Northern California Rotary shop thread
I remember someone telling me to be careful about EGR. But I figured, I was in no particular rush at the time since I was still in school and wouldn't have time for it til after graduating. What happened exactly? All I could find was a post by someone saying that they held his car at the shop for a much longer period of time than expected.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
huh, I saw that black fc in there about a month ago, ouch.
In defense of John however, he is an individual running a small business in a tough market. Heck, a couple years ago the business went under and he had to let go of his staff. He's a good guy though with good intentions and knows his way around a Mazda.
In defense of John however, he is an individual running a small business in a tough market. Heck, a couple years ago the business went under and he had to let go of his staff. He's a good guy though with good intentions and knows his way around a Mazda.
Oh yeah and Evil Genius Racing neglected to give me all of my gaskets after my engine was built so I can get my car running... I have to wait on them to get back from racing on Monday so I can go pick up my gaskets 
just an FYI, Rotary Evolution will probably be moving to central florida approximately early next year.
additionally after working 7 days a week and taking less than 7 days off each year for the past 3 years i am going to be switching gears once the move is completed. i plan on building lotus super 7 replicas with rotary powerplants(a friend already donated the jigs and a partially assembled version which will save me a bit of time making the original version chassis). the goal is to offer bare basic turnkey supercars for affordable prices, with astronomical power to weight ratios(1300lb 2 rotor 200whp, 1700lb 4 rotor 450awhp. a lotus elise for comparison sake is 190hp for a 1930lb car, a veyron is 4200lb for 1184awhp and the highest production lb per hp car to date, so far). hopefully there will be no brick walls in stamping these kits, titling them and being legal for use on public streets.
the ultimate goal at most 2 years from moving is to have a 13b non turbo chassis car available for $25k or less and 4 rotor n/ a peripheral all wheel drive(B2600 4wd, equivalent to the turbo transmissions) version for about $45k. i want to build something memorable and not just stagnate.
if it will happen is simply up to my brain, and it has the blueprints already done and just needs the time to fine tune them and turn it into something actual.
i will probably be scheduling some trips to cali for tuning to help finance the project around mid next year. until then i doubt i will have much time to schedule any tuning trips or accept many more rebuilds until after the move. i also plan to not be building any more of the 7's but i will still be doing solely the engines and tuning with the main focus on the kit cars. all of the experience in refurbishing the parts and tool setup still has some value in building the engines, not just for the kit cars.
additionally after working 7 days a week and taking less than 7 days off each year for the past 3 years i am going to be switching gears once the move is completed. i plan on building lotus super 7 replicas with rotary powerplants(a friend already donated the jigs and a partially assembled version which will save me a bit of time making the original version chassis). the goal is to offer bare basic turnkey supercars for affordable prices, with astronomical power to weight ratios(1300lb 2 rotor 200whp, 1700lb 4 rotor 450awhp. a lotus elise for comparison sake is 190hp for a 1930lb car, a veyron is 4200lb for 1184awhp and the highest production lb per hp car to date, so far). hopefully there will be no brick walls in stamping these kits, titling them and being legal for use on public streets.
the ultimate goal at most 2 years from moving is to have a 13b non turbo chassis car available for $25k or less and 4 rotor n/ a peripheral all wheel drive(B2600 4wd, equivalent to the turbo transmissions) version for about $45k. i want to build something memorable and not just stagnate.
if it will happen is simply up to my brain, and it has the blueprints already done and just needs the time to fine tune them and turn it into something actual.
i will probably be scheduling some trips to cali for tuning to help finance the project around mid next year. until then i doubt i will have much time to schedule any tuning trips or accept many more rebuilds until after the move. i also plan to not be building any more of the 7's but i will still be doing solely the engines and tuning with the main focus on the kit cars. all of the experience in refurbishing the parts and tool setup still has some value in building the engines, not just for the kit cars.
Last edited by RotaryEvolution; Jul 28, 2013 at 02:30 PM.
the Ariel Atom business model
Approved, as long as you make them less ugly than the originals..... 
LMK if you need help putting together a racing series based on your creation.
(Note to self: Sigh. Must eventually move to a state that doesn't suck)
LMK if you need help putting together a racing series based on your creation.
(Note to self: Sigh. Must eventually move to a state that doesn't suck)
lol i have a few changes in mind, mainly to get rid of the bug-eye lights, smooth out the front end a little and use less gaudy wheel choices for a car that relies almost solely on the wheels for aesthetics.
for the power range and weight it will definitely need aero improvements anyways to prevent the front from lifting above 100mph, the original mark 6 and beyond never were designed for those kinds of speeds like these current engines are pushing. originally it had something like 40 brake horsepower and could hardly make it to 100mph...
the inital prototype is probably going to be rather basic, with minor adjustability to the suspension but the later versions i plan on making fully adjustable suspension and dampers to the ride height can modified a bit more drastically as well as all the angles and stiffness. perhaps also going further with an aluminum box frame for a few thousand more at about a 50lb savings and a slightly more rigid frame. the final bit would probably be adding luxuries and enclosing the cockpit with a removable fiberglass canopy, but for now i am just focusing on building a true driver's car, none of that fancy ****.
for the power range and weight it will definitely need aero improvements anyways to prevent the front from lifting above 100mph, the original mark 6 and beyond never were designed for those kinds of speeds like these current engines are pushing. originally it had something like 40 brake horsepower and could hardly make it to 100mph...
the inital prototype is probably going to be rather basic, with minor adjustability to the suspension but the later versions i plan on making fully adjustable suspension and dampers to the ride height can modified a bit more drastically as well as all the angles and stiffness. perhaps also going further with an aluminum box frame for a few thousand more at about a 50lb savings and a slightly more rigid frame. the final bit would probably be adding luxuries and enclosing the cockpit with a removable fiberglass canopy, but for now i am just focusing on building a true driver's car, none of that fancy ****.
Last edited by RotaryEvolution; Jul 29, 2013 at 12:06 PM.
Hope you provide updates. I love love love the Lotus 7 design, but you're right in that it's effectively driving a brick Honestly I think other than aero, it doesn't need much else! Need something to blow those Exocets out of the water!
Can't wait to see this come to life, man!
Honestly I think other than aero, it doesn't need much else! Need something to blow those Exocets out of the water!Can't wait to see this come to life, man!
just an FYI, Rotary Evolution will probably be moving to central florida approximately early next year.
additionally after working 7 days a week and taking less than 7 days off each year for the past 3 years i am going to be switching gears once the move is completed. i plan on building lotus super 7 replicas with rotary powerplants(a friend already donated the jigs and a partially assembled version which will save me a bit of time making the original version chassis). the goal is to offer bare basic turnkey supercars for affordable prices, with astronomical power to weight ratios(1300lb 2 rotor 200whp, 1700lb 4 rotor 450awhp. a lotus elise for comparison sake is 190hp for a 1930lb car, a veyron is 4200lb for 1184awhp and the highest production lb per hp car to date, so far). hopefully there will be no brick walls in stamping these kits, titling them and being legal for use on public streets.
the ultimate goal at most 2 years from moving is to have a 13b non turbo chassis car available for $25k or less and 4 rotor n/ a peripheral all wheel drive(B2600 4wd, equivalent to the turbo transmissions) version for about $45k. i want to build something memorable and not just stagnate.
if it will happen is simply up to my brain, and it has the blueprints already done and just needs the time to fine tune them and turn it into something actual.
i will probably be scheduling some trips to cali for tuning to help finance the project around mid next year. until then i doubt i will have much time to schedule any tuning trips or accept many more rebuilds until after the move. i also plan to not be building any more of the 7's but i will still be doing solely the engines and tuning with the main focus on the kit cars. all of the experience in refurbishing the parts and tool setup still has some value in building the engines, not just for the kit cars.
additionally after working 7 days a week and taking less than 7 days off each year for the past 3 years i am going to be switching gears once the move is completed. i plan on building lotus super 7 replicas with rotary powerplants(a friend already donated the jigs and a partially assembled version which will save me a bit of time making the original version chassis). the goal is to offer bare basic turnkey supercars for affordable prices, with astronomical power to weight ratios(1300lb 2 rotor 200whp, 1700lb 4 rotor 450awhp. a lotus elise for comparison sake is 190hp for a 1930lb car, a veyron is 4200lb for 1184awhp and the highest production lb per hp car to date, so far). hopefully there will be no brick walls in stamping these kits, titling them and being legal for use on public streets.
the ultimate goal at most 2 years from moving is to have a 13b non turbo chassis car available for $25k or less and 4 rotor n/ a peripheral all wheel drive(B2600 4wd, equivalent to the turbo transmissions) version for about $45k. i want to build something memorable and not just stagnate.
