V-8 SBC or LS swap New guy with extra parts need car ideas RX-7 Miata 240 Porsche 944

I'll throw my vote in for RWD Celica/Supra or E36 BMW. 

In reply to Stefan :

I'm not comparing a 944 engine bay vs a 928 engine bay.  968 6 speed is a step *backwards*, as it stuffs 6 gears into the same ratios that the Turbo box does in 5.  So all the expense with no gains, it doesn't give you an overdrive 6th that it desperately needs with the LS.

Hydroboost sucks, brake feel is wooden and its hard/impossible to get the brake bias correct.  Texas Performance Concepts has an adapter that lets you use the Mustang hydroboost with the stock 944/951 master cylinder, which helps.  Otherwise you have to source the expensive BMW hydroboost to use the stock 944/51 hydroboost.

Yeah, you can use Lexus brakes but why would you when OEM options are available?

I did this swap and I lived with it for 6 years.  I know what I'm talking about here...

In reply to docwyte :

I never knew you did one.  It now sounds far less fun than anyone else says.  Thanks for the forthright answer on this one.

I still keep dreaming of turbo 911s or an LS powered ND for my 50th.

Since derailing threads is normal around here I just wanted to say I have dreams of swapping a VW 2.5 5 cylinder into a 944. 

I'd go 240sx, 350z, e36, fc rx7, boxster , gm g body. There's a lot of choices that are documented and have kits available. I've seen ls swapped e36's and fc rx7's do laps and laps around the track on 100+ degree days in California with no issues. 

In reply to Stampie :

I'd vote for the new Audi TTRS 2.5 myself..... they sound amazing to me. 

yupididit said:

I'd go 240sx, 350z, e36, fc rx7, boxster , gm g body. There's a lot of choices that are documented and have kits available. I've seen ls swapped e36's and fc rx7's do laps and laps around the track on 100+ degree days in California with no issues. 

I think I'd go 240SX or E36, or if money is no object FD RX7 myself for this task.  The FD has a great suspension, and seeing one lifted would be Baja Rally Rothman's 911 cool. 

I’d find a nice F body or C3 C4 vette and drop those parts in. That would fit in American Sedan or whatever the class is with cool V8 cars

The FC Rx7 has bolt in solutions for an LS through Ronin or Granny's Speed Shop. The chassis are still pretty cheap and the rear ends can handle the power short of hard core drag racing applications. The 4.1 or 3.9 at best ratio isn't ideal but workable. 8.8 swap is am option. 

Alternatively you could do an RX8 LS swap. The chassis and spare parta are everywhere for cheap and there are a couple swap options out there.  LS1RX8 is one.  I bought a previously Hinson swapped shell with mounts/driveshaft/longtubes for under $2k that I am working on for an LS / T56 swap on.  Again rear end ratio isn't ideal but 8.8 is an option. 

I prefer and own first gens for sentimental reasons but I would go for one of those options for the an easier swap. 

Also since T56 are pricey you can look into CD009 or AR5 to LS block adapters. 

Having driven or owned several swapped RX7s, Miata (mostly Ford 5.0s) I say go for it. Build what you want and run in XP or A Mod and just have fun. Classing doesn't matter unless you want to go to Nationals. 

I've driven a 5.3 truck engine swapped FC RX-7 and it is berkeleying giggle inducing. I mean, as a rotary aficionado, it's heresy, but it makes for a surprisingly fun car to drive.

That said, with enough time and effort, you can swap almost anything into any chassis. 

What do *you* want to drive. A GM G-body with a Landau top that surprises people with how well it can handle?  An XJ Jaguar with an LS that is reliable, drips wood grain elegance and smokes tires?  A V8 Miata- the modern Ford Cobra?

If you're going to put in the blood, sweat and tears, what's going to tickle your fancy at the end of the day?

