If any of you own a vw bug, there is an awesome choice of an engine, the mazda rotary! I have a 12a stuffed into the back of my 65 bug and it screams! just think, all that power pushing 1700lbs....



Anyway, If you want more information on how to convert to rotary power, go to my website:

http://www.geocities.com/zenjoe/vw.html



I also built a forum for engine conversions in vws

http://frost.bbboy.net/vwengineconversions

 

I love that car.How did you shave 900lbs off the stock wieght of the car???The 4banger is light in it.I had a 72 bug and the stock wieght was 2662lbs.Nice job on the car. :twisted:

 

the bug weighin as much as a FB. no way.

zenjoe: hows the cooling with the rad there?



now, to rotary or not the ghia?? my other option would be a turbo type 2 engine.

 

do you have any pics of the exhaust system?

how did you route it and what did you use?



thanks

R

searay18@juno.com

 

FB's wiegh 2300lbs.(Non SE's)More like FC wieght.Wankel page. My stocker 72 beetle weighed and hefty 2662lbs.I can't figure out how someone could save that much wieght when you have to custom mount the rad too.Where is the rad on your 12a swap?IN the front?

 

According to most all of my sources, vw bugs (pre-67) weigh 1790lbs. Some fo the drag cars with fiberglass everything are down to 1300lbs. Superbeetles weigh a lot more, The rear suspension in the 69 and later bugs are really heavy too. The later the cars get, the heavier they get (for safety I guess. The bumpers, glass, and structural supports all got bigger and heavier after 67)



Check out my website for pics and components I used in the conversion. I don't have any pictures of my exhaust, but I have a diagram of how it was run. The radiator is a new 3 core radiator out of a 81/82 rx-7 (the short one) and it is mounted up front. The cooling system consists of 1.5 inch copper tubing run along the bottom of the car and it seams to cool fine. I would like to put an aluminum radiator to be safe, but it is not really needed (it will be when I get my radical streetport built!)



Who makes an aluminum radiator for the 81/82 rx-7?

 

I don't think anyone builds a aluminum rad for the first gens but you could get one built for it.Yeah I heard the earlier ones were light due to not having the IRS which is a really nice thing to have.Mine handled awesome for such a old car.