LSx V8 Powered Mazda RX8
(2003-Present)

We are proud to introduce one of the next projects from Hinson Motorsports. This RX8 was purchased recently for the sole purpose of developing the RX8 LSx V8 market.



This car was purchased with a turbo RENESIS 13B-MSP engine which made a staggering 256 hp and 180 ft-lb on our chassis dyno.













We are agressively working on this combination. Our schedule is to complete the initial build with a stock LSx engine and begin testing before the end of the year. Stayed tuned for more information.

 

That will be a cool car. They drive like street legal go karts--in a good way. They just need some smooth power.

 

I had an RX-8, I traded it in for my corvette. It went through 2 rotary engines within 70k miles. Terrible design, the Apex seal leaked both times.

What transmission is this build going to use? Also, how will this affect the 50/50 weight, that LSx iron block is heavy as ****. I would think its going to weigh the front end down a lot more than that tiny 1.3L rotary engine does. And handling changes significantly when you disturb the weight balancing. Just because it handles really well stock, doesn't mean it will still feel like a go-kart when its got a huge boulder on the front end. Just my opinion, my corvette feels FAR heavier than my RX-8 did. Given, it feels like it has a ton more power, but it definitely doesn't handle like my RX-8 did.

One of the reasons people like the RX-8 is because it stands for "Rotary Experiment", and the big fans buy it for the sole reason that it has a rotary engine in it. Not saying people won't want to swap the LSx into it, there are always guys who want to do that. A guy in Puerto Rico already did it a year ago, with twin turbos, so this isn't groundbreaking by any stretch. And I guess if your warranty has run out and your engine dies, this is a viable (though costly) solution. Honestly, for the amount of money you'll likely pay to get this engine installed, you could buy a C6 or C5Z06.

The other thing is, some of the components on the RX-8 are poorly made. The rear tail lights fill with water - yes.. as in, FILL WITH WATER. The seal is so poorly designed, they recalled it but it still didn't fix it. The front lights turn yellow very fast, it goes from clear to yellow within 2 years. The quality of the parts is just very low.

But I'm not knocking your project, I'm sure it will be a blast for you guys to do and I'm sure there are people out there who are in the market to do this conversion.

 

Yea but look at all the RX 7 guys who do a V8 swap. Once the kit is developed it opens up the flood gates for everyone wanting to drop in an LS motor. I , like you would have the same mentality , why not pick up a C5 and save your self the trouble. Having said that there are lot of people who DON'T want a Corvette. However you can get an RX8 on the cheap , especially with drive train issues and an LS build can be pretty reasonable depending on where you go with it. So a 400-500 hp LS based RX8 would be a great DIY project , especially if Hinson is offering a boxed kit to make it all work.

Nice work guys!

 

Very nice. In a couple years the LSx rx8s will be as common as the LSx rx7s are.

 

Why are you assuming they would use an iron block? I would think this would be very unlikely for most customers. FYI LSx can refer to any LS based motor.

 

Thanks for correcting me on that, I was under the impression LSX meant iron block.

 

I test drove one and that was my impression as well, it felt like my old shifter kart. Very impressive road feel, steering, responsiveness, a blast to drive. Too little power. I would think that a strong aluminum 3.5L V6 would be a better fit though. Smaller, less weight. Some of those are getting over 300hp in normally aspirated fashion with tons of torque compared to the rotary.

 

sweeeet

in for results.

 

personally cannot stand that car. Waste of time and effort if you ask me. Now and LsX 350z I would love to see!!

 

Seems I have read that there is not enough room between the shock towers for the LSx.

 

V8 conversions are great projects. This is my '83 944 Porsche. I've owned the car since new, and really got tired of being shut down by the scoccer mom's SUV. In 2003, when the car turned 25, I converted it to LT4 power. It also has a 951 Turbo transaxle and Wilwood brakes. The little car now makes 380 rwhp and weighs 2730 pounds. With the gearing, it will run heads up against a C6Z up to about 140ish. I really love to pick on the back-motored Porsche guys with their trophy girl friends in the right seat.

 

What does this have to do with Corvettes?

If I liked Mazda's I would be on the Mazda forum.

I have already been down the Porsche road....

 

Engines?

 

LS engines go into many vehicles including pickup trucks.

All I am trying to say, Hinson builds an RX8 with a LSx engine, great, I am sure that they are great craftsman, but what does that have to do with Corvettes?

572 big block in a C6 would have something to do with Corvettes.

Does anyone really care about the small block Vega that I built on a Corvette forum?

 

No.

 

Thank you!

 

Handling and feel are subjective but that would be the general impression of a C6 Corvette vs. an RX8, both of which I've driven.

However, in strictly apples to apples, a base, man trans version of each weighs 200 lbs. difference with the RX being just about 200 lbs. less than the C6. It could very well be that ALL that 200 lb. difference is up front and maybe causing the "heavier feel." And thus the reason to put the trans in the back for the Corvette to at least offset some of that weight up front.