I tried to just search for the information I'm wanting but didn't have much luck. I am building an offroad truck generally called a "pre-runner" although it will not pre-run any races, but it will be that type of truck. My current plan is to run a 20b, but I am wondering how the power would be for this application. I know it will make plenty of peak hp and torque, but not sure about low end and just how it would feel. My other option is a LS1 which really would probably be the better choice because of what it will be used for, but I really enjoy rotaries and want to run the 20b. If you think it's a bad idea for what I'm building, just let me know. Also, what about reliability in this type of truck. And I would probably be running it basically stock at first with a few extra parts. Thanks for any help.

 

Hey, another Arky. Good to know there are a few on the forum.

I think you answered your own question. I mean the better choice statement.

I am in the middle of doing a 1989 20B N/A. I applaud your love for the rotary and especially the 20B. But.....do yourself a favor and with that application stick the LS motor in and be done with it. I think I can say that on this forum and not get blasted by the Purist...Seeing how it is not going into a RX.

Good Luck whatever you do.

By the way, where do you live in Arkansas?

 

Oops, sorry....double post.

 

Thanks, I am starting to lean towards the LS1 but still keep wanting the 20b. I am in northeast Arkansas. The town is Lafe, it's really small, 10 miles from Paragould, 35 miles from Jonesboro if you know where either of those places are.

 

I don't know your mechanical abilities or your knowledge of rotaries. But I have lived in Arkansas for the most part, my whole life.

Although I did live in Italy for all of 2005....didn't want to sound to much like a hick.

Anyway, I have never heard of Lafe. I can't imagine there is much of a chance of having a rotary expert around....unless maybe in Memphis. But the point is, to get torque you want you are going to have a very complicated system that is not going to like getting the hell beat out of it off road. With the LS whatever you can bet you or someone near by knows what to do.

Plus the torque advantage is just over the top for the Chevy. The engine can loaf around and make more torque. I know there are people that disagree with that statement but pretty much anyone that frequents the 20B forum is going to agree that the LS is the smart thing to do. Unless maybe your have cash out the wazzu and in that case go for the 20B. I would love to see it.

Although, I did see a video last night on the net somewhere that had a VW Bug offroader with a Whipple Supercharged 20B. The sound of the 20B exhaust and the supercharger whine was intoxicating. I mean really, it was sick. To bad the video, audio quality sucked.

 

I don't think the 20b is the route you want to take. You're probably going to want lots of hp, torque, and the ability to run all out, hours at a time under very harsh conditions. I've seen them used in crawlers, but pre-runners are a different beast.

 

I'll have to look for the video of the VW, sounds nice. Yeah I'm not sure where I would find someone that knew anything about them. I'll just save the 20b for another project probably, like what it should be in, an RX7 Adunlap yeah you're right, but around here I don't know where I will find somewhere to go fast very long. I wish there was somewhere around here for that, but for the most part it will have to be short runs and lots of jumps.
Christopher, I just noticed your name, it's odd, my cousin just moved to west Arkansas (Rogers) and his name is Christopher W. too.

 

I tried to find the VW again but had no luck. I was all over the New Zealand and Aussie rotary sites the day before. So I have no idea where I ran across it.

Yea, I am in Fayetteville. My girlfriend lives in Rogers.

 

20b can make plenty of torque in the low range if you complement the engine with a fast spooling turbo. A Gt35r ball bearing turbo matted to this engine would be the ticket. 300 ft lbs between 3-4k can easily be done while making over 400 rwhp while not having to rev to stratospheric levels. Now the only problem is, you will never match the off idle torque of the v8 till you hit boost so keep that in mind.

 

http://www.rotahavik.co.nz/viewtopic.php?t=28226

20B VW combi !!!!!

 

Not the one I saw but damn....perfect for the rotorhippy

 

That is nice, I like the video of the bug with the rotary doing donuts in a parking lot.

 

Thanks, that's something to consider, I will keep it in mind because I still really want to do it. But want to make sure it will be close to what I'm wanting. After all the money I'm going to have in just the truck and then the cost of getting the 20b and it setup the way I want, I would need to be kinda sure.