Just another V8 in a car that didn't come with one.

[SKarpenz]

Accept for the "just another" part.

Here is a little sneak peak at whats been going on with my RX7. Hardcore rotards and old schoolers need not make negative comments; its a little late for that, LOL.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/Image099.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/Image097.jpg

It won't take you guys long to figure out whats going on here.

[roscoe]

o shit lol

[georgieboi]

thats wat i would do...

[Atlblkz06]

Porsche 928 motor in an RX7?!

[Starrfire]

Sweet, how long do you foresee that to get wired up? It has to be the first of its kind.

[BITCHING]

what rearend you putting in that thing hope you can kelt it from spining

[JITB]

not afan of that motor...:( but nice swap.

[FliPPYFloP]

dayum lots gud

[SKarpenz]

Its definitely not a Porsche engine. Try again.

It will be a few weeks until its finished. We just got the clutch and flywheel in and are still waiting on rad/other misc stuffs. The guy doing the bulk of the work is out of town right now so I'm just waiting for now. Figured it was a good time to post this for the world to see. I'm thinking this is going to be the 1st VH45DE swapped RX7 in the states, if not the planet, haha.

VH45DE mated to a 300ZX N/A trans. In case you did not know about the VH, its a 4.5L V8 found in the early to mid 90's Q45's. Mine is from a '94 if I remember correctly. 4.5L, DOHC, variable valve timing, 10.2:1 compression, all aluminum construction, forged internals from the factory. Should be a little beast once its finished.

[SKarpenz]

I am hoping and praying that my stock 4:10 LSD rear end will hold up for the foreseeable future. I am running fairly small tires, so I will lose traction before I bust it up (I hope). If I ruin it, I will just put a Ford 9" underneath it. Solid axle FTW.

[marcos713]

damnzzz nice swap man! looking good, GL with it! :goodjob:

[Atlblkz06]

Oh wow, VH45, I don't think I've ever seen one before!

Good luck with the swap!

[SKarpenz]

Thanks guys. I'll keep this updated.

[HillClimbGuy]

no ls1 huh what is the point:thinking: :thinking: :thinking:

[puregroove]

This won't be the only V8 FB runnin' around on the skreets [west ATL]. :D

[imports]

looks good

[thegovanator]

not a big fan of the swap but hey to each their own

[SKarpenz]

LS1 costs too much.

Oh there are V8 FB's littering the world, thats why I chose to go the road less traveled with this Nissan V8.

It all boiled down to "how fast can I make my car with the least amount of money invested" (not half assing anything). Rotary builds? Give me a break. LS1? Just too much money, hands down. I would have had double in an LS1/T56 than I have invested in this ENTIRE swap so far.

Not that I feel the need to justify any of it. I friggin' love this engine, its near perfect. The broad power band, the torque/hp, the weight. Its stout as hell in stock form. People are boosting them with incredible results.

If anyone needs convincing, look up the Godspeed S14 on youtube. It went 11's with pretty much a stock engine and a GM auto trans.

[YoTa_BoX]

Check this video out, Sound beastly when he opens it up all the way @_@

Nice swap!!

VH45-TT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_cRQhW7nj8&feature=related

[Boosted FC]

Different, but cool none the less.

[Elbow]

I would have went with a 302, REAL easy swap, but cool.

[AltimaCharlie]

i have always wanted to put a vh45 into something, but i cant believe it's going in a FB. i love the sound they make when the exhaust is opened up a little. did you get the adaptor for the tranny from austrailia? i bet you just made it. anyways i love it, maybe i'll see you around if your from the westside.

[redr1]

very nice, lets race when you're done.

[DriVaH]

madness...LOL.i am glad you did not use an ls1, it is going to be a beast..

[00CelicaGT]

I am hoping and praying that my stock 4:10 LSD rear end will hold up for the foreseeable future. If I ruin it, I will just put a Ford 9" underneath it. Solid axle FTW.

u should just invest in the ford 9" now. i highly doubt that rear end will hold up unless u baby it all the time. thats just my opinion though:goodjob:

[claybird]

Very nice man gl

[VooDooXII]

Did that come from an Infiniti?

