build 1 my 88 mazda rx7 ls1 swap

here is the story my rx7 has been with me for a very long time! i love this car for some reason! i just cant seem to give it up! I had a 13b NA in it and i said well i want more power so i swapped in a 13b turbo
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC01615.jpg
so after blowing yet another seal i got sick of the motor and i was going to sell the car off. then a buddy told me put a v8 in it and call it a day. I thought he was crazy but then i started searching and sure enough people started swapping v8s in them! so i picked up an LT1 from a junk yard
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...15-06_1017.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...uild/fc7-1.jpg

after the machine shop got it it was bored out 30 over.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...build/lt11.jpg
new pistons
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...build/lt13.jpg
all together well the short block
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/S4020661.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/S4020666.jpg

now don't laugh but at the time all i had was this bright blue paint..lol
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/S4020715.jpg

all together
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...longblock2.jpg

intake after a nice hot tanking and paint
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/S4020755.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/S4020754.jpg

flywheel resurfaced
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/flywheel.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...flywheel-1.jpg

all together now :)
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...d/S4020895.jpg

mount kit installed
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...0build/fc5.jpg
motor fit in pretty good and i was shocked to see the shifter in the stock location
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n.../enginein4.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n.../enginein5.jpg

after a few more weeks i finally got it running
V8 FC - YouTube

then i bought a house and had some time and space to work on the car
now don't laugh to hard at my wife no clue why she thought the camera was not picking up audio!
RX7 wih new wheels and setup - YouTube
lol

yes those are mustang wheels :)

i had some issue with it and it was electrical! and boy did it bother me but i finally got it working again man i miss having a cammed motor..lol
the fc is BACK! - YouTube
and my first time auto crossing
Tone making video in the car at auto cross - YouTube
then i started having electrical issues again and i ended up like this
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...1/IMG_0883.jpg

yup you guessed it opti spark again! then i said ok thats it i am tired of this time to get an lq4. so i got my LQ4 home and then a buddy came over and said to me "hey what are you doing with that motor?" told him its going in the 7 and then i he told me something i will never forget! "lets trade block for block" you cant even imagine the smile i had on my face i was like hell yeah!
so i got it home and this is what i had!

inside the vally
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1163.jpg
inside the valve cover
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1164.jpg
with the ls1 intake back on it!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1165.jpg
ported ls1 TB (thanks jamie)
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1166.jpg
fuel rails and lq4 turck coils on it
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1169.jpg

maf and water pump bolted on
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1170.jpg
ls1 flywheel bolted on with arp flywheel bolts and apr pressure plate bolts
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1176.jpg

the things not on yet!
f body crank pulley, because i don't have a puller for it yet
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1181.jpg
f body altenator, because i don't have the mounting bolts yet
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1179.jpg

and the wiring harness and pcm in the box not ready to start modding it yet..lol
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1182.jpg

got the wiring harness as much together and apart as i could in the bay
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1289.jpg
headers are unbolted
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1288.jpg

oil pan, tray, pick up, and dip stick all came in the mail
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1294.jpg

as to much suprise i had another knock on the door today and it was my race proven racing baffle with trap does on it!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1293.jpg

so i said let me clean the oil pan up and get the new baffle in it
before
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1295.jpg
after
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1296.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1297.jpg
sitting in the working out room
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1299.jpg
radiator sitting in the background
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1298.jpg


http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1345.jpg

half way out
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1347.jpg

out just need help steering it out
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1348.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1349.jpg

out and trans is off
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1350.jpg

the motor is ready for the new owner
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1351.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1352.jpg

playing with the slave cylinder to make sure that i can use my setup
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1359.jpg

i took the stock quick release from gm so i can use my SS line from the lt1
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1358.jpg

happy to see that it fits well and i am going to buy a new fitting so is 180 not 90 degrees
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1360.jpg

thats all i can do for now until i get some parts solds so i can buy more parts to finish off the swap!

some stuff came in the mail today :D

my long tube headers!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1403.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1405.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1406.jpg
and my t56 for the ls1 is here!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1407.jpg

how to convert the ls1 slave cylinder :D
rusell fitting
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1417.jpg
out the box
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1418.jpg
aparts
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1419.jpg
with the new fitting installed
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1420.jpg
stock bleeder with the remote bleeder
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1421.jpg
all together
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1422.jpg
on the t56
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1423.jpg
on the face plate
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1424.jpg

some more stuff showed up in the mail :D
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1443.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1444.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1447.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1449.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1448.jpg

i got new mounts too because i noticed my old ones looked like this
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1445.jpg
and for 8.44 i got two new ones :)
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1446.jpg

i finally got off my butt and did some work tonight!
clutch installed, bellhousing on, new f body oil pan with race baffle installed.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1517.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1516.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1515.jpg

i had to sneak away from the wife and take the 25 mins to get it together!

