13b rew in an FC
 

I have been looking for information regarding this swap and so far this is what I believe I've found. The swap can be done is long as you get new motor mounts and are willing to go buy a power FC and abandon sequential turbos on the FC.

Now this is my situation. I bought a 13b rew several years ago and may or may not put it in a super beetle (random I know). I have recently found an 89 rx7 with a blown engine, good transmission, and that is overall good shape.

My question is as follows. Is it possible to wire a stock 13b rew to the FC so that I can run the engine with it's sequential turbos? I don't really want to abandon the twin turbo or buy an expensive engine management system.

If this is possible, does anyone know how to start? Can I still have A/C (from either the rew AC compressor of the FC attached to the REW)? Has the swap been done with a stock ECU? or am I going to have to spend a small fortune to get a stand alone and a single turbo set up?

Please try to be nice as I find these posts often get a lot of hostility.

If you insist on the stock sequentials to work like...stock, nothing is going to beat the stock (FD3S) ECU.
I believe the system is a 3-stage system, and even aftermarket EMS' is going to have a hard time controlling it.
One of the stages is a progressive controller which is not an on-off, digital control - very few aftermarket EMS' can offer controls like that.


-Ted

Yeah, the way I see it, the 13b REW is already a hell of an engine and I didn't want to start off with a crazy fire breather. Not to mention I would already have the necessary components to make the swap work without investing in lots of after market components.

Now I am just clueless as to how to wire this thing up to the FC. I believe I would be able to use a starter from the FC, but am not too sure. I am told I can bolt the REW to the stock transmission from the FC so long as fabricate or buy some custom mounts to get the engine into the engine bay.

Either way I appreciate the reply and it does make me feel a little better with having wanted to leave the stock ECU. The only question that remains is can it be done and is there a guide out there that can help me with this.

By the Way Ted, is this your post?

http://fc3spro.com/TECH/SWAP/FD3S/rew.html

Yes, it's my website.


-Ted

awesome website, I appreciate your input and that link you posted on the 13b rew is probably the best source I have found so far!

When you think about mounting the REW in the FC chassis, don't even consider the adapter mounts. Change the oil pan and tap the center housing. Or, the way I would do it, use the REW mounts and fabricate off the FC subframe to accomodate the mounts. If you take some measurements off a properly mounted 13B or 13BT, you can then take the FC trans, bolt it to the REW, bolt the trans mount to the frame and shim the engine where it needs to be. With the engine in place, exactely where it needs to be, start cutting and welding.

The NA transmission in the '89 will not easily work with the REW. You *could* use a NA clutch and flywheel, but I would not recommend it. I have had very poor luck with NA FC transmissions - and I don't even have a turbo.

The FD ECU and harness are easily acquired (I think I have at least one of each lying around somewhere). The issue is connecting the appropriate ignition inputs, VSS, power, ground, gauges, etc. I looked into doing this a while back, but I never got up the ambition (that and the NA bug got me).

I would have to agree... I can only imagine and NA tranny's strengh when you add around 100 horses to it. A nice clutch and flywheel would be great (I have the FD flywheel and I believe I could bolt that in, although I do need a twin turbo counterweight? not sure).

I actually have the FD ECU and it's uncut wiring harness so I would be ready for the swap in regards to parts (except gauges which I think I may have to use an FD set, not too sure). The only things I would need would be to figure out wiring. the rest I'm cool with, but I just don't want to get stuck there and have a cool looking near complete project that does not run.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the input and this is all very helpful. Anyone who is looking at how to do this from this post should check out Ted's link earlier too.

this site is in indiana,but they sell the mounts you're looking for.
http://www.banzai-racing.com/

I have spoken

It can be done,not easy but it can be done.

good luck with the swap. i've thinking about that swap also.

most people say it's not worth the effort and i agree with that mentality, unless you have lots of time on your hands, have a decent amount of machining ability, a decent machine/fabrication shop that won't charge an arm and a leg and decent electrical/electronic experience for rewiring the ECU to work in an FC.

Yeah, I disagree. My Twin HT-12 powered RE puts out more power than some single swaps, is way more streetable, and is just an absolute terror on the auto-x.... instant boost is something to be desired and the twins give it to you.

PFC and the Bazai adapter will get you most of the way there, after that it's a lot of fabrication, but none of it's very hard. I can't think of one thing that I NEEDED machined to make everything fit.