[Elbow]

Did that come from an Infiniti?

Yeah.

[Doppelgänger]

So what would the benefits be over something like a 2UZFE? I know the 2UZFE is narrower and easier to fit in most places and has forged internals...and sounds very strange for a V8 lol.

[Fr33way]

VH is what's up! Earlier motors were boss.

[MrSVT]

Goodluck bro looks sick! Reps

[SKarpenz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjJUpN-HCHw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psBHCZEL-o4

There are a couple of neat vids of the VH swapped cars on YouTube.

The rear end should be fine, I plan to baby it off the line just so I don't tear it up too quickly. The 9" is just too much capital at one time for me to be spending on it. Besides, I'd like to get it on the road first and work out any problems. Custom drive shafts aren't that much, haha.

I could have done a 302 swap but it would have been around the same amount of money and still be slower than the VH.

UZ engines are fucking hardcore. I just prefer the VH. Same overall class really if you think about it. Nissan FTW.

Thanks for the comments, makes me want it running that much more, haha.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/Image088.jpg

[DVSRX-7]

fuck american V8's, keep it Japanese, i know i know, i love rotaries, but its good to see new things once in a while!! pm me your number man we need to talk lol

[Civichatch91]

Look's sick man, Good luck with it

[_Christian_]

It's different and I like that, those are great motors!!

[SKarpenz]

I will be in the Atlanta area with it on the weekend of Sept 19th. My friends are riding up for some car show shindig and I figure I might tag along if its road ready, lol.

[Roadster]

Hope you're not planning on...turning...or anything like that. Cool looking swap but that's a pretty portly mill. Should be a hoot in a straight line.

[Sinfix_15]

i love first gen swaps! screw the rotary guys imo.

[Sinfix_15]

I would have went with a 302, REAL easy swap, but cool.

flip the k member, drill 2 holes, done.

[Roadster]

flip the k member, drill 2 holes, done.

Amen. Parts are a dime a dozen, a rebuildable T-5 can be had for $50, and an easy 500 wheel, carbed, on motor can be had for beans and live for a loooong time...And you can actually get your hands in the engine bay to work on it...and in all likelihood it probably weighs considerably less, despite being an iron block.

[_Christian_]

...and in all likelihood it probably weighs considerably less, despite being an iron block.
nope

[SKarpenz]

The VH and a 302 weigh within 10lbs of one another depending on whats mounted to them and the configuration. Parts are cheaper, but if I wanted a mustang, I would have bought a mustang. ;)

Powerband and output of the VH45 versus a 302 is more desirable stock for stock and with a tuned ECU (remember, the factory ECU is tuned for a big docile sedan) will make 300whp and 300wtq. I have yet to see any stock block/head/cam 302 with just a carb and some bolt ons make anywhere near even 350whp. I'd even venture to say its impossible.

The VH only came in a big ass sedan here, thats what makes it unique in a sports car. Nissan built and raced the VH45's but sold them in luxo yachts.

Also, since I'm essentially snuffing the flame of life from this RX7 (removing rotary) the least I can do is keep the new engine Japanese! LOL

[Roadster]

Powerband and output of the VH45 versus a 302 is more desirable stock for stock and with a tuned ECU (remember, the factory ECU is tuned for a big docile sedan) will make 300whp and 300wtq. I have yet to see any stock block/head/cam 302 with just a carb and some bolt ons make anywhere near even 350whp. I'd even venture to say its impossible.



Stock bottom end with some cheap Twisted Wedges or Edelbrocks on top will clear 300 without a problem. Either way, cool build, GL. :D

[Thighs]

stfu tommy. lol. this is WAY COOLER than a 302!!!

[SKarpenz]

Thanks bro. ;)

[Thighs]

in all honesty, i HATE american v8s in cars that they dont belong in. i kinda hate crossbred swaps altogether, but mazda never made a v8 so youre good lol.

i would REALLY love an m60/62 swapped e30 one day.

