Rex Addict

First off thanks to all those who give advice and input ahead of time, I know it makes my life a lot easier.

I just bought a 83 280zx turbo and the engine runs great given that it sat for 2 years. My question is has anyone tried dropping the Z's engine into a first gen rx7? If so what would I expect as far as performance? Once again I apologize for sounding ignorant but all I know about is the good ol' Wankel Rotary Engine.

Any advice or personal attacks are accepted

Thanks

NismoPick

Welcome to ZDriver!

I'm sure "someone" has thought about it or tried it... but since this is a Z forum, not an RX7 forum, you probably won't find that person here.

As for performance... it's all relative to what you do and how much (money and time) you want to put into it.

As always: the answer to "Is it possible?" and "How much performance?" is: HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO SPEND?

Rex Addict

Well said. I figured I would try here since most Rotary guys stick to the Wankel. I think that it would be a sick swap. I guess you could look at it as if you shaved around 700lbs off the Z. If you were able to get your Z down to around 2300 lbs what do you think it would do in the 1/4?

NismoPick

That would be equivalent to a lightened turbo (L28ET) 240z... which is better looking and more race ready than the RX7 (IMO). You could hit 13's in the 1/4 pretty easily.

Rex Addict

I agree that the 240z is better looking then the 1st Gen Rx7, especially if it is a burnt orange. Only problem is finding a shell with little cancer.

What would an 83zx Turbo 2+2 run in the 1/4 stock?

NismoPick

A stock 280zxt will run high 15's / low 16's depending on transmission & driver.

Increase boost & add an IC and you'll be in the low to mid 14's.

Rex Addict

The previous owner said that he had the motor fortified to hold more boost. I'm not sure all i know is he spent around 400-500 on head work. He said it was running 10lbs before it sat.

NismoPick

Cool. No details though? I would ask him what was done...

Rex Addict

Yeah it was sold to another guy he was the one that let it sit for 2 years. It was a project that was never touched. So i bought it off him for 500. I need to find the original owner and ask him though. That will be fun, he is in the military.

Rex Addict

So with a stock turbo how much HP are we talking about with 3-4 Lbs of boost?

NismoPick

3-4 psi total or 3-4 on top of the stock 6.5???

I imagine you mean increasing the boost by 3-4psi? At 10psi it would be around 200hp.

Rex Addict

Thanks! I see your from Bountiful, I've got some family in that area. Anyways...thanks for all the help.

Bleach

I've seen the RX7 engine compartment. It looks like it would barely fit an inline 4-cyl and radiator. Unlikely you would be able to drop in the L28 without major cutting and custom sheetmetal work... its like dropping in a Chevy 350

NismoPick

Right on! Where you from?

Rex Addict

They are not that small, I think you would have room especially if you removed all the braces for the radiator and mount that somehow up front.'

I'm from Texas but living in Boise, Idaho right now

Rex Addict

Great video clip by the way Bleach

NismoPick

Hey, our member Mhinrichs lives in Boise too.

Rex Addict

Yeah I'll have to send him a message...they dont call him Dr. Z do they?

280zx2by2

have you seen a 1st gen 7 engine compartment? sure there's space around the little 1.3 rotary but lengthwise no L6 is going to fit in there w/o you having to build a crazy trans tunnel and fire wall that seconds as a dash board...

id stick with the mazda family... or get rid of the mazda and fix the datsun (jk i have almost as much love for 1st gen 7's as i do for datsuns... almost)

280zx2by2

oh you had it covered... BUT, i believe you could stuff in a V8 WAY easier than a L6... by FAR