Reincarnated RX8
 

Reincarnated RX8 just that it got 34 years older AND A LOT LIGHTER!!!!!
Keywords: Motor swap, Engine swap,

So a little background info, I was not really into rotaries much until I met my wife as she had an RX8 although it was an Auto (6-port) and didn't have the torque my mustang had I still fell in love with the car. So I tried convincing her to let me convert it to a manual, well as you can see I had no luck and that is why I am writing this thread. My first Car was a 1973 Beetle and if you have never driving one you have NO IDEA how much fun you can have with that car. Since that car had been totaled by a retard smashing into me with his jeep I have all ways been on the look out for another one. I found this 1970 rust free and a complete Parts Car RX8 in southern California when I was in the Marine Corps. I have since got out and now building my project back in Michigan.

I will have all the pics on Photobook so just click on my link and you can look through the rest.

Pictures

http://s775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/

I know I do not write very well so you don't need to tell me.

Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions I am all Ears!

1970 VW Beetle-roll cage, fiberglass front end and fenders, welded in torsion bar adjusters, dash cover, tow bar "it towed very nicely from CA to MI behind my Mustang" the guy even dropped it off to me on base all for $550

http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/1a.jpg
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/1c.jpg

Mazda Seats
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/28.jpg
Wiring harness
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/38.jpg
6-port w/ auto counter weight and KEP adapter plate
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/71.jpg
VW Flywheel and KEP Stage 2 Clutch
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/75.jpg
Custom Engine Cart
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/77.jpg
Dash
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/84.jpg
Engine mounted to trans, Finally getting somewhere.
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/86.jpg
Computer, fuse box, and ECU mounted in back
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/50.jpg
Modified header vs. Stock
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/a13.jpg
Header over axle
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/a15.jpg
Heat shield installed
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/a19.jpg
Throttle installed still needs wiring
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/a21.jpg

Update:

Exhaust, I used as much of the stock system as I could
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/a25.jpg
this is a mock up as to where the radiator will go
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/a38.jpg
Oil cooler mock up and Cat exit, will see how loud it is like that first but most likely will do a 90 to a muffler then a 90 out the other side.
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/a43.jpg
Dash, Steering Wheel, and Passenger seat installed!
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/a56.jpg
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy37/jdn995/a55.jpg

Im not really a beetle fan but thats really awesome gl with the build!

nice build! can wait to see it finish..

this should be interesting. ;)

I remember being able to chirp 2nd in my '73 with the stock 1600cc Engine with 49HP We will see if the Rotary can do a little bit better.

Love it! I have always wanted to build a rotary ghia. Good to see Kennedy Engineering is still selling parts for the conversion.

Interesting... Looking forward for more updates. GL!:biggthump

very interesting, cant wait to see more pics

did anyone else lol when you read this thread?????

good luck with the build very interesting!!!

This should be a very interesting conversion...

Simply awesome.

haha subscribed! cant wait to see the finished product.

. . . are you making this front wheel drive?

. . . running all the cooling aparatus to the front of the car?

Transmission plans? I see the 6 speed in there... but how you gonna shift it?

I just. . . hmm... how is this gonna work? :confused:

Fuck, I was the first person last night to see this thread. I guess my post didnt go through. Well if anyone is wondering what this might run in the 1/4 mile... Here's a story I have to tell. A buddy of mine in Auto Tech in High school did a engine swap to a similar beetle. He swapped in a 87 RX7 13b Turbo. When the "LACR" (Los Angeles County Raceway) was open before they tore it down to mine it, he took it there and ran 13.5 sec's in the 1/4 mile. Pretty dam quick. He was even smoking subie's at the time. The engine would eventually give becuase he couldn't find a way to keep it from overheating. When the engine Gave I remember he tore the block apart and gave me 1 of the rotors. That is the first time in my life seeing a "rotor" and I carried it around my backpack, that shit was HEAVY. He carried around the Turbo from the engine and every kid in AUTO TECH thought he was the coolest kid. At least who wouldnt at that age and having those skills? I know I have picutres Im gonna look 4 them.

To add to that, one time we were cruising around and A Porsche Boxster somehow ended up in the rear view mirror. IT WAS HILARIOUS. BTW- It would lift up the front end up a bit (pop a wheelie) so dont be surprised if you do the same. Because power wise or w/e from what I know the RX8 is faster than the 87' gen RX7 but not the FD. (I still think a finely N/A Tuned RX8 with some RB N/A Mods along with BHR's Ignition Kit will smoke a stock FD, but what DO i KNow?) He went through 2 trannies as well I believe.

VYDYCTIVE: The beetle in my story was RWD, Im sure his beetle is going to be as well.

As Zumn Mentioned with his buddy... I think cooling is going to be a real issue unless you're able to mount a giant radiator up front and find a place to mount the oil coolers.

I know this is going to set you back enough already, but I'd look into the RE-emdy water pump and thermostat and a higher capacity oil pan...

Not going to lie, I'm skeptical about how its all going to go together, but It seems like you've got a lot of progress done and know what you're doing.

Rotary Beetle. . .

definitely unique cant wait to see the finished product looks like it will be a blast to drive

Considering the Oil Coolers are not that Big Im sure that they can be mounted near the back of the bettle and get some custome Braided hoses to run them. Also The Idea of having the Radiator up front I think is a Brilliant Idea, just make sure you have some sort of Vented Hood or something. Its definitely possible to do that considering "BACK IN THE DAY" The radiators were mounted at the rear of the vehicle while the engine was mounted at the front. :yesnod:

There is a good reason to keep coolers and radiators up front; air flow to cool them down.

If you don't want heating issues don't put them in the rear where they get absolutely no air flow.

Awesome i saw one of these for sale in my local craigslist in jersey rotary bug awesome

I was just stating that it would work in situation in the reverse order that I explained it. Well at least thats what I meant, that the radiator doesnt have to be located where the engine is.

Actually, there was no radiator in the beetle cars, until they developed the "rabbit" which has been redesigned since the mid 70's to now. The VW beetle cars were all, rear mounted engines and air cooled, not water cooled. So I'm not sure why you say "back in the day" when no VW Beetle engine was installed in the front, only the rear.

If he's using an Rx8 engine in place, this is not going to be possible to keep a radiator nor oil cooler in the rear without overheating it.

OK, maybe I should have been more clear. I wasnt talking about the beetle's ( i know i should have stated that) I was talking about how people like to put big block V8's into a 1932 truck and have no more space to put the radiator up front. So considering the truck was small, They put it out back. Sorry for not stating that in the first place.

For Instance.... This Supra Had a V12 TT swapped into it and there was no more space for them to put the Radiator... So what they did was mount the radiator in the back.... Thats all im trying to get across here, that the radiator doesnt have to be mounted in the same place. Maybe he should V-mount it to the roof? :dunno: :rofl:
SUPERSTREETONLINE.com:
"The ARC intercooler is angled into the front bumper to make room for the V-12 but this leaves no room for the ARC radiator-it's in the trunk along with a massive fuel cell (alas, Jonny's bike will never fit in there). Each quarter window gives up a fine piece of glass to make way for custom ducts leading to the radiator with twin puller fans sucking the remaining hot air out through a vent in the rear bumper."
http://image.superstreetonline.com/f...trunk_view.jpg
http://image.superstreetonline.com/f...ngine_view.jpg

^I think he should do something like this, instead of the Vented hood Idea I stated earlier. He should mount the radiator up front under the hood and just make some ducts leading to the radiator and have some fans sucking out the hot air. :yesnod: EASY DOES IT ;) It's simple...I can do it with my eyes closed. ;)