My brother had a new 1st gen RX7 back in the day. Otherwise I don't know much about them.
I've always preferred the look of the original 1st gen RX7's and am wondering if it is easy to update with the later engines, etc?
I'm assuming you could probably make a 1st gen super car with later gen upgrades?
Educate me.
All of the engines are pretty much direct swappable with associated wiring until you get to the third gen (93-up) RX-7, which is quite a bit different (but has been done). Suspension, on the other hand, is virtually 100% different generation to generation.
Yessir you can build a whoopass 1st gen with boneyard engineering. The 79-80 were the lightest but the 84-85 had the nicest interior.
The 13BTT (3rd gen) motor is an easy swap into a 1st gen, the hardest part is fabricating the engine mounts. I keep getting the itch to do that as well.
The recirculating ball steering is the car's biggest problem, it's slow and numb. 2nd gen front subframes are fairly easily swapped, bringing bigger brakes and R&P steering. That also makes the later 13B swap easier (the engine mount brackets are already on the 2nd gen subframe).
The rear axle, now we run into a situation. The 1st gen was the last hurah of the stick axle. It can be made to work well and a lot of stuff from Miatas and 2nd gens can be used in the diff, but the 4 link/Watts is bindy stock and has questionable geometry. Best bet: build a 3 link/Panhard or a Watts with some movement.
But yes it could be a killer supercar when completed.
I have a 5.0 T5 powered 84 with GSL-SE suspension( better brakes, LSD and easier stud pattern). Engine makes about 340hp, it is EFI, aluminum heads, roller rockers, light flywheel, starter etc.
It has the AC removed and weighs in 20 lbs heavier than the original car did.
3 x the HP and 4 x the Torque, 7000 redline and no weight gain......
the 4 link and panhard are next on the agenda
If you want specifics just ask.
As others have stated, the engine shares the same basic architecture and dimensions. However all 3 generations of RX7s and the RX8 mounted up differently so the challenge will be what to do with the motor mounts.
If you have time and skill, do the FC subframe so you have the better steering up front and might as well do an FC based motor w/ a nice street port while you are there. :) I'd keep it normally aspirated so that its fun, revvy and easy to maintain.
While it can be done, I have not heard happy reports from those who did the 2nd gen swap. However check out this custom rack and pinion swap built for the 1st gen
http://mrcmfg.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=112_133
http://mrcmfg.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=112
aussiesmg wrote: I have a 5.0 T5 powered 84 with GSL-SE suspension( better brakes, LSD and easier stud pattern). Engine makes about 340hp, it is EFI, aluminum heads, roller rockers, light flywheel, starter etc. It has the AC removed and weighs in 20 lbs heavier than the original car did. 3 x the HP and 4 x the Torque, 7000 redline and no weight gain...... the 4 link and panhard are next on the agenda If you want specifics just ask.
Trade it for a Porsche 944? 
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