LS Swapping an RX8, Because I Can

unga bunga me like big boy v8
Parts list: blackthumb.tv/build/02
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[@bendover-uf9st]

Rotary guys punching air right now🤣🤣

[@flipp4269]

I drive a rotary and I love it, but I can’t lie almost every day I’m dreaming of the ls swap

[@looper451]

No we aren’t. Rotary guys hate the Renesis as much as everyone else. V8 swapping an RX8 makes sense to every community, even the rotary heads. Swapping an Rx7 however, different story

[@wichycruz5868]

​@@looper451let's make it ordinary

[@gcactus69]

Antagonizing every Puerto Rican with every rev!😎

[@gcactus69]

Rotary guys are women.

[@Alexwaltman850]

This guy is awesome. The channel definitely needs to have more popularity

[@wesleybeckmon1866]

Ls swapped rx8 randomly came to mind during my lunch, thanks for the content, good sh*t, even a couple laughs, surprised this channel hasn't blown up yet.👍

[@jasonlouis5498]

I bought a brand new t56 magnum F for my e36 ls swap and couldn’t be more happy with my decision. Kind of a no brainer when you add up the costs of the options. Great job on the swap! 😎

[@BlackthumbTV]

The T56 Magnum F has ruined other transmissions for me. Those clean crisp shifts make my Subarus feel like crap lol

[@Luke_SkyWalk3r]

You had me at, "Because I can".

[@Grayson203]

I own two rx8s and I don't think this is blasphemous, it's awesome! People that piss their pants about it not being rotary don't understand the passion and dedication that goes into these sorts of builds. Keep up the good work my dude!

[@TheCloudpuncher]

I literally busted out laughing at the shop when he pulled the valve cover (where is the camshaft) that was great!!!!!!!!

[@BlackthumbTV]

I can die happy knowing at least one person found that joke funny.

[@chrisw554]

Good builds and good sense of humor too. Not overly serious, keep up the good work!

[@tylerkim586]

Underrated AF channel, blow up soon big dawg

[@friendofallcats3544]

Dude I love your videos & editing style, feel like I'll be a long time subscriber with notifs on you slap hard.

[@ut90J]

I like your video style, it had me laughing more than a video like this should. Thank you for making this!

[@Rawwr1ful]

arguably makes the RX8 a way more practical choice than the rotary set up, which is awesome bc they look so cool!

[@funmechabuilds524]

How have I miss this jewel of a car guy youtuber? You sir have a new subscriber. Love your banter and realness

[@wazzysgarage5623]

This channel needs to go big!!! Awesime content and personality

[@jkim6200]

Thanks for the great video! And for going with a manual.

[@SoLSamuraibloodblade]

Keep up the hard work. I like your projects and humor.

[@nickrichardson8812]

I’m glad this vid came up on my front page this dude is funny as hell 😂😂 I’ve owned an rx8 for 2 years 13b blew the bell up

[@Moses1973]

Man I was laughing quite a bit. Wonderful video! Just subscribed 👍

[@paulsandvig6961]

That ten millimeter was the lottery ticket!! 🤣🤣🤣 love ur channel man, u remind me of me!

[@BLUE200S]

I love you bro youre legit the greatest. 😂 Too funny, too informative. Actually, can never be too informative but still!

[@bakermrad]

So I found out about this guy like 3 days ago, and so far I almost watched all of your videos. keep it up man, your videos are amazing.

[@ZappWbrannigan]

I'm new to your page and this is the second video I've watched. Fantastic build! Great work. I like your style of presenting too.

[@blizz0kid]

I’m glad you’re making more videos.

[@TSL73]

I haven’t watched a car video this entertaining in awhile.

[@IronicTonic8]

I’m a die hard rotary guy and I’m looking to do this swap. I already have a built RX8, I certainly don’t need another one so I’m gonna swap my new RX8 and bring balance to the force.

[@raywaltdecuba5699]

This dude is brutal....love it

[@aimless-drifter]

man this video is hilarious, hopefully on the next project there would be more footage of the building process. I'm really into that kind of stuff

[@hondatech5000]

I have a 4.8 but it has a 7875 as well. 6spd from gto 8.8 irs w/traction lock from explorer. I’m always careful with my headlights when I pull them out- lol mines also has the obvious forced entry. Enjoyed the video

[@mechtech104]

This is a swap of love. Awesome video

[@gcactus69]

Antagonizing every Puerto Rican with every rev! 😎

[@lifeofarthid3232]

i really enjoyed this VDO. LS swap RX8 has been a dream for me for a long long time. congrats

[@BlackthumbTV]

Thank you kindly!

[@kryocentrik9505]

been a long time since i was charmed into a sub, great stuff my man

[@jamilsabbatt9942]

Amazing speech delivery and presentation man.

