1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

1rst gen turbo?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 25, 2005 | 03:36 PM
  #1  
red-83-rx-7's Avatar
Thread Starter
whats up!
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: pittsburg california
1rst gen turbo?

hey i am looking for a turbo for my 83 rx-7 do they make em or does anyone have one???
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2005 | 04:06 PM
  #2  
capri93's Avatar
The thing
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: palmerton pa
welcome to the club. search there are a few stock turbo 12a setups out there but most likely you will have to custom fabricated.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2005 | 04:11 PM
  #3  
Alex-7's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 2
From: Waukesha Wisconsin
Originally Posted by red-83-rx-7
do they make em or does anyone have one???


Nope and Nope.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2005 | 04:15 PM
  #4  
Elysian's Avatar
Bimmer *****
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 1
From: Plano, TX
Originally Posted by red-83-rx-7
hey i am looking for a turbo for my 83 rx-7 do they make em or does anyone have one???
u can modify a 13B turbo to fit a 12A...
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2005 | 05:35 PM
  #5  
88t2romad's Avatar
(_8(|)
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan, Kansas
probably the best thing to do yould swap in a 13b-t, there are plenty of threads covering this swap
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2005 | 05:37 PM
  #6  
John64's Avatar
What?
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 1
From: CT
They made kits in the 80's, but no more. Everything is custom now, or do a swap!
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2005 | 06:29 PM
  #7  
PaulFitzwarryne's Avatar
Apprentice Guru
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Cloud Nine and Peak of God
The 12A Turbo engined RX-7 was not imported into the USA. You can buy an imported engine and have it installed. However, because they are rare it is cheaper to install a 13B Turbo engine from a gen 2. In both cases the cost is high due to the need to go electonic fuel injectored.

If you want the cheaper option of just adding on turbo to your present carbed 12A engine, then your first decision is whether a 20 year old engine can stand the strain. Unless you have a low mileage engine it would be better to have it rebuilt before adding a turbo.

There used to be several turbo kits around but they are all out of production. Most rotary shops can custom make a turbo installation using gen2 parts for a a carby engine but this can be costly, and due to the age of the engine they may not offer a guarantee. To get the full benefit of the turbo installation you will need a better exhaust/muffler system, and possibly a fuel pump and ignition upgrade.

While using a modified Nikki is possible, the prefered way is to use a Weber carb. Other than asking your local rotary shop if they can do it, a starting point would be to look at www.rotaryshack.com as they have successfully turboed several gen 1s and sell a range of components if you want to do the installation yourself.

While turbo is certainly one way to get extra power, and can be a cheap bolt-on modification, it can end up with an expensive bang if the engine is worn out.
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2005 | 04:07 AM
  #8  
mortenf's Avatar
506 RWHP 12A..
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 485
Likes: 3
From: Norway
Here is a search list of typical setups that were made especially for the 12A.

1. Elford turbo. This was a complete kit that came for the 1.st gen. Only a few were made, and only sold as rhd in England.
2. Cartech. Same as above, complete kit, made in the US, can be found on Ebay sometimes.
3. Sigma/HKS. These were so called turbo hats that came for the rotary engine in the 80`s. Usually fits sidedraught or downdraught (IDA).

Others?
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2005 | 01:13 PM
  #9  
1984special's Avatar
So little time and money
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 1
From: NorCAL
Or just swoop this one up....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2005 | 08:56 PM
  #10  
moremazda's Avatar
Gone Race'n
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 4
From: Rockford, IL
That guy has been trying to sell that car for a little while now. It has NO leagle documentation to be in the United States. So, don't try and drive it if you decide to purchase it.
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2005 | 10:13 PM
  #11  
PaulFitzwarryne's Avatar
Apprentice Guru
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Cloud Nine and Peak of God
Originally Posted by mortenf
Here is a search list of typical setups that were made especially for the 12A.

1. Elford turbo. This was a complete kit that came for the 1.st gen. Only a few were made, and only sold as rhd in England.
2. Cartech. Same as above, complete kit, made in the US, can be found on Ebay sometimes.
3. Sigma/HKS. These were so called turbo hats that came for the rotary engine in the 80`s. Usually fits sidedraught or downdraught (IDA).

Others?
Elford turbo, around 500 were built. While the majority were rhd, quite a few lhd were exported to Europe. The Elford turbo was a new car with Mazda warranty set up as a turbo with front and rear spoiler, alloy wheels, plus several minor improvements. The engine produced160-165hp. However, you could just buy the turbo components to go on an old car modified to a SU carb.

Other UK turbo modified cars were the TWR producing 185hp with body mods[Tom Wilkinson Racing], and the Motosport which produced 200hp on 7psi boost and looked the part with a wide body, spoilers and 15" wheels. Both of these used Weber DCOE carbs.

I test drove all three in the early 80s but was never keen on their braking performance.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craaaazzy
Comments and Suggestions Archive
3
Aug 21, 2015 02:00 PM
Marty RE
New Member RX-7 Technical
0
Aug 13, 2015 11:19 AM
Wolf_
Single Turbo RX-7's
3
Aug 11, 2015 04:23 PM
KAL797
Test Area 51
0
Aug 11, 2015 03:47 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:55 AM.