[ranger250x]

This is a cool little build! What meet are you coming up for on the 19th?

[SKarpenz]

Iunno. Something to do with imports or something. LOL My friend just invited me to cruise with them.

[eraser4g63]

Its an interesting setup, I have been thinking very hard about an LS1 if my 13bt goes again. Either that or set the car on fire and collect insurance.

[JITB]

Its an interesting setup, I have been thinking very hard about an LS1 if my 13bt goes again. Either that or set the car on fire and collect insurance.

keep it mazda, and put a Je48 Dohc 3.0 v6, cheap and beefy..

[WTF?]

very awsome and props to you, finally something different

[SKarpenz]

The car is in its final stages. All we need now are a radiator and driveshaft and it should be on the road.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/?action=view&current=Image140.jpg

There is a little peak at the steering setup being mocked and measured. The stock manual gearbox for the steering system was a real piece of shit (any Gen1 RX7 owner will agree with me) so it got a rack and pinion out of a Ford Taurus. This also helps clear the exhaust manifolds.

Thats all the updates I have until the car is done. I'm saving the best for last. 2 more weeks. :D

[SKarpenz]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/Image140.jpg



I had to repost the pic link because I cannot EDIT MY POSTS STILL!

[EL42]

ooooh,nice

[SKarpenz]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/Image228.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/Image230.jpg

On the road Saturday! For rlz this time!

[quickdodge®]

Sucks to be that Mazda, that's for sure. Later, QD.

[SKarpenz]

Sucks for the 13b laying in the corner of a shop gathering dust. Silly rotary.

[quickdodge®]

Sucks for the 13b laying in the corner

You're right. The whole ordeal just sucks. Oh well. Later, QD.

[SKarpenz]

Lawl, good thing I don't give a shit about the feelings of inanimate objects.

[quickdodge®]

Lawl, good thing I don't give a shit about the feelings of inanimate objects.

No one said you did. Getting choked up? Later, QD.

[SKarpenz]

Choked up? Nah.

But it does suck to be my Mazda.

[quickdodge®]

Choked up? Nah.

But it does suck to be my Mazda.

I know. That was already clarified. But you seem to be trying not to get defensive. Later, QD.

[Elbow]

Sucks to be that Mazda, that's for sure. Later, QD.

:???: Why?

[JEY$JDM]

Nice swap!

+reps

[EP3Hatch]

Nice swap. Should be pretty badass! Can't wait to see the final product.

[quickdodge®]

:???: Why?

Just opinion, that's all. Shouldn't be a big deal at all. Later, QD.

[SKarpenz]

Its really not a big deal.


Thanks for the comments guys, expect some vids once its on the road.

[SKarpenz]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/Image0297.jpg

[On_Her_Face]

Looking good and yeah LSX motors blow. They don't make much power for the money :rolleyes:

[SRCRX]

is it running??

[SKarpenz]

Yup. Just figuring some little details out and I can start breaking in the clutch and vids will come after that.

[DVSRX-7]

you motherfucker you! we want the vid or it doesnt run! lol i love your car now!

[TSiFTW]

Wow nice. Would love to see vids of this thing.

[Machado]

Rotary builds? Give me a break.
:screwy:

nice swap, looks cool.

[SloWRX]

hurry up with the video :goodjob:

[EG_Ryder]

hurry up with the video :goodjob:
x2!

[green91]

Neat looking swap! what are you going to do about a hood?

[DVSRX-7]

Neat looking swap! what are you going to do about a hood?


fuck the hood, we want a video! :burnout:

[SKarpenz]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/Image0439.jpg

Hood problem solved, LOL.

[On_Her_Face]

Cowl that bitch.

[Doppelgänger]

Cowl that bitch.

agreed.

[Brian*]

Damn

[alpine_aw11]

That hood looks tight as fuck as it sits to me for some reason. That's a badass swap.

[googoo]

my buddys cousin put one of those in an fc

[DVSRX-7]

my buddys cousin put one of those in an fc

a red FC?

