Someone has built and is selling a very unique 2004 Mazda RX-8. Between the front wheels sits a fourth generation (1991) 4.9 L Ford inline-six that produces about 145 horsepower. Behind the engine sits a Ford M5R2 toploader five-speed transmission. The owner is currently asking $2,500 OBO and the only thing left to get this car on the road is a set of coilovers and an alignment.
Source: Craigslist via Bangshift
Is the carb or fuel injected? It kind looks like it has fuel injection, but I’m not sure. Add some turbos and would be badass swap.
It should be fuel injected since it is a 1991 model. They switched over to it in 1987. I agree that someone should get it and turbocharge it. It would make for a very unique Mazda.
Those 4.9 Fords had piling problems to the rear of the head and cooling issues to the rear most cylinders. Not typically something you’d want for performance. I can’t for the life of me figure why he went with such a pokey engine.
Why would anyone want to replace Mazda´s unique rotary engine with an old, fat, conventional I6 is beyond me.
I currently own this car! I kid you all not. It’s a FI 91 motor. This car has not changed from these photos when I picked it up. I have since added gauges, fixed cooling issues, and have cleaned up most of the electrical. It’s going to be out in the Minnesota car scene this year!
Hi Brett. Thanks for the update. Glad to hear you are enjoying the project.