buckfutter125

i want to turbo my 12a but was wondering where i can find the best bolt on turbo kit for the best value. Also what else is invloved in puting a turbo on other than just bolting it on?

Thanks,
Jason

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

Bolt on kit means spend LOTS OF EXTRA $$$'s Best thing to do is design your own

buckfutter125

i attempted to design my own but got sidetracked and later realized it was for the better. But what would be best to stick with the carb or go to fuel injection?

mperformance

i say buy a whole Turbo II car...and swap everything...

LOL!

REVHED

If you want to keep costs down go for a blow-through turbo of some sort. Use a Series 4 or 5 turbo mounted on a custom manifold, an IDA or DCOE Weber and a decent intercooler.

coldy13

Don't want to start a new topic for this, just a little question on this subject.

Wheres the best/cheapest place to get a 12aTurbo and tranny from?

peejay

Nobody makes a kit... you buy a manifold, a turbo, and you're on your own for working up the fuel system and everything else.

PaulFitzwarryne

1. What will it cost to add a turbo to a 12a? I agree with REVHED as to what to do. There are no 'off the shelf' kits anymore. I recently costed out the conversion at around $Aus 3,000 or around $US1500. Will the existing engine take this without a rebuild, if not add more high costs. If I wanted 12at low compression rotors to get a reliable motor after the rebuild, then as Mike P28 said it was mega bucks. For even a custom add-on with no rebuild it was far cheaper to get a secondhand 13bt, plus it would give an extra 30-40hp and be FI.

2. Where to get a Jspec 12at motor and tranny? An import house could possibly get one for you, most likely from a Cosmo as the RX-7 version is a collectors item. The very few US prices I have seen vary up to $1500. The cost will be relatively high while its condition may be such that a rebuild is necessary being some 20 years old. You certainly are not going to pick one up from your local wreckers yard!

In summary, if you want just to add a turbo to your 12a then take REVHED's advice and budget for $1500-2000.
If you want a replica 12at powered RX-7, use a gsl-se take out the 13b and import a !2at motor and gearbox. Add a front mounted intercooler and you have a vehicle with some 220-230hp at the flywheel. It would be a very interesting $10,000 project, streetable with a 13 second 1/4 potential.

In all of this remember its a one-off exercise, it will take hours of dyno time to get everything right. Many people forget this cost when they are planning the project.

coldy13

I knew that I'd have to import a 12aT, but that is what I plan to do when I get the money. I also would rebuild it, there is no way that I would feel comfortable putting an engine in my car that may only have a couple miles left making it a big waste of time installing and taking out to rebuild. I was looking for specific importers, preferably around my area that is a good, reliable place. I believe that the 12aT engine and tranny is a direct bolt in, so it would not be very hard to do, except for adding an intercooler when I get some more money after completing the installation. I would be putting this into my 85 gs, its completely stock now and running great, which will give me time to get the $, get the engine, rebuild, then install it so I have the least amount of time without my rex. This is my project I plan on doing about 1-2 years down the road, just trying to do some reaserch so when I get the extra $ I'll be able to do it right away.

jsinrx7

You are in luck!!! I am selling my turbo setup (J-spec man., T3 turbo, and ducting) for $750. The unit has not been used since its rebuild about 3 months ago. If you are interested or you have any questions E-mail me at Jsinrx7@hotmail.com I am pretty knowledgable on this subject. Thanks, Jason

PaulFitzwarryne

The items in the photo do not look like a 12at Jspec turbo set-up. They appear to be a bolt-on 'custom' kit without changing the compression. What fuel system were they designed for?

mar3

iTrader: (8)

It's a blow-through carb set-up and it says "Turbonetics" right on the bonnet. They know what they're doing...too bad I'm not contemplating the turbo route, this is good stuff...

mperformance

It's a blowthru right? seems like it's for a nikki carb setup. The turbonetics bonnet looks cool.

Question is that T3 turbo oil and water cooled? I Don't now too much about turbos.

buckfutter125

okay, iv been talking to a guy in my area that knows everything about rx7's and he says to put a turbo on you must have some kind of small chamber between the turbo and the exhaust ports on the engine. This is because the rotary engine has pulses in the exhaust that can wreck a turbo in no time.

