[bigblockking21]

my younger brother has been bitten by the big motor small car syndrome and well i am wondering anyone ever heard of /seen a mazda rx-7 with a small block chevy in it??? im figuring my tools,i.e. plasma/welder will be needed but not really sure also just for s and g anyone ever rebuild a rotory motor????is it a pain or a cakewalk for the majorly mechanicly inclined (letting my ego get to me i guess im just cocky but well its in my veins.... )

[bonuts]

Lots of people done the small block in the Rx-7 swap, should be plenty of info on the net. Real popular swap



bonuts

[cboy]

Here's one I built back in the mid 90's. A 307 with 350 trans. It's actually a pretty easy swap with only some minor sheet metal banging in the trans tunnel to get everything to fit. It's tight...but it's go without any cutting. Also the front motor mount can be made by simply using 2x4 rectangular tubing set on top of the original motor mount pad.

My biggest challenge was to keep it looking stock...I wanted a real sleeper. This required tilting the radiator back and dropping it down lower in the chassis. If you look closely at the second picture, you will see the radiator poking down below the front air dam. Also, I had to use about a 1" tall air cleaner (visible in first pic) in order to clear the hood. If you're willing to cut a hole in the hood, then the swap is even easier. Oh, and I used the stock exhaust manifolds to boot.

The only other problem I had with the swap was the front suspension. I left all the original springs/shocks etc. and it did feel pretty front heavy on the road. Also, I used the stock Mazda rear end but that's because I didn't intend any racing type use. I'm sure a better rear end would also be a good upgrade.

Sorry for the rather poor picture quality.

[MARTINSR]

Sounds like a natural for a 215 inch aluminum Buick/Rover V8 motor!

But I have to tell you, with some of these late model little engines having so much power I wonder if putting an old V8 is the best for power anyway. How about an SHO Ford V6? There are so many good choices in Hondas and so forth that it may be a better choice to go with a later high output light little motor.

Brian

[Jim57]

Ford??? Rover??? V6??? Cast iron???
Come on in to the 21st century, 400+ HP stock, drive any where and 20++ mpg. Yea Chevy LSx