Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 28 2004, 10:41 PM

Hello,
Sorry guys but im an intruder on your site. I own a 1970 VW Dune buggy that im currently building/restoring. I bought a Rotary 13B-RE (rare Japan only out of a Mazda Cosmo) Twin turbo motor with guestimated hp output from 350-450 after im done with it and I am shopping around for different transmission options. allot of us VW guys have gone with Porsche 914 and other Porsche trannys but I figured if I wanted real 914 tranny info I better go to the guys that really know them the best. So im sorry for invading your forum with these questions but it’s really a complement. I wanted to know if you guys knew the limits on the 914 tranny? What is the max HP they can take? I read that they can handle 300HP stock but??? I also read that some people with built motors were busting the first gears/ and that the first gear wasn’t even used with the v-8 conversion because of the torque characteristics??? How reliable have they been for you guys with big HP?? and my last question is, if its true that the stock 914 tranny can only handle 300HP and im going to have more than that, does anyone know what it takes and how much it costs to open one up/beef it up?

Thanks for your patience and help.
Brad.

Posted by: skline Oct 28 2004, 10:45 PM

You would be better off to find a tranny from a 930 or even a G50. The 914 gearbox wont last you very long. If you are going to go strong, you better make the whole driveline strong too. Good luck and welcome to the club.

Posted by: skline Oct 28 2004, 10:46 PM

Also, are you running the engine behind the trans or in front of it? Why would you need a 914 trans?

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 28 2004, 11:33 PM

the motor will be running behind the trans. and im asking about the 914 because a lot of the vw guys are using them. but i heard they needed to be swaped around?? ive heard about the G50, do you know anything about them? would they work for my project and HP

Posted by: skline Oct 28 2004, 11:36 PM

Absolutely, the G50 would be your best best. The 930 would be the second best. Neither of them would require you to flip the ring and pinion. The 930 is only a 4 speed however as the G50 is a 6 speed. Both will handle what you want to run.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 28 2004, 11:37 PM

why not the 914 scott? the rotories have NO torque...

a 915 would be a cheaper alternative thn the 930/g50

Posted by: skline Oct 28 2004, 11:37 PM

Oh, The G50 in ready to go condition is going to cost you between 4 and 8 grand, the 930 you could pick up for around 2500 to 3500. They would both handle what you want to do in stock condition.

Posted by: skline Oct 28 2004, 11:39 PM

Read the horsepower he is talking about. The 915 would work but it may not handle the power he is talking about running

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 28 2004, 11:39 PM

now im a porsche idiot so i apologize ahead of time for the stupid question. is the G50 a porsche car model or the name of the trany? and what year car am i looking for? and how available and expensive are they?

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 28 2004, 11:40 PM

i read that, but i thought torque ate tranny's not high RPM screamers.

Posted by: skline Oct 28 2004, 11:43 PM

The G50 is the transmission used in some late model Porsches. They can handle up to about 650 HP without modification, I think. In any case, they are available, I had the opportunity to pick one up about a year ago for 850 bucks. I am still kicking my butt for not buying it. The cheapest I have found a 930 trans for was about 2500. That is in ready to go for your application condition. I would have to spend more on it to flip the ring and pinion.

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 28 2004, 11:45 PM

2500 used? do you know how much mod is needed to couple a G50 to a VW? is the G50 similar to the 914 tranny?

Posted by: skline Oct 28 2004, 11:47 PM

Yup! They dont make the 930 transmission anymore. The G50 is the one to use now, they are still current.

Posted by: skline Oct 28 2004, 11:48 PM

I thought you were using a Mazda engine? Kennedy would make the adapter for that and the clutch.

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 28 2004, 11:50 PM

yeah thats not the problem. on the 914 tranny some cutting needs to be done on the rear frame horns in order to fit properly, and some other mods too. but thats the 914, is it pretty close to the G50?

Posted by: sgomes Oct 28 2004, 11:52 PM

Post some pics of your car/engine/whatever!!! No intrusion at all!

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 28 2004, 11:53 PM

g 50 is like 8 inches longer

BTW thats a WAG estimation

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 28 2004, 11:53 PM

ill post some pics asap but i gotta findem first

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 28 2004, 11:55 PM

is the 930 8 inches longer also or is it closer to the size of a 914 tranny? and what HP can the 930 handle?

