The eBay Find we put up earlier was a pretty cool car, not only because we dig widebody Starion’s and Conquests, but also because it had late model Hemi power under the hood with some boost added in for good measure. And this car got us thinking about LS Swaps, and all the different ones we’ve seen crammed into import cars. There are a ton of options, including Starion/Conquests, RX7s, Nissan Z cars, 240sx, BMWs, Miatas, and much much more. But if you were going to slide a high powered LS engine into an import, what import would it be? Early or late model? Big or small? It’s a very hard decision to make now isn’t it?
Well, for today’s Would You Rather, we’re going to make it easy by only giving you two choices. Either the venerable 1994 Mazda RX7, or one of my favorites, the 1989 Mitsubishi Starion.
Both feature rear wheel drive, good power from the factory, independent rear suspension, good handling, impressive looks, and a pedigree for speed. They handle well, are nice to drive, and don’t lose their handling prowess once a V8 is plunked under the hood.
So, what’s it going to be? Mitsubishi Starion or Mazda RX7? Take a look at the photos and then cast your vote via the comment section below.
Not the FD3S-chassis RX-7. They only sold those a few years and they are pretty few and far between now. I feel like jamming any piston motor into RX-7s ruins them, because the rotary is what makes an RX-7 an RX-7. With an LS motor, it’s just a Camaro with an RX-7 shaped body kit.
Now the Star/Quest, they had the truly awful 4G54B, so they only stand to gain from having any other motor swapped in..
I have owned several Rx-7s. Turbo Rotary, Bridge Port Rotary power etc. Nothing nothing comes close to the LS6 3rd Gen we built a few years ago. It makes the 3rd gen a near perfect car. The chassis is way beyond a Corvette. it comes alive with a v8. An all aluminum LS engine only weighs 70 more pounds than the full emissions equipped twin turbo engine and with the proper k-member it sits the engine back in the chassis far enough not to mess up the balance. Rotary engines are neat and I love them but they are super expensive and unreliable once you boost them. They are fun ass engines under boost but its a ticking time bomb. I got pretty good at rebuilds…
Pros:
An LS in an MX-7 basically turns an already quick and nimble car into a rocket ship.
An LS in a Starion would do much of the same, but the Starion could come with the Dodge badges, and then you could piss off a Mopar fan who’s long on fanaticism and short on knowledge.
As the owner of a V8 swapped Datsun 260z, the ideal LS swap is an FD RX7. Haters gonna hate.
none I am tired of seeing shitty ls motors stuffed into everything cause there cheap and even the stupid can work there plug and play crap
I see..You must not have an LS motor..
I agree… the LS is so played out, who cares at this point if it’s a good motor, it’s like saying you dropped an SBC into whatever and hoping for attention.
SIKKY.com makes mount kits for all the cool imports. 350z, g35, Nissan 240sx, BMW e30, FD-RX7.
Kinda hung between a Wartburg or a Trabant.
as the owner of a MGB V8 I approve of all V8 transplants (basically), small car plus V8 equals FUN
I agree that the rotary makes an RX-7 what it is and, if memory serves me correctly, the FD RX-7s were pretty hairy with the twin turbo rotary. I’d leave the Mazda alone and put the LS into the Mitusubishi. But what I’d really want to do is stuff that LS into a Mark II (A60; 1981–1986) Toyota Supra (or a similar generation Celica — sleeper time!)
I always wanted to do a V8 in a Plymouth Sapparo/Dodge Challenger!
There so ugly yet so cool!
A Datsun B210. Of course, It would need to have some body mods- altered wheel openings, suspension mods, bumper trimming, etc. but I see the potential
My first car was a 88 conquest tsi, and if there’s one thing I wish it had was more power even though mine was mildly hopped up it was not where I wanted it. Nice interior with an awesome 80s dash, steering wheel had radio controls and the chassis does eat up turns. Ls or new Gen hemi, you can’t go wrong shoving either one in the conquest/ starion.
My FJ60 LAnd Cruiser, with a granny gear 5 speed
A Maverick
Because it hasn’t been said yet, Volvo 240.