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Rotary Locost
expatkiwi - 7/1/09 at 10:03 PM

Has anyone in the UK actually put one of these engines in a Locost.
I have my RX7 up for sale as I need to go faster at sprints and want to do a Locost or similar with Rotary engine. I have been involved in race and rally competition and car prep for over 15 years but a kit type car is new to me. Any ideas or pointers would bve a big help. Oh year the engine I have for the car has 275 bhp @ 8500rpm. Yeee haaa

Benzine - 7/1/09 at 10:05 PM

I've been thinking about rotary engines for the last few days. DO WANT. Doesn't Antnicuk on this forum have a rotary powered Stylus?

DIY Si - 7/1/09 at 10:07 PM

There's a fella on here with a rotary powered stylus, I think. And since you have the full car already, I'd just pull the running gear and get building!

expatkiwi - 7/1/09 at 10:08 PM

Yeah thats him.
Been watching his progress for some time. I think he has had it out on track now.
Cheers
Brian

sorens2 - 7/1/09 at 10:09 PM

I just hate the sound of them.....
Good power to weight though.

Søren S2

expatkiwi - 7/1/09 at 10:10 PM

I could do that(pull running gear.) Cant weld believe it or not. My welding looks like seagull droppings every where.
But I could get enough wedge by selling off all unwanted Rx7 stuff and go from there. Buy chassis all ready done. Do required mods for engine fitment and away I go

[Edited on 7/1/09 by expatkiwi]

KJK - 7/1/09 at 10:15 PM

there used to be a couple sylva strikers with rotarys ,sylva chat would be the best place to ask about them?there was also a guy on one of the rotary forums bill shurvington i think with a westfield

stevebubs - 7/1/09 at 10:24 PM

Yes - Bill is a big rotary fan. Not sure he's ever put one on the road in his westie, though.

There *is* a rotary westie around somewhere, though - turned up to one of the early BEC brooklands trackday meets 5/6/7 years ago...way way before the days of "Mercedes World"

[Edited on 7/1/09 by stevebubs]

Bob C - 7/1/09 at 10:55 PM

Saw one donkeys years ago outside WGT in Northwich. They were specialist mazda rotary mechanics & had a website I believe...

expatkiwi - 7/1/09 at 11:01 PM

WGT built my old race engine thats in the car I have now. I promptly won the sprint championship and then blew the engine up. Oh well never mind. So had that rebuilt and getting it running right on the dyno soon but already getting bits together for the new engine that will go into the next car.
I have been to Bill Shurvingtons place and saw the Westy. Looks a bit sad when I saw it about 2 years ago. Dunno if he has done something with it since then

MkII - 7/1/09 at 11:10 PM

hey expatkiwi did i meet u a few months back when i was running TEGs impreza on tempest rally?

ReMan - 7/1/09 at 11:15 PM

Welcome aboard Brian.
I like rotarys too, one of our first cars was a RO80, in 1980ish, would have another today if I could find a good one now the material technologhy has caught up with the engine..
Until then its 11,000 rpm for me

mad4x4 - 8/1/09 at 07:20 AM

quote:
Originally posted by expatkiwi
I could do that(pull running gear.) Cant weld believe it or not. My welding looks like seagull droppings every where.
But I could get enough wedge by selling off all unwanted Rx7 stuff and go from there. Buy chassis all ready done. Do required mods for engine fitment and away I go

[Edited on 7/1/09 by expatkiwi]


The Wiring Loom on an RX 7 is a monster, however with a lot of time most of the aux's can be stripped out. We started and got it don but gave up and sold the chassis and engine about 5 years ago. Another problem we found was the exhaust chamber is right where the Brake masters would be on a 7 sytle car and the starter would foul the pass bulkhead but apart. Also engine is gute tall. Apart from that - GO FOR IT


PS the RX 7 has a great Thatcham Cat 2 Installed as standard IDEAL for a Locost or KIT - I build the alarm into my loom of my INDY

speedyxjs - 8/1/09 at 08:07 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Benzine
I've been thinking about rotary engines for the last few days. DO WANT. Doesn't Antnicuk on this forum have a rotary powered Stylus?


Youve just put a new engine in. Now you want another?

Benzine - 8/1/09 at 08:37 AM

I have a problem

^__^

[Edited on 8/1/09 by Benzine]

hearbear - 8/1/09 at 10:30 AM

Here is the link to Tony's rebuild of the Stylus with the rotary it is a monster link now with lots of good pictures and a happy ending. Linky

Antnicuk - 8/1/09 at 09:53 PM

Hi Brian, Long time no speak

Welcome aboad.

Do it mate you know you want to.

I saw Brian sprinting at North Weald a couple of years ago and with a rotary 7, he would certainly be a force to be reckoned with.

You know where i am mate if you want to pop in for coffee and a spin.

Anything will fit if you want it to ? If you need welding done, i can sort that out. If its too complex for me my cousin is a metal worker and a rotary head.

If you are staying on carbs there is virtually no wiring, and dont worry about the exhaust, have a look at mine, you could do the same and get some extra silencing if noise is a problem, it also compensates a little for drivers weight.

Now we have the 3 rotor running we are on the next project which is an REW engine supercharged in the back of a Vauxhall VX220.



Here is a sample of his fabrication

expatkiwi - 8/1/09 at 10:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MkII
hey expatkiwi did i meet u a few months back when i was running TEGs impreza on tempest rally?


Yes thats me.
How was the trip back.
You guys have some panel beating to do after the RAC i mean rally GB.

This looks like it will now go ahead.
Got 1 more event to do in the 7 once I get it sorted on the rollers.
It will bribably take me the best part of 18 months to build this as I am looking after a Hillman Imp on the Historic Rally Championship and a MK2 Escort on the BTRDA Tarmac as well. And the wife says I have to work normal hours monday to friday.

expatkiwi - 11/1/09 at 08:38 AM

Here is what we have done with the RX7 over the years. Finally got the new engine running properly last night but mor importantly going to look at an unfinished project in a couple of weeks. Has enough kit on it to sell off and then start the transformation. Yipeeeeeeeeeeee

wydraz - 12/1/09 at 10:17 PM

My mate has a Rotary (from RX7) engined Dax Rush, if you want me to put you in touch just U2U me.

Cheers.

expatkiwi - 23/1/09 at 10:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by wydraz
My mate has a Rotary (from RX7) engined Dax Rush, if you want me to put you in touch just U2U me.

Cheers.


Its cool thanks but I am onto something at the mo.
It hasnt seen the road or the outside of a barn for 5 years. Its in a bad way fibreglass wise but basicly its all there.

Antnicuk - 23/1/09 at 10:22 PM

spill the beans brian, is it a purple westy by any chance?

expatkiwi - 23/1/09 at 10:29 PM

Westy?
I couldnt tell you what color it is as I last saw it about 2 years ago.
It may be in bad shape chassis wise but we will see

[Edited on 23/1/09 by expatkiwi]