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Fed up with this 12a

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Old 02-26-19, 12:03 PM
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Fed up with this 12a

So I have access to multiple motors and we have multiple transmissions laying around and am going to do an engine swap and was wondering if anyone would be interested in my 12a out of my 79 rx7. It has emissions removed has a pace setter header and a clean carb and comes with transmission. Don’t know a price so just give me a offer.
Old 02-26-19, 12:29 PM
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this should have been posted in the classifieds.
Old 02-26-19, 05:30 PM
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So you have a motor for sale that doesn't run and you don't know why. Been there. How much will you pay me to take it off your hands?
Old 02-26-19, 10:15 PM
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Still having fuel delivery issues? You know all I/C engines need fuel delivery; just like this one.
Old 03-01-19, 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Qingdao
Still having fuel delivery issues? You know all I/C engines need fuel delivery; just like this one.
I got the fuel delivery issue figured out. Think the car might possibly have low compression so I’m not going to mess with rebuilding it when I can build a 302 that makes a lot more horsepower and are easier to work on

Old 03-01-19, 07:28 PM
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While the 302 will make good horse power it will not give you the smiles that little 12a will. Nothing like the feel of a rotary!
Old 03-01-19, 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 84rtaryrcket
While the 302 will make good horse power it will not give you the smiles that little 12a will. Nothing like the feel of a rotary!
I understand and that’s why I was on the edge of not pulling it but simplicity V.S headaches lol. It was tough decision though
Old 03-01-19, 07:55 PM
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The rotary makes the rx7 unique. Anybody can build a piston engine, but it takes an rx7 owner to build a rotary.

Why not just get a fox. The hatch backs aren't too terribly expensive and you won't have to worry about getting a better rear end cause its already there.

Or get a C4 and LS swap it. That's something I've been thinking about doing for a while now, just don't have the gumption to do it.
Old 03-01-19, 08:21 PM
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Here ya go Carter - All the horsepower and excitement of a 12A, but easier to find replacement parts.
Belt Sander Racing!

Old 03-02-19, 01:24 AM
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302 easier? I wouldn’t know where to start.
Old 03-02-19, 09:07 AM
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the rotary engine is MORE simplistic then a conventional piston engine, and i bet a few on here would argue the only replacement for displacement is the rotary engine
Old 03-02-19, 07:13 PM
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Carter, I have no problem with you putting a V8 in your car. But if you're doing it because you think it's easier than getting your Rotary running right you might be mistaken. Other than the rat's nest and extra parts in the ignition, it's really a simple little motor. I think your problems are likely fuel or spark. It's a 35 yo car and carbs clog up when you don't run them, Electronics corrode, mice chew wires, etc.. If you bought a '76 Mustang II w/302 out of someones back yard you would have the same issues. Of course, parts would be much easier to find...I'd suggest checking your compression before making up your mind the engine's dead. And if it does need a rebuild It would be easier to pull it, rebuild on your bench and re-install than go through all the fab work to get any non-original type motor in. Replace the straight 6 in your 1980 Chevy C10 with a crate 355? Easy peezy. V8 into a compact motor Japanese car? Cutting / welding / cursing / money / frustration / trailering back and forth to the shop(s). Again, I like V8 conversions in anything. But don't think it'll be easy.

FB w/stock 12A -





FB w/ V8 Conversion -

Old 03-03-19, 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Maxwedge
Here ya go Carter - All the horsepower and excitement of a 12A, but easier to find replacement parts.
Belt Sander Racing!

lmao thats awesome ..... easier ? .. hav u ever done that swap... ?
Old 03-11-19, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Qingdao
The rotary makes the rx7 unique. Anybody can build a piston engine, but it takes an rx7 owner to build a rotary.
Originally Posted by 84rtaryrcket
the rotary engine is MORE simplistic then a conventional piston engine.....
I always find this contradiction from the rotary purists funny.


Last edited by FührerTüner; 03-11-19 at 12:51 PM.
Old 03-11-19, 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by FührerTüner
I always find this contradiction from the rotary purists funny.

Having done both he rotary engine just requires a little more patience to get everything seated right. The swap would be more challenging the. Rebuilding the motor. I had a half SBC swap done but ran out of money/time and sold the car. And now I bought another rx7 now that I'm more financially stable. Ymmv
Old 03-11-19, 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 84rtaryrcket
Having done both he rotary engine just requires a little more patience to get everything seated right. The swap would be more challenging the. Rebuilding the motor. I had a half SBC swap done but ran out of money/time and sold the car. And now I bought another rx7 now that I'm more financially stable. Ymmv
If you get a GM iron 5.3 with 4l60e or any SBC for that matter from the junkyard you can do the swap for around $3000 - $3500 easily, including the cost of the engine/tranny .

With that being said, as stated above, it would be a lot cheaper to just fix your current issues and have a fun rotary car.

Last edited by FührerTüner; 03-11-19 at 01:32 PM.
Old 03-11-19, 01:41 PM
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Old 03-11-19, 06:19 PM
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Originally Posted by FührerTüner
I always find this contradiction from the rotary purists funny.

choose your headache........... lol
Old 03-11-19, 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Maxwedge


You're not using enough boost.

But honestly that statement I wrote was convoluted, and after writing it I read it and even I was confused.

And yes putting an engine in a car is easier and more simple than rebuilding one. Rebuilding things is more involved than replacing things; that can be applied almost anywhere.

As for the first gen piston swaps... I've said it before. I don't see the point; they aren't very attractive cars. Why not get a 240Z they are pretty. The only thing that makes the first gen rx7 cool is the rotary engine. I'm not saying I'm a "purist" just a realist. SBF swap your first gen and what do you have.... A fox body with pop up head lights.
Old 03-11-19, 06:38 PM
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Oh no no no kingdong, the FB is the BEST looking RX7. The FC is an ugly 924 clone, and the FD is just a turbo'ed Miata. SA was close but too primitive, unfinished looking. FB hit the nail on the head. Only thing wrong with it is lack of power.

But that can be fixed.

Last edited by Maxwedge; 03-12-19 at 06:09 AM.
Old 03-11-19, 06:42 PM
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The 12A is a cute little bugger though...

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Old 03-11-19, 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Maxwedge
The 12A is a cute little bugger though...

If that was a larger scaled version, those apex seals would be like 10mm.

Last edited by FührerTüner; 03-11-19 at 08:09 PM.
Old 03-11-19, 07:21 PM
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You want MORE POWER!!!! ?????? How about a 69B?





Old 03-11-19, 07:38 PM
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Rotary purists at a car show...

Old 03-12-19, 08:07 AM
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Waffles - hmmm good

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Originally Posted by Maxwedge
Oh no no no kingdong, the FB is the BEST looking RX7. The FC is an ugly 924 clone, and the FD is just a turbo'ed Miata. SA was close but too primitive, unfinished looking. FB hit the nail on the head. Only thing wrong with it is lack of power.

But that can be fixed.
SA rulez! Everything after it was just a slide down hill; rubber bumbers, beehives, rear disc brakes, 13B, fuel injection BAH!

Get off my lawn!


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