Take a look at the resale of RX-7's or other cars with LSX swaps.
LSX FD RX-7's generally sell for $15-$25k and shells cost roughly $5k.
LSX FC RX-7's generally sell for $7-$12k and shells range from $500 - $1500.
Edit: Deleted the gear ratio info since my IIRC on the gearing was wrong.
I wouldn't be keeping the stock rear end myself. Put in a 3.42 or 3.73 and you'll have that nice highway setup plus the strength you need. Does the RX8 use a Torsen rear? The GM clutch-packs put down the power much better.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
Yeah Rx8s (S1 and S2) have torsens, you get 4.444 with 04-08 and 4.777 with 09-11. IF your rx8 is equipped with an LSD, some trims didn't get it or it was an option but that was mostly AT models and you should just avoid those for many different reasons. If it is manual transmission it also has torsen LSD. Rule of thumb
I'd go the LR4 route if I was building one. should see low 30's at highway, make 300hp and be a great handler.
I think you would have no problem selling a well sorted LS1 swapped RX8 for $17k. If it's not sorted though you're going to have trouble selling it at anything approaching a reasonable price.
The quality of the swap is going to make a dramatic difference. Also, if it's "90% done", expect a major hit.
Jaynen wrote: I was just thinking about this again and how there seems to be NO aftermarket progress at all. Then I see how cheap some of them are on copart even with clean titles
It's coming, so I hear
In reply to unk577:
Yeah, Keith just said that they might be working on it. Ha ha, just messing wit ya.
Do tell unk577
So what about putting the 2.3l from an MS3 into the RX8. I could see this as the perfect car. Probably get about 26-28mpg while having enough power to compliment the chassis. I wonder how much wrecked MS3's are goign for on copart...
I know of at least one in the UK that's running around with a 2.0 out of an NC Miata. It would be interesting to see if the 2.3's turbo packaging would work.
Greg Voth wrote: Take a look at the resale of RX-7's or other cars with LSX swaps. LSX FD RX-7's generally sell for $15-$25k and shells cost roughly $5k. LSX FC RX-7's generally sell for $7-$12k and shells range from $500 - $1500. Edit: Deleted the gear ratio info since my IIRC on the gearing was wrong.
I peruse the V8 RX-7 classifieds from time to time and would love an FD with an LS-1 (or other variant). But your numbers are spot on. The really nice builds are in the mid-$20s. Granted it's a gorgeous car and, if the swap is well done, it might be worth it, but $25k buys a lot of other cars out there that are great as they came from the factory (a 911 comes to mind).
dyintorace wrote:Greg Voth wrote: Take a look at the resale of RX-7's or other cars with LSX swaps. LSX FD RX-7's generally sell for $15-$25k and shells cost roughly $5k. LSX FC RX-7's generally sell for $7-$12k and shells range from $500 - $1500. Edit: Deleted the gear ratio info since my IIRC on the gearing was wrong.I peruse the V8 RX-7 classifieds from time to time and would love an FD with an LS-1 (or other variant). But your numbers are spot on. The really nice builds are in the mid-$20s. Granted it's a gorgeous car and, if the swap is well done, it might be worth it, but $25k buys a lot of other cars out there that are great as they came from the factory (a 911 comes to mind).
It's cars and options like these that prevent me from seeing the BRZ/FR-S as a good deal.
t25torx wrote: So what about putting the 2.3l from an MS3 into the RX8. I could see this as the perfect car. Probably get about 26-28mpg while having enough power to compliment the chassis. I wonder how much wrecked MS3's are goign for on copart...
Well... the 2.5 has been put in an NB Miata, and just from eyeballing the two, the RX8 has quite a bit more room.
http://www.miataturbo.net/engine-performance-56/my-serious-bad-ass-mzr-engine-65621/
Oh, and this particular example made 600whp. 
Swank Force One wrote:t25torx wrote: So what about putting the 2.3l from an MS3 into the RX8. I could see this as the perfect car. Probably get about 26-28mpg while having enough power to compliment the chassis. I wonder how much wrecked MS3's are goign for on copart...Well... the 2.5 has been put in an NB Miata, and just from eyeballing the two, the RX8 has quite a bit more room. http://www.miataturbo.net/engine-performance-56/my-serious-bad-ass-mzr-engine-65621/ Oh, and this particular example made 600whp.
Thats what I'm talking about.. I read something about the only reason Mazda didn't put the DISI motor in the Miata was because the high pressure fuel pump on the back of the head had clearance issues with the firewall. An issue that wouldn't be a problem on a one-off or transplant kit, I wouldn't imagine. Both being Mazdas of the same vintage, I would hope the BCM functions would be very similar between the two, easing the transplant.
I like all that clean work but didnt spend an extra 35 dollars for a new coolant (or washer fluid) resivour or at least some chlorox wipes.
I'm not sure I'd call that "clean work". Most of it is the "this'll work" level.
Unless these swaps are going to be much cheaper why would you do them vs just doing the LSx?
The owner didn't call that "clean work" for that picture either. That was the debut weekend in a "let's get this berkeleyer to the track at all costs" state. Plus, race/drift car vs. street car.
I can see that 
Although he does get credit for the color-matched ziptie on the passenger headlight.
Jaynen wrote: Unless these swaps are going to be much cheaper why would you do them vs just doing the LSx?
Not sure what the OP's intentions are with the car, but if I were doing a swap I would go with the MZR over the LS for several reason. I would be doing the swap to make a unique daily driver. I had an LS1 GTO and it could be coaxed to some decent highway mileage, but around town it sucked. So the MZR would beat it there. I know this isn't that important to most GRMers but the MZR puts out about .7 tons less CO2 emissions per year, gotta try and be green somewhere. I haven't been able to find figures but I imagine the MZR weights around 100lbs less than the LS, and then you have the dual pipes vs. single pipe weight. Those are just some of the reason I would favor the MZR over the LS.
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