Engine Swap Info
08-01-2003, 04:30 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 38
ok just to get this started the engine in my first gen is shot i appreciate the mazda rotary and realize it is special but in a mad attempt to save some money and have some fun doin it i have decieded that i want to put a chevy 350 in place of the rotary i know this is dangerous posting this but i need some info as how to get started and any kits avalable to me thank you and any info is helpfull
08-01-2003, 05:19 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 409
makes no sense to me why you would waste time and money doing an engine swap thats harder than replacing stock.
your car tho.
do a search on this forum: www.rx7club.com
tons of ppl have done it there (and when i say tons i mean 2 or 3)
your car tho.
do a search on this forum: www.rx7club.com
tons of ppl have done it there (and when i say tons i mean 2 or 3)
08-01-2003, 08:28 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Richmond, KY
Posts: 595
It's definately not worth the trouble. IMHO By the time you spen all the money customizing and fabricating to fit the 350 in, you could just have the rotary rebuilt. Typical 12A rebuild will usually run from $1500-$2200, depending where you go.
Anyway, try granniesspeedshop. They make a 350 conversion for the 1st gen.
Good luck, whichever way you go.
Anyway, try granniesspeedshop. They make a 350 conversion for the 1st gen.
Good luck, whichever way you go.
08-02-2003, 02:38 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,788
Originally Posted by 85 mazda 12a' date='Aug 2 2003, 05:30 AM
ok just to get this started the engine in my first gen is shot i appreciate the mazda rotary and realize it is special but in a mad attempt to save some money and have some fun doin it i have decieded that i want to put a chevy 350 in place of the rotary i know this is dangerous posting this but i need some info as how to get started and any kits avalable to me thank you and any info is helpfull
If you want advice, I agree with the others, its much better value for money (and easier) to put it back to stock condition.
Are you definite the motor is blown?
08-02-2003, 08:40 AM
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 38
i am from south dakota i recentally purchased the car and have done nothing to it it just smokes like hell and i dont know how to build a rotary like a piston engine how durable is a rebuilt rotary it is a 79 and it looks like the engine would be easier than **** to yank and the bay is clean so i think bigger is better thanks for the info
08-02-2003, 07:10 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Richmond, KY
Posts: 595
Check this site out:
http://www.northstarrotaries.com/members/
They are based in the upper Midwest. Maybe they can help you out on rebuilders.
http://www.northstarrotaries.com/members/
They are based in the upper Midwest. Maybe they can help you out on rebuilders.
08-03-2003, 01:22 AM
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 27
The engine is pretty easy to pull (or so I've been told). Just get a heynes, and take it out.
Find a local rotary shop and bring your 12a. Get it rebuilt and street ported, toss it back in. Bang, you now have more hp, the same on-the-street drivability, and it was as easy as pulling and reinstalling an engine.
Save up a bit, throw a www.racingbeat.com exhaust on to get you 25 more HP, get an aftermarket carb, and you're hitting (in upwards of) 150-180 hp.. nearly double stock.
Good luck. I agree with the others. I think that if you're interested you should take a little time to learn about the rotary. If you have the time and desire, you can learn to rebuild it yourself. Get a Heynes manual, the best $20 you'll ever spend. Check out www.rotaryengineillustrated.com and www.howstuffworks.com (search here for rotary engine) and it'll give you a good start.
As for reliability... there are 3 main moving parts in a rotary engine. Two rotors and an eccentric shaft... add another six if you count the apex seal/spring assembly. Compare that to the simplest 4 cylinder piston engine which has over *40* moving parts that include valves, pistons, rockers, a crank shaft and many more parts, as you know. These engines, when treated properly, have been known to last up to (and in excess of ) 200,000km. Just make sure your OMP is working well, and that you're feeding her quality, LOW octane gasoline, and she'll treat you well in return
Jon
Find a local rotary shop and bring your 12a. Get it rebuilt and street ported, toss it back in. Bang, you now have more hp, the same on-the-street drivability, and it was as easy as pulling and reinstalling an engine.
Save up a bit, throw a www.racingbeat.com exhaust on to get you 25 more HP, get an aftermarket carb, and you're hitting (in upwards of) 150-180 hp.. nearly double stock.
Good luck. I agree with the others. I think that if you're interested you should take a little time to learn about the rotary. If you have the time and desire, you can learn to rebuild it yourself. Get a Heynes manual, the best $20 you'll ever spend. Check out www.rotaryengineillustrated.com and www.howstuffworks.com (search here for rotary engine) and it'll give you a good start.
As for reliability... there are 3 main moving parts in a rotary engine. Two rotors and an eccentric shaft... add another six if you count the apex seal/spring assembly. Compare that to the simplest 4 cylinder piston engine which has over *40* moving parts that include valves, pistons, rockers, a crank shaft and many more parts, as you know. These engines, when treated properly, have been known to last up to (and in excess of ) 200,000km. Just make sure your OMP is working well, and that you're feeding her quality, LOW octane gasoline, and she'll treat you well in return
Jon