Posted by: skline Oct 28 2004, 11:57 PM

Yeah, post some pictures of what you got with measurments and how much room you have to work with. I have a friend with a sand rail, he runs a type 1 that puts out 360HP on an actual type 1 case. That is the only thing that is stock. The heads on his engine were almost 5k. To me, it just seems like a waste for something you can only drive in nice weather and on weekends.

Posted by: Sean_S Oct 28 2004, 11:57 PM

Hmmm, well I also have a sandrail...VW powered.
My experience in the dunes is that the transaxles take a bunch of abuse beyond strictly calculating the "street" maximum HP/T allowable.

You will probably be running tall paddles and pounding on first when you get stuck....or the relentless woop-de-dooos.

Long story short, torque is introduced into an off road vehicles driveline by more than the powerplant alone.

For this, short of going with a Mendeola, it seems that the 6 rib vanagon tranny is the best thing around...possibly this can even be beefed up and they are cheap and available. They are supposed to take 300 HP of piston and are geared and designed for a big ol' heavy van.

Anyway, around here that's what the <$50K rail guys use.

Good Luck
Sean

Posted by: skline Oct 28 2004, 11:59 PM

Do you mean to tell me that there are sand rails out there that are more than 50k?

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 29 2004, 12:00 AM

ill get some pics up by tom. It is a a fiberglass buggy (for street use only) so it has virtually limitless room but it all depends on how far i want my motor to stick out the back.

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 29 2004, 12:04 AM

i was quoted today for a built Mendeola tranny for the kind of power that im gunna have, at $6,200 a little to much for my wallet

Posted by: Bleyseng Oct 29 2004, 07:15 AM

I have to post that these turbo rotary engines still have lots of torque. My son's Turbo 2 will burn off the tires in the first 3 gears if you want. It has 300+ rwhp.

I agree that the lowly 12a motors were fairly weak.

Its like comparing a 1200 Bug motor to a 930 motor.


Geoff

Posted by: Sean_S Oct 29 2004, 10:19 AM

Waaaay over!

You should see the guys that pull up in 200K+ motorcoaches pulling 50K toy haulers, unloading 100K rails and still smiling after they total their rail at 85mph.

I guess it's all downhill after your first mil'.

The sandrail craze is sick. 700hp Subaru or Honda powerplants...etc.

The top guys around here run VW's with 6rib bus trannies. Have a look at my friend Rob with his personal VW type 1 motor:

http://www.buggermanators.ypgs.net/

His 200hp-ish motor is about all I can fathom in the dunes...a ride with him is almost pants wetting. More than that seems like a liability.

Sean

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 29 2004, 10:31 AM

supercharged ans Super flow heads?> what HP does that put out?

Posted by: Sean_S Oct 29 2004, 10:43 AM

According to Rob, it's not the HP that's impressive on this motor, but the strong linear torque.

Of course, separating HP and TQ numbers is pointless (which is probably why "real" sports cars are rated in KW), but this engine supposedly makes great power *everywhere*.

He just installed it and is tweaking it up, so the final dyno will remain to be seen.

Sean

Posted by: d914 Oct 29 2004, 12:26 PM

or check out these guys, trannys for rails and high hp vw


http://www.mendeolatransaxles.com/index1.php

Posted by: Mueller Oct 29 2004, 12:56 PM

wow....they "start" at $5,000...ouch....now that I think about it, I guess that is not too bad for a brand new transmission...still, it has to hurt the wallet and then some

Posted by: d914 Oct 29 2004, 12:59 PM

and you can do a flip ring and pinion......ideas anyone......$7k will handle 500hp

Posted by: Dave_Darling Oct 29 2004, 03:47 PM

The 930 gearbox was built to handle the 300 HP 930 motor, reliably. It should be able to handle significantly more, I would think. The 915 lasted through the 217-HP 3.2s, and should be capable of handling more than that.

