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Thread: Rotary swap
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88Mazdapu
Newbie
Posts: 3
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posted October 09, 2003 11:47 AM |
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Rotary swap
Ok guys, just found this place & I hope you can help me out. I am getting ready to buy an '88 Mazda pick-up & was wondering if the rotary out of an RX-3 would fit. I have tow sitting around & was hoping that you guys could give me some info. I think that the motors are the 10A's...but I am not for sure because I just started researching all about rotaries today. Thanks in advance,
Christian
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mini_trucker
Revvin Up
Posts: 53
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posted October 09, 2003 12:22 PM |
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Welcome to the site christian. I also am wondering about a motor swap. I have an 84 mazda and am wonderin about if i can swap a rotary into it ..
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88Mazdapu
Newbie
Posts: 3
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posted October 09, 2003 01:28 PM |
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Well, looks like we'll get to figure it out together. do you know much about your truck? Have you done much to it? I currently have a '97 Ranger, but I have to get rid of it because I neet to get out from under payments. My neighbor has an '88 mazda that he said that he would sell for $300. It is his daily driver, but he will have no use for it in about a month. well, I look forward to talking to you more.
Christian
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rotormunky
Redlining
Orlando, Florida
Posts: 424
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posted October 09, 2003 01:54 PM |
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You can do anything . . .
Anything's possible.
If you are asking if you can just drop in a rotary then the answer is no.
If you are asking if you can make it work with some money, hard work, money, time, money, engenuity and more money then the answer is yes.
There aren't any plans or kits for this, its strictly fly by the seat of your pants. Specific advice on how to make it happen may be hard to come by as you really need to talk to someone who's done it (or at the very least tricky engine swaps of SOME kind) before. Most of us own regular trucks and don't have a lot of experience with motor swaps, but there might be a few here who've had some very general expereince even if its not with a rotary or b-series.
A bit of trivia you might find helpful is that b-series trucks changed in '86 I believe. So you two should have slightly different chassis. But since its a total custom fabrication job from the ground up there's no reason why you can't benefit from each other's experiences. Honestly though, if I were you, I'd just buy that dude's REPU in El Paso for $2,900. It looks like its in great shape, it'll cost you less in both time and money and of course its a Repu and not a 80's b-series truck (strictly my personal pref. speaking on that point).
If I had the cash I'd buy it in a heartbeat. I'm knee deep in my restoration and have a bike payment so no shiny red repu for me.
Good luck guys,
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-Martin
Orlando, Florida
http://www.themonkeyhouse.org/REPU
'77 REPU (Some assembly required :)
'91 Cabrio (Battered and bruised, but she's still my baby.)
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Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
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posted October 10, 2003 11:17 AM |
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Running rx-3 12A motors...
...are desirable for rx-3's, or perhaps 1st-gen sevens. If'n yer gonna do a swap into your later-model trucks, go with the added grunt of a 13B. So, where are you located, and what rx-3 stuff do you have for sale or trade?
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88Mazdapu
Newbie
Posts: 3
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posted October 10, 2003 11:26 AM |
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Well, I am located @ Lake Ozark,MO. And I don't know that I have any RX-3 stuff for sale. I will take some pics & post them for you. I guess that I would sell stuff if the price was right, and I got all the stuff I needed.
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mini_trucker
Revvin Up
Posts: 53
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posted October 10, 2003 12:21 PM |
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Well i live in North Dakota and i dont know if there are many of those here ....my friend has an 87 mazda and we do alot in that thing . the thing died not to long ago though. were thinking the distributor . we'll work on it though ....but my 84 is very stock besides the back bumper. i want to turn it into a drag racer. i want to put a rotary into it ...but if i cant find one a v8 will surely also do the trick
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MazdaB1300
Newbie
Posts: 6
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posted October 20, 2003 10:36 AM |
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guys, right now i'm doing a swap into my B series, and honestly, it's pretty damn simple. I've never done a custom swap before, i'm 19 years old and if it weren't for me being stupid and going with the stock Fuel injection set up from a 2nd gen 13B, then i'd be drivin it around right now. Installing the Engine takes a little bit of creativity, but not much. for me, i used the Rx7 Tranny with the b series tailhousing and shift linkage. then i used some welding skills for motor mounts, a little fire wall modification so the clutch fork would clear and i was done. The engine is installed, now all i'm doing is wiring. If you got any questions, go ahead and ask
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MAZDAB8R
Newbie
Australia
Posts: 9
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posted October 23, 2003 03:22 PM |
 Edited By: MAZDAB8R on 23 Oct 2003 15:23 |
Question for MazdaB1300 ??
