http://www.facebook.com/V8Rx8
Assalam-o-alaikum..
I am almost done with my RX-8 project which all started when i decided to go for something terribly fast! sold my CL-9, had many options in my mind but i wanted something that by looks can match with the power i was about to put in it and to me RX-8 was the best option.
Searched for an RX-8 with dead engine but to no use, the cars which were available either were mechanically ruined,in bad shape or were over-priced.At last, ended up buying a top of the line RX-8 running on its original rotary engine with tiptronic transmission, leather/electronic seats, Bose surround sound/navigation system, Mazda 18" wheels, Mazda optional aero-kit and the most appealing Brilliant Black color.The only major flaw in the car is the scratches someone intentionally made on the body due to which i might paint up some parts or the whole car.I was not satisfied with the rotary's performance keeping in view the power it produced for the fuel it used to consume and was determined swapping that rotary with something a lot more powerful (Here, I knew very well what i was about to do with my car, i need no advices/suggestions/conclusions what so ever that i ruined a rotary, soul of the car and bla bla..)
Now coming to the project,
Me and my friends gave a real hard work deciding which engine will be most suitable for our project and some time back we did home work on swapping 1UZFE in some other vehicle, compared it with many other high performance engines and found it to be the best engine for the torque and power it produces and is lighter in weight also so this engine was still the first priority, searched the web and found that many people on different forums have discussed the feasibility of swapping this engine in RX8 but no body had ever tried doing this, many people wrote that its not possible to do so as the space in engine bay is not sufficient to digest 1UZFE in it(Only V8 swap ever done in the world is General Motor's LS1 but no 1UZFE).We with the name of almighty Allah started with this project. We searched for the the engine in Shershah found only three 1UZFE VVTi and picked the best one which was like new in condition and was unloaded from container the same day we bought it.Mechanic worked with dedication and finally made this dream come true and the best part about this swap is that unlike others front Crossmember and Balancing rod were not just simply removed but were customized upto the new requirements and available space which will play significant role in keeping the car balanced at high speed(Which always remained the main problem in swapped RX8s)
Reasons why 1UZFE VVTi is the best choice:
Lets just compare this engine with 2JZGTE VVTi which is always considered to be the most powerful and suitable swap for RX8 here.
~1UZ even being NA engine is 216 kW (290 hp) at 5600 and 407 N?m (300 lb?ft) while JDM 2JZ with Twin Turbo is 206 kW (276 hp) at 5600 rpm and 451 Nm (333 lb-ft) at 4000 rpm.In GS400 application 1UZFE produced even more power and was rated at 300 hp and 310 lb?ft of torque.
~Being Aluminium Block 1UZ is way lighter then the 2JZ motors and there is no extra weight of turbo.
~Unlike JZ swaps there is no need of hammering the mid wall to make engine's place,1UZ sits pretty well in the centre and leaves a reasonable space on front as well as the back of the engine
~Its original strut bar with a little modification can also be placed while JZs leave no space between the hood and the engine.
~1UZ is square in shape thus it have better placement of weight while 2JZ being 6 in-line will leave more weight on the either side of the front axle which will cause more difference to the front-rear weight distribution of RX8.
~Being NA engine,1UZ is more reliable.
~1UZ is more fuel efficient.
~Balancing rod and crossmember which are very important for keeping the car balanced were saved while in the 2JZ swap they could not be saved i assume.
~And if Turbo is attached 1UZ can produce alot more power.
~Sound of V8 is muscular, few people might like Turbo's sound more.
Thankfully,Its the first RX-8 with a V8 in Pakistan
and the first 1UZ RX-8 of the world!
(Correct me if i am wrong in anything mentioned above).