The G50 was introduced in 1987 on the 3.2 Carrera (earlier 3.2s used the 915 gearbox), and versions of it were used up until pretty recently. The G50 is a five-speed; the "G60" is a six-speed. They are built to handle... Well, a whole bunch of power.

I would guess that the 930 box would be the most reasonable alternative. It is only a four-speed, though. But with turbo torque, you probably won't need too many gears.

--DD

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 29 2004, 06:20 PM

what model/year car does the 930 come in? and i heard a guy talking about the 901 tranny, do you guys know anything about that one?

Posted by: skline Oct 29 2004, 06:33 PM

The 930 was first introduced in late 75 or 76 and went up till around the mid 80's. The 901 is the transmission in a stock 914

Posted by: scott thacher Oct 29 2004, 06:35 PM

the 901 is the 914 and early 911 tranny, it basicly came in 3 set ups two were tail cone shifters. but each of these 2 were set up with the r=p in opposite directions, and the third was called a side shifter tranny because the shifter was on the side of the tranny.

basicly
901 tail shift tranny in front of motor is early 911 ( the one you want if you go 901 )
901 " " " behind motor is early 914
901 side shift is 914

scott t

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 29 2004, 08:39 PM

so what exactly is the HP limit on the 901? or aprox? cuz there are a few of those going on ebay right now for around a $100 bucks.

Posted by: skline Oct 29 2004, 10:14 PM

They say, the 901 can handle up to 300 HP. Many V8 guys are running them stock in their car with no problems, but they do not use first gear.

Posted by: Mrs. K Oct 29 2004, 11:49 PM

Hey Scott,
Did you notice the time stamp on
this post?????

Lisa

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 12:00 AM

because of the low bottom end torque of the rotarys do you think it would be safe to run a 901 tranny out of a early 911 and just start in second if i prestage the turbo's and luanch?

Posted by: skline Oct 30 2004, 12:48 AM

That is a good question, I am not sure what kind of torque you will be pushing off the line. The 911 901 must have been a little more beefy to handle the power of the 6, but then again, it didnt put out that much more than the 914. Hard to say. You could just try it, what have you got to lose? Its only money.

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 01:37 AM

yeah money has absolutly no object to me
but it is kinda true that i dont have too much to lose though, there is a 911 901 tranny right now on ebay in good condition going for $175 it sure beets $2000 and really if it breaks i can always upgrade...

Posted by: kafermeister Oct 30 2004, 01:55 PM

I am into VWs as well. I've contemplated the Porsche 5-spd for my '69 Beetle street car many times. I even have a few tail shift 914 tannies.

I agree with what has been said. Stick with the 911 based 901 tranny. Converting the 914 tranny involves flipping the ring gear, shimming the pinion, and buying a 911 nose cone.... plus what ever else I've forgot.

I do want to make one point. Be careful. Porsche DID put 4 spd trannys in some of their early cars. Be sure you're buying one with 5 forward gears.

Good luck and let us know how you fare. I'm still wanting a 5spd tranny in my Bug.

Rick

Posted by: Mueller Oct 30 2004, 02:28 PM

i've got an extra tail-shifter 914 transmission i'd let you have for $75....since you are local (antioch), no money spent on shipping

only problem is what direction do you do need? since you'd have to flip the r&p if the motor is going to hang off the back of the car...with a 911 gearbox, no flipping is needed........

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 05:14 PM

hey mike,
is your tail shifter from the 914 considered a 901 tranny? and is it pretty involved project to convert this tranny to a rear engine set up?

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 30 2004, 05:32 PM

You would still need to flip r/p. you want a 901 out of a 911 (no flipping needed)

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 05:37 PM

does the rear tail shifter out of a 914 still use the same shift rod/hockey stick as the 911 901 tranny's?

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 08:52 PM

and are the 911/901 tranny's axles the same as the 914 axles and CV's? or are they interchangeable or do they bolt up?

Posted by: skline Oct 30 2004, 09:23 PM

Nope, they are different, I am going to use bus axles on mine once I get the adapters. Right now I am running the stock CV's and axles.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 30 2004, 09:26 PM

same bolt patter on the tranny flanges right? just different length???

Posted by: skline Oct 30 2004, 09:29 PM

911 are shorter

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 09:32 PM

hmm i wonder what length i will need if i go with a 901? will the 901 stock axles and cvs hand 300 HP too?

