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Re: [nLBCc] New rotary engines

Subject: Re: [nLBCc] New rotary engines
Date: Sat, 06 Jan 2001 13:48:53 -0600
Cc: spridgets@autox.team.net
References: <38.ff72395.277d0916@aol.com> <3A576EF4.A72151CD@digitex.net>
Brad Fornal wrote:
> 
> Rotary Specialists on Vickery Street in Ft. Worth claims to have built a
> three rotor 12A. They say it has been running well in races overseas
> from what they told my friend but they have had some difficulty with the
> rear diff. They say they are running a Dana rear but they have a
> tendency to explode on them when they downshift at around 10 grand. This
> engine is allegedly peaking at 20 grand. Anyone on the list have enough
> web savvy to see if they can find verification of this engine? Or could
> they be blowing smoke up my friends backside.................
> 

        They probably put a 20B engine (3 rotor 13B) in a car which used to 
have a 12A.
This would certainly have a tendency to break drivetrain components. I put an
inquiry out to a couple of rotary lists, though. 
        Mazda never made a 12A 3 rotor (18A?) so the eccentric shaft would have 
to have
been custom built. Not to mention the intake and exhaust manifolds, motor mounts
(these are incorporated into different engine housings for different engine
types). 
        The main reason I doubt this is that because of the engine's 
construction, the
space between the front and middle rotors is different from the gap between the
middle and rear rotors, i.e. the intermediate housing are different widths.
Also, the exhaust ports on 12As are so small that very few people bother using
them unless its a spec race series that requires it. There's just no point in
doing fab work for 12A housings when you can order a three rotor 20B from Japan.
(Want some prices? It'll make you jump! :)
        To help make up for this "Trespass of Protocol," a friend in 
Tallahassee has a
tube frame "Midjet" with a peripheral port 13B and independent rear suspension
from an RX-7. It's a VERY fast car; he claims about 300 bhp, though I'd guess
250 to be more realistic. Not that 250 in that small a car is insufficient. :)
It sounds like S$%^ on a stick, though. Poor exhaust design.

-- 
~
'87 RX-7 TII: Recipient. In ICU awaiting vital organs.
'87 RX-7 TII: Donor. Making the Ultimate Sacrifice.
MCMLXIX Sprite: Assisted living facilities.
'90 GS-500E: Uninsured, hoping to survive.
Steven Fooshee: The Mad Scientist.
~

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