V8 Rx7?

[Don Pamponi]

Hmm...  it occurs to me that I could probably drop in a rover V8 for a lot less £ than a £2K rotary lump.

It would make more RELIABLE bhp, & last a shite load longer without blowing up.

I know I\'d be lynched by the rotary community, but ask yourselves - deep down, truthfully, doesnt it make more sense?

Admit it: we are all fighting a losing battle.  Lets all throw away the mazda red herrings and stuff the little RXs with V8s!

You can buy a running rover V8 for £150, a re-built one for £500

Think about it guys.  All that torque & for peanuts.

I worry that we\'re all misguidedly chasing the Holy Grail of rotary power.  
Just like fanatical Norton or Triumph motor bike fans did in the face of overwhelming superiority of japanese 4s.

Is it time to give it up & go for pistons?

I may just do it to prove a point.

[ScuttleRX]

what about the weight, handling issues.

Half of the rex\'s appeal is its sublime handling  a big ol\' v8 in the front is gonna upset the weight balance a bit

Be good for 1/4 i reckon tho but still blasphemous!

[Don Pamponi]

Rover V8 is an alloy lump & weighs about the same as a pinto.

You cant enjoy the handling that much cos the steerings too heavy & low geared.

Seems more suited to straight line action to me - too much like hard work round the twisties!

[ScuttleRX]

Rover V8 is an alloy lump

ah didnt realise that matey, sounds like a plan, could be a 1/4 mile monster.

You have such a nice looking example tho, shame to ruin its rotary heritage

[Carl]

Hi Don,
If you want to sell your car as it is let me know,I maybe interested.
I think your steering is affected by the wheels you have.

I have owned Rovers before and I can tell you that back to back I could get a stock 1st gen to outperform in every way a 1st gen with a rover V8 in it on a race track.

The Rover engines do not make that much power unless modified,and they do not rev very high either unless serious money is spent.

Kind regards
Carl

[MikeLMR]

Its your car do what you like.

 A rover V8 isn\'t going to be cheap to fit in an FB. if you aren\'t building and fitting it yourself I doubt you would get change from your rotary rebuild costs.

As for a rover v8 being lighter than a pinto ... that has more to say about how heavy a pinto is than how light an RV8 is.

Mike

[Don Pamponi]

Bollox to its rotaryness - its rotary heritage has ruined me!

SO much time money & frustration, it could be this or throw a match in the troublsome demanding little bugga:reallymad

[Carl]

Originally posted by Don Pamponi
Bollox to its rotaryness - its rotary heritage has ruined me!

SO much time money & frustration, it could be this or throw a match in the troublsome demanding little bugga:reallymad

Hi Don,
Find something more suited to the Rover engine and sell your car to me!LOL!
Kind regards
Carl

[Don Pamponi]

All quite true Gentlemen.

However, its friday I\'m knackered & feeling rebelious.

I may go outside and taunt the car for a bit, then threaten it with pistons & walk away into the night cackling dementedly

[MikeLMR]

Don, just remind yourself who rebuilt your engine and what a good job he did on tigthening the bolts on the rest of your car ... could you turn your back on the rotary just yet ? Find someone reliable to rebuild your 12a and make sure its tuned proprely and it should be reliable ... just as other engines are all around the world.

[Don Pamponi]

Has anyone super charged a rotary yet?

[MikeLMR]

yes, these guys sell kits. (be they good or bad I know not!)

http://www.atkinsrotary.com/

I seem to recall one of members in Ireland has Supercharged Cortina back in NZ.

I also have some nice video of a white 1st Gen rx with a huge blower running on methanol.

[MikeLMR]

oooh nearly forgot Antinuk is building a supercharged 20B FD

but dropping a 20B in a 1st gen will spoil the handling just as much as fitting a v8 unless you go mad with the body modifications to get it nice and far back.

[MikeLMR]

oooooooooh and a linkie to the mad supercharged 1st gen

http://ausrotary.dntinternet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=46457&highlight=supercharger

[Don Pamponi]

Well at least an RV8 wouldn\'t make it look that ugly!

I don\'t fancy having half the motor outside the car