Posted by: skline Oct 30 2004, 09:38 PM

They should, if anything, the CV's would go first. You could always get the ones from Renegade, they handle up to 6 or 700 HP

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 09:39 PM

are they pretty expensive?

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 30 2004, 09:41 PM

you like riddles?
whats strong and beefy and costs lots of money

i really have no clue on the cost....just a smartass remark

Posted by: skline Oct 30 2004, 09:44 PM

Aaron, since you got so much time, come by tomorrow and help me get the Chalon on the road. The axles from Renegade are about $700 or so. Not cheap but you wont break them.

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 09:48 PM

they bolt up to the 901?

Posted by: skline Oct 30 2004, 09:48 PM

Oh, Pelican sells them also, you can go to their site and see them and get a price too. http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/9144/POR_9144_suspen_pg8.htm

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 09:49 PM

also do you guys know if they sell nice chrome shifters for the 901s?

Posted by: skline Oct 30 2004, 09:50 PM

These are them.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 30 2004, 09:50 PM

i worked all day today .... gotta write an essay still.

PM me you address/phone. maybe i can swing by for a few hours.

Posted by: skline Oct 30 2004, 09:57 PM

PM sent, you better get going on that Essay if you plan to get it done tonight.

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 10:03 PM

you guys think there worth getting or will the stock 901 CV's worl ok?

Posted by: skline Oct 30 2004, 10:18 PM

How much power were you planning to run??? I would always start with the best but I cant afford to right now so I went with the stock axles, I figure if I break one, I will get the heavy duty ones (Bus axles) and then if they break, I will have the money by that time to get the HP ones.

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 30 2004, 10:53 PM

thats prob. what ill do too. im gunna be running from 350-450HP (not sure yet, depends on what boost i run) so i'll prob just go with the stock axles and see what happens. have you looked into the costs of the bus axles? are they able to handle more power than the 911's?

Posted by: Brad Smith Oct 30 2004, 11:14 PM

Ok, as a rotary guy I'm gonna jump in here. To get 350-400 hp you had BETTER be running an aftermarket ECU (haltech or equivilant) or you WILL blow that motor so fast you won't know what happened.

They are very sensitive to detonation, which commonly occurs when you run too lean. Keep the timing moderate and don't try to lean it below 12:1. (I know, that's a little rich, but it is good insurance.) And get a big intercooler.

Detonation breaks the apex seals, which in turn usually destroys the rotor housing and sometimes the rotor also.

I have a friend making 425 rwhp in his daily driven street car (87 RX-7 turbo) with a haltech and a 60-1 hi-fi (T04 based) turbo. The ports on it are not even that radical, it's how the package is put together. He's been driving it for about 3 years that way, and hasn't blown it up yet.

I also have another friend with ~650 rwhp in his high 9-second street legal (sort of) drag car. That's a 3rd gen. Now, HE blows motors- that's approaching the limit of a turbo rotary on gasoline. (Alchohol cars have been over 800 at the rear wheels, but of course that is strictly race-only.)

The common factor there is they ALL run aftermarket EMS. Don't try to hack up a stock ECU running bigger injectors and higher rail pressure- you can trick them only so far. For a second gen computer, 250 to 275 at the wheels is the limit, and then you are running on the ragged edge of reliability. A 3rd gen might let you get up to 350... beyond that you are just asking for a blown motor.

Brad

Posted by: tesserra Oct 30 2004, 11:35 PM

If your engine is in the back, not mid engine, do not go through the hassle of converting a 914 trans. Go directly to the 915. These come from a rear engined car, can handle more torque, and have good ratios for a high rpm motor.
HP will not kill the trans, shock loads and high torque motors will.
If you go from low traction to high traction situations this is a shock load that will be very tough on a 914 trans, and fatal for the trans if it happens in 1st gear.

