Rotary Powered Toyota
04-05-2003, 08:19 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 11
Hey, my first post!
Anyways, I have had this itch to start my first project car and I have been stuck with this idea of putting a rotary engine (don't know which type would suit me best) into an old 87-89 Toyota MR2 Spyder. The car weighs next to nothing and handles great. I don't need gobs of power but would love to see 150HP, not worring about emissions here in Michigan.
What does everyone think of this idea? Bouncing around other Toyota forums, it doesn't look like anyone has ever attempted this type of conversion before. All replies greatly appreciated.
Anyways, I have had this itch to start my first project car and I have been stuck with this idea of putting a rotary engine (don't know which type would suit me best) into an old 87-89 Toyota MR2 Spyder. The car weighs next to nothing and handles great. I don't need gobs of power but would love to see 150HP, not worring about emissions here in Michigan.
What does everyone think of this idea? Bouncing around other Toyota forums, it doesn't look like anyone has ever attempted this type of conversion before. All replies greatly appreciated.
04-05-2003, 08:23 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,007
can you drop a rotary into a mid engine car? i mean of course you can but how will you make the transaxle work? the 7 tranny will not fit in there, you have to somehow make a transaxle to accept the 13b,,,i know this isnt any help but good luck
let us know whats going on
let us know whats going on
04-05-2003, 08:36 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 11
Yeah, I know... That is the only major hang-up in doing this project. I think with the help of a few forums I might be able to go ahead with this project, but if not, the 4A-GE engine Toyota made has a huge following, just love rotaries.
04-06-2003, 03:51 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Mike is a Liar!
Posts: 4,848
They do it for Porsches and bugs.. and a few other cars.. I think maybe getting the adapter for the tranny would be the biggest issue, maybe Kennedy engineering can make one..
04-07-2003, 12:14 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 790
You could use a VW Transaxle, but this would really take a lot of work to pull it off.
A better swap would be to find a Porsche 914 (They are about 400 lbs lighter than the MR2 and will outhandle it also.) Having owned both cars the Porsche with wider tires and rims drives like it on rails.
The Rotary would bolt right up to the 901 Transmission in the Porsche with a Kennedy Adapter.
(Did you see the Toyota V6 swap for the MR-2 in Sport Compact Car Magazine?) It was for the 2nd gen MR-2 but it might work for the Early MisterTwos.
The problem with a Mid Engine Rotary powered vehicle is the exhaust. I spoke to a guy that did one in a 914 and he was having a hard time trying to use a header and then muffle it in the space he had to work with.
A better swap would be to find a Porsche 914 (They are about 400 lbs lighter than the MR2 and will outhandle it also.) Having owned both cars the Porsche with wider tires and rims drives like it on rails.
The Rotary would bolt right up to the 901 Transmission in the Porsche with a Kennedy Adapter.
(Did you see the Toyota V6 swap for the MR-2 in Sport Compact Car Magazine?) It was for the 2nd gen MR-2 but it might work for the Early MisterTwos.
The problem with a Mid Engine Rotary powered vehicle is the exhaust. I spoke to a guy that did one in a 914 and he was having a hard time trying to use a header and then muffle it in the space he had to work with.
05-21-2003, 07:54 PM
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 2
the mr2 is a transverse setup so using a porsche/vw transaxle would be a major modification.
i dont think you could use the stock gearbox, because the exhaust/intake ports will hit (or be very very close) to the driveshafts.
i reckon it could be done with a gearbox that goes the 'other' way, (on the right hand side looking forward of the engine bay) rather than the toyota one. then the intake/exhaust would come out on the 'front' side of the engine bay, and could be made to work. maybe if i ever finish my current project i might look at it.
nick
i dont think you could use the stock gearbox, because the exhaust/intake ports will hit (or be very very close) to the driveshafts.
i reckon it could be done with a gearbox that goes the 'other' way, (on the right hand side looking forward of the engine bay) rather than the toyota one. then the intake/exhaust would come out on the 'front' side of the engine bay, and could be made to work. maybe if i ever finish my current project i might look at it.
nick