I know this has been gone over before but I couldnt find answers to my questions so here they are.

I have an rx2 still has a 12a, I want to swap it out for a late 80's early 90' turbo motor.

Is it a cut and dry deal or is there a bunch of fabrication? I know mounts will have to be made.. no problem but what about the fit...will it ? Or will it have to have custom parts made like a custom manifold or ??

What about the computer and wiring, if I get a complete one with stock ecm and harness is it relativly simple to get running ?

I would like to get it in and running in more/less stock form and then mod it from there.

What are the hp ratings of the various turbo motors? And is there any particular one I should look for or stay away from ?

Thanks !

 

Series 5 89-91 (200hp) is the better one. They are more powerful than the Series 4 87-88 (180hp) and are much stronger.
S5 have 10 blade fans while S4 have 8 blades (just so you know what you're buying).

Fitting it might require some fabrication. I have just installed an 85 12a in my Rx-2 with a 79 transmission and the transmission is a tight fit in the tunnel. The turbo transmissions are wider, I think.

Oil pan will have to be custom and I think you will have to move the turbo up and to the front to clear the frame and the strut tower.

You will also need a custom driveshaft if you want to use the turbo transmission. I am using the stock 2 piece driveshaft, which puts the engine to the front but keeps the same shifter position. There would be no room to put a 13B in my car without moving the radiator to the front.

 

cool, thanks fort the info.

Do you know what ther hp rating is for the twin turbo cosmo motor ? Is that any harder to get to fit in the rx2?

 

yes its wider than the orig trans. you can expand the tunnel using 2 2x4 and a scissor jack.

no need for a custom oil pan. just flip it around and drill 2-4 holes at each end and a modified oil pick up tube.

please do a search..its been discussed before.

 

I searched and read through sooo many posts before I posted this. But nothing specific. Or I was using the wrond search terms.

If there are threads that you know of let em know I would like to read up any any similar swap that has already been done.

 

Rene can make the header style turbo manifold for your RX-2 for $300. He has a template already and it will take about a day to make it.

Now since ur going turbo, its best to move the engine back as far as you can to make room for the intercooler & radiator & fan. Just need to modify your exisiting engine and tranny mounts. Also, you will need to modify your driveshaft (good timing to change your 2 piece into 1 piece). There's a place off 5 & 710 Fwy that can make it for about $250.

FI or Carb?

 

thanks !

Do you have any contact info for the 2 places ? I already have a 1 piece drive shaft and a 5 speed in the car but I need a custom drive shaft for my 67 chevelle :-)

Do you know if people run the stock top mount intercooler or do the ditch it for a front mount? I know front mount is better but I was wanting to try to get the engine in there and running as stock as possible and then mod it out from there.

 

another question, I am pretty sure I know the answer already but I want to be sure.

If I have a custom manifold made will there be an increase in hp and if so roughly how much considering everything else will be stock except the rest of the exhaust.

its going to be a tII motor ( the 10 fan blade motor )

 

Ok, I got the engine but I went with an rew. I want to keep it as stock as possible untill its in the car and the gremlins are worked out.

The oil pan is pretty much square, what oil pan can I use ?

What is the best way to go about mounting the engine? I would prefer to leave the front cover in place since it has all the stuff for the ignition ( crank trigger etc )

Width wise it shouldnt be a problem, the only concerns I have are the mounts and oil pan. I also need to see what all the hoses are and what it NEEDS without the smog crap.

I am going to run a haltech to eliminate much of the un needed wiring and bs that is on the motor.

You guys think it will haull *** with that motor in there stock ?

 

the only oil pan that fits in the rx2 is the gslse pan turned around and i don't think
this pan will fit the rew unless the front cover is changed. if it were me i would
cut a rew pan and make it fit using the gslse bottom.
as for mounts thats going to be fun.

matt

 

i concur, you will have a fun time getting all that to work, but may i suggest trying vintagerotaries.com there are a bunch of Aussy's on there and they do that kind of **** in there sleep. lates matt22

 

I knew it was going to be interesting but there is a little more to it than I thought, but I am up foir the challenge!! It will all be worth it when the mild mannered ( looking ) rx2 quietly ( for the most part ) goes around handing out *** whoopins to people who previously thought they had a fast car.

With 250+ hp in such a small car and with the 2 little turbos it should be HELLA fun. I guess if I can restore a 67 chevelle frame off including every nut bolt washer and wire I am sure I can make the engine swap work. I just need the info on what parts work so I dont waste time and money.

Thanks for the responces!!

 

I am put an s4 turbo in my 73 rx2 and then I ripped it out for rebuilding and porting and once I get my oil pan, it goes back in for turbo manifold measuring. I am also papasmurf on vintage rotaries. if you have any questions, just ask, I have been through all of what you are going through.

 

PapasmurfWhat oil pan did you use? I made a custom one but neglected to notice the pick up comes from the front as opposed to the rear on a 12a..BUMMER !

I have the rew in the car, its a little tight but workable, the tightes thing is the exhaust, not much room for the pipe. Now I have to fab some mounts and a few other things and we will be well on the way to starting the beast.

 

I just put my motor back in today and the pan does not fit. I am most likely going to just make a new k member.

 

Did you use the bracket that racing beat sells for mounting a 13b into a 12 chassis?

 

do you have a link for the bracket ? I would like to see it before I make my own mounts.

 

actually, the RB bracket is only for SA or FB 13-B conversion. Now for your RX-2, just notch your front engine bracket. And, FYI, you dont need a GSL-SE oil pan. a regular 13-B is fine except, you will need to flip it around and drill new holes (front and rear of the pan) and moidify the oil pick up tube. let me know if you need that oil pick up tube. we have a template already.

 

Mel, if using the racing beat bracket to install the 13b into a fb, you don't need to swap crossmembers right?

 

John
If you have the RB 13-B to FB bracket, there is no need to swap the cross-member. In fact, we dotn even buy a bracket from RB. We just notch the 12-A.

Mel

 

I have a oil pick up tube already made for the conversion from Aussieland if you need it let me know. I used the pick up that came with the Morosso aluminum rear mount oil pan. To use the Morosso I had to cut and weld my cross member so it is not a direct swap.

 

thanks

 

could you dwell a little bit into this notching the bracket because I am racking my brain trying to figure this out. Thanks.

 

You notch the holes out of the front engine mount bracket where it bolts to the mounts. That way, you can slide the engine forward another 20mm. There's enough material behind the holes that you can make up the difference without buying a new front mount.