Mazda RX-8 with a Diesel Inline-Six

Comhghan Locke is the type of person who becomes more determined when he is told he can’t do something. The story starts one night in the garage with his friends. Comhghan was discussing how to get a RB25DET for his Mazda RX-8 project when a friend opened the hood on his 6BT powered Land Rover.

For fun and some laughs he began measuring the 6BT as if he was interested in using one in his project. But after more measuring he told his friends it will fit. It was their response of “it will never work” that drove Comhghan to prove them wrong.

As mentioned before the RX-8 will be powered by a 5.9 L Cummins 6BT inline-six diesel. Comhghan plans on twin-turbocharging the engine to produce around 500-600 horsepower and a ton of torque. Behind the engine sits a ZF S5-42 manual transmission connected to a custom driveshaft.

Comhghan knows the factory Mazda rear end will probably last five minutes but will stick with it for now. He is also looking at a BMW 530D unit later down the road. The BMW rear end should provide better gear ratios to compensate for the Cummins RPM range.

Comhghan realizes the RX-8 will be one of the most unsuitable drift cars around but then again that’s the same reason he wants to do it; to prove to others he can build something this unique. You can follow the project’s progress at Rx-Hate FB page or on Instagram @rx_hate. The build will also be featured on Bodge Rides Garage Youtube channel.