RX-8 LS swap thread

[kevm14]

Here's a place to start.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... -8+LS+swap

[kevm14]

One thing that I think is mandatory on a swap like this is you need to manage the exhaust note. It needs to be on the quieter side with as much tone and as little drag strip as possible. Otherwise it just seems wrong to me.

[bill25]

Here is a great head start:

http://www.ls1rx8.com/ls-conversion-kits.html

[Bob]

It's funny - I almost created the same thread last night.

[Bob]

This one was fairly entertaining, though lacking an in depth review of the driving experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x2Og7cItEE

[bill25]

That video was funny. Also, interesting to hear about the plasti dip and exhaust issue. That is the first I have heard of that.

[bill25]

These guys said they are running the Chevy and Mazda PCMs together and have them talking. I like that idea. Will need to look more into this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQgRSWGbtUA

[Bob]

This is an old ad, but looks like a nice example: http://www.enthusiast-owned.com/ls1-swa ... dly-clean/

The LS swap definitely increases the value of the car a lot.

[bill25]

Wow! Gross numbers, if you got one of these for 2-3K, got the swap kit for 2K, you would have about 5K for everything else. You could drive it for a couple years and possibly make money or break even if you sold it. That is awesome. Basically a hobby that would pay for itself.

[kevm14]

So $5k for:

Motor
-stock LS1 from a 2000 Z28 <95k miles
-ARP 2000 rodbolts
-Melling ported and shimmed M295 oil pump
-new pushrods
-LS2 timing set
-new trunion bearings in rockers
-Stainless Works 1 7/8″ long tube headers with merge spikes
-PowerBond billet underdrive pulley
-SLP thermostat
-iridium plugs
-MSD plug wires
-cold air intake with new filter
-PeakSpeed ported LS2 intake with 90mm LS2 TB
-2002 Corvette ZO6 OS
-all new gaskets
-billet aluminum mounts with poly Corvette mounts
-3″ exhaust with cats and stainless mufflers

Fuel System
-AEM 320 lph fuel pump
-new corvette filter/regulator
-new lines and fittings
-LS2 fuel rail and injectors

Trans/Driveline
-T56 from 2000 Z28 <95k miles
-Aluminum flywheel with LS7 clutch
-new GM slave
-new clutch line
-Wilwood 7/8″ clutch master
-Prothane poly mount
-Hinson Supercars tubular chrome moly torque arm
-Whiteline Poly diff bushings
-MGW adjustable shifter with new leather SLP shift knob
-PST HD driveshaft

Installed new shocks, brakes, and moved the ABS block to a more stealthy place. Also replaced the notoriously failure prone AC controls with a new updated OEM unit.

Is any of that part of the $2k swap kit? Not that you have to do all that. But if you want to build one worth $15k when you're done, you do.

It is almost never economical to do this yourself if you really want to get your money back.

Don't forget you also need to start with an aluminum block LS. So no $500 truck 5.3s.