[@GigaChad-ih8si]

i love all the scenes in the car world. wasent expecting to watch this whole thing but it genuinely kept me engaged. had a 01 protege mp3 in that yellow, memories man. dope RX-8 tho, kudos to actually going through with the swap. and the K-swap? dude thats sick as fuck. ive only seen 2 cars swapped with a forward facing, rwd Honda motor. shits insane

[@rustycreekfabrication]

Nice swap. I was a Mazda tech for about 4.5 years and we had tons of rx8 no starts and apex seal issue coming in alot. Always liked the idea, just didn't really care for the execution. I got a new build coming soon as well! Nice job man

[@BlackthumbTV]

Thank you! These cars are super neat. I think the rotaries are interesting too, just wanted to play with an LS right now. Maybe one day I'll swap a rotary into something too.

[@rustycreekfabrication]

@@BlackthumbTV I always liked the styling of them too. When I went to their "Mazda school" I learned some crazy shit about Mazda. They ran a test rotary on an engine stand for 24hrs at 9000 rpm and tore it down to find no measurable wear. It was interesting.

[@kevinmccuen6797]

This video was hilarious! You also provided me with information, that you point out can be hard to find, about fuel delivery and that the stock pump can do it. I'm currently working on a 5.3 junkyard swap in my Rx8 (very early stages). I love my rotary, but I can't justify spending 6k on the cheap end just to have to do it again in a few years. Oh, did you use the stock Rx8 rear end and just modify the drive shaft? Thanks so much for posting your parts list and I wish you much success on future builds!

[@RyuSukuna]

2:17 The doors truly are special. Unfortunately for me my FIRST car was an RX8 and I didn't understand about taking care or the car and the flooding until it was too late. I only recommend this car if you're going to swap. All the other issues just isn't worth it. BEST handling sports car I've EVER driven. Genesis Coupe handles superbly well too!

[@bobleeeeee]

Nice I was looking forward to this

[@phatkid7505]

Bro you are hilarious and I’m so intrigued.

[@MattDonafrio]

This channel is amazing!

[@kodascorpse8116]

As someone who wants a rx8 incredibly badly and wants to rebuild the engine and loves the rotary, I entirely agree, the renisis is the worst of the rotaries from Mazda, it’s the hardest to tune and is a pain and the ass to upkeep 9/10 times, but fuck I love everything ab the mechanics of it and how it functions, awesome build

[@charliecherfan295]

New subscriber for you sir, I will admit i am a die hard rotary fan but I love seeing all the swaps people do in rx8's too, great video that you've made here definitely a few laughs too, Greetings from Australia

[@soggytoiletpaper9213]

i want a rx8 but ive been met with nothing but people saying they suck and you changed my mind im gonna do the same thing you did but at higher stakes cause its my first car and i know nothing of rotarys and close to nothing about v8s and im gonna use a lot of your stuff as a guide so i cant thank you enought for the help you just gave me

[@nicholasthompson1665]

15:36 made me lol awesome videos, keep it up

[@user-bp5py6bh3g]

Just found your channel, please keep uploading!

[@mattmcdonald3659]

Great video buddy. Love the modest wisdom and dry humor. Haven’t laughed at a car vid in awhile. You strike me as possibly being a Sloppy Mechanics alumni?? How about a sloppy stage 2 on the cam? 228/230 .585”. Anyway. Subscribed. Keep up the good work!

[@tedsirlouis1372]

definitely glad I searched ls rx8 hidden gem of a channel

[@markdiloreto3773]

Great technique with the pipe wrench on the ignition wire. Please seem to forget to adjust those per the factory service manual.

[@BlackthumbTV]

If you're not torquing your ignition leads to spec with a barbie wrench, are you really a mechanic?

[@cptnsparky]

nice video bro. you deserve more subs 👍

[@Joeymartinez09]

Lmfaooo got me with the line lock question hahahhahahah I def answered burnouts

[@jakobthomas3587]

Dude you got my subscription I'm going to have to go back and watch the one about your case swap

[@craigbarrett2278]

Cool build.... Yeah, Rx8 is a cool shape.

[@_caleb343_]

1000% an awesome channel

[@ianfairbanks1318]

Just found you. Subbed. Good stuff!

[@MannyMarvelous]

Oh dude you're gonna grow fast, I know it.

[@travr1131]

No doubt you saved this RX-8 from the junkyard. Although I prefer the rotary for just being different, I'll never tell someone else what to do with their property and no one can argue with your results! I have a 2005 Shinka that I am trying to get the courage and cash up for to have repainted, so I understood what you were talking about shelling out for body and paint work. Love your car and video, well done!

[@BlackthumbTV]

I genuinely love these cars, they're great. So I got another that I plan to do another swap on!