Also that turbo of jsinrx7 looks pretty easy to make yourself i might have to give it a try.

Just a question how do you control the fuel to air ratio when the turbo starts putting up its boost. I know most fuel injected engines have a fuel regulator that for every 1 pound of boost it puts out there is 6 or so more fuel pressure to componsate for the more air.

mar3

iTrader: (8)

All turbo bearings use oil as a cooler. Water, even with glycol, will boil at the temps those bearings see...water or air-cooled for the air intake charge itself would be the next question...

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Now is when you need to use the search button...I remember all of this being covered not even a month ago...do the research, maihn...

buckfutter125

i noticed the 12a turbo kit jsonrx7 is selling for 750. Will you take less because on ebay a month ago went a turbo kit that had 2 kits included but one was missing the duct that went onto the carb. It went for just under $600 us.

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Das cold, man! And, by the way, that was a month ago...this is now...PM him directly instead of using the thread as a private message board...gotta remember etiquette or you'll anger Acuspeed...

mperformance

actually the ones on ebay where some crappy kits that were wet...the turbo would see the gas/air mixture (BOOM!) ...

The one shown here looks nice. I would add an intercooler to that setup. THe carb would have to be moddified and a vacumm sensitive fuel pressure reg. added.

mar3, that's why I said that I don't know too much about turbos. About search Daaaimned it...I forgot. .. Who the hell uses that...remember it's better to post stupid questions and get the answer just as quick as the search...LOL!!! oh crap...yeah etiquette I forget. SOrry I drank too much last night, stupid world cup games...

Anyhow, I'll cool my teeeeurbo (my imaginary one) with water...make myself a nice steam engine. As far as I know a lot of turbos are also water cooled, but then again I'm an idiot don't quote me on that. BTW glycol or coolant does not boil at those operating temps if it's under pressure or does it???

REVHED

He may know everything about Rx-7's but he doesn't know jack about rotaries and turbos. Complete rubbish.

jsinrx7

Hey guys I am the one selling the turbo, I figured I would tell you a thing or two about it. The manifold is a J-spec unit off of I believe a 84' model year. The compressor is a T3 Unit, and it works much better than the factory one which is quite smaller. I bought this setup from a guy about three months back, who was running it on his 82'. He took it off to rebuild it, but before he put it back on, he came across a larger turbo and custom fabed a manifold and used that instead. So this turbo has ZERO miles on it since I havent used it. The reason I am selling is because I just moved out and I am working like hell to pay rent and go to school . I am asking $750, hundred an fifty less than I have into it and it hasnt even touched my car ! Anyway, thought you all might like to know that. If anyone has questions E-mail me at Jsinrx7@hotmail.com. I am pretty knowlegable on setting up turbo systems (i.e. fuel enrichment systems hint hint) Thanks guys. Jason

jsinrx7

mperformance, a intercooler would DEFINETELY be the first thing to add, VERY simple to do too. Oh and I also agree with REVHEAD, I dont think that guy knows what he is talking about when it comes to turbo-charging a Wankel.
-Jason-

jsinrx7

sorry about all of these post, I keep remembering things to say. The Trubonetics bonnet in the pic is for a Holley carb which is what I would recommend using. A Nikki will work but it requires more modding, Holley is much easier to make work.
Thanks, Jason

PaulFitzwarryne

I was not questioning whether the parts would work, but rather what set-up it was for. The Jspec 12at is FI, would the Mazda manifold work for a NA system such as a Holley? I agree the stock 12at turbo is small and the T3 better. What is interesting is the Jspec 12at output at 165hp is relatively better than the series 1 13bt after taking into account the difference in capacity. Its components could not be that bad!

buckfutter125

okay, you got me interested in the turbo unit for sale. But if i wanted to keep the stock Nikki carb what would i have to do to make it work? Also what would you recommend for a fuel pump and regulator. Also is there anything else that i would need to change to put that turbo on?
Thanks,
Jason