Honestly, I was actually thinking about a MZR RX-8 a while back and can't believe that Mazda never offered it as an option. It may have even saved the RX-8 as whilst many enthusiasts love the rotary engine, there's still the stigma of high fuel consumption, poor emissions, and more frequent rebuilds
I've seen it multiple times at my region events. It is super quick. Both John and Sam were in the KOTM shootout so it's proven fast. Tho his req's for it - simple, easy to get parts, lots of power - could be an LS in there instead!
Hey I have a 2004 rx8 but I'm wanting to put a 2.5l in it. I have a 2006 mx5 nc that I did to 2.5l swap in but I want to make my rx8 just kinda like me mx5 nc is it possible?
No, that 2.5 was basically a bigger 2.3 Lima engine like that used in earlier rangers, mustangs, pintos, etc. The 2.5 used here is the one from the mazda3/6/fusion etc.
I don't know, that low center of gravity was a big part of the balance. That being said, it would be cool with 300 - 350 hp regardless of the powerplant.
The MZR engine by itself was actually a bit lighter than the Renesis. Of course the turbo and intercooler added more weight back. The CG might be a little higher, but the crankshaft centerline is lower than the Renesis, so it also might not be :)
@@johnvitamvas6557 is there a weight balance comparison? The intercooler isn't centralized. All I know is the RX8 and RX7 (minus live axle first gens) are so easy to drive at the limit and maximize the use of all 4 tires so well. I'm not against the MZR turbo by any means either. I always wished mine had another 75 or so hp.
@@charlesstewart5165 The weight balance shifted forward a bit compared to stock, but that's more a result of taking weight off of the rear of the car. The intercooler isn't particularly heavy. The balance of the car is just as sublime as when it had the Renesis up front, but now it has enough power to get out of its own way :)
I would absolutely love to swap my dead chassis RX8 I got for free. It's hard to beat it in terms of chassis development but a LFX might be a easier job on it.
I love my r3. I spent hundreds of hours and dollars tinkering with suspension/brakes on other cars trying to get everything 'just so,' while fantasizing about the perfect NA mill that i didn't have the inclination/justification to build. My r3 gives that driving experience without any faffing around. It's just fun. It's a great car. I hope it's a future classic, but i don't care.
@@Beezy_Builds Eww. No! The engine is really cool and the chassis is already set up beautifully. Drop an lfx in something else. You might as well give the mona lisa some big 'ol silicon honkers. :p
@@Beezy_Builds hahahaha i've seen that video. It's super impressive, but not for me. I'd rather get a corvette. Tbh i think it sucks that so few motorheads have gotten to drive a nice rotary in its natural environment. They're stupid, but they're a legit unique experience. Something special is lost in those conversions.
I don't know how to feel about this I love duratec engines some people learn on Honda Motors I learned how to work on cars with duratec engines that's what I know and I want thi but at the same time it feels like sacrilege to do that to a rotary vehicle and I know it still Mazda power but I love rotary's
What engine would you swap into an Rx-8?
20b
MZR
A 13b rew like it should have been Factory
MZR 2.5
MZR / Duratec “2.4” allmotor ITB
One of the best motorsports chassis made in the last 20 years.
Honestly, I was actually thinking about a MZR RX-8 a while back and can't believe that Mazda never offered it as an option.
It may have even saved the RX-8 as whilst many enthusiasts love the rotary engine, there's still the stigma of high fuel consumption, poor emissions, and more frequent rebuilds
I would love to have seen this turn a few laps out on course.
Building up my 2020 TRD for NASA racing. Your videos have been helpful
Glad you have been enjoying them!
Awesome build!!! It seems a hot 4 cylinder is better suited for auto cross than an ls. Well done!!
E36 318is Coupe is my 1st project car. Rotary is something I can do when I've progressed in engine building
What engine mounts did you use? Or were they custom???
so awesome! makes me want to build one :-)
Awesome 👌
I've seen it multiple times at my region events. It is super quick. Both John and Sam were in the KOTM shootout so it's proven fast. Tho his req's for it - simple, easy to get parts, lots of power - could be an LS in there instead!
Chris, thanks for the comment. It would be too heavy to be competitive in the SCCA with an LS motor.
If you want something with an LS go buy a f****** Chevy
@@kartaku132My thoughts exactly.
Hey I have a 2004 rx8 but I'm wanting to put a 2.5l in it. I have a 2006 mx5 nc that I did to 2.5l swap in but I want to make my rx8 just kinda like me mx5 nc is it possible?
Can't wait until my munny is ripened up for this kind of fun
Needs some driving footage!!!
Adam, you can check out some in-car videos on my CZcams channel.
Is the 2.5 mzr the same 2.5 that Ford put in the ranger 98-01?
No, that 2.5 was basically a bigger 2.3 Lima engine like that used in earlier rangers, mustangs, pintos, etc. The 2.5 used here is the one from the mazda3/6/fusion etc.
Actually the later rangers did come with the MZR. In the states we got the 2.3 but other regions got the 2.5.
I don't know, that low center of gravity was a big part of the balance. That being said, it would be cool with 300 - 350 hp regardless of the powerplant.
The MZR engine by itself was actually a bit lighter than the Renesis. Of course the turbo and intercooler added more weight back. The CG might be a little higher, but the crankshaft centerline is lower than the Renesis, so it also might not be :)
@@johnvitamvas6557 is there a weight balance comparison? The intercooler isn't centralized. All I know is the RX8 and RX7 (minus live axle first gens) are so easy to drive at the limit and maximize the use of all 4 tires so well. I'm not against the MZR turbo by any means either. I always wished mine had another 75 or so hp.
@@charlesstewart5165 The weight balance shifted forward a bit compared to stock, but that's more a result of taking weight off of the rear of the car. The intercooler isn't particularly heavy. The balance of the car is just as sublime as when it had the Renesis up front, but now it has enough power to get out of its own way :)
I would absolutely love to swap my dead chassis RX8 I got for free. It's hard to beat it in terms of chassis development but a LFX might be a easier job on it.
I say do it!! 👍👍
I really want a later year R3
I love my r3. I spent hundreds of hours and dollars tinkering with suspension/brakes on other cars trying to get everything 'just so,' while fantasizing about the perfect NA mill that i didn't have the inclination/justification to build. My r3 gives that driving experience without any faffing around. It's just fun. It's a great car.
I hope it's a future classic, but i don't care.
@@SB-pf5rc happy to hear you enjoy yours, tobad r3 rollers arent to common perfect canidate for a lfx swap
@@Beezy_Builds Eww. No! The engine is really cool and the chassis is already set up beautifully. Drop an lfx in something else. You might as well give the mona lisa some big 'ol silicon honkers. :p
@@SB-pf5rc czcams.com/video/nDTGx2uGWxA/video.html worth checking out this video haha, and Mona Lisa would look good with some big cough cough haha
@@Beezy_Builds hahahaha i've seen that video. It's super impressive, but not for me. I'd rather get a corvette.
Tbh i think it sucks that so few motorheads have gotten to drive a nice rotary in its natural environment. They're stupid, but they're a legit unique experience. Something special is lost in those conversions.
I don't know how to feel about this I love duratec engines some people learn on Honda Motors I learned how to work on cars with duratec engines that's what I know and I want thi but at the same time it feels like sacrilege to do that to a rotary vehicle and I know it still Mazda power but I love rotary's
I wanna see that baby move!!!
Shame they didn't keep this amazing chassis alive and just admit the rotary was dead. Mazda has lost their way