Mazda RX-8 Keisler Automation LFX Engine Swap - Additional/Requested Info

[@tracymorgan571]

this is excellent excellent information. thanks so much for taking the time to share this.

[@trackcarobsession]

You got it. I appreciate the kind words. Trying to plan out some more work and videos so we can all see this thing fire up and drive.

[@allenkilpatrick7701]

i like it, looks like a great kit. hopefully for a decent price

[@trackcarobsession]

After breaking down the costs of all of these things individually, including all of the bolts, washers, clips, etc that always nickel and dime you in a project, I think the kit is priced extremely well. Honestly, it would probably cost more to piece everything together yourself and then you would have to do the engineering on top of that. That's why I chose to go with this kit, even though I will not be using everything since I am trying to have the car as simple and stripped as possible.

[@jimmytre6779]

I want this when is the relase date we people want this now!!! Lol

[@michaelhall6742]

Do you offer to ever do these swaps for anyone. How much does it normally cost if you do it for someone.

[@muhammadeeqan6033]

Which bump steer kit are you using

[@vhpublic1]

Hey, I truly cheered when I saw your videos. I love my Rx8 and all its quirkiness but I must say, is hard to trust. Now the engine is going to its last stretches and I was thinking on rebuild or buy another car and, to be honest, I checked a Camaro RS V6 most because I dig this engine so much, but the car is way too heavy. Then I thought: "how awesome would be to have the RX8 with this engine". Then I bumped onto your video! Faith!!! So, hopefully you could answer some questions, if isn't too much trouble: I live in Germany, they are really strict with emissions and safety. I know you said is possible to install Cats but is still possible to use the OEM Traction control? Is it a must to use the Camaro's dif, driveshaft and transmission? Doesn't the RX8's support the torque or it doesn't fit at all? What about suspension? Any adaptation needed? I have Bilstein and Eibach installed and would stick to this but, of course, the rotary engine is a lot lighter. That's why the question Any brakes upgrades needed? The OEM is awesome but again, is suited to the rotary. Sorry about the many questions, I'm just really interested in this kit Thanks a lot in advance... cheers!

[@trackcarobsession]

Those are all really good questions. First, the suspension should be fine because the engine does not weigh that much more. Second, the Keisler Automation kit that I used is set up to allow the car to function just like it had the rotary engine. The abs, traction control, power steering, instrument cluster, etc. are all designed to function like normal. I modified my instrument cluster so that the check engine light is not on unless the Camaro ecu throws a code. You may have to do something like like if your emissions checks are really strict because the check engine light will normally be in all the time since the Mazda ecu thinks it's not running correctly. Third, while the rx8 differential could probably handle the v6 power, the transmission would require an adapter and it is most likely not strong enough for the v6. The biggest problem with using the rx8 transmission and differential is that the gearing is wrong for the powerband of the v6. The Camaro transmission and differential are pretty inexpensive, and the Keisler Automation kit includes the needed mounts, custom axles, and a custom aluminum driveshaft. If I wasn't deleting all of the comfort parts off if the car it would have been driving with a day of the swap. That is how easy the kit makes the swap.

[@trackcarobsession]

I forgot to mention the brakes. For the street, the rx8 brakes will be perfect even with the v6. For hard use on the track you will want upgraded pads, lines, and fluid at least.

[@vhpublic1]

Track Car Obsession, thank you so much for your responses, man! I will inform myself here and contact them, I'm really interested. All the best to you and your project... I'll be following it Cheers

[@keananconnor4221]

Very nice.

[@pauls7426]

How are you gonna remove the oil filter?

[@trackcarobsession]

The filter is actually not too difficult to access. I will show it better in a video soon when I install an oil cooler and oil filter sandwich adapter.

[@evansgful]

Is it possible to use the rx8 transmission and diff/axles with this setup. there are some dual mas flywheel converters on the market.

[@trackcarobsession]

With money, anything is possible, but honestly, I would not attempt using those parts with this engine. Not only is the gearing wrong for a lower-revving motor with more torque, you also have to worry about the RX-8 transmission which will likely not last long with this much power.

[@angelogentil1034]

I being following the all LFX swap engine, and basically if I'm not wrong I'm going to need a lot lot more than just an engine! 1- engine, 2- transmission, 3- rear differential plus axles, and 4- a kit to be able to bolt everything in the right place. I'm trying to summarize besides the car what do I need more, and that's using my mechanic skills. Please if you have the time to read my comment, could you actually tell me how short am I? Kindly thank you.

[@EddieSiembra]

How many hours of labor have you put in the car so far and how many do you think it will take to finish the project, I am gauging if I should take on a project like this, thanks for the great videos!

