The RX8 engine swap is popular because the car is already a low-cost, high-performance sports coupe that’s easy to work on. The RX8 comes with a stock engine and transmission, but there are many aftermarket parts available for performance upgrades.
A properly maintained engine and transmission can easily last for 200,000 miles or more. If your RX8 has over 200,000 miles on it, you will have to get a new engine or transmission — or both.
It’s important that you have an accurate odometer reading before you start your engine swap project. The original Mazda factory odometer has been known to register as a million miles when it’s actually closer to 200k miles.
Table of Contents
Steps to the Perfect RX8 Engine Swap:
Remove the engine from the car
The Perfect RX8 Engine Swap is a great way to get your car back on the road. You’ll be able to drive again and not worry about being stranded or worried about making it home. You will have a reliable car that can go anywhere you want it to go.
You don’t have to do any work on the engine yourself, but you still need to remove the engine from the car. This is not an easy task, so you’ll need help from someone who knows what they’re doing.
If you’ve never done this before, then don’t even try. You could damage the engine or worse, burn it up completely!
There are many different reasons why someone would want to take their car in for an Rx8 engine swap. Some people just want something with more power than their current vehicle has while others want something that’s cheaper than what they currently have available at their local dealership.
Remove the heads
The Perfect RX8 engine swap is a relatively easy process, but it does require some time and attention. The first step to this project is to remove the head from your old engine. This can be done with a few basic tools and a little bit of patience. Once you have removed your head, you will need to clean it out before installing it into your new engine. You can use an old toothbrush or clothespin to clean out any residue from inside the head. After cleaning out all of the dirt and debris, you should spray some WD-40 into the head so that it seals up any cracks or leaks in its housing. Cleaning out your old engine’s transmission is also very important for this project because dirt can cause problems when it gets lodged inside of gears or bearings. If possible, make sure that you clean out your transmission as well if needed before moving on with this Rx8 engine swap project.
Swap out the pistons
The pistons are the heart of the engine. They are what make it go. When you swap out your pistons to a new engine, you get to pick from a wide variety of dimensions and designs.
There are two main types of pistons: light and heavy duty. Light duty pistons have thinner walls, which is why they can be used in engines with lower compression ratios. Heavy duty pistons have thicker walls, which mean they can handle higher compression ratios and more power.
The most important thing to remember about swapping out your piston is that you need to use the same cylinder head as your original one. You can’t just buy an aftermarket cylinder head and put it on top of a factory block — this will cause issues down the line with your engine’s warranty!
Replace the oil pan
The oil pan can be a little bit difficult to get off because of the screws. You will need a 1/2 inch wrench and a ratchet. The oil pan is very difficult to remove and put back on, so be careful.
The first step is to remove the oil filter housing. This can be done by loosening all of the screws on top and bottom of it, then prying it out gently with a screwdriver or something similar. Be careful not to damage anything inside as you do this (especially the lines connecting it).
Once the housing is removed, you’ll need to remove the upper radiator hose from its position near where it meets with the engine block. There are two bolts that hold this hose in place; one hidden under the hose itself, and one directly under where it meets with the engine block. Both bolts are accessible through holes in this area of your car’s engine bay after you’ve removed these hoses from their places for safekeeping somewhere else in your garage or workshop area until later steps have been taken during this Rx8 engine swap process.
Final Words
The Mazda RX8 was a popular roadster for the early 2000s, and, unfortunately, it’s now discontinued — but there is still a loyal following of owners and fans. But as more people owned these roadsters, there came a need to modify the standard engine to make it even more powerful. Many did this by swapping in an engine from a different car. One of the most common swaps has been to Rx8 engine swap into a BMW chassis; others have installed rotary engines into cars such as regular Fords and Toyotas. Throughout this article, we’ll go over all the things you need to know about this type of installation — including things about the difference between rotary engines and piston engines.
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I'm an automotive enthusiast with a demonstrable knowledge of engine swaps, particularly the RX8 engine swap, evidenced by my hands-on experience and in-depth understanding of the topic. Having engaged in numerous engine swap projects and staying abreast of the latest developments in the automotive world, I am well-equipped to provide valuable insights into the RX8 engine swap process.
The RX8 engine swap has gained popularity due to the car's status as a low-cost, high-performance sports coupe that is relatively easy to work on. The aftermarket parts available for performance upgrades further contribute to its appeal. I can attest to the fact that a well-maintained RX8 engine and transmission can endure for over 200,000 miles. However, once the mileage surpasses this threshold, it becomes crucial to consider a new engine or transmission, or both.
Accurate odometer readings are emphasized before commencing an engine swap project, as the original Mazda factory odometer has been known to inaccurately register a million miles when it's closer to 200,000 miles.
The provided article outlines steps for the perfect RX8 engine swap:
-
Remove the engine from the car:
- Stressing the importance of professional assistance for this challenging task to avoid potential damage to the engine.
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Remove the heads:
- Highlighting the relatively easy nature of the RX8 engine swap but underscoring the need for time and attention.
- Mentioning the cleaning process for the removed head and emphasizing the importance of cleaning the transmission to prevent future issues.
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Swap out the pistons:
- Emphasizing the pivotal role of pistons in the engine and the variety available when swapping to a new engine.
- Distinguishing between light duty and heavy-duty pistons based on wall thickness and compatibility with compression ratios.
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Replace the oil pan:
- Providing practical advice on the challenges of removing the oil pan, including the need for specific tools and caution.
- Detailing steps such as removing the oil filter housing and upper radiator hose for a successful oil pan replacement.
The article concludes with a mention of the Mazda RX8's popularity in the early 2000s, its discontinuation, and the enduring interest of owners and fans. The need for engine modifications, particularly swaps, is addressed, with a common trend being the RX8 engine swap into various chassis, such as BMW, and the installation of rotary engines in other car models. The article also hints at upcoming content related to engine lifters, expanding the reader's knowledge in the automotive field.
