Mazda Rotary motor into Beetle

Superman · Post by **Superman** » Mon Jan 22, 2001 6:46 am

Post your car, tech info, or opinions.

Jim Molloy · Post by **Jim Molloy** » Mon Jan 22, 2001 8:52 am

My project has been moving slow.Bought a house,built a bigger garage and all that
assorted stuff.However now my Super convertible is in the garage=interior stripped out,motor pulled.In the next stall is my 1979 Mazda RX7 which I am just starting on.I need to get it running,install
a modified carb and manifold.Then remove and install in my vert.I have the Kennedy adapter and flywheel.Need to make a decision on the clutch and radiator.Then as you know lots of planning to make everything hook up.Coolant pipes and hoses,modify carb cable and fuel line,etc etc.New exhaust system and new rear fenders need to be installed and a new top. After the engine is installed and running then I'll take it back apart and get it painted.Also will need new dash layout and gauges,seats and a million other details.With the carb,manifold and
exhaust changes I should have about 140 to 150 HP.Should be a fun car.More details as
things are done.No pictures yet.

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72 Vert(Rotary engine conversion in process)

Superman · Post by **Superman** » Mon Jan 22, 2001 10:02 am

What are your plans for the cooling system?

t4911 · Post by **t4911** » Mon Jan 22, 2001 7:33 pm

rotary motor does sound like the way to go.
here in so cal, the pick a part places are
loaded with rx7's that look to be in great
shape...bad motors in all of them? how would you tell if motor was good as i believe they
dont make compression until running. in reading about them sounds like rotor miking
seal replacing most of engine rebuild. I
know they haul and rev to the moon.

Jim Molloy · Post by **Jim Molloy** » Mon Jan 22, 2001 11:38 pm

There lies the dilema(sp).My plan so far is
go cruise the salvage yards and see what will
fit.Mounting the radiator in the front with
air ducting in and out with electric fans.Pipes under the car and then hooking the
pipes to the radiator and engine.Also a heater eventually.The RX7 radiator actually
fits but I want to check for anything better maybe with a electric fan already in place.On a earlier post I asked for suggestions.Still open for ideas.

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72 Vert(Rotary engine conversion in process)

[This message has been edited by Jim Molloy (edited 01-22-2001).]

Ergbert · Post by **Ergbert** » Tue Jan 30, 2001 6:48 am

Rotarys make compression when there not running just like any other engine. However if there apex seals are gooed up there won't be any compression. You can unstick them with ATF by following the procedure on www.mazspeed.com . Look under the facts section for ATF Facts.

Jim they might be able to help you get your rotary running.

Hope that helps
Ian

grumpybug · Post by **grumpybug** » Fri Mar 09, 2001 6:49 am

Rotaries are HIGLY suspeptible to heat damage and in my experience rather short lived engines in any sort of performance endevour. Mine was in a Toyota not a vw but the builder constantly reminded me, cook it and its done. Ive seen a few in vw's (one in a Ghia, now THATS the car it goes in). The bug had all the crap hanging out back and it looked bad (as in bad) and still overheated with the radiator just hanging out. It went but the bug tranny couldnt synch the gear shifts anywhere near the powerband of the rotary so it was kinda pointless. The ghia was done REALLY nice and had everything done perfectly and a really eleborate cooling system with the radiator hanging from the decklid and a few huge oil coolers and fans and all and i assume he got it to cool, and i know it flew but never really saw him rag on it and dont know what he did about the tranny, i know it was built but bug trannies just dont do 8k launches in stock form.

Jim Molloy · Post by **Jim Molloy** » Fri Mar 09, 2001 9:59 am

My project is moving along.Found a good RX7 engine at the local recycling yard.Need to change flywheels.Yes the rotaries can be overheated if run low on water and yes they are toast then.I'm just doing this for fun.My cost on the engine should be around $2K installed in the car.Should have about 130HP maybe more.Not for everybody but I think this will work.Radiator going in front.From outside the car nothing except a big exhaust pipe will show.If/when the tranny blows I'll just upgrade and yes the tranny ratios are not perfect but what the hell.This thing should be fun when done.

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72 SuperVert(Rotary engine conversion in process)

MzQ · Post by **MzQ** » Sun Mar 11, 2001 8:55 pm

I don't know to much about about vw's, but I do know alot about rotaries... I even thought about this conversion myself...

The main thing your going to need is an oil cooler. A large one. That's more important than the radiator, but not by much. Without an oil cooler the engine won't last longer than a few hours! If your using the '79 engine it should be a 12a, right? That would have a water cooler under the oil filter. An aux cooler would still be nice though. If your using a 13b your gonna need an external...

If you change flywheels you may need to change the couter weight also. Some rotary people may disagree but I would do it just to be on the safe side. An out of balance rotary also won't live long...

You already have a good engine so the next problem doesn't apply, never buy a rotary engine that's been over heated the rotor houings could warp and the engine is unusable...

And it's gonna be LOUD. I don't know how your gonna get a queit muffler on a bug... While on that subject don't use glasspacks. they can burn up really quick...

If this is simple stuff, sorry... Rotaries get me excited!

Steve Arndt · Post by **Steve Arndt** » Mon Mar 12, 2001 2:41 pm

Better than a muffler, turbo it! The Haltech mailing list has a LOT of rotory guys on it. If you want info about fitting aftermarket EFI to them, join the list.

Jim Molloy · Post by **Jim Molloy** » Mon Mar 12, 2001 4:08 pm

My new(to me)Rotary engine is a '81 12A.It has the oil cooler that mounts under the radiator in an RX7.Going to mount it on the rear panel of the bug with a small fan.I'll check oil temp if nessesary I'll mount it up front,but thats a long oil line.Have to pull the motor on my '79 RX7 it has the counterweight I need for this engine.The exhaust is the challenge.Yes rotary exhaust are hot and loud.Want to use something prefabbed but might have to make my own.This weekend a friend came by with his '68 Bug with a 13B in it and took me for a ride.WOW !!I can't wait to get mine togeather.That bug just jumped,What a blast !That ride gave me a lot of motavation to get this thing running.Long post but I'm excited all over again.

Steve Arndt · Post by **Steve Arndt** » Tue Mar 13, 2001 2:12 pm

How heavy are these little engines? I know the package size is small, but they "look" pretty dense and massive.
Steve

MzQ · Post by **MzQ** » Tue Mar 13, 2001 10:07 pm

Not that heavy I could lift my stripped 13b turbo engine by myself...

arcarsenal · Post by **arcarsenal** » Thu Mar 22, 2001 6:57 pm

i'd love to try this, but i don't think i'd want to on my daily driver/only car...

i did get to drive a turbo rotary powered early 80's toyota starlet once...talk about a fun car. smoking mustangs and the like with a rotary bug is embarassment enough i'm sure, but a completely bone stock looking econo-box?

damn i should have bought that car...

couldn't possibly be any more of a headache than my beetle is now

!adam!

t4911 · Post by **t4911** » Fri May 25, 2001 10:44 pm

have been away from computers for several
months, glad to see these topics getting
replies, gonna put some motor in my 70 911
targa, someday i hope