My Mazda RX8 2jz Swap Project Lots of PICS 56K warning, a few people asked for me to make a thread on it Options

[celicaracer18]

first off i have not even started a thread on it on the RX8 forums yet. i do not know how much longer it is going to take me as i still have alot of parts to get

i'll post a bunch of pics and when i have more info on what all needs to be done and a full list of all the parts required for swap i'll post them, but for now i'll keep the detaikls to minimum.




here it is stock, right before i put on my new wheels and tires


after the initial turbo and body kit install


after Paint




on the dyno (it made 249 whp, from 180 stock. which was a little disapointing)


and one more shot, showing off the engine bay




here it is now


and a couple pics of test fitting some nice big wheels









here are some pics of the engine bay fabrication work i did
i did make a couple cuts, and of coarse i removed beam that connects the frames in the middle of the engine bay

ABS relocated (had to extend harness about 6 feet) (this is not required, the 05 model has a smaller ABS module, but this does make it look alot nicer.

Front support and radiator/intercooler mount







the motor, turbo and parts (sorry for the crappy pics, i haven't brought my good camera to work yet)










I finaly got the car to my work a few days ago and sat the motor in today
I will not have to cut the firewall, unless i want to to sit the motor alot further back. as of now until i get the tranny, as far as i can tell from measurments i have aquired online i will have to lengthen the shifter to go into the stock location
I may also use aftermarket electric fans, as the stock ones come very close to the crank pully.

here are some pics of the motor sitting in the engine bay



here you can see how close it is to the radiator fans, and why i will probably go with thinner fans, possibly even pushers



i have about a 1/2 an inch between the motor and firewall, i did beat it in a little before painting it, but thats it, the water line coming out of the back of the head will have to be modified slightly







more to come soon

i'm using a R154 tranny, and getting a custom driveshaft with the stock diff for now, i want to test it out anyway to see just how much power it can hold, if can get it to hold 450 to 500 i will prolly just throw in a kazz or cusco lsd, mabey even a mazdaspeed, and see how much that can hold, if it does break i will most definately go with one from another car, but i do not know what yet. i'ld like to go with a supra diff but they are really high, i might get a ford 8".
i won't be pushing more than 300-350 whp when i fist get it running because i want to show the car at nopi nationals and i need tmake sure its going to be running for the show, so i won't be able to afford it if it breaks. as soon as i'm back though, i will start upping the boost

i am still waiting on R154 tranny, flywheel, clutch, usdm MKIV supra oil pan, USDM supra water pump, injectors, adjustable FPR, Piping, Wastegate, BOV, timing belt, acc. belt, and lots of other small misc parts
and i have alot of wireing yet to do



and yes i did polish the intake manifold and valve covers myself. i am the only person to touch this car besides paint, which need redoing in alot of places and will be when the motors in.
ive done all the wireing, fab work and engine detailing.

This post has been edited by celicaracer18: Jun 10, 2008 - 9:11 PM

[manphibian]

Amazing!

Thanks for posting, i can't wait to see this!

Great pictures too

[99Celica]

the exterior on that car looks legit. can't wait to see the final product.

[zero07]

Holy sh*t.

[99Celica]

all you need to do is put in some spray and you should have a beast...

[celicaracer18]

Nitrous is for slow cars or cars with really big turbos lol jk
i'm going to try and stay away from that, i may run meth injection since i already have a kit that i was using on the rotary, but no spray for now, the 3.0 should spool that 60-1 just fine on its own

i have alot of other stuff to spend my money on first

This post has been edited by celicaracer18: Jun 2, 2008 - 4:46 PM

[DEATH]

From one custom fabricator to another: Damn fine work man. Ambitious goals too.

[96bluevert]

WOW! awesome project. That cars going to be a beast.

[devilsden97]

this is a serious thread? ive never even heard of this being attempted (grant it, im not out there trolling mazda forums)

[celicaracer18]

thanks for the props death

and there is one other shop in miam doing this, but i don't know what the current state is, and they are not releasing any info on it

[x_itchy_b_x]

looking good man! thats sweet. its even cooler than your doing it and not some shop.

