I'm new to the forum and found it looking for information to build an offroad race car for local races. I'm from Ensenada and have been racing since 1978 in offroad in and out.



I have a project with my son to build a fast and inexpensive race car just to have fun.



I have been impressed with the rotarys since the late 70's and now is my turn to build a fun project.



The idea is a light 13b na open class buggy or truck. The problem with the buggy is that I would have to go to the mendeola trans because I dont want to do a lot of maintenance after each race. A VW tranny, as I have researched in different forums will barely survive the punishment and will be limited to 31" tires because I want the top speed to be in the 110 mph range. If I build a tubular truck than I can use the RX7 twin turbo(if I only streetport), supra turbo 5 speed or t-5 trans(if pp), a Ford 9" diff(lower gears) and I can use the 33" tires(much better) but the vehicle becomes heavier and there's more rotating mass.



I would like to know if someone has done something similar. I remember the Wright's single seater from San Diego being real fast as they told me a long time ago(80's). I heard there's a short course race truck class. But is there somebody racing a rotary in the desert???????????

Welcome to nopistons!



I'll move this to the engine swap section, it should get more views there.

id be very very carefull about sand in the motor, single grit in and it will potentially ruin that motor

I wouldnty do it, they are finickey to begin with, use a chevy 350, or a vw, i could see using a rotary a maintenence nightmare, and as mentioned before, sand/grit will kill a rotay in like minutes, on the plus side, they are fairly easy to rebuild, once youve done one, the first one sucks, i would go the vw way I used to have a modifed vw beetle sand rail, the thing took a hell of a beating, I never had to do anything to that thing, but change the oil, and add gas

I want to build something different than the air cooled vw. I have raced them for many years and they are very reliable 'til certain point. In over 50 races I have had 3 seized vw engines.



In air cooled vw's there's what is called a sand sealed pulley.



When you talk about sand/grit are you talking about entering via the carburetor or some other place? . I'm planning on putting a big non-restrictive triple filter(1.- fine mesh used in sand cars, 2.-wet foam, 3.-K and N).



Are you thinking that it may enter around the pulley seal?????????



Thanks for the advice!

Well, the swap can be done. There are a few rally Rx-7 cars that I know of, but none have an open engine bay. Heh, sand will ruin any engine. The 13b is very rev happy which is a plus, but may end up being costly to repair (you're break things when racing). If you already have a 13b- I say go for it.

Look here.