Ok Guys.. Another new weird project I'm working on..

I just got some news that I can build a rear drive project car (this is a commissioned project for a show/street car).. I decided that I love the Evo engine so much, I want to put one in every project car I'm working on..


In doing some research I came across this site

http://rz-products.com/WAYNE/updates/updates.html

Besides being cool as hell, and indirectly addressing a plethora of my questions, I still have a few that some of you might be able to answer since I'm unaware that anything like this has ever been asked..

1) Is there a RWD bellhousing/Manual transmission that bolts up to a 4G63?

2) Does the Evo 4G63 rotate opposite to the Eclipse 4G63.. If the engine rotation is reversed, then I would likely need to find a transmission with the correct rotation (Miata or 240sx??)

3) does anyone know if Magnus or BJ's can build me an intake manifold with the plenum reversed so the throttlebody faces the timing gears instead of the bellhousing?

4) I'd also like to reverse the orientation of the turbocharger so the inlet faces the other direction if possible..

Anyone want to send me some free parts?? LOL

Anyway.. Chassis has not been decided yet, we're discussing different cars based on the suspension and weight, and balance information..

1) First Gen RX-7 (1980-82 Preferrably, though 78-82 is the entire 1G) with one of those wide-body kits (I had done a V8 conversion on one of these in 1989)

2) First gen Mazda Miata

3) Nissan 240sx

4) some undecided american rear drive chassis, First Gen Mercury Capri??

5) Possibly a ford Focus since I found someone who sells bolt-in components for a rear drive conversion and an engine cradle that will work with this swap, but getting a clean shell for a 2 door car cheap isn't easy..

6) Any other thoughts??

Basically what we're looking for is something that has attractive lines, but not known for being extremely quick, something with aftermarket support, and something that is fairly inexpensive...

Mods, Not sure if this is an appropriate forum since, if you need to move this thread, please don't bury it in an offtopic forum..

Coincidentally I saw the Honeybee VQ35 swap on Monster garage last night, very inspiring for me considering this project came up this past weekend.

Ok guys.. DOn't flame me too bad, but I hope someone can answer these questions since I don't have any recall of the Eclipse engine's rotation, or whether its the same as the Evo engine, and if either are correct rotation for the average rear drive transmission... (I know you can play games but I don't want issues with gears or flipping the rear axle to get it to work)

 

And no, this isn't a quicky project, it will start mid 2005 after aquiring the chassis and likely not be complete until 2006.. but this is a funded project between myself, a body shop, and a fabricator I met recently.. This car will be used as a showpiece for the bodyshop (though I will own and show the vehicle)

 

ummm, i'm not to 4g63 savvy but i believe the 4g63 has been swapped into the mitsu mighty max truck and is longitudally mounted. i guess that would mean it's rwd.

 

Yes, I've seen that swap before, but because of the engine orientation being reversed on the Evo engine compared to the Eclipse, I was curious if there were other issues.. Thanks for the info..

 

Jack, if u want any of those questions answered contact Buschur Racing. They have done several RWD swaps into a few different bodies from Starion/Conquest (their most common swap) a fox body Mustang, and their latest creation an OLD school pickup truck owned by Daniel, he's David's brother and the super nutcase behind all the crazy swaps. I know the truck is a 5 speed, he was just showing me pictures of it while I was there last week. The others are mostly GM conversions, TH400. Also you can ask Dan about Eric Plebani's starion they did a few years back , that one was also a 5-speed out of an older Mitsu pick up truck that bolts right up to the 4g63.
They make their own sheet metal intakes with throttle bodies facing the direction you'll need, motor mounts, plates, and bellhousing issues have already been worked out by these guys.
Funny because I'm working on a project myself, but I'm going with an old school Toyota because thats where my roots started. A 1968-71 Toyota Corolla/Corona is what I'm looking for, if not I'll go with ANOTHER Starlet, but Lord, I cant tell you how many swaps I've done into those from 1.8's, to rotaries, ford svo motors, 2.6 starion motors.....Man those were the good ol days makin money on the South Conduit and Brooklyn's Fountain Ave, then headin out to Hunts Pt..........Anyways Jack, good luck.
Dan is the guy you'd want to speak with, he's the ultimate DSM wrench and a super nice guy who just lays back behind the scenes at Buschur automotive.........Tell'em Rick from NY says Howdee!!!!!!!!! Hope this helps ya.

