As most have may seen or heard, I have a 1985 GS. Now, the 12A in it is hosed. Dead. I'm trying to take it out now. I thought about going the 302 route for a while, but am also thinking of swapping in a 13B, possibly the turbo one. I am just lost on what to do here, put in the 13b or keep on with the 302? Also, a 12A wouldn't be bad. I just don't know where to look for a good 12A or 13B. Now, this will be a weekend car, so I really don't need to look for bulletproof reliability. I just want a little power to mess around with, but also some good auto-x or drifting fun. Tell me what you think, 302 or rotary? Thanks!

 

For 302 Ford check the other engines section in Rotary performance, its been done quite successfully.
13B can be equally effective but what is the cars intended use, race, street, drag.
302 with all aluminum accessories can be as little as 20 lb more than a 12a.

You'll make a lot of enemies with a boinger but its your car, do your research and then go for it.

 

I think if you are even considering a V8 then that is what you should install. You are obviously not a wankel guy at heart and therefore will not have the dedication it takes to live with an old rotor-powered car.
You will probably have more success with a piston engine.

 

The car's intended use will be a weekend cruiser (street, occasionally) but mostly autoX and drifting.

 

I find it hard to ignore the torque of a SBF in a 2400 lb car, even stock its awesome, but dont ignore suspension and brakes.

For autocross HP isnt such a big deal.

 

I want something different-that's why i've considered the rotary (foreign to my friends) but also the V8 in an rx-7 (power to weight, RWD, domestic but an import too)

 

If you're thinking piston, look at the Ford 2.3 out of a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe... Friend of mine has one in an early 80's Mustang that is awsome. I've read posts on this forum where someone was swapping a 2.3 into their 1st gen.

- David

 

I want to go rotary, but am unsure of the cost. I'm a high school senior, starting college next fall (parents are taking care of that, no worries). I dont know, 13B-t? The mechanics don't bother me, either way I'm still not the best. It's the price of both.

 

In my opinion get a cheap beater for college and store your beloved rotary until you can afford to put money in it without eating Ramen for every meal.

 

I have a DD already, a '96 Accord. College is paid for, and I'm living at home with a good paying job (7.50/hr)

 

Then by all means go crazy with it. Me, I'd probably go with a 13b build w/ a turbo.

 

I would do a large streetport with custom exhaust and nice weber. That should be plenty enough power.

 

I was thinking the streetport part, RB exhaust, and a nice sterling. Maybe a turbo setup...this is for 12A, i was offered one...but still waiting for details.

 

Ok, that works too. A custom exhaust will cost a lot less.

 

Right now this is all still in the dreaming phase. The only real step I've taken towards a 302 swap is getting the T-5 Transmission from a mustang GT.

 

no rotor no motor! but hell if you want to....

 

I want to stay rotor, but everything that was related to it, except the shell of the keg, is out and disassembled

 

you say you want a little more power....... well 1st you need to know around what HP goal you want . then how much money you are wanting to spend... HP + $$$ = the motor

if you want to have the nutz and tell every one to shut up.. swap a 03 cobra drive train in it!!! 390HP at the wheels and for under 900 bucks you can get 500 hp out of it(thats just bolt ons)

or

you could always do a 20B BP big single

12a PP

lol there is lots of choices so use the forumla hp + $$$ = motor

 

200hp would be nice, 250 would be awesome!
I think....12a...streetport, good carb, RB exhaust.

 

ok thats the HP numbers you are wanting how much money can you spend? you can keep it rotary with thos HP numbers and still be cheeper then a V8 swap

 

Keep it within $2007 for the challenge. Just to see if I can do it. I may be getting a 12A for cheap, getting some stuff for a guy, trade etc.