Tiny engine/transmission compartment. Engine will fit no problem but am concerned about transmission. Anyone know front of bellhousing to shifter dimension? Search suggested 4 inches closer shifter on the pre '80 transmissions. What are my chances of finding an early sa tranny or at least a tail housing?

Thanks,

Jon from Silicon Valley

 

welcome to the board.

interesting ....

when you get enough posts to be able to check the Classifieds forum, it should just be a matter of time before you find an SA transmission.

however, the Rx-8's transmission should be a viable option as it is about 4 inches shorter than an FC tranny (according to the FAQ). I have not measured it myself, but I also have no reason to doubt the source.

 

That would be a pretty slick swap...GL.

 

What year and color is your elite? A husband and wife participated a few years ago in the Copperstate Classic here in Arizona with a 1963 periwinkle elite. Looked like a very small FD to me. Love the body lines and wondered then if a 2 rotor NA would fit in the engine bay. Any pics you'd be willing to share??

 

RCAAZ1,
Not actually a car yet. I've got a Lotus elan frame with suspension, etc. which will be lengthened to fit a Lotus Elite body shell. The frame will dictate engine / transmission size as it has a sheet metal central tall rectangle between driver and passenger which branches into a "Y' going to each front wheel and which encloses the engine & transmission into a small defined space. Can't modify this sheet metal frame much as it carries all weight and forces of the car.

Diabolical 1,
Thanks for the welcome and info on RX8. I'll find the FAQ for further inquiry into tranny size. I did get the pdf on the SA shop manual and liked the integral shifter which is more likely to fit a confined space than the later trans with separate remote higher shifter tube. Even the SA may be too long, however. Hope to get an actual measurement bellhousing front to shifter.

Jon from Silicon Valley

 

Keep us updated.

 

TechiMike,

Will update although it will take some time to get the chassis straight and rolling. Wanted to get started on the transmission as it takes time to find old & rare items.

 

You're really considering a 13B in a Elite??

 

Rx7thsign,

I'm not going to desecrate a real Elite (I had one in college). The rotary engine is going into an Elan frame and will look like an Elite.

Jon

 

So..it'll be an "e-like"???
( I think a Rotary in a Kit car would be Freakin wild,so I'm all for it!)

 

Please keep updates on this, this sounds epic!!

 

Don't know if this makes any sense but I've bought two early 626 transmissions sight unseen for the RWD Lotus. Hope they will be similar to the early RX7s with shift close to the engine.

 

Outstanding! I've done a few rotary to Brit car swaps in my time, the current one is a NA13B in a 1974 Jensen Healey.

About the transmission: the B2200 pickups had a shifter which was much closer to the front of the trans than the RX7's. The tailhousings and shift rods etc will swap. It's also possible to modify the existing shifter housing on the RX7 box to move the shifter ~4" forward, that's how I did the transmission in my J-H.

 

RX744CSP, Thanks for the great idea. Seems so logical, why didn't I think of that? Standard smoothcase (with integrated rotary bell) using a B2200 tailhousing to move the shift.

 

i like the idea

 

Mad but me like