Play time

Jus · February 23, 2003, 10:12:33 PM

Techie help req.

I would like to gain some experience playing with older rotary cars. What I mean by playing is; rebuilding the engine, porting etc.

Which car would you suggest? Rx2-Rx7 series 1 etc... However, a car that I could buy for around or under 1k is preferable.

I have the facility to spend my spare time playing/rebuilding etc; I would possibly out source the machining. You have to start somewhere!

I\'m certainly not going to start to play with my FD; anyway I use a very good and well-known guy to look after my toy

Ideally the lighter car would be an advantage, looks not important (I use the FD for that).

So, what would you suggest...

Thanks in advance

Jus

richrx · February 24, 2003, 01:57:32 AM

you could go for a first gen rx-7, there light, handle well and can be bought in good condition for less than 1k, also the 2nd gen is also avalible to buy for around 1k(both would be even cheaper with a low compression engine) The 2nd gen is quite heavy though

I dont really know much about rx-3 to say although they will probably be like the 1st gen rx-7 but more suprising when it turns out to be fast:D

grinder · February 24, 2003, 10:50:36 AM

Jus ,

i could be tempted to sell my second gen to you if the price is right ! - i paid Â£900 for it last year and put about 1,000 miles on it

the only thing wrong at this moment in time is the modified front end - courtesy of a tranny van !

the insurance is sorting it out soon - so it will be fixed and sprayed !

the car runs ok as far as i know - well its not died on me yet !!

have fun

Stu

MikeLMR · February 24, 2003, 12:30:07 PM

the only one on that list you\'ll get in good condition for under Â£1K is a 1st gen

RX3\'s RX2\'s etc. are rarer and usually fetch good money in good nick

Jus · February 24, 2003, 07:13:05 PM

Thanks Guys for your input!

I\'ll keep my hear to the ground for the right car!

Stu, I wouldn\'t be interested in a 2nd Gen, mainly because the workshop has an ongoing (Big) project, which features a 2nd Gen, (not mentioning any names, lol) you may have spoke to him.

My idea is purely for spare play time, you know the naughty boy\'s room! As for helping with the 2nd Gen project, I might pass a few spaners and fetch the tea and biscuits! However, I\'ve picked up on many build procedures by just being there (fetching tea).

That\'s why I\'m getting itchy fingers, I want to play but on something less time consuming and costly.

Regards...

Jus

Grizzly · February 24, 2003, 07:38:07 PM

I know this will sound daft but where would you look for one of the early Rx2/3 etc? is it somthing that may need Inporting or is it just luck you are in the right place at the Right time?

not that i\'m going to buy one right now i\'m just Intrested what they go for etc. I dont think i\'ve ever seen one close up so that tells me there quite rare in the UK.

Chris

grinder · February 25, 2003, 10:19:28 AM

i could do with seeing how the projuect goes , i would love to get a better knowledge of the rx motors !

does he need another tea boy - i could offer my services for nothing in exchange for a bit of knowledge !!

MikeLMR · February 25, 2003, 11:59:24 AM

you might want to check the for sale section

theres an ideal 1st gen project for sale with a 13b and some elford turbo gear too !

Mike

grinder · February 25, 2003, 12:06:13 PM

mike ,

would the 13b be a full engine or did they do something different to get it to fit in a 1st gen

would it be a case of removing my engine and simply fitting another 13b back in ( mines an 1988 n/a 2nd gen )

and what would you expect a 4-5 yrs old engine to be like if it hasnt been run

thanks

stu

MikeLMR · February 25, 2003, 01:03:21 PM

it says the engine isn\'t in the car so it might not have been modified at all

It doesn\'t say whether its a 6 port N/A engine or a 4 port turbo motor either

as for the condition ? ? depends how well it was stored I suppose

I\'m just pulling the engine out my parts car and its been sat for 7-8 years I think ... it looks in poor condition and its puking oil out the exhaust ports when I turn it over .... might not be a good sign !

grinder · February 25, 2003, 01:04:35 PM

not being up on motors - does this make a difference ??

MikeLMR · February 25, 2003, 01:06:40 PM

the N/A motors have 6 inlet ports and high compression rotors and the turbo motors have 4 inlet ports and low compression rotors .... I think

grinder · February 25, 2003, 01:08:14 PM

ooohhh right ! - i have no real idea about the engines - thats why i could do with learning about them !

having read the manual it looks quite easy to swap an engine - just unbolt and away you go

the only thing is that it hasnt been run for 4-5 years - so i dont know if it would still work or not !

i assume it would though !

MikeLMR · February 25, 2003, 01:18:27 PM

if its been stored well I don\'t see why it wouldn\'t run, crate engines sit in mazda warehouses for longer than that I bet

I know the engines aren\'t too bad on the 1st gens (1/2 way through taking one out)

The only bit about changing and engine that can be hard is if any of the bolts won\'t come undone, or if you forget where the bits go back on (I\'ve done that one before !)

Rx7\'s have nice roomy engine bays too ... I took the rad out of the spares car and worked on taking the auxiliarys off the engine sat in the engine bay on the anti roll bar ! (I\'m 6\'3" so theres loads of room!) for somone who\'s used to working on FWD hatchbacks its a breeze to work on one of these !

Mike

grinder · February 25, 2003, 01:21:52 PM

i am assuming that if it just the engine , all you have to do is seperate from the gear box and lift out ?? ( yeah i know about all the electrics and hoses etc... )

but surely it should be quite easy in principal ??

is there any way to test the engine - or do you have to test it in the car - just thinking it could be a big job , if after all that work , the engine doesnt work !

my engine runs fine at the mo - but i would love to have a cheap spare one just in case !!