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4WD for rotary?

Old Nov 11, 2004 | 12:55 PM
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4WD for rotary?

Is there a "modern" (ie, not earlier than the 90's) 4 wheel drive system that can be "bolted up" (or made to bolt up) to a 20b turbo rotary engine and can handle the power it generates? I want to build an Open Class rally car......
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Old Nov 11, 2004 | 02:46 PM
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heh.
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Old Nov 11, 2004 | 02:59 PM
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I have no info on the pic but its been done before. $$$$$$$

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Old Nov 11, 2004 | 05:10 PM
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they used a 323 front wheel drive system I think
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Old Nov 12, 2004 | 01:04 PM
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I would just find a suitable 4wd, and have a custom bell-housing made. Like an old all-trac celica, that would be badass with a rotary.
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Old Nov 12, 2004 | 08:47 PM
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That's a picture from the Rod Millen days, when he was custom building 4wd systems for his RX7 that he was competing in rallying in. There were 4 built in total, and I think only 2 of them are left, and nobody's selling those ones.....
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Old Nov 12, 2004 | 08:53 PM
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it would like having the power of a skyline and with its weight and 50.50, OMG
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Old Nov 12, 2004 | 09:02 PM
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Audi Quattro - torsen all the way around, and it allows you to retain longitudinal mounting... not all that difficult, IMHO.
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Old Nov 12, 2004 | 09:22 PM
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But Is It Possible To Take A 4wd System From A Car And Put It To A Rx7. Was Thinking Both Cars Drivetrain And Wheelbase Has To Be The Came Length
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 07:23 AM
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well, i can't (and won't attmept to) speak on how to make it work, but:

- as mentioned before, the latest generation Audi Quattro systems would be best, in my opinion

- pirate front drive components from a Honda (because it's easier and cheaper to find stronger aftermarket axles) and use a center differential from a light truck

that's my 2 revs

however, i'm curious ... what car are you thinking of building this out of?
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 09:15 AM
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4wd gsl-se

rexrally about 3 1/2 years ago here in miami there was 1 of thos 4wd 1st gens (gsl-se) for sale. itwas in the autotrader and they wanted like 3500 i think. i called him up and he explained to me at the time who built it (rod millen) . i wasnt into 4wd back then cause if something broke on that i wanst goin to be cheap and im very heavy footed when it comes to throttle . instead i opted for another gsl-se with a 4port engine ported and carbs . had lots of fun. the 4wd gsl-se was either beige or white couldnt tell from pics . but owner did say rod millen used the 323 gtx front 4wd components to make it work. i regret painfully not having purchased this rare beast at the time. just imagine a turboII or something under that hood pushing 300hp , scary fun .
you can find in some of the rx7 history books they feature the 4wd millen 1st and 2nd gen rx7s . millen is one sick bastard has anyone seen the 4wd tacoma (1000 hp)going up the Pikes peak mountain race they hold once a year. nicest driving ive seen for that power
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:14 PM
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I've seen lots of horror stories of 323 GTX trannies, having the torsional strength of balsa wood. I think this is going to end up being a real jigsaw puzzle, with pieces from all over the place.

I'm looking to build the ultimate Mazda rally car for competition in the Canadian Rally Championship. I want to build a 4wd 20b turbo machine. I'm sick of the Subies taking the limelight year after year. Somebody needs to change that.

Darkphantom;
I think with a little work, a 4wd system can be put into an RX7. Rod Millen has already proved it. A front wheel drive subframe will have to be welded into an RX7 to handle the FWD power, and the driveshafts may have to be lengthened or shortened (at a machine shop) to fit, but it can be done. Notice I didn't say anything about "cheap", though........
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Old Nov 16, 2004 | 06:42 AM
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Originally Posted by diabolical1
well, i can't (and won't attmept to) speak on how to make it work, but:

- as mentioned before, the latest generation Audi Quattro systems would be best, in my opinion

- pirate front drive components from a Honda (because it's easier and cheaper to find stronger aftermarket axles) and use a center differential from a light truck

that's my 2 revs

however, i'm curious ... what car are you thinking of building this out of?

wheel base yes but the length could be easily altered by changing the length of the shaft going to the rear end.

Then you could always disconnect the front axles and get RWD!!!
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Old Nov 16, 2004 | 07:35 AM
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My Mazda B2600i (Comparable trucks made between 1986-1993) has a Model R, Type III, ribcase style tranny similar to what comes in Turbo RX-7's. Swap bellhousings and bolt up any driveshafts and axles you want.

It'll probably also be available on the MPV. The MPV van came with a 2.6 I4 or a 3.something V6... So the tranny will take the torque.
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Old Nov 16, 2004 | 04:26 PM
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I today was flipping though yet another rx7 book and found a pic of the awd rx7 that finnaly means something. I have hurd 300000 times that it uses 323 parts but never say to an extent as to what

the photo was mainly aimed at showing the steering for some reason, but it showed enought, the motor was mounted transversly on a fwd ( or in this case the awd) tranny, that gave it away was the alt was pressed up under a fenderwell

-Jacob
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Old Nov 16, 2004 | 05:55 PM
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my mechanic was using a 2nd gen AWD 13b to RAlly, he also utilized the audi quatro componets
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Old Nov 17, 2004 | 12:52 PM
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didn't someone build a 4WD Rx-7 from a 626? i would have sworn it was Millen, too, but i could be mistaken. but i like Pele's idea about the 4X4 B-series. it makes sense and sound like it would lessen the amount of fabbing headaches a bit ...
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