--- title: "You Can Finish the Job on This 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel-Swapped Mazda RX-8—If You’re Brave Enough" description: "Just believe us when we say...It won't be easy." date: "2020-11-19" modified: "2020-11-19" authors: - name: "James Gilboy" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/37723/you-can-finish-the-job-on-this-7-3l-power-stroke-diesel-swapped-mazda-rx-8-if-youre-brave-enough" categories: - "Builds" - "Culture" - "News" tags: - "mazda" --- # You Can Finish the Job on This 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel-Swapped Mazda RX-8—If You’re Brave Enough ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* Gearheads are no strangers to the blood, sweat, tears and cash that project cars can draw from you and your bank account. If you think that's true about a Honda Civic with HID headlights, just imagine building a Mazda RX-8 with a hulking Power Stroke diesel in it. That's the predicament one guy's currently facing with his half-finished build that's sure to make someone a hero or a zero, depending on their fabrication skills. As outlined in [the car's for-sale listing on Facebook Marketplace](), the owner has spent the last three months fitting the 7.3-liter turbodiesel V8 from a 1997 Ford F-250 to his 2007 RX-8. All the work has been done in a hotel parking and lot and, apparently, the [Mercedes-Benz W140 S-Class]() he used as a mobile storage shed was broken into. While they were at it, the crooks apparently stole all his tools, leaving his project high and dry. As a result, he's been forced to list the car for sale. ![message-editor%2F1605806731469-125793580\_3309561199092539\_8332540080679764580\_o.jpg]() *Power Stroke diesel-swapped Mazda RX-8, *Facebook | Erik Andrew Rivera** According to the current owner, some of those months were spent completely rebuilding the engine, complete with new fuel injectors and pistons—practically [the express ticket to more power with a turbodiesel](). It links to a ZF five-speed manual (presumably the one from the F-250) which sends power down a driveshaft from a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe to the Mazda's stock rear end. Seeing as the RX-8's diff was designed to hold up to an infamously torque-less Wankel rotary, it probably isn't up to the task of handing the diesel's grunt. ![message-editor%2F1605806744048-125477200\_3309560719092587\_6688081470488210252\_o.jpg]() *Powerstroke diesel-swapped Mazda RX-8, *Facebook | Erik Andrew Rivera** To buy this RX-8, you'll have to really want it or really want to help the seller. It's sporting an asking price of $12,500 and, considering an RX-8 shell and a 7.3 Powerstroke long block can be attained for about half that, you'd be paying a premium to have the engine and transmission mounted up for you. And if doing that yourself is beyond your skill level, so is finishing the rest of this build. ![message-editor%2F1605806755695-125776593\_3309561055759220\_2969691465029022635\_o.jpg]() *Powerstroke diesel-swapped Mazda RX-8, *Facebook | Erik Andrew Rivera** Regardless, you'd be the only one on your block with such a machine and, for some, that's all the reason they need. *Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids." ### Author social links [Instagram]()