Rotary Chevette
07-17-05, 08:09 PM
#1
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Rotary Chevette
Ok I know it sounds stupid but it wieghs like 1800lbs and i have an s4 na pending rebuild could this be done and about how much would it cost. I pretty much know that I need custom mounts and stuff but after alot of mesurng. The RX7 tranny is really long and the drive shaft would be really short. But it all should fit pretty well do you think I should do this project.
07-18-05, 01:59 AM
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Can't see why it will be a problem at all. Great power to weight ratio. Yes a bit of work and as for the rear end its only pushing a chevette not a S4 and will handle more than you think. (Of course an upgraded rear will be able to take the tyre roasting a light car with that power will provide.) Brake upgrades and chassis strength will be the biggest concern, but if you think you can do it you probably can. I get laughed at on a daily basis when people hear about my 13b Turbo Mini. But my certifier is happy as. He told me if people get away with putting a 1000hp alcohol snorting supercharged V8 in a '32 Ford, you can do anything!
But all that aside, like I will, make the rear of the car the best looking end as a lot of people will spend a lot of time looking at it.
IMO - go for it!
But all that aside, like I will, make the rear of the car the best looking end as a lot of people will spend a lot of time looking at it.
IMO - go for it!
07-18-05, 10:15 AM
#4
Engine, Not Motor
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Already been done. There was an article in the "Rotary Transplants" issue or RXTuner in wich an owner installed a 13B-REW into his ''84 Chevette. With a "few" mods, it made 572 RWHP. 
I'm currently considering this as well. A semi-PP 13BT in a Chevette would be quite cool...
I'm currently considering this as well. A semi-PP 13BT in a Chevette would be quite cool...
07-18-05, 11:22 AM
#6
Chad Carson
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Originally Posted by emon
yeah that's a good idea though they are always putting their stupid LS1 and crap in our good cars. it's about time w put our awsome engines in their cars.
Check, I have to agree. I saw a post somewhere that someone put a rotary in a honda civic. Well, I would have to say I would not mind owning that civic.
That motor gave that civic class!
07-18-05, 11:48 AM
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07-18-05, 07:10 PM
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Well the reason I want to do the swap is because back in the 80s the chevettre was accually a rally car in europe but had a DOHC motor in it. As far as Brakes a big brake kit from a pontiac fiero will bolt up it is the same from the knukles out. The rear can handle 300hp been tested to. Also the motor that i had in it was a turbo. That was a mistake it ran good for 2 days. Also the motor I have is an S4 Na I will do a street port and other suh things. BTW never had to replace a thing on this thing until it 150000 miles on the odo. So it has been done I am so un inventive.
07-18-05, 07:21 PM
#13
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07-18-05, 08:20 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by RRTEC
Why would you waste a good rotary on a freaking Chevette- they are the worst car built in the 80's... Parts bin car.... No good mods.... crap, total crap.
If you must have a rotary-converted light-weight car that's readily available, stick with the older rear-wheel-drive Japanese makes. Early-'80s Corolla SR5, Early-to-mid '70s Toyota Celica, Datsun 510 or 1200, Toyota or Datsun Pick-ups and late-'70s Dodge Colt/ Plymouth Sapporo (which were actually Mitsubishis) come to mind.
The Opel GT sounds like the best choice though--- if you can only find one...
07-21-05, 01:06 AM
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Originally Posted by emon
yeah that's a good idea though they are always putting their stupid LS1 and crap in our good cars. it's about time w put our awsome engines in their cars.
Who are they? I think an LS1 is a great swap for a lot of cars (RX7s, Supras, Zcars etc.) I think the rotary in a Chevette would be cool too though. So am I one of them?
07-21-05, 01:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Aviator 902S
Exactly. Poorly constructed and poorly designed. Ergonomics and handling were terrible, and that steering column coming up at you at an angle made it feel like you were driving the car from the passengers' seat.
If you must have a rotary-converted light-weight car that's readily available, stick with the older rear-wheel-drive Japanese makes. Early-'80s Corolla SR5, Early-to-mid '70s Toyota Celica, Datsun 510 or 1200, Toyota or Datsun Pick-ups and late-'70s Dodge Colt/ Plymouth Sapporo (which were actually Mitsubishis) come to mind.
The Opel GT sounds like the best choice though--- if you can only find one...
If you must have a rotary-converted light-weight car that's readily available, stick with the older rear-wheel-drive Japanese makes. Early-'80s Corolla SR5, Early-to-mid '70s Toyota Celica, Datsun 510 or 1200, Toyota or Datsun Pick-ups and late-'70s Dodge Colt/ Plymouth Sapporo (which were actually Mitsubishis) come to mind.
The Opel GT sounds like the best choice though--- if you can only find one...
How about an Isuzu Impulse, just an extended Chevette chasis?
07-21-05, 03:22 AM
#17
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If you are going to **** chevy off why not Show them how a corvette or a GTO should perform? Give the v8 lovers something to cry about. I've always wanted to put one in an Australian Holden (GM) or Australian Ford Falcon. There is a huge following of big block heads over here (including my whole family) that would have something to say about a conversion like that!!!!
07-21-05, 04:06 AM
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I actually saw a rotary powered 54' Chevy believe it or not. Just didn't seem right though that engine in a big car like that. I like the rotory in a small car, the chevette is a good candidate.