[@trackcarobsession]

I honestly don't know. The filming and editing has taken so much time that's it's hard to keep track, but I don't think it has been a crazy amount of time. The wiring modifications that I did off camera took the longest (50 hours?) Because I wanted to remove everything I didn't need without screwing up stuff that I did. Now the wiring plan has changed so that was kind of wasted time. Depending on what you want to do it can be a pretty simple project. Or do little things at a time while you drive it. I wanted to do everything at once, which I somewhat regret now because I just want to drive it 😁

[@v12lol]

Do you have a direct link to the kit? I see the differential on their website, and some tune for the ecu .. but that's it

[@trackcarobsession]

It does not look like it is listed yet in their website. They may still be doing some finishing touches on the kit. If you reach out to the owner Andrew he may be able to give you current information about it.

[@rampageMoffett]

Changing your alternator would be kind of difficult

[@trackcarobsession]

I thought the same thing, but its actually really easy. I took it off to remove the engine from the white car, and install it in the gray one. I will film installing the alternator now that the engine is in. It is just 3 bolts that are pretty easy to access.

[@A1FELONY]

question , there are alot of low milage lgx engines available in my area . is there anything to watch out for with these, still compatible with kit?

[@trackcarobsession]

That's a good question. I can't fully answer that because I don't know anything about the LGX wiring, but if the motor mounts are in the same place and the transmission bellhousing bolt pattern is the same, then it should definitely bolt right in. This kit includes the modified GM wiring and reflashed ECU for the LFX, so you would likely have to modify your own engine harness and get the LGX ECU reflashed so that it doesn't look for the BCM, anti-theft, etc. This is just speculation though as I have not had a chance to see the LGX in person. Also, I have read mixed information about the weight being quite a bit more than the LFX, not sure how that is possible though.

[@briandavis4888]

​@trackcarobsession is there any update on this question?

[@A1FELONY]

any inside info on kit release date?

[@trackcarobsession]

I think it can be purchased at this time even though it is not yet listed on their website. If you contact Andrew (owner) through their website he can give you more details.

[@Sadge23]

It was kind of hard to tell from the video, but how accessible is the oil filter? In one shot, it looked like you could just reach up and unscrew it, but in another it looked like the mount was in the way. Just curious.

[@trackcarobsession]

That's a good question. I don't have the exact measurements, but there is definitely room to unscrew it and pull it out. I was concerned at first about this too. I did also check for clearance because I will be using an oil filter sandwich adapter to send oil to a cooler, and everything looks like it should work. The filter may sit a little close to the exhaust with the adapter one there though, so I may have to come up with a heat shield or something.

[@briandavis4888]

Can't be any worse than the factory rx8's 😂😢(upside down, so damn near impossible to prime and not have a mess)

[@kevynpinzon]

Where you find those radiator mounts ..?

[@trackcarobsession]

They are custom 3d printed pieces that are included with the Keisler Automation kit.

[@kevynpinzon]

@@trackcarobsession how much you got it? Im on the website.. I guess I have to call them.. Cuz I dont see them ..how I can tell them that I need one like yours

[@trackcarobsession]

You can call them or email them. Andrew usually responds quite quickly. I know they were really only planning to sell this stuff as an entire swap kit so they may not sell you just the radiator mounts. If they don't, I may be able to sell you the ones that I have. I am building a front crash bar and mounts for the radiator and oil cooler and may not need these.

[@kevynpinzon]

@@trackcarobsession Okey I'm going to call them but please let me know if you dont need them

[@trackcarobsession]

Will do. I should know within the next week or two

[@jordanturner3837]

is this kit available for purchase yet?

[@Sadge23]

I contacted them and they said they do have kits, but they're not officially for sale yet. I got the impression that they'd be willing to sell a kit to the right person right now.

[@trackcarobsession]

Thank you for checking on that. I was not sure what their current status of the kit was yet. I knew they were very close, if not ready to sell.

[@XtremeGuy-FL]

Release date ?

[@trackcarobsession]

I think they are just doing in-house installs right now to streamline the installation process. Contact Andrew at Keisler Automation

[@A1FELONY]

i gotta be honest you are saying the word custom allot . not to mention with the timing chain issues and oil vapor issues of the lfx im starting to think ls would have been better . kit is allready in production ,issues allready figured out way more power .

[@trackcarobsession]

The timing chain and oil vapor issues were only with early engines. Many people have run these engines hard with no problems. When there are issues, it's only a $500 engine to replace instead of a several thousand dollar ls. Don't get me wrong, the ls is a great engine with a proven history, but it still works weighs a decent amount more than the lfx, sit farther forward in the chassis, and requires just as many custom modifications to work. The beauty of the Keisler Automation kit is that all the custom pieces are included to bolt the new drivetrain in easily, and keep all your creature comforts. I don't know of a single kit out there for a ls or any other engine that allows that. Just mounts, exhausts, etc. In the long run, I would love a high revving flat plane crank ls in there, but that is way over my current budget, and most likely, over my driving skill at the moment. I think for the cost and ease of this swap with this particular kit, it is a good fit for a lot of people. Probably not everyone

[@A1FELONY]

@@trackcarobsession good answer ive watched every minute of all youre videos well done

[@trackcarobsession]

Thank you. I really appreciate that. It's been slow going recently as I have gone back and forth on where I want this project to go. Have been making some progress though recently so those videos should be up soon. Hopefully we will see soon if the lfx is a good option or not.