George

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 31 2004, 01:14 AM

yeah the motor i got/on its way is a 13B-RE (more intake ports better injectors) and it puts out more power stock than a stock 13B. and im planning on getting a aftermarket computer (wolf 2D) its about $1200 bucks but it will be money well spent. complete engine managment at the tip of my fingertips. everything on the motor is tunable with this thing. it has two programable maps (you can get more) which you can program however you want (ie. race mode/daily driving) and are available at the touch of a button instantly. pretty neat, you guys can check it out at www.wolfems.com. thats why i always give a range because its all depends on what i want to do with it but at the least its gunna have around 350 HP.

Posted by: soloracer Oct 31 2004, 01:07 PM

The wolf 2d is only a fuel computer and not a combined fuel/ignition computer. Since you are running a turbocharged rotary engine you should go with a stand alone that controls both ignition and fuel. The 13b-re is basically the same as a regular old 13b. There might be some differences in cooling and strength of housings but for the most part it's the same as the engine in an RX7. Sorry but there are exactly the same number of ports and the injectors are no different. For the power you are talking about you will have to ditch the stock twins and go with a big single. Which makes it even more important to get a proven stand alone - and even more important that you find someone who knows how to tune it. No offense but it sounds like you really don't fully understand the rotary engine and I suggest you start with smaller goals. Otherwise you will end up with a car that will only frustrate you and break the bank before finally getting relegated to the corner of your garage.

As for my background I have owned an RX7 Turbo for about 6 years and have owned both the Wolf 3D and Haltech E6K engine management systems. The Haltech is a superior system in all regards and I highly recommend you look at getting one. I am currently putting a 20b three rotor in my 914 and running it with a Haltech E11. I am using a Porsche 915 transmission and am keeping the stock twins (for the time being) until I see how the car runs.

Posted by: Mueller Oct 31 2004, 01:17 PM

Brad,

there is a guy in Brentwood (near the new Safeway off of Balfour i think) that specializes in RX7's and modifing them, he also sells and services Electromotive (and possibly other brands) of programmable fuel/ignition controllers..

found the company:

http://www.shaneracing.com/

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 31 2004, 03:03 PM

I’m sorry I had an error in my last post. I put wolf 2d and I meant wolf 3d (version 4+) and it does WAY more than just engine fuel management. If you want to look into some of the features of the system and a comparison of the wolf and the Haltech check out this section of an rx-7 forum, http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=344621. (You might have to register though, but it’s really quick) soloracer was right that the 13B-RE doesn’t have more intake ports than a regular 13B-REW(rx-7 3rd gen) however it is different. It does come with larger intake ports than the regular 13B-REW which automatically gives it more power stock. I’m not sure about the cooling or stronger housings either. But I did hear that they came with more injectors but I want to put an emphasis on the word "hear" because I don’t know that for a fact, but I think that you’re right that they don't come with more injectors but I think they might come with larger ones. You were also correct in saying that I am not a huge rotary guy and I honestly know more than most but really not a lot at all. My brother however has. My brothers got a 93 RX-7 13b tt that is his entire life, and he knows them in and out, and that is why I have always leaned towards the rotary (full time mechanic). My brother has built 5 motors from the ground up, a few for his car and a few for friends, so he knows how to work on em. he has been cranking on rotary’s over the last 8 years so I trust he will steer me the right direction so I don’t end up hating my decision to go rotary. And Mike, that guy that you’re talking about in Brentwood is Ray Lochead and he owns sr motor sports. Him and my brother are buddies (thanks for the tip though). Soloracer, you should give him a call he has built 3 rotors for his drag car that pout out over 1000 HP! and as far as turbo's go you don’t need ditch the stock twins and go with a big single to achieve the amount of power that i'm talking about its very possible of getting to those numbers (reliably) with the stock twins. However we are now probably just coming down to matters of opinion and preference. Thanks for the advice on the computers. I will prob. still go with the wolf3D version 4Plus. Do some research on this computer and get back to me with some plus/minuses of things the haltech does that the wolf doesn’t or cant because I haven’t bought one yet and if it really is better... tell me why and ill buy it.

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 31 2004, 04:01 PM

hey does anyone know if the 901 shift rods are the same as the 914's? also does anyone know if/where they sell nice shifters for the 911 901 transmissions?