[DVSRX-7]

VIDEO!!

[TougeGTR-33]

Awesome build!! Reps. And yes.. VIDEO!!!

[cpearson]

nice! +4

[SKarpenz]

I am almost embarrassed to post this video but its all I have right this second. The car's maiden voyage taken from my friends 5 year old cell phone.

I was in 5th gear we were going probably 65-ish and he floored it (350 Chevrolet pickup) and you can hear when I give it about 3/4 throttle in 5th gear (then you don't hear shit till the end).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/th_Video0029.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v617/skarpenz/?action=view&current=Video0029.flv)

I promise better vids are coming, the car just recently got on the road without any issues. After that vid the water pump was replaced and now the clutch is almost fully broken in. It is a pretty intense ride, you cannot fully appreciate this swap until you see the car in person and even then you don't understand until you've ridden in this thing, haha. More (better) vids coming!

[alpine_aw11]

Excerrent. That's a nasty swap. Let me know if you want to sell it lol.

[SKarpenz]

You don't realize how many times I've contemplated selling it LOL. Now that there is light at the end of the tunnel (still needs wide-body, wheels, and paint) I'm starting to fall in love with the car all over again.

[EG_Ryder]

I promise better vids are coming, the car just recently got on the road without any issues. After that vid the water pump was replaced and now the clutch is almost fully broken in. It is a pretty intense ride, you cannot fully appreciate this swap until you see the car in person and even then you don't understand until you've ridden in this thing, haha. More (better) vids coming!

you should come/bring the ride to IA on sunday so we can see it in person :goodjob:

[SKarpenz]

I work almost every Sunday but I definitely am planning to attend some meets in the N GA area this spring. BTW I will be driving it, its no trailer queen. ;)

[BKgen®]

Holy shit that looks like fun on wheels.

[SKarpenz]

You should have seen the face on some of the people I was around in traffic that day. A guy in an SC300 almost broke his neck when he realized "HEY THATS NOT A ROTARY." Makes it all worth it, the trouble, time, money, etc.

[DVSRX-7]

How much?

LOL

Sick swap..

[SKarpenz]

What do you guys think about running some 16x10.5 et-15 wheels on the rear of the 7? 245/35 tires stretched over them. I'm gonna roll and possibly flare the RX7 to fit wide wheels so thats not an issue. Just looking for opinions and suggestions on good sizes and offsets for the car. I can safely run the -15 offset since its nearly the same backspace as another set of wheels I had on there just with WAAAY more lip.

[MachNU]

Check this video out, Sound beastly when he opens it up all the way @_@

Nice swap!!

VH45-TT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_cRQhW7nj8&feature=related

HOLY SHIT! I would be looking into the skies for a jet to blow by if I heard that coming across the water! :lmao:

[NoRotor]

Congrats on getting the car running. I'm a fan of the "WTF is that noise?!?" face too.
Head over to www.v8rx7forum.com for some more targetted help. Feel free to post up a build-up thread too. New ideas are always welcomed.

[2turbo4u]

love it! in for new video

[JITB]

What do you guys think about running some 16x10.5 et-15 wheels on the rear of the 7? 245/35 tires stretched over them. I'm gonna roll and possibly flare the RX7 to fit wide wheels so thats not an issue. Just looking for opinions and suggestions on good sizes and offsets for the car. I can safely run the -15 offset since its nearly the same backspace as another set of wheels I had on there just with WAAAY more lip.


sounds good! ive got a 245/35 on my 10.5 and its not a crazy stretch, but def. can tell...

[RUFFIAN]

whats up with that SHO in the driveway:ninja:

[SKarpenz]

The SHO is my friend's, thats his house.

I'm already on v8rx7forum but I haven't updated my thread in a long time. I might do that right now.

Thanks for the comments, I just need to get this wheel situation figured out. Its ripping up these 205's I have right now. Any suggestions on FB wheel fitment? Rx7club members are really conservative in wheel fitment so I don't even mess with them.