07-21-05, 07:23 AM
#19
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Originally Posted by Filthy Sanchez
I actually saw a rotary powered 54' Chevy believe it or not. Just didn't seem right though that engine in a big car like that. I like the rotory in a small car, the chevette is a good candidate.
LOL. So now that the shoe is on the other foot it "just doesn't seem right"? A rotary (even a twin-turbo 20B putting out somewhere north of 400hp) in a classic American muscle car is a waste of car. Even with the superior powerplant the car's value has plummetted.
But a rotary (even a 100 hp 12A) in a chevette is a WASTE OF ENGINE--- for glaringly obvious reasons. The car simply doesn't do the engine justice.
Maybe go with a different engine for the chevette--- An LS1 comes to mind.
07-21-05, 10:22 AM
#20
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A chevette is actually a better handling car that an FB. I'm gonna get flammed for this but it's the truth. Stock for stock they don't compare because the FB has so much more power, LSD and 4-wheel discs. However because the Chevette has a panhard bar, rack and pinion steering and double wishbone front suspension stock, it has a very high potential to go quickly. Unfortunately the rest of the chassis can't keep up to the suspension. I dunno if I'd want to see a rotary swapped into one, but a better 4-banger and some decent brakes into a 2-door and I'd be paying attention.
Grant
Grant
07-21-05, 01:33 PM
#21
Engine, Not Motor
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I don't think people get it...The idea of putting a rotary into a Chevette is not because a Chevette is a good car, but because it is not. 
That said, what about a Honda Insight? 1800 Lbs, all aluminium, 0.25 CoD . Talk about power to weight. A lightly modded 13BT making ~250HP would mean a low 13 second car. Hell, a stock Insight has a better power to weight ratio then a 2nd gen RX-7 anyway...
That said, what about a Honda Insight? 1800 Lbs, all aluminium, 0.25 CoD . Talk about power to weight. A lightly modded 13BT making ~250HP would mean a low 13 second car. Hell, a stock Insight has a better power to weight ratio then a 2nd gen RX-7 anyway...
07-21-05, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Aviator 902S
[/i]
LOL. So now that the shoe is on the other foot it "just doesn't seem right"? A rotary (even a twin-turbo 20B putting out somewhere north of 400hp) in a classic American muscle car is a waste of car. Even with the superior powerplant the car's value has plummetted.
But a rotary (even a 100 hp 12A) in a chevette is a WASTE OF ENGINE--- for glaringly obvious reasons. The car simply doesn't do the engine justice.
Maybe go with a different engine for the chevette--- An LS1 comes to mind.
LOL. So now that the shoe is on the other foot it "just doesn't seem right"? A rotary (even a twin-turbo 20B putting out somewhere north of 400hp) in a classic American muscle car is a waste of car. Even with the superior powerplant the car's value has plummetted.
But a rotary (even a 100 hp 12A) in a chevette is a WASTE OF ENGINE--- for glaringly obvious reasons. The car simply doesn't do the engine justice.
Maybe go with a different engine for the chevette--- An LS1 comes to mind.
Not really, just didn't seem right in a big car. I think it's perfect for small lightwieght cars. The Chevy was heavier than hell, and the power to wieght ratio honestlt sucked. I heard of a guy who just got a Toyota NASCAR engine (as per NASCAR rules engines must be made available to the public) and is planning on putting it in a classic 62' Chevy II - Nova. How about a rotary in a small car like that I think that'd be cool.
07-22-05, 07:48 PM
#23
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ok hers the spec on a chevette 1986 2dr 86hp and 98ftlbs trq. The suspension is the same as the pntiac fiero from the Aarms out made a mistake on that fact before. I set in the 13b and it woeghs so much less than the 1.6l in the car stock. The rear end again can handle a little bit of power. the only thing i am worried about on the swap is the tranny and drive shaft. it all lines up funny. puts the shifter behind you. but ill get it right.
07-22-05, 07:53 PM
#24
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plus if you think about it if i port the motor and bridge it i could wup up on B16 crxs and then be like i just passed your ry a** in a chevette you must suck at life.
07-22-05, 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Filthy Sanchez
Not really, just didn't seem right in a big car. I think it's perfect for small lightwieght cars. The Chevy was heavier than hell, and the power to wieght ratio honestlt sucked. I heard of a guy who just got a Toyota NASCAR engine (as per NASCAR rules engines must be made available to the public) and is planning on putting it in a classic 62' Chevy II - Nova. How about a rotary in a small car like that I think that'd be cool.
Yeah, a 12A or 13B in stock form and non-boosted (100 to 160 hp) would not be powerful enough for a larger (ie: 3500 lbs or greater) car. These cars require upwards of 200 hp and lots of low-end torque to perform even moderately well.
But the great thing about 12A and 13B rotaries is that they can be modded to put out hp equivalent to a V8, which brings the power-to-weight ratio back to a respectable figure. Add boost and/or a third rotor (ie: a 20B) and you now have the low-end torque issue solved as well. This of course is more costly than a typical V8.
So the rotary could be configured to work very well in a large car, and in stock form is an ideal engine for a small car. But the issue is resale value if an engine other that what was available through the manufacturer is installed into a classic or collector car. Even if it works better than original and is a "cool" set-up, the resale value of the car has dropped significantly.