In reply to amg_rx7 : Hi there.  which parts are you referring to?  I know very little on the Corvettes.  I will google the F body or C3 C4 vette thanks

In reply to clutchsmoke :

I think both of these are cool.  I will check out vintage Supra and BMW locally.  thanks

In reply to Stefan :

The comment on all of you being huge enablers is hilarious.  This car thing is a addiction

In reply to Brett_Murphy :

To be totally honest.  They all sound so cool.  A XJS I found locally for $2000 with a LS that moves faster than anyone expects, a slightly lifted 240SX with bigger tires and a LS, a gen 2 RX7 that looks like a rally car and also has a LS, a C4 Vette with more HP than stock, A G body buick sleeper that looks like a stock Buick but with 600 HP because the Buick Regal turbos were my favorite car at 16 years to 18 years, or a 944 with a LS.  The problem is the choice.  I agree that wrecking a old school Z car is probably not a good idea.  One thing I forgot to mention is that my location does complicate things.  I live three miles down a dead end dirt or gravel road.  The car cannot leave when the roads are snowy or like they are now which is potholes unless it's setup like a Audi Quattro turbo 5 cylinder rally car.  it's going to be a tough suspension car.  i have had to sell a few due to the roads to our place.  Thanks everyone

Spokane????

I lived many years not too far from there!  First in Grand Coulee, and later in the big town of Creston!  (Actually, 7-bays on lake roosevelt.  But still...)

In reply to Hungary Bill :

I have been to Creston many times.  7 bays is nice little town.  Also Coulee on the way to my dads place in Okanagon county.  

Choosing which path\hole to go down might get easier if you ranked your goals for this project? ( Usage, Timeline, Budget etc.) And now for another tangent. Take one TR7 (a Rover 3500,or 5000 maybe too much to ask) add one ufze (or an FJ minus its body). Might carry more meaning and motivation.

In reply to BarryNorman :

Thanks.  Are you suggesting I buy a TR7?  I had not throught of that.  My main concerns are timeline and budget.  I would like to be done at $15k.  I have a friend helping who is suggesting I buy a project that someone else started but did not finish.  

RIDDLER said:

In reply to amg_rx7 : Hi there.  which parts are you referring to?  I know very little on the Corvettes.  I will google the F body or C3 C4 vette thanks

 

Your original post said you had these parts:

Here are the parts that I have which might work in a V-8 swap :  high nickel block 1969 Chevy SBC 350 rebuilt with low miles, rebuilt turbo 400 and torque converter, Ford 9" 31 spline 4.11 rear end with rear disk brakes high pinion detroit locker made by Currie 55.7 inches wide, new driveline, aluminum radiator, and electric fan.   I am open to going LS1 instead of the old school SBC.  

In reply to amg_rx7 :

Yes and I still have those same parts sitting in my barn.  I just found another rebuilt turbo 400.  I like the gen 3 and gen 4 corvettes,  Finding a stingray is tough to do  

RIDDLER said:

In reply to Brett_Murphy :

To be totally honest.  They all sound so cool.  A XJS I found locally for $2000 with a LS that moves faster than anyone expects, a slightly lifted 240SX with bigger tires and a LS, a gen 2 RX7 that looks like a rally car and also has a LS, a C4 Vette with more HP than stock, A G body buick sleeper that looks like a stock Buick but with 600 HP because the Buick Regal turbos were my favorite car at 16 years to 18 years, or a 944 with a LS.  The problem is the choice.  I agree that wrecking a old school Z car is probably not a good idea.  One thing I forgot to mention is that my location does complicate things.  I live three miles down a dead end dirt or gravel road.  The car cannot leave when the roads are snowy or like they are now which is potholes unless it's setup like a Audi Quattro turbo 5 cylinder rally car.  it's going to be a tough suspension car.  i have had to sell a few due to the roads to our place.  Thanks everyone

If you've got to get up a gravel road, an autocross car (like you mentioned in your OP) isn't the best idea. 

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, it sounds like a Paco equipped Miata with some kind of engine mods is your huckleberry. The fun part about this is the engine mods (whatever they might be) are probably well documented, and the Paco suspension mods are bolt in and bolt out. It means you can have your lifted Miata with all terrains for the winter and mud months, and then remove the lift and swap the tires to have a fun autocross/summer car.

In reply to Brett_Murphy :

Thanks so much.  I guess I am the only one who might be surprised.  I will research this option.  What years of Miata are the best for this Paco option.  I sure like the versatility.  thanks again