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Re: Rotary Spitfire

To: "Laura G." <savercool@email.msn.com>, <spitfires@Autox.Team.Net>,
Subject: Re: Rotary Spitfire
From: jak0pab@jak10.med.navy.mil (Bowen, Patrick A. RP2)
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 15:01:12
Try again Laura, the Rotary engine starts stock at 130 bhp (the full horsey
type not the ponies), then just imagine it after mods.  Thats what I am
talking about.

Patrick

t 10:11 AM 11/25/98 -0800, Laura G. wrote:
>All that trouble for only 25bhp more? tsk tsk.
>
>Laura G. and Nigel
>-----Original Message-----
>From: rotorheadx2@juno.com <rotorheadx2@juno.com>
>To: savercool@email.msn.com <savercool@email.msn.com>;
>spitfires@autox.team.net <spitfires@autox.team.net>
>Date: Tuesday, November 24, 1998 8:43 PM
>Subject: Re: Rotary Spitfire
>
>
>>I really must jump in on this one.  I love RX-7s and Spitfires.  They are
>>both great cars for their time.  I grew up in England when the Spitfire
>>was the rage over there.  Always loved the body style.  However, the car
>>does lack under the hood.  Now I realize that the technology wasn't the
>>same when the Spit was first begun, but 75 hp is not very much for a 2100
>>lb  car.  ( I may be off there, but that is the number I remember).  I
>>think the hmmm that the rotary makes is pretty awesome, especially when I
>>am running at 7k rpm and the car is still running very smoothly.
>>Because of the size of the Spit, it begs for a lightweight, smooth
>>running, small engine.  I know many have done GT6 motor conversions and
>>V-8s, but in looking, the rotary was just about made to fit.  Like I said
>>before, a stock to stock replacement yields a gain of 25 hp and at least
>>100 lbs of weight reduction.  There are plenty of bolt on mods that can
>>be put on a rotary to get you to 150 quite easily.  I would think that in
>>the Spit, that would be quite a quick little car.  Plus as I read about
>>all the troubles with valves, timing chains and covers, rear seals, etc,
>>I love more and more the simplicity of the rotary engine.  If you want it
>>to be a little more raspy, get a header, straight pipe, and an exhaust.
>>Believe me, the rotary can be very loud.  Now don't get me wrong, the
>>Spit was and continues to be a great car.  Has that British flair to it.
>>Never have understood why it has been so over looked in favor of the MGs
>>etc.  But under the hood, it does have a "boinger" for a powerplant.   My
>>spit will probably end up with a rotary.  I think it is a match made in
>>heaven.  BTW, if you have never driven a car with a rotary engine, you
>>should. Might open your eyes a little.  Especially if you drive a third
>>gen rx-7(93-95 models).  But I digress.  This is the Spit list.  Fun car,
>>simple for the most part.  One day I will have mine done and maybe I can
>>meet some of you all in person.  If you must flame, do so directly.  I
>>have my Nomex flight suit(several actually) prepped and ready.
>>
>>Nelson
>>78 Spit,
>>3 80 RX-7s, 1 RX-4
>>
>>On Tue, 24 Nov 1998 14:58:11 -0800 "Laura G." <savercool@email.msn.com>
>>writes:
>>>What's that old Mazda commercial jingle? "Piston engines go...but, the
>>>Mazda
>>>goes hmmmmm..."-
>>>
>>>Why would I want an engine that goes "Hmmmmmm..."? <BG>
>>>
>>>Laura G. and Nigel
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Tom O'Malley <tomomalley@meganet.net>
>>>To: Laura G. <savercool@email.msn.com>; spitfires@autox.team.net
>>><spitfires@autox.team.net>
>>>Date: Tuesday, November 24, 1998 2:49 PM
>>>Subject: Re: Rotary Spitfire
>>>
>>>
>>>>Laura writes...
>>>>
>>>>>Yeah, yeah, yeah-rotary Spitfire...
>>>>>
>>>>>There's a guy out here where I get my Weber jetted who tells every
>>>Spit
>>>>>owner who walks throught the door-" your engine's shot-want me to
>>>put a
>>>>>Mazda engine in that thing?" -(Yes, he told me this too.)
>>>>>
>>>>>I'll keep my little english 4 banger thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>>Just sign me-"Brit Lover"<g>
>>>>>
>>>>>Laura G. and Nigel
>>>>
>>>>He he....you made a wise decision.  Grassroot's rotary Spit
>>>conversion
>>>>has been on going for about 4 years now.  :-)
>>>>
>>>>Cheers!
>>>>Tom O'Malley in Southbridge Massachusetts
>>>>'74, '77 Spits
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
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>
>
>
>
Patrick Bowen
'79 Spitfire
Jacksonville FL

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