Posted by: Mueller Oct 31 2004, 04:33 PM

for the shifter:

http://www.jwesteng.com, made and sold by a fellow club member

for you application, a 'bug shifter might even work or just about any type of shifter with a few mods

the shift rods are going to be different between pretty much each different transmisson (901, 914, 915 etc....)

what is everyone else using on the 'rails??

I couldn't imagine anything being a true bolt-on unless you are using a frame kit from a manufacture that already has everything laid out for what to use.

WEVO makes some really awesome shifters as well for Porsche cars

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 31 2004, 07:30 PM

hey mike do you have any 911 parts? shift rod, axles, shifter etc.?

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 31 2004, 10:06 PM

and does anyone know the difference between the 915 and the 901?

Posted by: Mueller Oct 31 2004, 10:29 PM

nope, no extra 911 parts (mostly cause I have not taken my 911 apart, LOL)....915 is a more modern, heavy duty transmission, able to take more hp and abuse...they weigh more as well, something like 125 pounds instead of 75 (not exact wieghts, just wild guess)...the 915 also tends cost more as well the accesories (shifters and such)

one thing you need to figure out is the gearing and depending on how tall of a tire you plan on running, whether or not any of these transmissions would be optimal...changing gear ratios or ring and pinions is not a cheap or easy job.

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Oct 31 2004, 11:55 PM

im gunna have some large tires in the rear. not exactly sure how tall yet but would larger tires effect the ratios in a negative way?

Posted by: Mueller Nov 1 2004, 12:15 AM

the diameter of the tires makes a huge difference....

you want your powerband to be usable, too tall of a tire and too high of a gear and you might not ever be able to get the engine in the higher rpm range you want or need to get up the hills.....

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Nov 1 2004, 12:29 AM

do you know of a site or have the gear ratios for the 901?

Posted by: Mueller Nov 1 2004, 12:44 AM

http://members.rennlist.com/chuxter/901&915ratios.htm

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Nov 1 2004, 01:13 AM

awesome. thanks mike

Posted by: Dairdevil9 Nov 1 2004, 01:21 AM

the gearing of the 901 looks pretty close to the stock 93 rx7 tranny. 93-> Rx7 Series V Tire: 225/50/16 91V or ZR
1(3.483) 2(2.015) 3(1.391) 4(1.00) 5(.719) R/P(4.10)

Posted by: Brad Smith Nov 1 2004, 08:54 AM

Ok, let me correct some misconceptions. The 13B-REW (that is what you mean, right?) from the 3rd gen DOES make more power, thanks to better turbos, better intake, and engine management to match. It does NOT have more ports, although the port size and shape is slightly different from the previous version. That is a sequential twin turbo motor- the stock turbo setup is very complex, so you will need to convert it to non-sequential. (the Wolf won't have a provision to control it!) Or you can convert it to a single turbo. ($$)

Only the 13B (non-turbo) and the new Renesis have more ports. A Renesis would be pricey currently, and you wouldn't gain anything by using that for your setup- although being able to approach 300 hp without turbos would be nice.

350hp is about the absolute limit on stock turbos. on the 13B-REW At that point you are getting out of their efficiency range.

Most rotary guys in the US use Haltech instead of Wolf, but both are good. Find a tuner that knows how to work with them before you buy. I'd make my selection based on who was going to tune it.

If you are REALLY adventurous there is a fuel injection unit called a "megasquirt." You build it yourself. So far the reviews are good, but it's a big project. It doesn't include igniton, you would need a distributor from an early car, and it would probably have to be "recurved."

For rotary motor help, go to the RX-7 Forum at http://www.rx7club.com/forum (I was a "super moderator" on there for years.)

Good luck- this sounds like a REALLY fun project!

Brad

p.s. I'm "rx7_ragtop" on there. I haven't been on ANY forums in quite a while due to work...

Posted by: davep Nov 1 2004, 09:09 AM

I would think that you will need to use a 911 transmission so that the R&P doesn't need to be flipped, and the gearshift linkage would be easier to fabricate. Most cheap tranny will cost a lot to rebuild, several $K. Most early transmissions will not take the power and the shock loads from your intended use. I suspect most of the CV's won't either. I would seriously consider using what the successful guys are using. Going cheap usually means spending more in the long run.