Project V8 RX-7: Part 7 - Bringing the E-ROD LS3 to Life! (Almost)
by Jeff Naeyaert
Now that we've checked "mount the engine and transmission" off our E-ROD LS3 swap checklist we can turn our attention to all the little things needed to get our RX-7 on the road. What's left? We need a fuel pump, cooling system, shifter, driveshaft, exhaust and we still have all the wiring left to do. In this episode, we figure we can tackle the fuel and cooling systems as well as the wiring before we put you to sleep. Let's get to work!
Project V8 RX-7: Part VI - Installing the E-Rod LS3
In our last installment of Project V8 RX-7 we took a look at the T-56 Magnum transmission from Tremec we’ll be using for our swap, now it’s time to bolt it up to our E-ROD LS3 and get this engine in already!
By Mike Kojima
When we were contemplating the buildup of our E-ROD powered RX-7, we planned to bolt up the same T56 six speed transmission that we had in the car when it was LS1 powered. This plan went to crap shortly before we decommissioned the 7 for the E-ROD swap when while driving under normal conditions--nothing abusive or even brisk for that matter--the transmission got itself jammed in 3rd gear and no amount of muscling could free it.
Project V8 RX-7: Part 4 - Dressing the E-Rod
By Jeff Naeyaert
So we’ve got our E-Rod kit, unpacked everything and laid it all out, but curiously missing are all the spinny things that go on the front of the engine—more specifically, the alternator, power steering pump, a/c compressor and the other pulleys and tensioners necessary to keep everything playing together nicely.
In the last edition of Project V8 RX-7 we looked into the bottom end of our EROD LS3 engine to find that the modern Chevy V8 is a far cry from the old small block Chevy of years past. Lately on some forums that cater to import performance, there has been a huge backlash against the LS swap, particularly into Nissan S chassis and RX-7’s. All sorts of bleating noise from uninformed sheep decry putting “NASCAR” engines and the like into the S chassis. Purists claim that putting in a domestic engine somehow is making their favorite cars all the same and causes them to lose their soul and other things not defined by logic. Such is the garbage cluttering the net these days. Like many FFF facts on the interwebz, their are many fundamental inaccuracies to these statements.
Normally we don't do Project "previews" here on MotoIQ, but normally Mike hasn't ground down 1 of his only 2 typing fingers in a power sanding accident rendering him unable to write and normally the FedEX guy doesn't bring us as exciting stuff as he did last week! So here it is, an introduction to Project V8 RX-7!
Being able to have full control of engine management is a huge advantage when putting together one of the new generation hybrids. We found a great remarkably simple solution for tuning with AEM's plug and play EMS for the LS1. The LS is fast becoming the new hybrid swap replacing K motors in Nissan S chassis and finding homes in the engine bays of 1st and 2nd generation RX-7's.
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