best garage to do an rx8 engine conversion?

[LeeHT]

hi guys, i'm getting an rx8 soon and i've been trying to find a reliable garage to carry out an engine conversion. i'm wanting to put an sr20det engine in it as i've seen it done before and they look like they fit in quite easy and the gear box lines up with the old one. the gear stick fits into where the old one does without any modifications, so it seems like the best option without having to cut so much out ect.

i was wondering if you guys knew of any garages around the northwest who would do this as i will suply the engine, gear box and everything needed for the conversion.

cheers,
lee.

[wiganer31]

what about slide? hes done the sr20 conversions on the e30's

[LeeHT]

what about slide? hes done the sr20 conversions on the e30's

have sent them an email but they haven't got back to me yet. just seeing if there was anywhere else as well to get some prices

[Ruishy1]

despite what you may think. rx8 engine conversion is not easy. full stop.
Your going to spend the better part of 10 grand to fit a different engine if you pay a garage to do it.

[magicmat]

Slide have fitted a rb25 to an rx8 before so he'll have a good idea, best to call him to be honest rather than an email, or Facebook if you can't call.

And I seriously woudnt expect a garage to charge 10k if he's providing the engine etc

[LeeHT]

Slide have fitted a rb25 to an rx8 before so he'll have a good idea, best to call him to be honest rather than an email, or Facebook if you can't call.

And I seriously woudnt expect a garage to charge 10k if he's providing the engine etc

yeh i'll give them a ring either tomorrow or monday. i didn't think they'de charge 10 grand since i'm providing all the parts, all they're really doing is charging for labour and fabricating the brackets and cutting a few things.

[Sam...]

all they're really doing is charging for labour and fabricating the brackets and cutting a few things.

yeah as easy as that

[DW_Gaz]

There's quite a bit more to consider with a conversion such as this. I'm currently going through the emotional stages of my conversion, which is pretty basic compared to what you're looking at.

Off the top of my head, you gotta deal with Engine mounts, wiring in the harnesses, custom exhaust system, steering rack clearance?, drive shaft alignment/length?, sump.

The biggest headache by far will be the wiring.

Theres a wiring diagram here for the ecu. Also just so you know, it's gonna be a bloody tight fit with everything in there.

I'm not trying to put you off, just giving you a heads up on the mammoth task this is, but respect where it's due, this will be a fine ass RX8 if you pull it off.

[Stavros]

You're 21, cant afford to insure an S13, just learning to drift (have you done a drift day yet?), and now planning to buy an RX8 to SR20 it? Why?

[Robbs]

How much are you expecting this conversion to cost ? cos take that figure and probably double or tripple it and thats what it WILL cost you

[MATT200SX]

Just pm'd you back but haven't had an email regarding it so fire another across.

[adams13]

It will it but it's getting the weight of the engine as far back as possible, you don't really want more than 1 cylinder in front of the suspension turrets as weight balance will start begin to get thrown about. Another factor to consider is the Mazda power brace.. Do you want to ditch the conventional set up and separate the gearbox and differential mountings? If not exhaust routes get complicated. Rx8's also have Electric power steering and cannot be messed with too much unless you ditch it for a Hydraulic power steering set up.

[bubblesjs]

short answer... buy an s13 and insure it for less than you'll pay for an engine conversion.

[LeeHT]

You're 21, cant afford to insure an S13, just learning to drift (have you done a drift day yet?), and now planning to buy an RX8 to SR20 it? Why?

i can insure an s13, i just don't want one. i'm trying to get a different car, and make something you don't see every day. i like the way rx8s look, i like the way they drive ect but i don't like the renesis engine. i have done drifting before yes, i wouldn't be going to all this trouble of ringing insurers, ringing garages and saving every penny i can to build a good drift car if i haven't even tried it.. i love cars, have done ever since i can remember and i will spend whatever money i can on making the car of my dreams. plus why would it matter if i haven't drifted before anyways. just because i'm wanting to put an sr20 engine in an rx8 doesn't mean it has to go sideways.. i can take it to track days too.

[LeeHT]

Just pm'd you back but haven't had an email regarding it so fire another across.

have done matt

[initial_j]

listen to some advice. and answer some questions

how much do you actually think it will cost to buy an rx8, put an sr in it (sorry PAY for someone else to put an sr in it) then make it to a basic drift spec? oh and insure it as a engine converted car at the age of 21?

can you tell you straight away itll be way over 10k, probably over 15k

[ontheway]

There was a guy on passionford bought 2 rx8's to convert, I know he put a 5 pot Audi engine in one and probably a cosworth yb in the other.... I think he owns reyland motorsport

[Mr Whippy]

To the best of my knowledge, martin has finished neither. Most of his time goes on his other projects at the minute.

[Ruishy1]

of course tuning garages do these things, it gets the name out there and draws in business.

Trust me when i say an engine conversion is a complicated thing, ive been involved in a few swaps, some even relatively straight forward still cost alot of money and the harder ones were scrapped due to the amount of work and money involved.
FWIW the renises engine is not a bad engine, its only down to bad owners.
I was talking to a local tuner of mine and he was telling me about the amount of rx8s he has had shipped his way with "blown" engines to be rebuilt, and when he gets them its simple fixes. due to the fact half the monkeys working on them dont have a scooby how they actually work.

[hug - lo]

Decent non ragged rx8 £3.5
Decent SR20det inc box ect ect £1.2k???
All steering bits £500
Diff, half shafts arms ect ect £500
Labour £2k

For al the additional bits that you WILL need £1.5k

Insurance @ 21...£3k????

If you got the cashola then great, give Gaz at Drift garage a shout or Chunk at DB automotive to see if there interested. Not that either of them know there arse from there elbow mind!