Thinking of 2.3T in an RX7

[bonestock87]

Before the rice slinging begins, let me just say that I have owned 7 different mustangs in my lifetime. Currently it is an '03 GT. 3 of the 7 have been fox 2.3's.
I have an interesting project on hand. I picked up an '86 RX7, that had exhausted its apex seals, from a guy at work for a couple hundred bucks. I have read, read and read on rebuilding the rotary motor and for the shear reliability factor, I don't want to do it. So I'm very seriously considering a 2.3T swap. I've rebuilt a few 5 litre's, a 351W and a Generic Motors 2.8 V-6, so this wouldn't be rocket science for me. I wanted to ask the experts (that's you guys) what block, head, turbo to use. I'd love to have less than a grand, maybe two in this whole project. What do you all think? Be gentle.

 

[RustBucket]

Complete 86-88 Turbo Coupe motor, EEC, etc. You can't go wrong. The 87-88 TC's have a Warner-Ishi (IHI) turbo. It's small, but spools almost instantly. It'd work great to get started and get the bugs worked out. If you want to stay on the cheap side, later you could move to the Garrett T3 that the SVO's and pre-'87 TC's had. For some real fun, there's always a Holset HY-35 from a Dodge Cummins Diesel.

Stay away from the non-turbo heads. The chambers are too tight for forced induction use. The downside to that is they're much more plentiful than their turbo counterparts who are prone to cracking.

As far as reciprocating assembly, the only difference is the pistons. Turbo motors had forged pistons with a slight dish, the non-turbo stuff came with cast flat tops. Cranks and rods are the same.

Blocks are blocks for the most part. No mexican miracle blocks here. The two major differences involve turbo oil return plumbing, and main journal size. The '91 and later Mustang blocks used a smaller main journal and are machined for a crank position sensor. No big deal really, you'll just need to figure out the oil return path for the turbo. All else is basically the same with minor differences that don't amount to anything that could be a deal breaker.

 

[bonestock87]

Great info RustBucket! What do you figure I should expect to pay at the JY for a turbocoupe motor? Obviously I'm in no big hurry on this project, just think it would be a lot of fun. I wouldn't mind starting with bare block and building up. So definately hold out for a turbo head if I end up not getting a complete turbo motor?

 

[Shawneebear93]

Call up some junkyards and get ballpark prices. The one I go to charges ~$90 for a 4 cylinder motor, though I'd assume they'll charge extra for the turbo, wiring harness, etc.

 

[RustBucket]

Just from reading here, I've found that junkyard pricing is very geography-specific. What you pay in TN may not be anywhere near what we're paying in FL.

Call around to all the junkyards in your area. It won't be hard to tell who's greedy and who's real.

 

[BELL]

i think there was a guy over on turboford.org that did exactly this. i cant find the post though...

 

[Jquintel]

Just from reading here, I've found that junkyard pricing is very geography-specific. What you pay in TN may not be anywhere near what we're paying in FL.

Call around to all the junkyards in your area. It won't be hard to tell who's greedy and who's real.

varying in how many t-birds are in your area, if your in tx, cal. ect its not bad, but here in indiana, cant find crap... lol

oh btw someone has done this, i think stinger has a link to the vid on his page...

 

[Stinger]

Yes, it was Randy (evil140 on here) that did it. He went high 10's with it before he bounced it off the wall and pulled the drivetrain out of it.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Check out BoostBros.com for some inspiration.

I don't agree with the decision to chop up an SVO and make it a turbo smallblock drag car, but he does have a 2.3T early RX-7...

 

[Stinger]

Used to have one anyway...it's been sold twice since they owned it.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Well that site needs some updates then.