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So, I wanted to give an update on the car, since it’s been so long.
From the time I bought the car, I knew that I would eventually need to decide whether to rebuild the 12A or get a 13B. Early last Summer, it became clear that the time had come. The car still drove well, but the oil control rings were pretty much completely finished.
I knew that whatever route I went, I wanted to keep the flexibility and the raw, vintage analog feel of the car in tact.
To keep a long story, not so long…after a lot of reading, thinking, consideration and consulting, I decided to go with a 4 port Renesis, with a custom Holley carb.
Here’s the rundown:
4 Port Renesis (port matched)
Renesis rotors modified to accept Turbo II apex seals/FD corner seals
12A front cover
12A distributor
Custom intake manifold with Holley 600 CFM carb
FD oil pressure regulator
Modified engine crossmember
Dual MSD ignition
ACT Stage 2 clutch
Lightweight flywheel
Custom 2.5 inch dual resonated exhaust w/old-school RB Primaflow muffler
The car feels and sounds absolutely AMZAING. It’s every bit as smooth and docile as the stock 12A was (which was important to me), and nearly as quiet. It’s actually quite “torquey” in every gear, with no need to downshift from 5th to pass (quickly) on the highway.
Mind you, it’s only quiet and docile, with a light foot. Once the secondaries open, it turns into a bona fide SCREAMER. It definitely has two distinct personalities, and they’re both incredibly fun and enjoyable.
It made a little over 175 rwhp on it’s preliminary tune, with the hp/tq figures climbing in parallel. Both were continuing to climb when my builder let off, at 8k RPM… No one at the shop had ever seen a dyno plot quite like it, and it was a rotary shop!
Needless to say, I’m more happy with the car than ever. I had my dad take it out for a highway drive last week, and he was extremely impressed. He said the changes effectively took everything he enjoyed about the original car back in ’79, and increased them exponentially.
He had it SCREAMING to just over 8k in 2nd gear, and was in disbelief at how smoothly and QUICKLY it got there. He absolutely LOVED it!
How did that setup cost you? Iv been considering that exact same swap whenever my 12A finally decides to go to the 7th circle of rotary heaven.
To be honest, I've never really totaled everything up. It was close to a 9 month process, with parts purchased on the fly.
Labor alone was about $2,400. With the cost of the engine, seal kit, clutch, and all other miscellaneous parts, it was probably in the neighborhood of $6,500-$7k.
I'd been noticing a clean 280ZX driving around my area for the past couple months. I decided to flag him down a couple weeks ago, when I was driving the 7. Turned out, his car was a semi restored '79. I came up with the idea of having a video done featuring both cars, so I contacted the guy who did the previous video of my car. We made arrangements, and this is how it turned out.
Phillip, this car has come a long way and is absolutely incredible in every regard!!! You inspire me to do a Renesis 4 port swap in an SA or FB and im a guy that likes his cars all original! I may or may not have a 4 port Renesis engine in my garage haha! I would love to get in touch with you regarding more details of your build. I'm thoroughly impressed and inspired! Well done sir!
Phillip, this car has come a long way and is absolutely incredible in every regard!!! You inspire me to do a Renesis 4 port swap in an SA or FB and im a guy that likes his cars all original! I may or may not have a 4 port Renesis engine in my garage haha! I would love to get in touch with you regarding more details of your build. I'm thoroughly impressed and inspired! Well done sir!
Thanks so much for that, man. I'd be more than happy to share any and all details. Feel free to get in touch here, Facebook, or wherever.
That’s the best!
04-22-21, 08:47 PM