[j0e_p3t]

awesome project. i thought the rx-8 looked pretty decent stock, but with that kit it looks sweet. plus 2jz-gte>rotary turbo

[Rayme]

That's awesome! Screw that rotary engine which is more of a novelty than a real engine (am I sinning here?).

Great project!!!

[CelicaST_CALI]

isnt that that fast and the furious engine,wtf is with ppl and putting it in other cars,i mean a mustang is pushing it but a MAZDA..wtff...lol this should be sick when done...

[stephen_lee]

oh god i want an rx8

i will have to buy me one at some point, and attempt this swap too *drool*

[chucho]

I'm gonna have to make a drive up to meridian and go check it out. Bastard...gas is too expensive to make me drive all the way up there lol.

[xs94st]

you should send some pix in to a mag..they may feature you as your car is really clean doggy. good luck and looks like hell but fun as well

[Cuts_the_Pilot]

this is one of the coolest conversions ever.
Im talking like epic cool.
good fncken stuff

[celicaracer18]

isnt that that fast and the furious engine,wtf is with ppl and putting it in other cars,i mean a mustang is pushing it but a MAZDA..wtff...lol this should be sick when done...

uh the motor they put in the mustang was an RB26. and there is no such thing as a F&F motor, every motor they used in the movies has been around for far longer

the 2JZ has proven it self for years in everything from JGTC racing in japan to record setting 1/4 mile times

not trying to be rude, and you by no means have to like what i'm doing but that was a really ignorant comment
Japanese tuners have been doing motor swaps for decades with 2JZ's, RB26's, 3SGTE's, SR20's 4G63's and everything else under the sun. and how is it any different than peopl putting chevy 350's in everything under the sun.

but back on topic, i am a toyota tech and am not just a back yard mechanic, i do plan on opening a shop in the future, and i also plan on doing the swap for more cars in the future

i've done the 2J in the S2000's, SR swaps, RB's into 240's, turboing, rotoary's, Miata's, and alot more. i am also currently working on a KA-T 240, 2jz SC300, a 22RE-T, and a couple other projects helpig friends

and thanks to everyone for the props, i really appriciate the support, and i do plan on sending in some pics as soon as its finished, but i still have to get some interior stuff done and of coarse my suspension, brakes, and some better wheels

This post has been edited by celicaracer18: Jun 3, 2008 - 9:14 PM

[Jeunesse]

^^^ right on... mad props to your skills dude.
Don't stress, some people just love to run their mouth even if they look like a fool after saying stuffs.

[Akimbo]

2jz no ****? This will decimate all after you put about 15 grand, or more, and if we have to, overnight parts from japan.

[celicaracer18]

lol

[CelicaST_CALI]

isnt that that fast and the furious engine,wtf is with ppl and putting it in other cars,i mean a mustang is pushing it but a MAZDA..wtff...lol this should be sick when done...

uh the motor they put in the mustang was an RB26. and there is no such thing as a F&F motor, every motor they used in the movies has been around for far longer

the 2JZ has proven it self for years in everything from JGTC racing in japan to record setting 1/4 mile times

not trying to be rude, and you by no means have to like what i'm doing but that was a really ignorant comment
Japanese tuners have been doing motor swaps for decades with 2JZ's, RB26's, 3SGTE's, SR20's 4G63's and everything else under the sun. and how is it any different than peopl putting chevy 350's in everything under the sun.

but back on topic, i am a toyota tech and am not just a back yard mechanic, i do plan on opening a shop in the future, and i also plan on doing the swap for more cars in the future

i've done the 2J in the S2000's, SR swaps, RB's into 240's, turboing, rotoary's, Miata's, and alot more. i am also currently working on a KA-T 240, 2jz SC300, a 22RE-T, and a couple other projects helpig friends

and thanks to everyone for the props, i really appriciate the support, and i do plan on sending in some pics as soon as its finished, but i still have to get some interior stuff done and of coarse my suspension, brakes, and some better wheels

hey i got absolutely no problem with this,as i said this is goiing to be a great custom work of art when it is done,didnt mean to sound ignorant..this engine looked similar,i didnt say that it is a bad thing

[celicaracer18]

oh its fine, like i said i wasn't trying to be rude, i was just letting you know, and yeah there are similar, both are inline 6's with seperate valve covers for each cam, but the nissan is a 2.6 hence RB26 vs the toyota 2jzgte is a 3.0 liter.

the easiest way to tell them apart is which side the turbo is on, the RB has the exhaust on the left where the 2j has it on the right.

i almost did a RB25 swap, as its a pretty good bit cheaper, but its also much harder to find parts for, as you can't just got to autozone or even the dealership and order a water pump or thermostat as it was never produced in america. but you can get pretty much everything for 2j

[zachattack15]

Damn man nice! Good luck.

