Good engine conversion for FB? Not rotary

Updated: 09 Dec 2024

Recently I found a 1980 RX-7 FB/SA in really good condition, and by good condition I mean it has little to no rust. Just a bad interior and paint. Body is in good condition, engine still there with no leaks. Didn’t get to start her up as the owner removed the wheel lock cylinder, but it looked like it could run without much hassle, and the owner is selling it for 700. Now this seems like a really good deal and all but there’s one problem; I don’t want the 12A that’s in it nor do I want to swap a 13B into it. I was hoping to find a suitable 4 cylinder swap for the car, maybe a Miata engine, but people say those are too heavy, or an SR20, but all the research I’ve done has led to hearing that its stupid and that I’m stupid for swapping out the rotary.

If I can’t find a good swap then I’ll just restore the car and sell it, but I want to be able to keep it for myself. Thing is, I want good mpg, don’t really care much for power, just enough to still have fun with. I’m really hoping that I can find a swap or a solution to this because I really want the car for myself. Otherwise I’ll just restore it, sell it and buy an FC to do an engine swap with or look for a BMW E30.

So I’ll ask the question again; is there a good engine conversion for this car that would get me good mpg?

Thanks

P.S. : Please don’t hate me for wanting to put a piston engine into this

Comments

If I was going to engine swap an RX7, I’d put a boxer engine in. Since you’re in the U.S, I’m expecting some sort of V8 made by Chevy since the 90’s in yours.

Honda VTEC? Maybe even a K20. Fairly cheap, very light, very powerful

LsX 😎

No v8s thanks haha

Put a 1j

1jz

Older streetbike swap! You can find 140hp 12000rpm streetbike engines with fairly low miles for well under a grand of you look hard enough!

Miata engine. Get a 1.8L they make decent power

After much research and consideration I’ve decided that it would be a waste to do an engine swap on this car. I’ve heard that they don’t last, RX-7’s weren’t designed for engines other than rotaries, that it would ruin the weight distribution, and it would take away the car’s soul. I believe it would be much better to preserve the car, restore and sell it to then buy another car to mess around with.