Lonx

I was wondering if anyone on here has converted a FWD/AWD vehicle to run a rotary engine (12A, 13B etc.)? Mating up with a gearbox and engine mounts aren't really a problem - but I'm more worried about getting the driveshaft to fit under the sump. So if you've done this or know of anyone who has please reply - it would be greatly appreciated.

I did a search but couldn't find anything & apologise if this has been covered before.

Please don't reply to post that this is either a pointless or stupid idea. Thats not what I'm looking for.

SS124A

a bloke from australia made this work. he converted an older subaru to rotary power..

Mazda made one car that was front drive/rotary.. very rare. don't recall the name/too lazy to look it up..

if you really wanted to do a front drive convertion.. it would be easy with a transaxle from a eagle/dodge intrepid..

if you could find one that was a manual.

rotary emotions

it really depends on what car you'd like to use. Some cars have the engine mounted transverse, making a rotary swap rather complicated (but not impossible) while others (esp. older ones) had the engine in the length. This last way was aslo the way an NSU Ro80 had it's engine. That would be a rather easy convertion.
If you go for transverse mounted one, you might need to do some investigation about what fits what.
Citroën GS Birotor had this setup, and the driveshafts where next to the engine block. Pics have been here before, try searching the other rotary forum for FWD, there has been a thread before, it might help (a bit)

rburnett

Please! No more FWD! I look at my car everyday and say, "yeah it's nice but.......DAMN FWD!"

rotary emotions

Well, it's not bad to have a FWD car. A RWD will be some more fun in a sportscar. But a FWD (or even AWD) will be a lot easier in everyday situations. When it's really wet on the (already bad) streets out here, I'm more then happy not driving the RX-7!!!
If I'd be able to design my own family car it'd be Rotary powered, FWD (or maybe AWD) and large enough for 5 people. Well, it seems I already have that kind of car: My NSU Ro80 fits that picture just right

Lonx

Thanks for the replies so far The car I'm considering it for is an 88 Nissan Exa. The engine is mounted east-west in these like most FWD's so you are right in saying the sump would probably be an issue. Hasn't made me give up on the idea yet - its these kinda things that make it worth doing something different

peejay

There was a guy in PA who put a 13B in a Subaru RX. It was for sale about 5 years ago, when I was looking for an RX. I believe he wanted $2500 for it. Casted up his own bellhousing and everything. Said the biggest issue was COOLING - he had two radiators installed and it still ran hot sometimes.

I passed it up. I wanted a turbocharged boxer four with my AWD, close ratio transfer case, rally bred machine, not a rotary.

The R-130 Luce was FWD, and had the 13A engine... the only Mazda rotary to have different trochoid dimensions than the standard 10A/12A/13B stuff. 1310cc, 60mm wide rotors.

krackerx7

iTrader: (1)

??? why a eagle/dodge intrepid

peejay

They are longitudinal engine FWDs.

Just like every Subaru except for the Justy (as well as the Rex and probably some others that weren't sold here). Just like every Audi except for the A3/TT. Just like every SAAB made in the '80s and earlier. Just like - yes - the R-130 Luce.

Along with scads more.

crpdragracing

Ok, guys. Am working on my Rotary Power 86' Hyundai Excel. Any questions? It's easier rear wheel drive than front wheel. Research and patience are paying off. What ever you think you can do? do it, it will work. You are NOT waisting your time. Put all those mechanical ideas to work, if not, some else will come with your idea and will put them to work.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

Acura Legend also was FWD with a lengthwise engine... v6 too, so the gearbox can put up with some abuse.

wwilliam54

if you want a fast excel a 4g63 is the best way, not a hard swap at all

fi addict

what about the thought of rear engine or mid w/ fwd.
nice 9inch axle to help pin that front down. just a thought since my friends ol bug died

Jon_Valjean

What's wrong with this picture?

Pele

iTrader: (28)

HOLY ****!!! Thier RWD bellhousings work with their FWD transaxles... AWESOME... Truly modular stuff...

What is that? a 323 or something.

Jon_Valjean

Yeah, it's a 323 station wagon.



http://www.nocamzmotorsport.co.nz/Andrew323-wagon.htm

peejay

Seen that car before... article I saw said the bellhousing was a custom fab.

All i want to know, is how the exhaust clears the long halfshaft.

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

I bet the engine is rotated a bit.

MikeLMR

the bellhousing is standard 323 (its integral with the box) , there does apear to be an adpater plate though.

looks like the top radiator hose would be interesting ... as would the bottom hose

fi addict

is all that power going to the left front wheel? what the??? and wow does that sit low or????

rotary emotions

Yeah, it looks like an adapter-plate, but it seems a bit thin. Could that hold?
Actually I didn't even notice the radiator setup until you mentioned it, but it seems these guys will have even more fun making this work then I did with my car...

MikeLMR

its not very thick but I would hazzard a guess that it would be more than adequate for a noramally aspirated engine and probably good for more power than we would imagine.

The more I look at that engine the more i wonder if they ever finished it. Notice the power steering pipes ... wheres does the pump fit ?

As per other comments I would love to see that driveshafts, the diff sits on the back of the box near the bell housing (you can just see it) the GT 323's have a drivshaft carrier on the back of the block to make the driveshafts equal length, which would put the driveshaft and carrier bang in line with a rotaries exhaust ports ! unequal length shafts would make for horrible torque steer too.

peejay

Doesn't matter, the Mazda G-type transaxle is rather weak, I bet a rotary's torque would demolish one in short order.

MikeLMR

they aren't that bad, people put plenty of power and torque through them with GTX and GTR engine swaps. With some care and respect it should easilly cope with a street ported 12a.

halfast

From 1982 I was building 13B race engines for Barry Lowe, one of Australia's leading rally champs, he won multiple state rally champs and was given a factory subaru drive in 86 and 87, winning the national champ. In 88 we decided to build the ultimate rally hotrod, a R-100 with subaru gearbox, 929 rear axle (same diff ratios) and a 270hp j-port 13B! There was no space for front radiator so it went into the boot and fed by large scoops at the front of the wheel flares.
Amazingly the car was a dream to drive and a lot faster on gravel than the subaru turbo grp N rally cars racing that year. This brings me to the point of this post, I test drove it many times on the streets around the workshop and in front wheel drive the thing was crazy to drive, absolutly NO traction, Massive torque steer/wheelspin at 70mph+!!! But back off, pull it into 4wd and the beast was suddenly super stable, no wheelspin, no fun!!! CAMS banned it and it ended up as a street car in Darwin.
regards Bryan Hester Adelaide OZ