TheZkidd86

So here is the deal, I have a Bradley GT. it's a kit car. It sits on a 1974 VW Beetle frame. I'm looking to put a turbo rotary motor in it. Because it is a kit car I am going to use all RX7 wiring. Since I have to wire the body anyway and I'm using an RX7 motor I figured this would be the best option.*

I have read some about the swap. I know I need an adaptor plate and I will have to do some fabrication work, but that's not a problem. I'm a machinist/welder so I should be good. I do however have a couple of questions I need answered before I can start. First I need some help deciding on a motor.*

I have done some reading, and it looks like I'm going to put in a 13B. I have read it has better aftermarket support. Now going carbureted seems to be "easier". But fuel injected seems the "better" route to go. I have not been able to find a thing on swapping a E.F.I. 13B into anything other than another RX7.*

So I guess my question is, since I'm going with the 13B would it be better carbureted, or fuel injected? And if I go with E.F.I. what will it take to make it work? (Or will it work fine with just the E.C.U. and wiring)*

I'm sure this is answered somewhere on the forum, I just couldn't find it, so if you could post a link that would be awesome! Thanks for any help!

Hernan1209

iTrader: (4)

Well, you have to decide wich route you want to go. Plan for the future, probably later on you might want to go turbo=Haltech, Miicrotech, etc...

reo

iTrader: (4)

Have some swaps in my past; so first forget about using the total wiring harness it weights a ton, would leave you using all the tx-7 dash controls with their faults, second; no welding required the adapter will support the engine just like vw, and third think about using fuel injection perhaps adapting the stock ECU or better still a stand alone (find out what the local kids are using) in my area there are a lot of megasquirt users. I have had several stock FCs and now have a kit car with a 13b and a weber 48. sure miss the driveability of the stock FI and the power was more too, not to mention that carbs are high maint. There was a useful quote here " carburetors belong on lawn equipment not cars" wise words. Wire the car as a vw it is simpler and you can use a vw harness or make your own, if carb, use the early electronic dist with cap and rotor and two bosch blue coils to be simple. this site has all the rotary info, you will need, it is just hard to search on.

TheZkidd86

So if I use the RX-7 engine wiring harness /E.C.U and the VW Beetle body harness the E.C.U. should function properly, right? If not, then wouldn't it be better to use the RX-7 body harness and cut off what I don't need?

I know the adaptor will hold the motor, but I have read about people who have broken parts from the torque of an unbraced rotary. Everything I've read supports fabricating a motor mount.*

After reading, I do believe I'm going with fuel injection. As far as I can tell the stock E.C.U. should work. I would rather not go with a stand alone fuel management system. Is there a programmable E.C.U. for the 13B? (like Nissan has NIStune) Even stock the 13B TT has 4.25 times the HP as the VW 1600 that comes on the beetle.*

reo

iTrader: (4)

ECU; never tried using the stock rx-7 ecu in a swap but it makes sense, if you look at the wiring inputs you may be able to tell just what is necessary. (perhaps there are some more knowing people here who could help you out here) as for wiring the rx-7 is far more complicated than the vw and you are putting the engine in the back so the harness will have to be modified. I would use vw for the car ( you can buy new stock or dune-buggy type with better connectors and modern fuses or diy) and either rx-7 engine/ECU harness for engine functions. Keep in mind that even opening up the exhaust can cause problems using the stock ECU, and last but MOST IMPORTANT you are deviating from the factory cooling systems and you need to be very careful especially the oil cooler ( had to build a new nose for my lotus7 in order to get oil temps down and a top or v mount inter-cooler is the only possible option. I guess what I am saying is that you are putting the power plant outside it's normal environment and that will bring many design challenges. when you are done you will be the mentor.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

the stock ecu will work, however it has a lot of inputs and outputs, so its actually harder to wire up because there are more switches and sensors. most of the sensors/injectors are on the harness with the ecu, but you do have to wire up the 3rd plug, which has the ignition and power(s) and a couple other things

i would run the S4 86-88) electronics as they are a little simpler.

there is a company called Rtek that can take a stock ecu and make it programmable