[Aus]

Ive always like the rx8, but the peaky underpowered rotary engine was not so appealing!...I guess with this your going to have the best of both worlds!

btw, what is the difference in weight between the rotary and the 2jz (Im assuming the 2jz is a big fat heavy thing!..lol)?..will this not disrupt the handling a little?

[Supersprynt]

This looks so sweet.

[playr158]

Dang looks like you got a project going on here....long ways from the celica when you started

[chucho]

Dang looks like you got a project going on here....long ways from the celica when you started

yeah but remember he was doing that massive 3sgte build so IDK his original plans for that 3sgte was beastly. I remember all those parts chilling in my RV before he was heading down to Florida

[playr158]

yea i remembers that good times @ the RV

what ever happened to the celica?!

[celicaracer18]

yeah it is a long ways away from the celica,

actually ive scrapped the 3sgte. i'm selling off all the engine stuff, i still have plans for the chasis but nothing set yet
it will be a couple more years, unless i start make huge bank with toyota and can afford it sooner lol


as far as weight of motors, thats going to be one of the biggest challenges of trying to convince the RX8 forum.
it does weigh more, and although i have a carbon hood, the stock one was aluminum and didn't weigh **** either

it will through off the 50/50 weight distribution, but i honestly don't think it will affect the handeling that much. besides i'm betting the power will only help with the art of oversteer lol

the reason i'm getting away from the celica is because i've become obsessed with rear wheel drive and drifting. ive been doing alot of it lately in friends cars and race car i'm building but i want something for the steet

[RedSunCelica]

very nice swap you got going on there. let us know what it runs in the 1/4 mile when its done. are you fabricating your own drive train?

This post has been edited by RedSunCelica: Jun 6, 2008 - 5:30 PM

[celicaracer18]

well i'm not setting it up for drag, but i may see if i can get some good tires on it to see how it compares to a stock RX8, but no i'm build the car for a good daily street car and my weekend slider

i'm using a R154 tranny, and getting a custom driveshaft with the stock diff for now, i want to test it out anyway to see just how much power it can hold, if can get it to hold 450 to 500 i will prolly just throw in a kazz or cusco lsd, mabey even a mazdaspeed, and see how much that can hold, if it does break i will most definately go with one from another car, but i do not know what yet. i'ld like to go with a supra diff but they are really high, i might get a ford 8".
i won't be pushing more than 300-350 whp when i fist get it running because i want to show the car at nopi nationals and i need tmake sure its going to be running for the show, so i won't be able to afford it if it breaks. as soon as i'm back though, i will start upping the boost

[celicaracer18]

ok guys how old is that movie, this has nothing to do with FNF.

why don't you look up C&Y sports is what they do FNF.



I only posted this becasue i was asked to, i think this thread can do without all the FNF movie quotes

This post has been edited by celicaracer18: Jun 9, 2008 - 2:35 PM

[manphibian]

Just report any posts you don't like and i'll remove them

Too many good threads are getting filled with spam. Up your game people!

[spolski07]

this build is sick
this thread is one of the only threads i check on the regular!

keep up the crazy work! i cant wait for an update

[celicaracer18]

I updated the original post with pics of the motor being test fitted

This post has been edited by celicaracer18: Jun 11, 2008 - 8:36 AM

[ETNRIDER]

I updated the original post with pics of the motor being test fitted

WOW!!!

This should be taken off this site!!

It makes me want to sell my 6gc and rob a bank!!!!

Nice work!!

