A mid-engined rotary probably wouldn't actually be better for weight distribution. Keeping the cars weight as close to it's centre as possible is more beneficial than having the right ratio - with a mid engined setup (longitudinally at least) you have a gearbox hanging out past the rear axle which isn't good.

 

Boosted12A did a Rotary 914 and his install looks sick



I like the idea of a m/r rotary. The Ultima GTR out of the UK would be a perfect candidate for a 20B peripheral port. Most of them come with a big block 427 chevy, so I would imagine that the advantages of the rotary would shine through.



Erik

 

It's a heavily built '89 turbo. A few pics can be found on the "For Sale" forum.

Street port, two piece 3mm apex seals, Haltech.... About 350 horse at the crank. Bigger turbo and reprogram and the sky is the limit. It almost lifts the front tires off the ground. It is still accelerating hard at 130mph.

It handles better than when it had the original engine (rotary is lighter).

 

Also check out

http://web2.airmail.net/atl/Rotary.html

for a nice write up on a 914 NA conversion.

 

Nice, ty for all the imput guys, sounds like an exotic project for an ambitious person. Maybe one day when i have soem extra time and alot of money....

 

no

 

RX-7's ARE mid-engine car

Mid engine applies to engines that lie bewteen the centerline of the front and rear wheels, just as RX-7's albeit in the front.

fwiw, I've driven rear mid-engined rotaries.

Star Mazda ring a bell

 

JUST STUMBLED ON TO THIS TOPIC. IT IS A FAVOTIRE FANTASY OF MINE...I love rear drive mid engined cars.



There was a custom car shop doing a 13bt install in a beefed up Lotus Eoropa with a Porshe 903 rearend, as I recall. Monster performance numbers. The old Renault tranny wouldn't hold up to much more than a stock 12A I expect. I have thought about this as an interesting endurance car project as the 12a would keep it in e2 class and the low drag body could do well... I think



The RX8 has near perfect 50/50 balance due to the rotary sitting far back of the front axle so some may see no need for the midship design. I can tell you from lotus experience keeping a mid engine cool can be a challenge, now add a rotary and there would be some homework needed.



Picture a GT40 replikit with a tranverse mounted 20b! Those V8 guys wouldn't know what to make of the odd exhaust sound!

 

Do you know someone selling a Europa? I would like to find one for my next project. Of course I would need to sell the Rotary 911 first. Perhaps a trade could be worked?

 

50:50 weight distribution isn't actually ideal, that's what the marketing guys tell you cause it makes their job easier. Under braking the weight shifts forwards so it's better to have it further back, and as long of the cog is low, having the engine further back helps traction on the back wheels under accelerating too. Something more like 60:40 is better but it still depends a lot on other things. But basically a mid engined rotary should be faster all things being equal.