 

Haha, yeah we have done a few of those swaps. Did the first one back starting in 1996.

Daniel's truck is kick ***. V-8 streetrodders HATE that thing. Truck is a 1941 Ford, 4g63 engine, BR440 turbo. Built for cruising, gear ratio sucks, still ran 13.5 at 108 mph which is repsectable for a street rod. The best thing is the 27 mpg it gets, leaves us all sitting at gas stations when we go on rod runs.

No matter what the part is you are looking for for this project we have it in stock, have already built it in the past or can do it. The rotation on the two engines are the same. Bellhousing is different bolt pattern than the early 4g63. I can do the adapter plate, no problem. Actually been thinking about doing one anyway, you would just encourage me to get it done if you ordered one.

David Buschur
www.buschurracing.com

 

Damn, I guess we know who you're calling

 

Yeah... Actually its funny I was really concerned about the crank rotation on the engine at first because I was convinced it rotated the opposite way of the early 4G63..

I have decided on a first gen or second gen RX-7, I'd like to try to utilize a 6 speed tranny if possible, otherwise a typical V8 5 speed tranny...

I found a site dedicated to V8 swaps on the RX-7 and they offer a REALLY nice crossmember for the Chevy v8 that can easily be adapted to work with the 4G..

I really love this concept and should have started doing this a long time ago, but I'm having a hell of a time raising money for it with a few parallel projects going on.. You guys will hear from me since I need some thoughts on transmission selection for the Evo style 4G

Also, the 1G RX-7 with the widebody kit utilizes 10" front and 12" rear wheels, with a perfect 50/50 weight balance, upgraded suspension and brake components are available, killer, and inexpensive..

Oh.. And I remember Fountain Ave.. I was the guy with the Ice blue RX-7 who never ran the engine until I was ready to race back in 88-89, had those dual supertrapp mufflers peeking out ahead of the rear wheels.. V8 powered..

What I want is a killer handling machine, unique swap, show quality work, and fast as hell (At least as quick as the Evo)

Dave, you'll definitely hear from me once I find a good donor chassis, actually I might be interested in contracting the work out for this swap so I'll have to talk to you about it. I'm almost tempted to take all the go-fast parts I have sitting in my garage and build up the motor specifically for this swap.

 

Oh... I want to try to use a GM small bellhousing and a T56 tranny since there's already a bolt-on crossmember available for the chassis I'm using..

 

sounds like a fun project, hope everything goes well and put up pics of what type of body and fram you use.
thanks and good luck
james

 

Hey dave, if you get a chance PM me a price for the motor mounts (assume v8 chevy cradle) and bellhousing adapter..

 

I actually gave some consideration to a 32 ford fiberglass rolling chassis that turned up at a body shop I deal with.. it has no drivetrain and the owner decided not to complete it, I'm waiting to hear back on a price.. But I'd much rather start with a clean non-running $500 1980 RX-7...

 

If you want the turbo to face the other way you could bolt on a dsm manifold and dsm style turbo.

The bolt pattern is the same, and the exhuast would exit towards the back of the car, with the cold side up front.

If it is a show car you can get some pretty looking exhuast manifolds from dnperformance.com.

 

I have a Titanium turbo with 10.5 housing, I'd like to try to use this twinscroll turbo setup if possible.. I'll probably leave it facing the way it is as long as its not a clearance problem..

 

what about a starion tranny? wasnt it a rear drive with a 4g63?