JasonT

Hi,

I was looking a purchasing an RX-7 or a Subaru EJ-20 for my 1968 Beetle. At the moment the RX-7 looks like the sweeter deal. I was wondering if there were any problems with the RX-7 which I may encounter after installing it and if so how to over come them.

Cheers in advance

Jason

introVert

I think there have been some threads posted on this in the rotary/other section- as far as I know- the main problem is cooling, i.e. putting a water-cooled front mounted engine in a car that wasn't designed for it. I have heard of guys cutting up their trunks to mount a radiator, and running their lines through the heater ducts in the floorpan. This approach weakens the front end substantially, and I'd be leary about getting in an accident without some serious re-fortifying of the front end after the rad mount. I know there are also adapters out there to bolt the 13b up to a VDub tranny & drivetrain.

Good luck! And keep us posted.

TK

SaturnHKS

The RX-7 is the car, not the engine....

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

don't have anything to say that Introvert hasn't already touched, but i would like to say i think either engine the rotary or EJ20 would make quite an interesting Beetle ... definitely update this when you make a choice.

JasonT

Yea cheers for the info, I’ve seen a few sites that have dealt with this problem (the cooling) so if I pretty much follow what they did it won't be too much of a hassle.
(http://www.geocities.com/zenjoe/vw.html)
At the moment it's between

EJ20 TURBO
2000
GC8 WRX LATE
260 horse power at the flywheel
$3000

or

13B TWIN TURBO
1300 ROTARY
SERIES 6 RX7
255 horse power at the flywheel
$3,200

There are some cheaper ones but don't want to regret getting a dodgy one. It’s going to cost about $300 to send over here. Got this info from
( http://www.jaustech.com.au/performance%20engines.htm)

introVert

A 13B-REW? Whoa- sounds gnasty! I'd do a single turbo conversion on that, though, before dropping it in-(my humble opinion)- now you got me salivating!

JasonT

Will take that into consideration...
BTW...these costs are $AUS for the engines
One question, when do cars need to go over the pits, new engine etc...

introVert

Hmmm- I am a usa vert driver, so I got stuck w/ the n/a motor, which is pretty reliable- on the order of 200,000 miles w/ no probs. A turbo, or a 13b-rew is less reliable, that's why I suggested the single turbo conversion. You had best direct inquiries on the REW motor to the third gen forum- they would know far more than I would.