im digging this. I assume hardcore 7 guys will not be happy with the disruption of (weight) balance this engine presents. Anywho, nothing ground breaking but mine as well share-

 

I like them.
The engine weight is similar, but the engine is a bit longer. I doubt it upsets the balance a significant amount.

 

In an FD the ls1 swap adds 30lbs to the front, not nearly enough to mess up the weight distribution which makes it an awesome swap. My FB is getting an efi 302/AOD swap from a 93 foxbody. A stock 5.0 in a 2400lb car = high 13's with stock motor.

 

wow thats amazing. I'd be all over that if I had a FD, which I certainly wish I did.

 

When you say that it adds about 30 lbs. to the front, is that comparing a swap like the one shown above, to a stock fd? Because the one shown above has a pretty bare engine compartment, whereas a stock fd engine bay is packed to the brim. When you mod the fd, you take a whole lot of stuff out. I'm just trying to find out more about this swap, because I always hear different things about the weight differences.

 

It doesn't affect the weight distribution significantly. Check www.torquecentral.com for the V8 RX-7 forum, which is the best info resource. Check www.hinsonsupercars.com for the best mount kit/accessories for the swap. The best setup is probably to buy the Hinson subframe and a few other of their hard parts, then put the rest of it (cooling system, driveshaft, wiring job, headers/exhaust/intake, fuel system) together yourself with less expensive parts.

This is a swap I am seriously considering as my next project. I've decided on using an LS1 but I'm still not sure on the car to put it in. The FD is probably the sexiest, but you can also put it in an FC, an SA/FB, all of the Z cars Z32, Z31, 280Z, 260Z, 240Z, and now even in an S14 240SX with a mount kit for the S13 coming soon. My favorites are the S14, the FD, and the FC. The new Z cars are too heavy and the old ones are too... well, too old.

 

An RX7 with a V8 is like a supermodel with a dick in her bikini...

Drop that it in the S14 they're already front heavy with the KA24DE

 

My only problem with the FD is how cramped it is. I'm a little over 6'3. A friend of mine has one and sitting in the driver's seat, the only way I fit was to put the seat all the way back and recline it. This left me practically laying down like I was stretched out on a bed- and I hate driving a manual tranny car with my legs fully extended. When I moved the seat up into the close driving position I like, my knees were banging into the sides of the car and were jammed into the bottom of the steering wheel. Maybe I could put a really small diameter aftermarket steering wheel in it, but I'm not going to spend that much time and money on a car I'm not comfortable in.

Hey, AbortRetryFail- have you ever sat in an FD? How does it compare to your FC? Does the FC have more room for the driver? Does it come with a tilt wheel?

 

Only some FC's have a tilt wheel, mine does - even with it all the way up it's not exactly easy to get in and you'll still hit your knees if you're not careful. I broke the plastic thing on mine with my knee when i fell asleep in the car (parked). I dont think mazda designed anything they make with people over 6' in mind. I'm only 5'11" and i've hit my head on the door frame getting in

I've only sat in 1 FD and i dont think i was paying attention to leg room (not a big priority for me - besides, im used to the FC)

 

Hmm, so many variables at play. Well, I've got a lot of time to think about it, can't start a project like this until I'm out of college.