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Rotary Sprite

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mowog4 said:
I am also doing a Rotary Bugeye, just found this thread. Do you have any photos of what you are doing with your trans mount? I would also be interested in your header photos. I am assuming you are using the shortened Mazda 5 Spd? I have a 13B with the shortened 5 spd, mazda GSL rear end. The car has been a very slow project (I keep getting sidetracked with other projects, but I am getting close now)

My biggest challenge now is trying to adapt the big brake kit (Huffaker spacers, wilwood calipers, and Spitfire rotors)and figure out how much I have to grind off of my Frontline Suspension Arm.
Thanks,
Ed
Click to expand...

Ed I have photos of the whole build, send me your e-mail and what pics you think you need and I send them. The major Headaches were intake clearance, motor/oil pan clearance (I want to keep motor low so I jammed between frame rails), Lower oil pan motor mount, Tranny clearance, Tranny mounts and bed plate. I made the header and it actually fit nicely. Also made a heat shield between exhaust and intake. Like you I'm still working on the brakes, but at 1300lbs a rock on a string might work.
V/R Dave
 

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Dave
I would love to see pictures of the build. You can send them to ed.lord@oasissales.com I think I finally have the brakes figured out. I keep having this dream when I buy a performance part it actually fits.

What are you planning for an oil cooler and radiator? Did you modify an existing header, or use the ubends that Racing Beat sells?
 
I'm using an aluminum replacement radiator that fit the stock Mazda footprint. I had to cut the Bugeye Rad mount rails, Rotate them 180* and move them fwd on the frame rails. Fits pretty nicely. I'm using and E-fan and the stock oil cooler and cooler line. I had to mount cooler lower than rad and tilt about 45* to get flow over the fins. I'll send you some pics. Can you prove some pic of your brake set-up this could help me out a lot!!!!! Thanks Dave.
 

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Dave
I emailed you some brake stuff, don't know how to post pictures. I have done a lot of research on the brakes since I will occasionaly use the car for open tracks, but they appear pretty simple. Most are bolt on with some modification required. I will send the rest of the photos tomorrow
 
Branson
I thought about the Vtec, but I don't like the extended front end. Then I had a really dumb idea of a mid engine rotary. Finally decided to do it original, must be a sign of old age creeping in.

Once I get mine running I have been thinking about building a Bridgeported 13B, but I can't figure out how streetable it will be. At the very least I will do a streetport, the plan for the Sprite was always for 240HP.
 
Bridgeport isn't very streetable and from what I've read it can seriously shorten the lifespan of a rotary. Makes gobs of horsepower though. We decided to back off our goals and go with a nice street port on my 12a.

240hp is a lot for a sprite. I would skip the Bridgeport and look at either a turbo or a Camden supercharger.
 
Branson said:
Bridgeport isn't very streetable and from what I've read it can seriously shorten the lifespan of a rotary. Makes gobs of horsepower though. We decided to back off our goals and go with a nice street port on my 12a.

240hp is a lot for a sprite. I would skip the Bridgeport and look at either a turbo or a Camden supercharger.
Click to expand...
Oh Yeah, Turbo I like the sound of that!
 
I can get 220-240 HP with a Mazdatrix steet port which is a quasi steetable Bridgeport. Engine life isn't a big concern for me, they are easily a 50K motor and it will take me decades to go that far in a Bugeye. The thing which kind of appeals to me is the power band is at a relatively higher rpm, so it won't hit that hard coming out of the hole. Should be a nice combo in such a light car. I looked at turbos, problem is they generate a lot of heat and need an intercoooler to be really effective. Couldn't figure out the thermals and I can get there normally aspirated. The Camden supercharger is cool looking, but gives carb clearance problems and don't add that much horesepower.

The rotary Sprite on You Tube is a three rotor 20B which is putting out close to 400 HP. It is a national championship autocross car built by a guy in Texas. So it has been done, I expect it to be a great combo and hold up pretty well. That is why I have done the suspension and brake mods.
 
three rotor 20b is a bit of a different animal from the 2 rotor 10a's, 12a's and 13b's. best of luck with the bridgeport on the 13b. shes going to be noisy, produce alot of heat but I bet will be one heck of a ride.
 
Yeah that three rotor on you tube is cool, thats looks like an intense ride!!!
 
Happy New Years everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Cabin fever! I went out and checked up on the Bugeye. Looks good or a June completion.
 

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Are those false eyelashes?
 
Yeah, you like'm.
 
It's part of the extreme make over! Thanks.
 
Final fit and finish!
 

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That's a purty looking engine ya got there!
 
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