Page 1. Introduction
Page 2. Engine Removal
Page 3. The Swap kit
Page 4. Engine/Tranny Purchase
Page 5. Engine Install
Page 6. The Paintjob
Page 7. Cooling & Exhaust
Page 8. Wiring, Clutch Hydraulics, Misc.
Page 9. Start-up, first drive
Page 10. Photoshoot
Page 11. Performance Results & Videos
Page 12. Conclusion

There are two main manufacturers of V8 swap kits for 3rd generation RX7's. They is Hinson Supercars in Alabama and Granny's Speed shop in Washington. Although the Hinson kit is more affordable, I opted to go with the Granny's kit as he was local to me (saved on shipping) and because I prefer his transmission mount. When I met up with Grant, the owner of Granny's Speed Shop, he recognized me from my LT1 FC website and told me how much he enjoyed reading the story!

Mazda designed the RX7 with a subframe to integrate the mounting of the engine, suspension and steering rack. Rather than re-using this subframe, a completely new subframe is used with mounts for the LS1, lowered steering rack, and stock mounting points for the suspension. Here you can see the subframe mounted in my car.

In addition to the new subframe, the kit I ordered included a Torque Arm, Driveshaft, Tranny brace and engine mounts. The kit cost about $1350 for everything. The torque arm serves as a structural member connecting the transmission to the differential; this is used in replacement of what Mazda called the RX7's "Power Plant Subframe" or PPF. The driveshaft is custom length with a GM input flange and a Mazda differential flange... in a sense, this is where LS1 power gets turned into Mazda movement.

In order to keep a stock hood, the kit is designed to drop the steering rack a few fractions of an inch to maintain clearance with the bottom of the oil pan.  In order to maintain the stock steering geometry, a "bump steer correction" kit is used, it is essentially a tie rod end with a spacer equal to that of the distance the rack is lowered.

Next Page: Engine/Tranny Purchase