[DiP203]

looking good bro keep us updated with the project

[celicaracer18]

i posted this on the supra forums also, and have had alot of feedback, and jsut posted this info on there, so i am post it on here too


thanks for all the comments guys

and yeah it will def be at nopi
i want it done by July 18 for a drift (practice only) event in atlanta that i really want to attend but IF it is done, it probably won't be drift worthy yet

I have the RX8's harness finished other than the EPS, and gauges
and i have done some 2J harness's before it just need several positive sources and several grounds. i'll be mounting the ecu under the dash in, i just have to find the pinouts again

i just ordered the USDM MKIV oil pan, water pump and a bunch of gaskets and stuff today, they will take it out of my check for the next several weeks, but it will be here tomorrow

i also hopefully have a buyer for a 3sgte motor i have and that will pay for the tranny i'm buying from some one on the Supra forums, a wastegate (going with the HKS standard, so if you know someone with one let me know), clutch and flywheel

i still have to figure what i am going to do about the drive shaft, but can't do anything till the tranny is here.

i will make the mounts this week and next. looks like i'll be doing solid mounts, at least for now, and see how well i can tune the idle. i just don't think i have the time to fab, good urethane mounts and have time to test them. plus there is not much room between the cross member and oil pan or plug cover and hood, only about 3/4 of an inch total, mabey more but i won't know till the new oil pan arrives
i've got the charge pipes already, just may have to get some new boots if i want it to look good

i'll be dropping off my throttle body, intercooler, and some other small aluminum parts off at a local welders that i have been using for aluminum parts for years
that should be ready early next week and then it will take me a few days to polish all of it

I also have to fab the down pipe and exhaust, i'll prolly just get a vband and use 3" steel pipe, i don't know if i'll be able to get mandrel yet, but thats something simple enouth to change later, and it will have wrap so you won't be able to see it
i want to get a supra down pipe and see if it fits, it looks like there is room, and at worst it would have to be slightly modified but i prolly won't have the extra money by then.
i also have to figure out what i want to get for tuning. i have a AFC neo worst case
but i want the AEM fuel/ignition controller


but anyways thanks again for the support guys

[monkey]

yes july 18th would be awesome! give it "birth" on the 18th cuz then i could say i share a birthday with a badass car!
props on the build, looks like a lot of work and takes alot of dedication... just wondering what made u think of goin to a toyota motor in a mazda? any reason behind that choice or was it just a idea that became reality?

[celicaracer18]

well i work at toyota and i owned the car first. it was actually my wifes car she got it a few month after we started dating she got a really good deal on it and it was a nice car. and then the crapy rotary blew up so i was not about to put another one in, and i am a huge toyota fanatic so just went with it

i wanted to do a RWD 3sgte but it actually would have been more expensive because the RWD trannys cost so much and are so hard to find

[chucho]

dustin whats the status update man.... when am I gonna have to head up and see ya?

[celicaracer18]

well i got the motor mounts made, and my tranny should be here thursday
still working on the steering, thats the biggest problem right now
but it prolly won't be drivin till september, just becasue i need so many parts to get it driving.

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

but it prolly won't be drivin till september, just becasue i need so many parts to get it driving.

You'll be cutting it close if you are wanting to go to Nopi Nationals. I hope you make it, I really want to check the car out!!

[CelicaST_CALI]

this car will be past sick....

[bloodrain]

man this thing will be crazy.

[Theshanon]

any updates???

[RickJamesBish]

WOW, you must have mad cash. Pretty damn sweet.

[celicaracer18]

yeah, i have the motor in and nearly done with the wireing which has been a pain the a$&
fuel system has been much harder than anticipated


but i am hopefull going to be posting up some more celica parts i need to sell and will try and get some updated pics of the 8 tonight

[stephen_lee]

News?

[D-Man]

I've seen this car discussed on Houston-Imports.com... Cant find the thread right now though If i see it again, i'll post a link. But good job man, there are alot of complements on the picture there; and several comments demeaning the 2jz engine & saying that people will put it in anything. I like to think there is a reason that it's so popular lol.

[chucho]

Dustin whats the update? and when should i drive up to meridian and check it out?

[Galcobar]

Blast....why can I not load the pictures? They don't even show up as broken links for me, and I've given permission for everything on this page (using NoScript).

[hongkongnerdboy]

pictures are probably gone by now

[dustin15brown]

update please