Project LFX RX-8: Finally Found Our New Engine!

[@Hybrid13b]

Amazing work. Subscribed

[@trackcarobsession]

Thank you

[@robertdewerff1114]

Great job with the video and the project. Really helpful information that has been tough to get clarity on with google-fu. Thinking the LFX is the best option for an upcoming miata project. Keep the videos coming.

[@trackcarobsession]

Robert Dewerff Thanks! I really appreciate the feedback. I have been planning a project like this for years and the RX8 just made the most sense for me because of my size, but I had other engine ideas before hearing about the LFX. There are so many things about it that make it a no brainer for me. The holidays have slowed me down, but there will be a lot of videos soon. I will make a video just showing what is needed for the tranverse engine to make it work in rwd applications once I have all the parts in this next week.

[@antwainmcgee2268]

This is gold, thanks for the quality vids. Been watching since video one till the latest video to date. I've owned my 04 Mazda rx-8 since 2012 and I've been through three engines, first was used, second was re manufactured and third was complete crate, brand new from factory. All lasted roughly the same mileage before compression failure set in. So I've given up on the rotary and I've been researching engine swaps as I'm sure many rotary guys learn the hard way. I like the wankels personally but not for daily driving. Numerous mods for reliability and durability but I couldn't seem to get it down. Just wanted to say thanks again for the vids, and the detail. But my question is did you only have to buy the engine and the transmission and the kielser automotive swap kit for rx8? Or were there others things you had to buy to completely make the swap possible? Thanks in advance man.

[@trackcarobsession]

Thank you. You definitely have the rotary many more chances than I would have. I love the idea of it and it's quirky characteristics that no other engine has, but certainly not enough to deal with the fuel mileage, low torque, and maintenance requirements they have. Should have the video of the car running uploaded soon followed by the car driving. Thanks for sticking around during the long wait on the channel

[@muhammadeeqan6033]

Plz tell me Whats the engine weight

[@383mazda]

Cool build. Are you going to cover the tuning / electronics needed to make this work? I want to out an LFX into my Volvo 240...

[@trackcarobsession]

383mazda Originally I was going to do this swap completely custom including all the hardware and wiring. However, while researching parts needed I stumbled across a company that is working on a full swap for the RX8 and have decided to use that as it will just make the whole process a lot smoother. The owner is still putting finishing touches on the kit, but he has spent a ton of time developing a wiring harness that combines the RX ECU as well as a reflashed Camaro ECU so that everything is plug and play and that it all works seamlessly. That won't help you unfortunately with your swap. I believe V8roadsters sells flashed LFX ECUs and custom engine harnesses. You could probably use one of those. If you can get hold of a wrecked Camaro or find a salvage yard that will pull the whole drivetrain out with the ECU and harness that would probably be best. I was quoted $2500 for all of that, but it was taking too long for the yard to find a candidate to pull everything out of and I needed to get this project movng along. Should be a great motor for a Volvo 240. I learned how to drive in one of those.

[@r1yamahamini]

Can you weigh the LFX without the intake manifold on to compare to the Renesis? It would be interesting to see the power to weight of each motor. I weighed my Renesis dry without the manifold and it was 96kg (211lbs)

[@trackcarobsession]

Punchy LightBeer I'll try to weigh it in a few different configurations. Without the intake and exhaust manifolds, and the accessories on the front it will not be apples to apples. The super light intake and the integrated exhaust manifolds save this engine a lot of weight compared to the intake and exhaust in the renesis.

[@trackcarobsession]

I finally had a chance to weigh the engine. It had the alternator bracket on, but no alternator. Everything else was ready to run on the motor. Composite intake weighs almost nothing and there is no exhaust headers because it's built into the head. Anyway, it was 324lbs (147kg)

[@r1yamahamini]

Oh wow , thanks for the update.. I guess the extra 40 or 50kg is ok considering the better reliability. Iv'e had problems with my turbo Renesis at the track a few times and it really makes me want to give up sometimes. Although I seem to have got it sorted atm. Only took 8 years of redesigns and rebuilds¯_(ツ)_/¯

[@trackcarobsession]

Punchy LightBeer Yeah, the weight is probably close once you factor in the heavier Renesis intake and the exhaust, plus all the pieces required for the turbo setup. Hopefully it won't require years of trial and error. You have more patience than I do that is for sure. I would have given up after the first or second rebuild.

[@therandomguy332]

Not bad looking for a second hand engine, looks clean. Low K engine i assume?

[@trackcarobsession]

footlockerjl32 19k miles out of a Cadillac. Seemed to be pretty good buy for 750 or whatever I paid for it.

[@calumdonnelly662]

Are you selling the parts you no longer need for the rx8?

[@trackcarobsession]

Yes sir. The engine is sold and some bulky parts have been tossed because I don't have room for them, but if there is something you need let me know. Tried holding onto as much as I could in case someone needed it.

[@rotarypower2727]

Lost a great solider today rip rotory

[@apestabrook]

Rotory engines are horribly unreliable

[@spanakisspanakopitas143]

Now you have lost the 50/50

[@trackcarobsession]

Believe it or not, the 50/50 weight distribution has remained, and corner balance has improved. On top of that, it is ten pounds lighter.

[@spanakisspanakopitas143]

@@trackcarobsession you got the car you know better my friend...