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which car handles better?

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Old 04-28-2007, 09:55 AM
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which car handles better?
v8 miata or ls1 rx7? did the rx7 come topless? how much does the v8 miata weigh?
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Old 04-28-2007, 10:00 AM
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I'd vote for the RX7, but I'm guessing. My guess is based on my impression that the engine is located further back in the RX7, and that adding a bigger, heavier engine would therefore have a less-adverse effect on weight distribution.

It would, of course, vary greatly from car to car, as I'm sure that no two LS1-powered RX7s are exactly the same, nor are any two V8-powered Miatas exactly the same. We're talking about significant modifications, after all! Not to mention the fact that you didn't even specify what V8 would be in the Miata.

I'm not aware of a convertible RX7, but I could be wrong.
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Old 04-30-2007, 03:15 PM
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The mustang v-8 fits right in (suuure) but my bet is the rx7. Just a higher line car. Like comparing a camaro and a vette.
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Old 05-16-2007, 09:53 AM
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They did make convertible RX-7's in the late 80's. After that though, I'm not so sure.
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Old 05-17-2007, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by z28 justin
They did make convertible RX-7's in the late 80's. After that though, I'm not so sure.
The second gen's(1986-1992) were the only ones that you could get as a convertible. After that(1993-2002) every one was a coupe.
Last edited by TGK; 05-17-2007 at 12:19 PM. Reason: Corrected grammar
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Old 05-17-2007, 04:12 PM
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I'd vote for the RX7, but in either case you'd need to be very sensitive to weight... in fact I wouldn't be surprised to find that the stock versions of those cars was faster around a road course than the front heavy V8 versions.

Maybe a small super light V8... like the Hyabusa V8 from the Radical SR8
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Old 05-19-2007, 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave K
... in fact I wouldn't be surprised to find that the stock versions of those cars was faster around a road course than the front heavy V8 versions.
There is almost no difference in weight between a twin turbo rotary 3rd gen RX7 and an LS1 3rd gen RX7.
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Old 05-21-2007, 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Chewbacca
There is almost no difference in weight between a twin turbo rotary 3rd gen RX7 and an LS1 3rd gen RX7.
x2 plus the pushrod LS1 has a lower center of gravity...(cam in block design).
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Old 05-22-2007, 03:30 AM
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Sport Compact did that competition between several rotary tt FDs and ls1 powered FDs. the ls1s beat then in every challenge except braking iirc. that included slalom and road course.
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Old 05-22-2007, 06:24 AM
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Originally Posted by camarolvr69
x2 plus the pushrod LS1 has a lower center of gravity...(cam in block design).
Pushrod engines have lower CoG's than OHC engines of similar displacement and layout... but I'm pretty sure that the 2.6L twin-rotor twin-turbo rotary in an RX7 is smaller and has an even lower CoG.
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Old 05-22-2007, 04:19 PM
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I'd go with an LS1 RX7 too
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Old 05-31-2007, 02:44 PM
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I'd take the Miata.
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Old 06-01-2007, 07:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Chewbacca
There is almost no difference in weight between a twin turbo rotary 3rd gen RX7 and an LS1 3rd gen RX7.
sweet... I didn't realize the rotary weighed as much as a v8. Has anyone ever done this to an rx7?... that car would be a beast.
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Old 06-01-2007, 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Dave K
sweet... I didn't realize the rotary weighed as much as a v8. Has anyone ever done this to an rx7?... that car would be a beast.
Many people have put LS1s in RX-7's. Do a Google search, I'm sure you'll find some.
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Old 06-06-2007, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave K
sweet... I didn't realize the rotary weighed as much as a v8. Has anyone ever done this to an rx7?... that car would be a beast.
From what I understand, all the extra stuff needed for the twin turbo set up is what weighs it down.
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