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1518.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1519.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1520.jpg
Hi i am Shaun and i approve this swap!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1522.jpg
now get in the car mister!

now i am waiting for my power steering rack to come in the mail get that all together and drop the motor in over thanksgiving break! (i hope!)
o and some where lucky enough to see the happy fat man dance! because i got it done so quick with out the wife noticing i was gone (it was my turn to change the baby and give her a bath and i just turned into a vapor...lol;))

finally she is in and bolted it on her own power!!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1750.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1751.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1752.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1753.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1754.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1755.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1741.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

pure sexiness!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1924.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1929.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1926.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1927.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1928.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1930.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_1931.jpg

Some stuff done today!
ran my fuel lines today! and put in my vette fuel filter and ran the lines the way it needs to be. I ran it the same way Granny shows on the website
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_2260.jpg

ran the line from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_2261.jpg

and installed the oil pressure sensor
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_2259.jpg

things not pictured the water temp sensor is in

I think all that is left for me to do is the headers, get the lines from the heater core to the water pump. mine are to short so i am going to route that this week!

ran the hose for the PCV,

if you guys can think of anything i need to do please let me know. if not i think i am almost done. all i need is headers done, a small pipe from the headers to the exhaust, O2 sensors, starter bolts and bolt the starter to the block. wiring and ready to go!

greg doing what he does best! wiring
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0680.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0684.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0686.jpg
then busting a groove on the welder!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0720.jpg
but getting welds like this!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0730.jpg

Chris finally getting off his ass and doing some work!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0685.jpg
;)
he did a great job on my gauge cluster! The stock rx7 cluster is a cable speedo so we took an integra speedo and wired it up to the VSS and its almost perfect! when it should of been 60mph it was reading 57 i can live with that much better then having nothing or having one that says 45 and doing 63 like my old one was!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0691.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0692.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0693.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0699.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0698.jpg

grinding down some of the welds from the tack fittings
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0696.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0694.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0679.jpg
ANGERED!!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0681.jpg

but they turned out good!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0695.jpg

passenger side ! DUMB easy to do!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0716.jpg
driver side OMG what a pain!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0736.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0734.jpg

greg had to put all 125 pounds on it to get it in place! LOL
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0732.jpg
still not there yet!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0737.jpg
you can't see the hammer but i am beating the hell out of the firewall for about 1 inch of room for the header to get in there!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0746.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0743.jpg

finally got it to line up right!
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0744.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0750.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0754.jpg

now i have to figure out what i am going to do with the pcm
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0752.jpg


finishing touches before we start it up
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0677.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/DSC_0678.jpg

and finally this!!
The rebirth of the FC

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_2343.jpg

finally off jack stands and moving under is own power!!

well i worked on it some today. i spent yesterday and today trying to find some intake piping so i can make a nice cold air intake but i couldn't find anything that was 3.5, since my MAF is 3.5 i figured i would be able to find something man was i wrong. A & A had only ricer intakes that where2.5 or 3 inches but no step downs so i could at least put the 3inch intake on. So i ended up going to home depot and went to the PCV section and i fould a 3 to 3 but when i messured the inside of it, it came back 3.5 on one side and 3 on the other side. so i took it home and used all my old LT1 stuff and came up with this
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_2440.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_2441.jpg

what do you guys think?

i am proud of myself! i actually sat there with a wiring diagram and found the illumination wire so when i flip the headlights on the gauge turns on :)
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_2467.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...n/IMG_2468.jpg

now all that is left is to put the rest of my interior back together mount the pcm,wheel alignment and exhaust. I should have my interior back together this week I hope :)

i got her back on all fours and started getting things together. i have so many small things to work on. but here is what i did today
don't mind the open master cylinder i was about to bleed it but my garage is such a mess i couldn't find my bleeder..lol enjoy!The fc with exhaust

and then i took it to the dyno just to see how she would do untuned and man she put down more power then my cammed lt1
My LS1 powered RX7 dyno - YouTube


hope you enjoy it! i have a lot of work left to do but she is up and running and will stay this way until my chevelle is ready for the road :)

Impressive :yup:

very nice.......you should make a poster out of all those pics to hang in your garage.

nice job man :thumbup:

Very nice.

lol i like the idea of the pictures but i have over 300 pictures of my builds...lol hell right now in my chevelle build i have almost 300 pictures and i haven't even touched my lq4 yet..lol