[@travr1131]

@@BlackthumbTV ok very curious to see what the next one will be!

[@MaGZKaRmA]

You’re gonna get big

[@davidvaughn7778]

In ANY automotive online forum, there's always the OEM parts snobs. Or the "you have to have the factory service manual" guys. Usually one in the same. OEM parts are, for the most part, the best part. However, most aftermarket performance parts are made because the OEM isn't as robust, or doesn't perform to the next level. I'm on of those guys that's always trying to cross reference parts for motorcycles so I don't have to pay the motorcycle markup.

[@adrianrocky123]

Was brought here by the super charged subaru. Glad i was, well spoken, informative and kept interesting. So suprised you dont have more subs!

[@SDRIFTERAbdlmounaim]

your video is nice, has an *Aging Wheels* vibe to it, new fan, +1 sub

[@Big-H517]

I tell everyone to engine swap the rotary out with a v8

[@youngtrashbag7017]

This is quality content.

[@mr.mr.3301]

Entertaining video watched it enjoyed it.

[@adamgroszkiewicz814]

Real car guy stuff in here. This channel should be far bigger.

[@angelrojas2823]

What company did you use for the mounts

[@RC.3RD864]

Just found your channel. And yes I have a blown up RX8. I would love to do this!

[@Ortisan_Official]

Was looking at k swapping my rx8 in my profile pic. You've convinced me otherwise great content man you deserve more subs

[@BlackthumbTV]

For what it's worth, I also K swapped a Subaru, and that was a blast. Check out those videos before you commit ;)

[@NTuck269]

Loved watching this. I’ve been saving money so that I could do this swap with a 5.7 ls1 instead of the 6.0

[@BlackthumbTV]

The idea for me is that, if I want more power, I'll grab something like a 5.7 and build it on a stand, then swap it in when I'm ready. But with just the swap parts and a cam the car makes ~370hp. I'll be happy with that for a bit.

[@NTuck269]

@@BlackthumbTV Thats a good amount of horsies for these cars. I am looking to do a street build so that i can comfortably drive it places and the ls1 makes 330-350 stock depending on the year and thats plenty for me. I hope to see more videos on this from your channel!

[@BlackthumbTV]

In the process of editing a video that has this car in it now. Thanks for your kind words!

[@robc2073]

How much was the total build? I have one and want to do the same but don’t know where to start besides getting the motor

[@GeddonAdventures]

i have a 2005 rx8 with a ls1 in it. it was a lot of work but i have everything in it working except my ac has a leak 😒. its a lot of fun and a wonderful chassis

[@Awscheetz]

What brand swap kit did you use ? Got a link ?

[@harryfp1494]

You made this car so much better

[@BlackthumbTV]

Thank you! It's about time to wake it up for the season, actually.

[@thebritishhippie9735]

lol that B roll was so funny

[@toadhesse]

lmao bro.... the end braap tho

[@MrRotaryrockets]

nicely done...what about the cost..for the conversion

[@wolffmanjack4743]

Ahahahaha 😂 the cam shaft

[@Staticski]

Where did you end up buying the swap mounts from. Trying to stack parts to swap my RX8 drift car soon

[@BlackthumbTV]

Links to most everything I use can be found at wiki.blackthumb.tv/

[@itzyaboyaustin1214]

This is the reason I have two one for rotory high rev fun and one is for actually trying to go fast and somewhat reliably

[@BlackthumbTV]

The solution is always more shitboxes.

[@JakobusVdL]

Is the motor you installed an all alloy (block and heads) model ? And were your 30 days and 70 days - full days of work or was that just evening and weekend time?

[@BlackthumbTV]

I'm not quite sure what you're asking, but it's an LQ4 out of a truck. Iron block, aluminum heads. The times were total days between start and finish, including a few that I didn't work on the car.

[@JakobusVdL]

Thanks@@BlackthumbTV, that was what I was asking. Does the LQ4 engine weigh alot more than the all alloy ones? I presume that LQ4 and similar iron block L series are alot more available and cheaper than the all allow versions. That's an impressively fast build time. Well done. it's a fantastic car, and fun video.

[@hahkay]

that bike at the end 😂

[@MeleeTV]

9:54 I watched this video again and felt attacked. Talk to me nice😂😂😂

[@BlackthumbTV]

Me: verbally attacks my viewers My viewers: keep coming back for some reason Yall are wild. Appreciate you 💛

[@JustinsGarage]

That’s the coolest shit I’ve ever seen.

