This ‘Mazdarati RX350Z’ RX-8 Has An Unthinkable Engine Swap

We all know the weak point of the Mazda RX-8 is its rotary engine, but I’m not entirely convinced this unlikely V8 swap is the ideal solution.

There’s a reason most RX-8 owners opt for an engine swap. While it’s a fantastic, bargain chassis for drifting or racing, the stock Renesis rotary engine is not only high-maintenance but also known to be unreliable, even when you throw all your cash at it.

Sure, when they’re working smoothly, they’re awesome, and the power potential from the 1.3-liter engine is undeniably incredible. The problem is, it’s more of a matter of when, rather than if, things will take a turn for the worse. Don’t believe me? Ask an RX-8 owner brave enough to stay stock, or even go for big-power upgrades. Chances are, they’re either broke or rebuilding their rotary (or both!)

For this reason, one of the most common RX-8 swaps has been the LS V8. LS engines are lightweight, readily available, offer huge power potential, and have much better reliability, even with forced induction.

This owner, however, decided they didn’t want to take the conventional easy route. Instead, they somehow made the RX-8 (arguably) less reliable than it was in the first place.

Their weapon of choice under the hood? A Maserati V8. And yes, before you ask, that’s a Ferrari badge.

While the owner has named it the ‘Mazda-rarri’ and slapped on a Ferrari badge, the engine is pulled from a Maserati.

The 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 is from the F136 engine family, which is a series jointly developed by Ferrari and Maserati, typically found in the likes of the Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 and GranSport. It’s a major factor in why many older Maseratis are so cheap on the used market.

It is (arguably) one of the few V8s in existence that could give the rotary engine a run for its money in terms of unreliability. Then, when things go wrong, it’ll likely mean a repair bill that exceeds the RX-8’s Renesis rotary.

If that’s not weird enough, it’s also significantly heavier, which will make the RX-8 nose-heavy and work against the nimble character it’s known for. It also looks like it’s required a fair bit of chiseling to fit under the hood!

You might be wondering where the ‘RX350Z’ part comes in. Surprisingly, he’s opted to pair the questionable engine choice with a popular, reliable gearbox swap for drifters – the six-speed CD009 from the later Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G35.

While it might not be my first pick for a swap, I have no doubt it’ll be a heap of fun to drive, even if the weight distribution isn’t optimal. Personally, I’d rather buy a cheap RX-8 for the 800-odd bucks they go for these days, and throw a more tried-and-tested swap in there.

However, if you’re sold, it’s currently available on Facebook Marketplace for a ‘firm price at 20k.’ Unless you fancy trading your E92 or E60 M5 in return, that is.