rotary powerd bug...?
04-27-04, 12:03 AM
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rotary powerd bug...?
since im going to be selling my car, i want to get a vw bug (old school) and put a rotary in it, since i wont have emissions cause its '74 and older. has anybody done this? ive seen one at the track in sacramento... but do they make kits and stuff for it and radiator mounts? let me know
04-27-04, 12:51 AM
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Yes, many people have done it, and the Bugs fly!
I've been in one that did 90 in 3rd gear.. lots of fun!
Go to www.shoptalkforums.com and click on Conversion Perversions. Many guys who have done this conversion post (or have posted) on that forum. It's not as busy as rx7club.com, but there is a *lot* of good reading there. Apparently the biggest hassles are installing the radiator and plumbing, and dealing with the high heat of the rotary exhaust.
I've been in one that did 90 in 3rd gear.. lots of fun!
Go to www.shoptalkforums.com and click on Conversion Perversions. Many guys who have done this conversion post (or have posted) on that forum. It's not as busy as rx7club.com, but there is a *lot* of good reading there. Apparently the biggest hassles are installing the radiator and plumbing, and dealing with the high heat of the rotary exhaust.
04-27-04, 12:09 PM
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This site may help you on your way http://www.kennedyeng.com/
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04-27-04, 03:23 PM
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$400? Hardly.
First, you'll need a custom exhaust. Then, you'll need to mount a radiator way up in the front and get some electric fans and a scoop for it.
Not super expensive, but not cheap 'neither.
First, you'll need a custom exhaust. Then, you'll need to mount a radiator way up in the front and get some electric fans and a scoop for it.
Not super expensive, but not cheap 'neither.
04-27-04, 05:59 PM
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Funny no one has pointed out driveline.
A stock vw trans were made for 60hp and 5k redline.
If you plan on having any fun with the car you'll need a built transaxle, they are very very very expensive.
A vw bus trans with a very light flywheel might last a while but good luck.
Cv's also break often with 150 hp bugs they are also a weak link.
Shoptalkforums is the ****, also try www.cal-look.com
A stock vw trans were made for 60hp and 5k redline.
If you plan on having any fun with the car you'll need a built transaxle, they are very very very expensive.
A vw bus trans with a very light flywheel might last a while but good luck.
Cv's also break often with 150 hp bugs they are also a weak link.
Shoptalkforums is the ****, also try www.cal-look.com
04-27-04, 06:16 PM
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Hey, a guy 4 houses down the block from me has an adapter to mount a rotary engine onto a bug transmission. I said he was crazy for trying it. A few weeks later he told me he was scrapping the rotor idea and now he is just gonna supercharge a pancake V-dub engine!!! Since he knows I'm into rotors he offered to sell the adaptert to me for 100 bucks. I turned him down 'cuz I'm not into bugs. I could walk over to his house and see if he still has it. If interested.
04-27-04, 08:51 PM
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I think the stock Bug transmissions (swing-axle thru '68, IRS '69 and later), if in good condition, can handle up to 140 hp *if* you don't abuse it. If you have a basically-stock 12A rotary, you're good to go. The problem is if you have a modified 12A or a 13B, and you launch from 3000 - 4000 rpm as we all like to do once in a while, when the rotary is well into its power band... then a "built" VW transmission like a Pro Street (Transform Co.) or equivalent is necessary, along with a clutch that is stronger than 1700# rating (the Kennedy 1700# clutch can handle up to 140 hp, just one of those interesting coincidences).
04-27-04, 10:58 PM
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hey guys found a link to the same bug i saw at the sacramento speedway, god i love this car, its really clean here it is http://www.geocities.com/zenjoe/zbug.html
04-27-04, 11:01 PM
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hey guys found a link to the same bug i saw at the sacramento speedway, god i love this car, its really clean here it is http://www.geocities.com/zenjoe/zbug.html
04-27-04, 11:02 PM
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hey guys found a link to the same bug i saw at the sacramento speedway, god i love this car, its really clean here it is http://www.geocities.com/zenjoe/zbug.html
04-27-04, 11:37 PM
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Originally posted by genrex
I think the stock Bug transmissions (swing-axle thru '68, IRS '69 and later), if in good condition, can handle up to 140 hp *if* you don't abuse it. If you have a basically-stock 12A rotary, you're good to go. The problem is if you have a modified 12A or a 13B, and you launch from 3000 - 4000 rpm as we all like to do once in a while, when the rotary is well into its power band... then a "built" VW transmission like a Pro Street (Transform Co.) or equivalent is necessary, along with a clutch that is stronger than 1700# rating (the Kennedy 1700# clutch can handle up to 140 hp, just one of those interesting coincidences).
I think the stock Bug transmissions (swing-axle thru '68, IRS '69 and later), if in good condition, can handle up to 140 hp *if* you don't abuse it. If you have a basically-stock 12A rotary, you're good to go. The problem is if you have a modified 12A or a 13B, and you launch from 3000 - 4000 rpm as we all like to do once in a while, when the rotary is well into its power band... then a "built" VW transmission like a Pro Street (Transform Co.) or equivalent is necessary, along with a clutch that is stronger than 1700# rating (the Kennedy 1700# clutch can handle up to 140 hp, just one of those interesting coincidences).
04-28-04, 12:25 AM
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I have a sandrail with a turbo rotary. It is connected to a stock 3-rib bus tranny with the bus CV's and I have never had a problem with it. It has no bottom end but is extremely fast.
I am also running a baja with a turbo 2.3 ford engine putting out about 300hp against a late model bus trans. In four years I have only bent the second gear shift fork. Otherwise that thing is even more fun than the rotary rail.
The expense of the tranny is directly related to how many wheelies you want to pull.
-Mark
I am also running a baja with a turbo 2.3 ford engine putting out about 300hp against a late model bus trans. In four years I have only bent the second gear shift fork. Otherwise that thing is even more fun than the rotary rail.
The expense of the tranny is directly related to how many wheelies you want to pull.
-Mark
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