6.0lt RX8

[rx86.0lt]

Hello forum members

I have recently embarked on a new project and i thought some members on here may like or be interested in what i am doing.

9 years ago i bought a Mazda RX8 brand new.
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/7817/rx81.jpg
Its been through some family members hands and came back to me approx 2 years ago with a dead motor. I rebuilt the original motor into a BridgePort 13b Renesis. Spent thousands more on other modifications turning it into a weekend track toy, though still keeping it street registered.
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/138/rx8racing.jpg

After 2 years, i had enough of the slow 13b, pulled it out and sold it recently. I then decided to buy a VE SS Thunder 6.0lt Manual ute that had been in an accident.
Pulled engine box and everything else i need for the conversion. (I can not post pics of ute up but its been in a front end hit). Also bought DOD delete kit, cam, dual valve spring kit with seals retainers and bases, under drive kit inc belts and replacement drive pulleys, 3 bolt cam gear, crank seal, pushrods. Should make abit over 300rwkw.

In the end it will be my weekend toy, that i will do hill climbs, sprints, track days and what ever else i can and have fun in.

I will update as i go.

h.

[Drizt]

AWESOME :)

Will it all be engineered and street legal when done or just a track car?

[BigAnt]

Looks like a fun project. Great to see another build going up on the forum too. :thumbsup:
Haven't seen a LS RX8 in Aus before. Id love and LS FD but I'd never fit in one.
Are there conversion kits available from the USA or are you doing it all here?
Keep us posted

[Evman]

Huuuuuuuge fan of LS FD RX7's. This conversion would rate. Keep us posted!

[rx86.0lt]

I plan to get it engineered. I would like to keep it st registered as i want to drive to and from events.

No conversion kit. I tried sourcing information from the states but they were not very helpful. the 2 main issues will be the headers and sump. Everything else shouldnt be too much of a drama. Dale from CHE is helping with the conversion. He will be modifying the harness etc so we can get the 6.0lt running with the factory ecu and fbw.

[Woodchukka]

Sounds like it will be a great little car. Look forward to seeing this develop.

[itsme4g63]

niccceee! thats the way I'd go if I had one of these, that or a 2jz swap. More pics please!

[zorro]

I hear CarGraphic do good headers :lol:

Good to see you here H, this is going to be a fkn cool car when finished

[brasher]

If it's one thing H doesn't do.... it's f^&k around lol

this thing is going to be mental.

[vassis]

Ive worked on a FC with a stock ls1 (small cam)+ M6, a FD with a L98 (small cam)+6l80e and a HQ with a bog stock ls1 + M6

I love conversions. Its amazing seeing how these engines go in cars that dont weigh as much as commodores do. You will like the end result. The idea is to keep near stock and reliable setups yet run great times its just reliable reliable reliable hence why the small cams. Even a entry level blower on a stock motor with a decently setup car will get your mazda running in the 10s

The FC on a safe street tune ran a 12.29 @115mph with a 60ft time of 1.75 using an old set of street ET's and manifold going under vacuum at WOT and injectors maxxing out @ 4400 RPM @58 psi, so its got so much more in it if he wants to spend money on it but its already running low 12s with a engine no different to most of the entry level modders on this forum

Ill be following this and if you get stuck on anything PM me

[ittwgn]

sounds like a cool project!!! a mate at work just did the usual rebuild on the rotor less than 100k from new !! hinson are one of the few I've seen working on this type of conversion they build some insane cars !!! probably one you had no response from !!??
http://www.hinsonsupercars.com/s-1156-mazda-rx8-2003.aspx

[rx86.0lt]

Yep Hinson do but doesn't really help rhd cars.

Vassis, what did you do in regards to return line? The rx8 doesn't run a return line. What fuel pump and reg did you use?

Thanks
H

[jc_sv8]

Looking forward to the build. One of the guys here has an MX5 with a LS2 in it. Scares the bejesus out of the Porsche's at Barbagallo.

[vassis]

Anything good fuel system wise. All fuel systems use a return from the regulator just the commodores have them near the back or somefin. Use intank walbros feeding a 044 outside if you need that much or just an oem intank replacement. There's a few really high flowing ones out now upto 400 lph

[VNV8]

Sounds promising, what sort of bodywork are you going to have to do? E.g. chassis rails, trans tunnel etc.?

[BRUTUS698]

Found this on LS1Tech
http://www.ls1rx8.com

[rx86.0lt]

Thank you brut

[vxcalais]

any updates ?

[rx86.0lt]

Almost finished.

Engine and box in the car. Wiring all complete. Headers are getting done currently, hoping it's finish by mid next month. Project has taken it's time due to work. Will post pics tomorrow.

H

[dots403]

thats awesome man i was really close to picking up an ls3 rx7 fd a few months bck

[rx86.0lt]

http://youtu.be/_llCTHfXy2Y


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_llCTHfXy2Y&feature=youtu.be

[SSer]

I... can't... ugh. Wow! It really looks like it was meant to be in there. More vids/pics please as it progresses.

[rx86.0lt]

Should be ready soon with the addition of a 150hp nitrous kit.

[Woodchukka]

Looks very neat indeed. As has been stated like it was meant to be there.

[rx86.0lt]

http://instagram.com/p/p7q3NTyOWl/

Dyno's at 408rwhp

[Malus]

Awesome work mate!
I have a friend with a 09 RX8 GT that's due for the 80K rebuild. I'm trying to convince him to take this route instead :)

[Kakarot_92]

That's awesome, looks really good!

[benw2554]

http://instagram.com/p/p7q3NTyOWl/

Dyno's at 408rwhp

Hi,

Just wondering how your RX8 / LS1 is going?? I realise this post was posted a few years ago but I was wondering if you could help me out with some info on the swap to an LS1. I've got an 04 RX8 bearing the end of its motor life and a spare 04 Commodore SV8 LS1 and gearbox.

What was the cost (excluding all the extra performance mods to the LS1)?
Is it street legal?
Did you do it yourself or did you get mechanic to do it? If so, where?

Cheers

[Micks]

Unfortunately the man hasn't been back here for almost four years now, say he got all his info & jumped off!!

[whitels1ss]

Unfortunately the man hasn't been back here for almost four years now, say he got all his info & jumped off!!

You never know Mick,

he could be subscribed to the thread.

I did a bit of a search on the net & was surprised to see how many of these little rice rockets had LS engine conversions around the place. :lol: