Project \'rotarvette\'

[yoeddynz]

I\'ve had two chevettes before this one. My first was a 2.3 slant four job with Piazza running gear which i\'d started during my apprenticeship, sold recently whilst back in NZ and is now hopefully going to be raced in the North Island. then here in Blighty Hannah and I bought a black hatch 1256 with a lovely \'80s bodykit that we had great plans for which didn\'t eventuate and it ended up as a runabout.  Now its in Scotland somewhere.
I\'ve always fancied having one with a  Mazda rotary engine- especially after we had bought a Gen 1, s3  rx7 2 years ago- and fell in love with the engine. I like the simplicity of the engines, the way they rev so smoothly and the sound is very unique (some like it- some hate it!)  I kept picturing a little Chevette with a really tidy engine install- the motor sitting right back and low. The RX7 was nice and quick standard and with a chevette weighing 200kgs lighter it should be fun! I will be ditching the standard carb for a Weber IDA and with that and a good exhaust i\'m hoping for 160BHP (possibly up to 180) on standard ports.
The g/box sits higher on a rotary so I\'m expecting some tunnel raising and the sump will have to be spun around if I want the engine to sit behind the crossmember.

This thread is being posted on both the Mazdarotaryclub.com  forum ( a bunch of nutters-  very keen on modifications and speed it seems, especially some of the blokes in Aussie) and the Chvettes.com forum..another bunch of  of very funny nutters- both forums well used worldwide too. So I\'m going to write enough info for both parties to understand the ins and outs of each respective marque- rotarys in particular being not very well known about unless your a fan!

So starting with the RX7 which I bought first from somewhere near Manchester I have been stripping all the crap off the engine.  The engine is a 12A which is fitted to all Gen 1 Rx7s. Later Gen 2 and onwards  from  1986 have a 13B with slightly bigger capacity9hence the 1.2, 1.3...) and this engine in much moddified form is still being used today in the RX8.
anyway- this 12A is covered with emissions crap so off with that lot and i\'m now almost ready to pull the motor out- week nights being dark and no lighting so its just weekends i\'ve got right now till a workshop is built....

[chip-3door]

Interesting project

[Dominic]

Like it a lot!!!!! What\'s the plan for the \'rotorvette\' then? Full on slammed + tubbed + caged drag car? Track day monster? Very quick and fun road car? Or a combination of them all??? :chat

Presumably you\'re not going to rebuild the 12a before the transplant. If you do, it would be a shame not to cut a big bridgeport. :cool

Look forward to future updates and discussions...

[MikeLMR]

looks cool ... look forward to some updates.

[yoeddynz]

Hopefully if all goes well I\'ll have done enough to just update once a week or so..I dont have the nerd net at home so its a lunchtime mission to the nerd cafe next door to work. Just ordered 12 tonnes of 40mm gravel today to get rid of the mud and then hopefully I\'ve convinced Hannah that we need a workshop. I\'d love to have it sorted for summer....but you all know how these things go...

As for what I want it to be.. I\'d like to keep it as standard looking as possible- some wider steel wheels will be all thats visible but for some recaros.

Most people who not into chevettes already have said.." why a chevette? they\'re crap..old mans cars etc etc..."

I\'ve just sold a mint mk1 2 door escort 1600 in NZ and after driving that and loads of other cars I cant think of a another cheap, simple RWD! that actually handles as well as a chevette does standard. Hopefully no one will expect a little chevette....

[travellinbob]

Top idea for a project there. There are sooooo many reasons for putting a rotor into an old skool car. rear wheel drive, light, cheap to buy etc....
 I look forward to more updates.
 all the best, michael.

[yoeddynz]

Thanks fellas. I got the little chevette running on sunday! I\'ll post some more up tomorrow.

[yoeddynz]

After all that rain I ordered 12 tonne of stone. I then borrowed a mini digger (which was fun) and now we have a decent place to play with cars on- whatever the weather. And i\'ve got permission to build a garage/carport which when done will make a big difference to work hours possible.
So after a full Saturday of shifting stone etc and getting the MK Bedford next door going again it was back into car mode. The Chevette has been dormant for a long time so first thing was to get some fuel up to the engine but when nothing appeared I checked the fuel pipe between filter and pump- Completely rotten !  So some pipe from the RX solved that. Then check for spark..nothing. There was feed to coil so dizzy next- points buggered! With the car came loads and loads of spares including 4 sets of points! So with new ones in place and set,  the little engine eventually sprung into life but only on full choke- as soon as I gave some throttle she died so a stuck needle?  Took top off Stromberg and the needle was covered in what smelt like varnish- really old fuel I guess? Cleaned it up and back in place she ran great! YES. pumped tyres up and off for a spin..going great till I applied brakes and rear wheels locked up. Bugger. Rode clutch and freed them off and made mental note not to use brakes again unless a possible tree/truck/old lady could become involved..
So a quick little drive on the lanes here and she goes really well! I\'m very happy.
Now up on blocks to free up rear cylinders.

Really good news now. After having a good look over she\'s even less rusty then I thought.  Solid underneath, Waxoil everywhere. The rust I thought was on end of one sill is just a little bit at the bottom of rear arch. Apart from some acne on the rear arches and the front valance trying to make a run for it the worst is four holes along the top of the drivers side sill under the rubber seal. As far as I\'m concerned its a good solid car and I love it when I don\'t have to weld underneath cars !!!!
 Even under the battery is solid! My chevette in Blenheim NZ (a very dry area) had more rust!

The RX7 just sat there- hopefully this weekend coming will see all the bits I want plus engine and box out. Then its off to China.  So any first Gen people reading this- is there any bits of trim you might require?
some pictures....
Said needle..

My new stone surface making life more pleasent...

The only rust i\'ll have to risk splatter in my ears for...

And finally the nearside arch in all its glory...

[kiwimazda]

Blimey, Blenhiem. Last time I was there or there abouts was for a rally. I spent about 3 stages under the bonnet of my mates 106 pug holding some wires together so we could keep going:eek: If you want an HS or HSR kit for the rotorvette give me a shout on zero 1 two 5 2 fifty2 14three. I know were to get them cheapish.
Cheers
Brian

[yoeddynz]

When was the rally? I used to love going to watch the stages up Taylors pass rd.

I\'m going to keep the car looking as \'Grandad\' as possible for now but thanks very much for the offer...maybe in the future an HS front spoiler would be nice. I like cars that dont look quick but are..

Anyone reading this thread I apologise for lack of photos- I stupidly went and deleted them all from my photobucket account without thinking so will have to repost them tomorrow.
alex

[yoeddynz]

This weekend has been spent buying a ferret for girlfriends little sister and trying to tidy wiring up on a £50 Yamaha Sr 125...
So the chevette has only had a little time spent on it...
The rear drums were locking on. I\'ve now stripped both sides and cleaned out the wheel cylinders and fit a seal kit that came with the car on one side. The rubbers were ok anyway.
I\'d love to say weather I\'ve fixed em but now another tyre has blown out on its sidewall. Both tyres that were facing the sun over the last few years are badly perished so its off to get some second hand ones.
I\'m going to order a load of timber and build myself a garage these next few evenings.I\'m going to beat these less than ideal conditions...till it floods..

[yoeddynz]

well- I have now built a garage. This will stop the rain hopefully.....

[yoeddynz]

After building the main garage structure its been odd nights here and there filling it up. i built a nice solid bench, chucked some shelves up and moved the Rx7 in. Then I spent a week rebuilding a bus door for our neighbour so that meant no work done to Rx7...
Moving on.  I thought it prudent to reinforce the main rafter before lifting out engine. decided to lift out engine and box complete so I know the rafter can handle it.....





Once out I built a little cradle to hold engine in and with two handles its really easy to move about...



Now I\'m stripping the car of any other useful parts before it finds its way to China...

[shaunwil]

What condition is the back window in, is the heater matrix in tact and wiper motor ok ?? I could do with some of the dash switchs too, mainly the headlight one, but how much would you want for it all ??

Shaun

[shaunwil]

ooh and what condition are the door locks in

Shaun