20B in a FirstGen
Thread Starter
Always broken.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
20B in a FirstGen
After reading a post with an ebay link in it, I spent some time browsing the eBay Autos area. I came across a few 20B motors (one in my hometown, coincidentally) and boy, those are nice looking motors.
Since our search function was violently stolen from us, I had to make a new thread for this but: How much info is out there about the 20B in a firstgen? I saw pictures of one guy in a racing uniform, he was standing next to a firstgen, and it accompanied some 20B stuff... so it's been done, I know this much. Has anyone here tried anything like it?
I read that the motor was rated at just under 300hp in a stock configuration... port it... fix the intake... put better exhaust on it... and it said you could get the power even higher. What a beautiful thing that would be.
Since our search function was violently stolen from us, I had to make a new thread for this but: How much info is out there about the 20B in a firstgen? I saw pictures of one guy in a racing uniform, he was standing next to a firstgen, and it accompanied some 20B stuff... so it's been done, I know this much. Has anyone here tried anything like it?
I read that the motor was rated at just under 300hp in a stock configuration... port it... fix the intake... put better exhaust on it... and it said you could get the power even higher. What a beautiful thing that would be.
HEAVY METAL THUNDER
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,864
Likes: 0
From: Elsenborn, Belgian Eifel
If it's possible to get a 20B in a second or third gen, and be emmision legal, it can't be that hard to do so in a 1st gen, right? I would much rather be concerned for the price of such a project... Porting a 20B is going to pretty expensive, so is rebuilding. You need 1.5 times the gaskets and seals of a 13B, you know what I mean??? And to get the car running you will need some stand alone computer, as the stock ECU won't be included, most likely... And as far as I'm told wouldn't work anyway, as it checks all the systems before starting. And you'll hardly go for a Cosmo airco, will you?
But in theory, yes it is possible, and yes it has been done...
But in theory, yes it is possible, and yes it has been done...
Rotorhead
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,136
Likes: 39
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Any 20B swap is very difficult, and quite expensive, but it's easier to convert a 1Gen or 2Gen than a 3Gen with its subframe. IMO the 1Gen is a great vehicle for the 20B. Here is a 3-rotor 1Gen, although it's not technically a 20B:
http://www.hitman.hm/rx7.htm
Yes, you can make it emissions-legal, as it has been done. States with visual inspecions would require a waiver, and the fact that the 20B was never certified in the US may pose problems. Fortunately, I live in Florida where we voted for a sensible governor, so I don't have this problem.
Yes, the stock JC Cosmo ECU does self-check, so you need to trick it into thinking that it still has all it's parts (Cosmo transmission, Cosmo variable exhaust tips, etc.). IMO it would be better to just use a standalone ECU, as the modification to the stock ECU would be difficult, and the stock ECU is tuned to run a luxury car at a conservative power level. Besides, most 20B engines for sale in the US do not include the ECU and unique Cosmo ignition coils. If you want a better shot at passing emissions, then you will want to run split ignition timing. Currently, the EMS units which the manufacturers claim will run split timing on a 3-rotor are the AEM Race (not on the market yet), Haltech E11, Microtech LTX-12, and Motec M800 (newest software version only). Other options are to use an EMS for fuel only and a dual distributor for spark, or to use two EMS units. Any EMS which will run a 6-cylinder will run a 20B with simultaneous ignition timing, which is the performance configuration run by professional road racers (Downing, Mandeville, Team Spencer, etc.), but it would be rather difficult to pass emissions with this method.
http://www.hitman.hm/rx7.htm
Yes, you can make it emissions-legal, as it has been done. States with visual inspecions would require a waiver, and the fact that the 20B was never certified in the US may pose problems. Fortunately, I live in Florida where we voted for a sensible governor, so I don't have this problem.
Yes, the stock JC Cosmo ECU does self-check, so you need to trick it into thinking that it still has all it's parts (Cosmo transmission, Cosmo variable exhaust tips, etc.). IMO it would be better to just use a standalone ECU, as the modification to the stock ECU would be difficult, and the stock ECU is tuned to run a luxury car at a conservative power level. Besides, most 20B engines for sale in the US do not include the ECU and unique Cosmo ignition coils. If you want a better shot at passing emissions, then you will want to run split ignition timing. Currently, the EMS units which the manufacturers claim will run split timing on a 3-rotor are the AEM Race (not on the market yet), Haltech E11, Microtech LTX-12, and Motec M800 (newest software version only). Other options are to use an EMS for fuel only and a dual distributor for spark, or to use two EMS units. Any EMS which will run a 6-cylinder will run a 20B with simultaneous ignition timing, which is the performance configuration run by professional road racers (Downing, Mandeville, Team Spencer, etc.), but it would be rather difficult to pass emissions with this method.
Rotorhead
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,136
Likes: 39
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Originally posted by Evil Aviator
Currently, the EMS units which the manufacturers claim will run split timing on a 3-rotor are the AEM Race (not on the market yet), Haltech E11, Microtech LTX-12, and Motec M800 (newest software version only).
Currently, the EMS units which the manufacturers claim will run split timing on a 3-rotor are the AEM Race (not on the market yet), Haltech E11, Microtech LTX-12, and Motec M800 (newest software version only).
Open up! Search Warrant!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 3
From: Kicking down doors in a neighborhood near you
Fuel, air, and spark are all you need for an engine to run. (all 3 must be properly tuned of course)
To get the engine in the car , you will need an unlimited budget, hammer, hacksaw, welder, (arc, mig, tig, whatever) blow torch, wide variety of metric handtools, RTV, Bondo, superglue, JB weld, chewing gum or some other sort of stick substance, and automotive tools like an engine stand and cherry picker. To get the engine to work with the stock tranny and driveline: Be creative. You made it this far and you got all the right tools. Dont' stop now! 
To get the engine in the car , you will need an unlimited budget, hammer, hacksaw, welder, (arc, mig, tig, whatever) blow torch, wide variety of metric handtools, RTV, Bondo, superglue, JB weld, chewing gum or some other sort of stick substance, and automotive tools like an engine stand and cherry picker. To get the engine to work with the stock tranny and driveline: Be creative. You made it this far and you got all the right tools. Dont' stop now!
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Brighton MI
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post