Rotary 4x4
 

Hey Guys,

Check this out, guy is making a rotary 4x4 jeep kinda thingy:)

http://members.home.nl/johanccc/lj-80_pictures.htm

seem strange that you'd put a high reving low torque engine into a mud plugger .... torque is usually whats required.

although the engine never let me down 39 hp isn't much power when driving on the street, and I really miss that fifth gear because at 55 mph it really screams


Looking at this I think torque will INCREASE with a rotary engine.

cool, but somehow I feel a V8 would be more on it's place here. Can't help to feel that rotaries belong in sportscars, or at least high range sedans (NSU Ro80, Cosmo JC, ...) But any attempt to build another rotary engined car is to be encouraged! :D
I've been getting more and more intrested in a Rotary Bug (VW Beetle). A 12A with good intake and exhaust system would be a lot more powerfull then a little four-pot boinger. Unfortunatly my wife doesn't really fancy the idea of another car :( how come??? ;)

RE, I've been trying to convince Tim to do the same to his bug but I fear in holland its a problem because the car no longer will have an equal number of pistons.

It sure is cool, rotary bugs:)

As for the 4x4, yeah its a strange combo with a rotary, but I dont care, I still think its a cool project:)

In Belgium it'd be totally illegal! Engine swaps are basicly forbidden. Some exceptions are possible, when the manufacturer (or official importer) will allow you to uprate with an engine also homologated for the same chassis. The importer/manufacturer will then apply for a new "GVA" (homologation document). This can only be done for cars that use different engines into the sme chassis. For example, a collegue at work (when I was still working in Antwerp) was involved in Opel Kadett GTE's (the old ones, not the boring '80s models) and had an ex-1400cc car, uprated to 1600cc on paper (and 2000cc Manta engine in reality :D)
Mazda will NOT help you with those things, but like in Germany, BMW has even "allowed" customers to put V12 5.0l engines in 3 series! A 350, that must rock!!!
A 350 would be impossible overhere though: the car was never type approved like that :(
As for "not the same number of pistons",what do you mean? It still has four sparkplugs, doesn't it? :D

RE, yeah but it has two rotors, so on the papers it should say 2, not 4. Thats all that matters here.:)

4 rotor :D problem solved

Mike, you think that will fit in a bug?:)

Sure, if you take out the rear seats and make a doghouse back there. :)

Ren

Since the bug-engine is in the "wrong" place, there's no need to take the seats out, simply cut the middle part out of the rear bumper, and body piece behind it :D

re, auch, that will give you a 10 - 90 weight distribution, maybe makes a nice drag car but nothing more than that:)

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Don't know why I was thinking mid engine... :doh:

But, really, it wouldn't be that hard to reverse the transaxle and move the engine into the rear seat area of the car. Much better weight distribution that way, too. :)

Ren

reversing the tranny is a piece of cake, just need to change the pinion gear to make sure you keep the gears in the right direction (you don't want 4 or 5 reverses, do you? But to bolt an engine to that... You'd have to cut the floorpan, change the suspension, ... Actually, it'd be easier to build a tubed beetle then, and just use a silhouete body.
As for wheight distribution: you're only part right Bas. A four rotor is still rather "small" compared to piston engines, I'm sure it will not be much heavier then a flat six, and a 911 doesn't have 90/10 either, does it? Point is: a 12A or 13B will bolt in very easy, but anything else will become rather hard. The solution is using a 2 rotor, but don't put it on Dutch tags :D
But I'm not really going to start such a project, at least not for the next few years ;) I'm kinda thinking about a widebody FC, but can neither afford nor have the space for yet another project.
I'll concentrate on the Mariah and NSU for now, and then might turn the 1984 FB into something special, just for fun (convertible, speedster, LM-racer/254 replica, who knows?)

YES! that would be a cool project, would you go for a full on replica with stripped out interior (is that legal in Belgium ? is anything legal :D ) or just an external replica with correct decals etc. ?

re, I was overexaturating offcourse:):)

Well, first of all: this is not something I'm going to start anytime soon. With some weeks of work on the Mariah (only little progress has been made lately, for several reasons I don't seem to be able to get on with it) and a complete rebuild/restauration of the NSU planned, I'll have enough to do for the next months. And before I start the NSU, I'll first build a shed/garage (about 16x4meters, so it should give me some space) so this year no new carprojects will be started.
Right now rules for non-standard cars (used to be very tight) are getting a bit better: some mods are now allowed. For example: you can now lower the car (got a remark for that last year) or fit an aftermarket steering wheel (used to be forbidden!!!)
They want to allow us roll-cages aswell, so I'm waiting for the evolution of the law there (I want a roll bar in the Mariah, but not a full cage)
A stripped out interior shouldn't make any problems, as long as the legal equipment (speedometer, seatbelts, fire extinguisher (is that spelled correct? don't think so...) etc) are there.
I'm planning on a correct replica outside, but have to decide body style (252, 253, 254) yet, and see if that's allowed/can be allowed.
Under the body, a tubeframe car would be the idea, using mainly FC components (diff, brakes...), and double wishbone suspension in front.
These are all still very rough thoughts, and need to be cleared first. So any comments are welcome.

Hey !
this is an LJ80!
I have an LJ80 too!
even if completely stock.....
for now.....

Found you once more Mr.Turboren

Any Progress on this ?

pretty radical and putting a rotary in a bug was an option a friend of mine was thinking about as wel.. untill he decided to have a 2.5 twin turbo Subaru engine (Legacy break) shipped over here and dropped it right in with some US adaptor kit. Engine swap started at Friday, bug driving at Sunday.. 250HP in a 55hp bug.. totally mental.. i adviced him to trow a few sacks of cement in the front trunk untill his weelies bars arrive...LOL

Were there some RX-7 4x4 from Mazda, as a racer in the States or as some kind of offroad car?

there were some RX7 rally cars made by Mazda with 4X4 yes

Really ? i have never heard of one ?

Do tell please....

I can't find the tread right now but it was a arlly car only thing? It was never in production or available to buy. There are some pictures in a few treads on the forum.

It was a 1st gen I believe