing an engine swap just cant decide whether to do a 4 cylinder or a v8. I would do the v8 but i want to have lots of power so an auto is my only choice as tremecs are out of my price range. Guess my biggest question is which would be better for autox and clubracing a 4 cylinder with a manual or a v8 auto?
Do a ford V8 with a toploader(non overdrive) 4 speed? Getting the chvey LS bolted to a ford toploader isnt as hard as it sounds either. Do you really need 5 gears? There's also used NASCAR 4 speed dogboxes available for less than a new TKO.
This seems like an appropriate place for my link
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/rx50-project/33672/page1/
Kenny_McCormic wrote: Do a ford V8 with a toploader(non overdrive) 4 speed? Getting the chvey LS bolted to a ford toploader isnt as hard as it sounds either. Do you really need 5 gears? There's also used NASCAR 4 speed dogboxes available for less than a new TKO.
Didnt think about that...
In reply to JacktheRiffer:
Do have to state that any kind of manual box around here is hard to find or expensive.
sorry for so many repeated posts but how is a modified AOD for autox?
Use the edit button, the one right after the post time stamp.
If you're in the US, it shouldn't be too hard to find a viable toploader core worth rebuilding for less than a good used WC T-5. They only came in nearly every ford product with a 4 speed 64-73. Super T-10s (which would probably also meet your needs) and muncies seem to command a lot of money, but the toploader, despite being the strongest of them all, is the cheapest, at least around me. Adapter plates to go from a gen 1 chevy bellhousing to a toploader and put the end of the input in the right place exist and are fairly cheap when they pop up, getting the gen 1 GM stick setup bolted to the LSx and its clutch is well documented, just sub in a Ford disc. At least that was my understanding of it when I looked at putting a turbo LS in a fox body Granada.
JacktheRiffer wrote: sorry for so many repeated posts but how is a modified AOD for autox?
That was my setup. built 5.0 and modded AOD for autocrossing.
absolutely killer combination, would bark the tires into every gear including overdrive, shifted fast and firm when I wanted (manually shifted when on the autocross course). 49/51 f/r weight distribution, and 2720 lbs total. I have the alignment specs from a winning car, as well as the specs for the replacement front swaybar for this combo.
Chris_V wrote:JacktheRiffer wrote: sorry for so many repeated posts but how is a modified AOD for autox?That was my setup. built 5.0 and modded AOD for autocrossing.
How did you manually shift?
It would be cheapest to find another known good TII rotary. You can find them for $500.00 now and then.
A rebuild / refresh for your blown engine is only about $1300.00.
Just sayin. I am NOT hating on the V8 idea. I just think a rotary is easier and cheaper in this situation.
Also, you may be better off getting a base model RX7 instead of messing with the TII. The wiring, trans, rearend, and engine are all unique to the TII.
Rob R.
Kenny_McCormic wrote: Do a ford V8 with a toploader(non overdrive) 4 speed? Getting the chvey LS bolted to a ford toploader isnt as hard as it sounds either. Do you really need 5 gears? There's also used NASCAR 4 speed dogboxes available for less than a new TKO.
Just popped in to say thanks for saying this so I don't have to.
JacktheRiffer wrote:Chris_V wrote:How did you manually shift?JacktheRiffer wrote: sorry for so many repeated posts but how is a modified AOD for autox?That was my setup. built 5.0 and modded AOD for autocrossing.
Moved the lever to the gear I wanted. You can do that with automatics, you know.
wvumtnbkr wrote: It would be cheapest to find another known good TII rotary. You can find them for $500.00 now and then. A rebuild / refresh for your blown engine is only about $1300.00. Just sayin. I am NOT hating on the V8 idea. I just think a rotary is easier and cheaper in this situation. Also, you may be better off getting a base model RX7 instead of messing with the TII. The wiring, trans, rearend, and engine are all unique to the TII. Rob R.
The rotary is not necessarily cheaper, and barely easier. And in the end, you have less power than the V8 version, or as much power, but zero reliability.
You can do this for less than $500.00?
Also, why do you think they are not reliable? I have about 150,000 miles on my TII drivetrain.
The original TII can be taken out and put back in in 1 day. Not sure if a V8 swap can be done that quickly.
If I was going V8, it would be a 4.8 or 5.3 with a T5.
OR, just run a 5.0 with a T5. Cheap and easy.
Rob R.
If he wants to race it the rotary will be plenty happy.
I picked up an '85 GSL with a seized 12a several years back for beer money. I had the inexplicable urge to drop in a Ford 2.3/2.0, 5-speed combo.
wvumtnbkr wrote: You can do this for less than $500.00?
You can't make a 300+ hp TII for less than $500 either.
wvumtnbkr wrote: Also, why do you think they are not reliable? I have about 150,000 miles on my TII drivetrain.
Stock, yes, As soon as you try and get any power out of them, not a chance. I've had many rotary powered cars, and raced that RX7 in stock form for a year before an apex seal crapped itself out the exhaust port, taking the rear rotor with it. I've also worked on many other RX models and as soon as you have to rebuild them, or try and get more power than stock out of them, they stop being reliable.
wvumtnbkr wrote: The original TII can be taken out and put back in in 1 day. Not sure if a V8 swap can be done that quickly.
I built mine in a weekend. But, I had the parts and the tools to do so. And other than the engine, it cost me about $500 to build ($20 for the mounts, $75 for the driveshaft, $150 for the radiator, $100 for the swaybar, $50 for the shifter cable, and some misc electrical bits)
Where is the requirement for 300 Hp?
Why try to get more power out of it?
The OP is considering a 4 cylinder as well.
Any history of turbo 4-cylinders in FC's? Might be an interesting alternative to the V8.
Mine is still rotary, and probably always will be, but I know how some of you think the boinger concept has potential. 
Where is SF1?
Time for FT2! You can maybe even use the same transmission!
Rob R.
wvumtnbkr wrote: Where is the requirement for 300 Hp? Why try to get more power out of it? The OP is considering a 4 cylinder as well.
OP said "but i want to have lots of power "
And he's contemplating a TURBO 4 cyl. (which may weigh as much as a Ford 5.0). If he's contemplating a V8 swap at all, I can guarantee you he's looking at making more than the TII's 185hp.
The V8, or even a turbo 4, will also have more torque than the rotary, over a wide range.
Ford 5.0 HO w/GT40 heads + T5 WC. Should last a long time at nearly 300whp. And cheap.
A turbo 4G63 would be interesting.
Chris_V wrote:wvumtnbkr wrote: Where is the requirement for 300 Hp? Why try to get more power out of it? The OP is considering a 4 cylinder as well.OP said "but i want to have lots of power " And he's contemplating a TURBO 4 cyl. (which may weigh as much as a Ford 5.0). If he's contemplating a V8 swap at all, I can guarantee you he's looking at making more than the TII's 185hp. The V8, or even a turbo 4, will also have more torque than the rotary, over a wide range.
One of us sucks at reading. It may be me.
He never said Turbo 4 cylinder.
He said he wants lots of power IF it is a V8.
If V8, then 5.0 with T5.
If 4 cylinder FT2 with maybe stock trans.
Those are my votes if Stock TII is not what is wanted.
Rob R.
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