Just curious to know which model B-Series you own. Hopefully it won't be long till I have a rotary between the struts of my 1600. Also do you have any pics?
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mini_trucker
Revvin Up
Posts: 53
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posted October 23, 2003 06:40 PM |
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i have an 84 B2000 sundowner....with like 70,000 miles on it...i think in the next month im puttin in a 302 and doin alot of mods to it ....and then a ford 9 inch in it ....then i should be set besides the tranny ......and hten im goin to the car shows with it up here in ND....and ne where else i can ......wheres the mazda shows at i think i should bring it on down there . ....
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MazdaB1300
Newbie
Posts: 6
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posted October 23, 2003 08:33 PM |
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I've got a 93 B2200, i probably got lucky with this truck. I'm not sure what years use this transmission that made such an easy swap. I know the rx7 tranny that works was from 82-88 rx7 N/As (or at least i've been told all of those 7s trannys are the same). i do have some pictures but they have yet to be developed. I'll send em out as soon as i get them done. I've been just using a disposable camera and taking step by step pictures and i only have a few left so it won't be too long. Tell me how your 1600 goes
Grant
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mini_trucker
Revvin Up
Posts: 53
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posted October 30, 2003 12:42 PM |
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ok i got my pics can ne one help me and how can i get it posted on here ....
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Jonathan
Newbie
Posts: 1
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posted November 11, 2003 10:52 AM |
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Here is come to save the day!!!
Hello dudes
I am in the process of doing a 12A swap into a 86 B2000.
I have the engine & tranny set, body is semi completed.
Every body panel was replaced with ones from a4x4 b2600i.
Now its a little widebody. Front bucket seats from a 626 turbo, B2600 4.44 rear etc.
I have just wiring, plumbing, wheels & brakes to do.
If you have any questions let me know..I will post a picture in a few days.
Swaping info is so helpfull!!!!
Christian= Do you have any RX-3 Parts left?
MazdaB1300 = You said that you used a Rx7 Tranny with the b series tailhousing and shift linkage" but the shifer rod does not mach up?!!? We tried it and did not work...
We then used the B2000 tranny and replaced the front bellhousing with a 1979-85 rx7, But you will have to grind down the front shaft of the b2000 tranny so it fits inside the pilot bearing of the 12A..This should be done on a lathe because the tolerence are tight. If you want to avoid this BS just use a 79-80 rx7 5sp tranny..it will bolt up to the crossmeber wit no mods.
Also my truck is a stolen recovery truck and when we got the truck they (theives) cut the wires 2 inches from the fues box. No i do not know which wire to use for the alternator, coils, fans etc..Can you help?
Regards
Jonathan
NY
____________
Mackmazda
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Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
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posted November 11, 2003 11:00 AM |
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...rx-3 parts...:
I have a potential source on some rx-3 parts... hood, fenders, doors, ass-end patch panel chop, etc... Shipping would be from Oregon, however... Let me know if you're interested... I think they're all '73 or '74, I can check.
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MazdaB1300
Newbie
Posts: 6
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posted November 12, 2003 06:07 AM |
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...i don't know what to say...
Jonathan.. the only thing i can say for why your tailshaft housing didn't work is because you have a B2000 (although i wouldn't think that would matter) and what year rx7 transmission did you try? I'm pretty sure the 5spd transmissions were different in the RX-7 after 82, and different again after 88 but i'm not really sure to tell you the truth. It worked for my, i used an 87 transmission and my B2200 tailhousing, that way i wasn't worried about my input shaft on the transmission messin up my pilot bearing since my first instinct was to swap only the bellhousings. Another benefit from sticking with the rx7 transmission is because i know at least the 5th gear ratio is better for top speed, it's like .65:1 or somethin crazy in the RX7 where as the trucks is .8 somethin:1 (not exactly sure). As long as what you got in your truck works however...more power to you. By the way, where did you find the B2600 fenders. I want some and don't really know where to look although i heard they are pretty hard to come by. As for the rearend, i got a set of 5.23s...i know, it's crazy but those rearends are so easy to swap that i can probably go back and for in an hour or so. Anyways good luck with the wiring. I don't know how much help i can be since i basically had to start from scratch with my whole wiring system.