if it will happen is simply up to my brain, and it has the blueprints already done and just needs the time to fine tune them and turn it into something actual.
i will probably be scheduling some trips to cali for tuning to help finance the project around mid next year. until then i doubt i will have much time to schedule any tuning trips or accept many more rebuilds until after the move. i also plan to not be building any more of the 7's but i will still be doing solely the engines and tuning with the main focus on the kit cars. all of the experience in refurbishing the parts and tool setup still has some value in building the engines, not just for the kit cars.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: SF
I have to plug for Rick's Performance (Rick's Rotary) in Pleasanton. He is BY FAR the most knowledgable tech I've encountered when it comes to Rx7's. Better yet he is extremely ethical and does a complete job. I can't say how happy I am with his work. Highly recommended.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: fremont
Agreed. Rick is a great guy and I too highly recommend him.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Looking for someone to do 12A engine swap on '83 racecar
Any recommendations on a shop/person that can swap out the 12A in my 1st gen? I received a quote for $1,000 for a local Mazda shop to do it, which seems high. I have the new engine, transmission, and some gaskets. I would need help tuning it too so it runs perfect I see the recommendations for Rick's, EGR, etc, but I want to see if there are any race shops or someone who would do this as a side job?
Thanks
I see the recommendations for Rick's, EGR, etc, but I want to see if there are any race shops or someone who would do this as a side job?Thanks
Any recommendations on a shop/person that can swap out the 12A in my 1st gen? I received a quote for $1,000 for a local Mazda shop to do it, which seems high. I have the new engine, transmission, and some gaskets. I would need help tuning it too so it runs perfect I see the recommendations for Rick's, EGR, etc, but I want to see if there are any race shops or someone who would do this as a side job?
Thanks
I see the recommendations for Rick's, EGR, etc, but I want to see if there are any race shops or someone who would do this as a side job?Thanks
Just talked to Rotorsport. Apparently Paul hasn't done an engine rebuild in years!
It's a real shame. Does anybody have any good alternatives? Rick's Rotary quoted me at nearly double what I was expecting O_O
Also, does anybody know any good Air Conditioning shops near Santa Clara, CA that work with R12?
It's a real shame. Does anybody have any good alternatives? Rick's Rotary quoted me at nearly double what I was expecting O_O
Also, does anybody know any good Air Conditioning shops near Santa Clara, CA that work with R12?
Just talked to Rotorsport. Apparently Paul hasn't done an engine rebuild in years!
It's a real shame. Does anybody have any good alternatives? Rick's Rotary quoted me at nearly double what I was expecting O_O
Also, does anybody know any good Air Conditioning shops near Santa Clara, CA that work with R12?
It's a real shame. Does anybody have any good alternatives? Rick's Rotary quoted me at nearly double what I was expecting O_O
Also, does anybody know any good Air Conditioning shops near Santa Clara, CA that work with R12?
i'm down in central florida now and just about settled in. i won't be looking for any work until i deliver this engine to north dakota this week but after that i have an open schedule for engines.
with the 75mpg pickup truck(ok it's not a pickup, it's a honda insight) i can pick up and deliver engines just about anywhere in the country now, for those who reallly don't want to deal with shipping such an awkwardly large item. course there will be no ifs and or buts, the engines will have to be completly torn down to short blocks.
i may be 2000 miles away but gives me a reason to see my family in california.
with the 75mpg pickup truck(ok it's not a pickup, it's a honda insight) i can pick up and deliver engines just about anywhere in the country now, for those who reallly don't want to deal with shipping such an awkwardly large item. course there will be no ifs and or buts, the engines will have to be completly torn down to short blocks.
i may be 2000 miles away but gives me a reason to see my family in california.
Last edited by RotaryEvolution; Jul 15, 2015 at 09:08 PM.
Looking for a shop to rebuild my engine. Nothing is wrong i just snapped a rear housing bolt so im going to take the motor out to fix it. Looking for someone who can use the correct seals for E85. Light street port would be nice as long i stay close to passing emission with stock cat
Im located in Sac
Im located in Sac
You can try Werkshop in SF.
Werkshop llc.
Stanly is an experienced rotary mechanic, and currently still owns an FD. In addition to his experience, he also has all the rotary specific tools, including porting templates.
Werkshop llc.
Stanly is an experienced rotary mechanic, and currently still owns an FD. In addition to his experience, he also has all the rotary specific tools, including porting templates.