[@blairdoe6764]

Nice 8 want to hear it roar

[@marcmann982]

This guy reminds me of Jared from wrench everyday but funnier and more engaging lol

[@angel5700]

Im a rotaryhead. I personally wouldnt swap my 8, but im honestly more happy to just see these on the road. If its a rotary or v8, the car itself is just a great pleasure to drive and tho its looks are controversial to some people, i just fucking love it

[@chuckfinley3152]

The 10mm gods smiled at you, this car is blessed lol

[@BlackthumbTV]

It honestly feels like it, this car give me very little trouble. I need to do a followup video about it because it's hands-down the best build I've done so far.

[@The_Makers_Prerogative]

I'm really enjoying your videos and I got a good laugh from the B-roll, well done.

[@jryoung5460]

How does it drive with no ABS and what's your brake set up? I'm getting really close to having my swap done and am second guessing deleting ABS and adding a hydro hand brake. Considering relocating the ABS block to the front wheel well and plugging the rear ports on the block and going from my prop valve into the front ports on the ABS block and then ABS block to calipers to maybe retain front ABS with no rear but I'm not sure its worth the headache...

[@BlackthumbTV]

I haven't ever driven an RX8 before swapping this car, but I can tell you that it drives like a normal car to me. I have taken it out on a rainy day and nailed the brakes and, yeah, it doesn't have ABS. Just gotta pump the brakes like grandpap taught ya. Retaining ABS turned out to be too much of a pain for me, so I just got some brake line splitters and split off each port coming from the master, to each of the front/rear wheels. Nothing crazy, a standard ABS delete job. I also added that line lock solenoid that I have yet to use yet. One day!

[@noahstevens6427]

Is there a parts list available somewhere? There’s a few things I’m really intrigued about, I heard you mention a parts list but not sure where it’s at

[@BlackthumbTV]

Here ya are: blackthumb.tv/build/02 If there's anything you want to know about, let me know here or on my socials.

[@noahstevens6427]

@@BlackthumbTV thank you!

[@quintenhart8330]

Hey man got some questions. Have the chance to get a aluminum ls out of a cts with a t56 along with stand alone computer and harness for a grand and a rx8 roller for 500. Should I jump on this? How much else will I need? Trying to get a total cost idea for budgeting.

[@BlackthumbTV]

The engine, trans, and ecu are only part of the total cost. Take a look at my Engine Swapping video for more info.

[@lionsgarage]

mazdas from that time had problems with rust. like most 04 mazda 3s I see while driving around have rust / paint bubbles in the rear arches

[@Emilthehun]

This gives me hope. Really like the rx8 body, but would never own a rotary engine car.

[@BlackthumbTV]

I'd actually like to play with a rotary. But at the time I wanted to play with an LS more. Honestly I want to buy another rx8 and do another swap on it at some point...

[@Emilthehun]

@@BlackthumbTV as much as I like to solve problems , not looking to bankrupt my self over a rotary 😂. But I do love the style of the rx8.

[@6SP33D_YT]

Bro I bet you’re really fun to be around 😊

[@MaGZKaRmA]

The end lol 😂

[@erikthekiller321]

Can you make a full list on how much this whole project cost ? I wanna do the same thing soon

[@gsppuffer]

About 20k

[@Manysdugjohn]

Nice vlog! Though I would argue subarus are reliable if you know what you are doing!

[@Lifeofjhb]

This is great! I’m Ls swapping mine currently. How did you convert the m12x1 & 1/4 brake lines to m10x1 & 3/16???

[@BlackthumbTV]

I ended up getting a kit of 3/16" flare nuts on Amazon, that came with a number of different nuts, including the ones that go into the brake master. The ones in the brake master are quite big, but there was a very "thick" nut that that made it work. I believe it was indeed a simple M12x1 & 3/16 nut. The kit made it easy and I've used it quite a bit since then for reasons such as this, including another RX8 swap I'm working on right now (K swap)

[@Lifeofjhb]

@@BlackthumbTV awesome. I was planning to make mine as simplified as possible. I was in between buying a 2004 JDM master which Kyle Mohan runs. But that means I wouldn’t be able to take one from a local part out in a pinch.

[@joogullae3456]

i love your car so much

[@almostoemgarage8143]

My dude gets it! If I had a dollar for every time I have been told "you should have done a manual" I would be able to afford the T-56.... I tell 'em, shut up, my $250 TH400 is perfectly fine. I hit gas, car go vroom, I smile.

[@czechreloaded]

great video man. I was wondering if you would consider making a video about wiring up the RX8. I would be interested in how much of the original electronics works. Does it have A/C? I am doing a swap and would like the car to be a great street racer/driver. thanks for the video.

[@BlackthumbTV]

I do not have AC, but only because my car didn't come with the full AC setup. Most was deleted due to what I assume was a front-end collision with curb or a rock or something. The wiring is dead simple to get it to work and most swaps are able to retain it if they decide to fork out the cash for custom lines. I'll look into doing a video about wiring, though no promises as I'm currently caught up in other projects.