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brad
Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
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posted November 12, 2003 05:32 PM |
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rear
quote:
As for the rearend, i got a set of 5.23s...i know, it's crazy but those rearends are so easy to swap that i can probably go back and for in an hour or so.
Where'd u get the 5.23 and will it fit into a REPU 3rd member also?
Can those gears be put into a Limited Slip Differential and if so, what year/model LSD?
Thanks,
____________
-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge
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OldRotaryGuy
Newbie
Posts: 1
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posted November 14, 2003 12:41 PM |
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Mazda Facts
I was with Mazda from 73 to 79 so here are a few old details. Fistr the RX3 was only in the USA as a 12A (some called the 74 & later a 12B, but officially still a 12A). The main difference between the 10A, 12A, & 13B was rotor and rotor housing width. So the engine length is the only critical dimention changing between each. So on a engine swamp it is always best to try to get the most power, so largest engine that will fit. So if any chance you can find a 13B use it!!! The older 12A & 13Bs had a big "thermal reactor' exhaust manifold that increased the width of the engine greatly. If you use it many vehicles have steering boxes or frame rails that will be in the way. If you don't then watch the smog laws in your are as these can be a problem. The later EFI 13Bs are great, but the electronics are critical. You just about need the whole car to get the ECU and wiring + the intake mass air box on the right fender. The rotary has the main shaft in the center of the engine. This can make some swamps a problem. Sand bugies using a VW drive commonly use a special oil pan to prevent the engine draging the ground. For the VW drive Kennedy Engineering use to make an excellent conversion. For anything else try to retain the Mazda transmission. The location of the rear motor mount and shift lever location did change between the years and between models so look around. Usually it is easy to make a rear mount and cut a new hole in the floor (covering the old hole). If you can't handle that you shouldn't be doing a swamp.
Watch out on the engine you start with or all you will do is have to pull it to fix it. The two main problems may not show initially to you. If the motor was overheated the main housing can be distorted and the seals leak water. This may not show if the radiator cap doesn't hold pressure. You can detect this problem by either using a HC smog meter to see if any HC can be detected coming from the coolant in the radiator neck. If a smog meter is not available then drain the water and use a radiator pressure tester. It is harder to retain air than water, but there is a lot of air in a fully dry system. SO leave it pressurized for a long time and if the pressure gauge has dropped any beware.
The other problem is oil seals. The rotary engine can run smookless when hot using a lot of oil. Watch for blue oil smoke when cold (some can be normal) and on hard accelleration. Smoke on deceleration with an automatic transmission may be the trans vacumm sensor.
Got to get something else done so al;l for now.
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Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
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posted November 15, 2003 10:18 AM |
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Sage Advice!
We'd all do well to heed. Caution: without getting 'too' custom, a header might require as much room as the old thermal reactor... also, remember not to run an un-modified thermal reactor without the air-injection pump! Heat shielding was extensive on all the old rotary cars and trucks for good reason...
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LaynRockers
Newbie
Posts: 1
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posted December 21, 2003 09:39 PM |
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I am interested to hear how the progress is going on the conversons on the trucks!
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1repuwannabe
1st Gear
Posts: 26
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posted June 15, 2004 11:04 AM |
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hey i think i found the thread i need to be in. i have a 79 ford courier that i bought for $40 it need some body work. but i'm a shade tree mechanic anyway so no problem for me. my truck has a 2.l that they also ran in the sundowners, 5spd. my engine compartment is pretty big so i beleive that a rotory will fit nicely. i can get a motor for about 160 and a tranny for 60 can anyone tell me what else i need? Here's what im wanting.... low end grunt and off the line punch without doing alot of engine mods. I'm thinking a 13b. i have a bunch of angle iron laying around the house. the expensive kind with the holes drilled into it.
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