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TKD-Wolf · 03-18-2007, 08:08 AM

I've asked questions about the FB and how compatible it would be with the hachi parts-wise, and gotten a different range of answers; from "I dunno" to, "Why?", to "yeah, but not really." I'm really considering buying blacktop when my parents get their tax return, unless, that is...

There has been an FB RX-7 sitting in my backyard since I can remember being alive. Literally. I'm 16 and my dad parked it when I was 1 because of a busted alternator belt and the insurance was too high... But now it's pretty much a total loss. Unless I get a parts car with a good body, electronics and interior then it's pretty much going to be wasted and go to the scrapyard... or to someone who can fix it. Unless, that is, I can use some of the parts on my SR5 hachi and sell the rest =)

I'd like to know if anyone knows things on the RX-7 that would be compatible with my hachi. Like, If I dropped the 13B in the 86, would the tranny and rearend from the FB fit well? How far off would the motor mounts for the 13B be form the mounts on the 86 and how hard is it really to fab mounts? Driveshaft? What kind of tranny does the FB have anyway? The 13B is mounted "front midship", how would that affect stuff like shifter placement If I had to use a different tranny?

I have alot of questions but mainly I'd like some people just to tell me of some things they've heard fit on the 86. Or things on the FB that sell for a good price... like.. how much money could I get for a carbed 13B with only 68k miles? heheh

Thanks in advance.

domi · 03-18-2007, 08:26 AM

I am strictly hypothesizing here, haven't had a rotary around me ever:

If you manage to fit the 13b in the AE86 it would be frond-mid anyway, with a motor that small you can manage to stuff it as low and back as possible and have better weight distribution. The mounts will have to be custom made, or at least i haven't heard of anybody selling rotary-specific mount kits for the AE86 shell. I'm guessing you can drop it with the tranny in there and nudge it so that the shifter fits properly, but you'll probably have to do some firewall modification. Custom tranny-to-drive shaft connection would be necessary as well... If you want to go for a custom rear-end job that might be possible, but the drive shaft will probably need to be corrected in lenght. From what i've seen the AE86 shell is very forgiving and swap friendly, so there is no reason for it to be impossible, but it's not going to be easy.

Good luck!

NickBW · 03-18-2007, 08:40 AM

For the trouble, I fail to see why not just stick with the FB/rx7. those were awsome cars. Never understood why everywhere I turn I hear people talk about dropping rotary engines in the 86 when there are perfectly good sa/fb rx7's Thumbs up!

Good luck with your search for answers though. Perhaps it would be a good idea to ask in the sa/fb forum at http://www.rx7club.com if you havent already.

jamiemirror · 03-18-2007, 11:13 AM

Like Nick says - FBs are good cars and it's better to recover your than using it for AE86 donor. Especialy if you have running rotary engine in it.
Better make 2 lists with parts/labour required - for AE86 and for RX7. Then freeze the more expensive project and do another one. It will not hurt to protect the engine, body and interior using sun visors, waxes, oil etc.
About the swap - IMHO engine+gears will fit in AE86 chassis and are good upgrade. Last FBs use rear end with LSD and vented brake discs - I heard that these can take over 200hp without problems so this swap can be most economical way to touch 200hp (rotary) AE86 - in your case.
Note: RX7 rear end is solid but uses Watts links instead of Panhard bar. You must work a little around that.

EE80Liftback · 03-18-2007, 12:25 PM

I'd say you might have some problems getting a rotary engine that has not been used for 15 years back in running order even without swapping it into another car...

Or am I just not a brave enough mechanic and is it all peanuts to you ?

TKD-Wolf · 03-18-2007, 08:58 PM

I've never even taken an engine apart :\

Cutting the firewall/custom stuff is pretty much out of my league. The FB really isn't salvageable - the windsheild was busted out a few years ago by a neighbor and everything on the inside has all kinds of water and sun damage. Not to mention the rust which has eaten some parts of the car away so much that it's scary. I can see the carb through rust holes in the hood the size of baseballs and the hatch has a hole near the base that I can fit most of my hand in... But the engine itself has little to no corrosion/rust problems, just surface stuff and on things like alternator and belt pullies. I kept a trashbag over it when the rust holes started to get bad on the hood. I really wish I could restore the FB, I've wanted to for a long time now - but keep in mind im in highschool and only make about $300 a month. Any work on the engine that could be done would have to be done with the help of my uncle who lives 60miles away. I could get the hachi there no problem, but the FB hasn't moved in 15 years and I don't know of anyone with a truck that could haul my RX-7 there.

I really do wish I could fix the FB though. I was just wondering if there were any parts form the FB that would bolt on the 86 without problems. I was just dreaming about the 13B anyway - I didn't think that would work, or the tranny/rearend. Can't hurt to ask though, can it? lol

Now you guys are going to make me dream about rotary drifts again... Big Grin

TE71corolla · 03-18-2007, 09:35 PM

post some pics of the rx7 Smile

TKD-Wolf · 03-18-2007, 09:41 PM

New Images Posted! ... lol

[Image: AEU86 AE86 - FB RX-7 Compatability with AE86]

TKD-Wolf · 03-18-2007, 10:57 PM

And one more thing about the RX-7; I can't even imagine how bad the bottom is rusted... These cars are supposed to have problems with the gas tanks rusting..

**banpei** · 03-19-2007, 11:47 AM

What about the bolt pattern of those rims? They look really oldskool! Thumbs up!

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