Here's the story. After many different cams, heads and other combos, a few months ago i got my new 427 short block with the heads, new cam, and valve train. I posted it a few months back. Anyway, i am still buttoning up the new motor and working some kinks out. I will most likely be purchasing another Trans Am as a daily driver as this will be my track baby. She is very much daily drivable, but with all the money dumped into her, i fear theft or accident will ruin her. So this is where things get interesting.

I have a complete LS1/tranny/ECU/wiring ready to go. My little brother approached me with an idea. He'd front the money for an RX-7 sans motor/high miles and i put up the LS1. Everything else we split. Now all that it would need is a
k-member/mounts, wiring harness, different sized drive shaft/modified interior for tranny/tranny mounting/exhaust/upgraded differential and some other things. Without the cost of the car, we'd probably split a total of 5 grand and lots of man hours of our time. The beauty is that all of the parts we need to make it work are already made. There are companies that sell LS1/RX7 headers as well. With the stock motor, it will run 11's easily. And the LS1 only weighs about 30lbs more than the rotary as it is all aluminum. Thats not all. My motor has PRC stage II heads with an upgraded comp valve train and a t-rex cam. That combo in the RX-7 will make it a low 10 second, possible 9 second car easily. What do you guys think of this? Do you think it would be a waste of money, or should i save the LS1 and transplant it into a 1st/2nd gen camaro/firebird. I was also toying with the idea of an LS1 powered 80's Monte/Oldsmobile Cutlass, or a 96 Ls1 powered Impala SS. Please help!!!!!!

 

add an extra grand from some cross member mods for the oil pan and such with some minor fabrication work. Like i said, a lot of mounting hardware is already available.

 

LS1 swap into RX-7s are cool. Lightweight body, incredible motor.

LS1 into an F-body... What's the point, really?

 

LS1 RX7 FTW. Plus you'll almost never get a Camaro to handle like an RX-7.

 

if it was me....

i would pull a El Camino / 73 split bumper camaro and swap the motor in...

muscle car motors belong in muscle cars... plus its going to be more street friendly in a muscle car then a motor swap RX7 in terms of BAR legal motor swaps.

plus your already going to have the trans am haulin MAJOR ass

have fun with your choice and keep us updated

 

I agree with you. I've always had a love for the Cutlass Supreme 88'. My late father owned one. I would like to rock one with my LS1 and it'll be a sleeper. Yes it will be noisy, but damn will people be shocked when a cutlass just owned them.
But, my lil bro can get his hands on the RX-7 rather quick. And with the light weight and awesome handling, it would be lots of fun.

 

If you've ever ridden in my Fbody, you will have a scared smile slapped across your face. And there is nothing boring about putting a head/cam LS1 into a 69 camaro, or smokey and the bandit bird.

 

My brother just emailed me, said we should build an 80's Trans Am, make it a KITT Replica with a modded LS1. I'll strap my 150 shot zex kit on it for some real turbo boost. I mean c'mon it's freakin KITT from knight rider.

 

i could only imagine the potential resale of that idea...

old school brought back to life with a badass LS1. sounds like a good plan to me

 

theres a super rare trans am near me for sale with the limited 3.8 litre V6 Turbo Grand National motor in it going for 9 i wish i had money for a project car

 

I always thought hybrids were cool. There is currently an LS1 powered Rx7 running around Edmonton. I've seen the car up close and it looks very interesting. There is also a very neat 350 chev powered MGB in the city as well. It's VERY well done. Narrowed, tubbed, and back halved, but still looks somewhat like an MGB.

Terry

 

As Grand Nationals continue to escalate rapidly in value, the TTAs are sure to eventually follow. Neat cars.

Terry

 

Oh - THAT kind of hybrid...

 

RX7 LS1

A very sweet combo. I think the 93-95 Rx7 's are one the nicest looking cars ever designed.