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Thread: RX7 VW Beetle engine swap

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
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    1

    RX7 VW Beetle engine swap

    would a 4 cyl RX7 engine bolt up to the trans axle of my bug with out any problems aside from the cooling and the computer? If so what year RX7 would i need to remove the engine and computer to install it into a 1962 VW beetle?

    any good info would be grately appricated

  2. #2
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    May 2004
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    i don't think the RX-7 comes with a 4 cylinder engine, it comes with a rotary engine.
    1993 nissan 240sx hatchback(stock) <<drifter, straight liner, road courser

    "Horsepower is the force that determines how fast you hit the wall. Torque is the force that determines how far you take the wall with you after you hit it."

    "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races" - Carroll Shelby

    "Real cars don't make power at the front wheels....they lift them."

  3. #3
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    1. RX7 has a rotary Engine

    2. It will most certainly not bolt up

    3. Any year RX-7 Engine will do, but nothing will be easy. Anything can be done with thousands and thousands of dollars worth of custom work, which is what you would need.

    4. If you'd like more power for your Beetle, there are quite a few Flat-4 buildups you can do for a lot less money. Or if you really want to get creative, an older Porsche 911 engine.

  4. #4
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    I don't think you should swap any engines if you don't even know what kind of an engine an Rx-7 has.
    Rockefella says:
    pat's sister is hawt
    David Fiset says:
    so is mine
    David Fiset says:
    do want

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rockefella
    I don't think you should swap any engines if you don't even know what kind of an engine an Rx-7 has.
    OWN3D!
    The Datto will rage again...

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rockefella
    I don't think you should swap any engines if you don't even know what kind of an engine an Rx-7 has.

    ouch!



    made it myself

  7. #7
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    What did that used to be?
    Last edited by Egg Nog; 03-16-2005 at 08:03 PM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
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    2
    Hello,

    First off you don't want to use your stock tranny. A 911 transaxle is a good choice but a damn hard swap which requires you to weld in all new mounts and modify the tunnel. What you want to do is call up Rancho performance transaxles and have a mendola or a superstreet transaxle built with all stock gearing a superdiff and have it built around a rhino case. This will handle the power output of the RX-7 engine. Then you need to call up Kennedy engineering. They make a rx-7 adapter plate which bolts to the stock bell housing and then to the engine without modification. You will then need to get yourself a 6volt starter and wire it into a 12 volt system. This makes the starter spin faster and is necessary to start a rotary engine. Next up is to install the ECU and radiator. Typically the radiator will go in the driver sider rear wheel well or in the front in the spare tire well. If you put it up front you will need to cut vent holes in your hood in order to get good airflow.

    After you do all this you will need to upgrade you axles. The stockers will snap like a toothpick with the new horsepower. You should also add a rear engine support and try to stiffen up the back end with a cross member running under the backseat across the pan.

    Before you do any of theis though you should have the rest of the car ready to handle the power. Upgrade your breaks to 4 wheel discs. Stiffen you suspension. Lower your car a bit to keep it from trying to fly on you. Upgrade axles and transmission. I would also recommend getting a IRS tube chassis and installing at least a partial cage to add stability since you can easily tweak the body when launching.

    If you are looking for a good source of info on the engine swaps you can do get in touch with kennedy engineering. Have fun.

    -Aron

  9. #9
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    Dec 2007
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    kent
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    1st timer

    i have just joined and am not very good with the pc im not sure how to ask questions but what i would like to know is there any one out there who has any information or web sites that can help me with building an rx7 beetle i own a 1992 rx7 ive just purchased another and feel that the engine is more suited in the back of my 1303s please please please help me out cheers steve email at [email protected] if its easier thanks

  10. #10
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    Yeah......maybe you should research this a bit more, buggin, before you go and decide what you would like to have.
    "I'd hate to die twice. It's so boring" - Richard Feynman, last recorded words.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    LoL OWNAGEEEEEEEE nice one rockefella!..... sell the V dub and buy a descent car ..... ewwww dub

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by KeRmIt
    LoL OWNAGEEEEEEEE nice one rockefella!..... sell the V dub and buy a descent car ..... ewwww dub
    I like some of them, dune buggies can be friggin sweet. Karmann Ghias and Type 3's can be awesome as well. There's a few other models I like, I forget their names though. I think someday I'll have a Karmann Ghia for a daily driver and errand beater car.
    An it harm none, do as ye will

    Approximately 79% of statistics are made up.

  13. #13
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    Jan 2004
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    Easiest swap is 911 gear, proper lay-out already. If you do it, make sure you put some weights in the front to hold it down.

  14. #14
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    Oct 2004
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    Quote Originally Posted by 63' buggin
    would a 4 cyl RX7 engine bolt up to the trans axle of my bug with out any problems aside from the cooling and the computer? If so what year RX7 would i need to remove the engine and computer to install it into a 1962 VW beetle?

    any good info would be grately appricated
    LOLZ, FOUR CYLINDER RX-7 ENGINE? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
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    1,336
    the 13b out of the RX-7 has been succesfully been bolted up to superbug and bus transaxles with the apropriate bell housing. you'll have to fabricate custom motor mounts and possible sheet metal massagin to get it to fit in the bugs engine bay, you might be able to use a 13b test/race pipe with custom muffler if you plan to run it N/A.
    13b's are popular motors to use as replacements for VW flat 4's in sandrails on the sand sports capitopl fo the world(sunny southern california) and rotaries are perfact for lightweight sandrails as it has very little weight to move(just a tube chassis and your ass to push around) and their high power-weight allows you to just keep your speed up over the dunes instead of trying to power your way up as you would with a less revv'y more torquey engine(such as the guys rolling around with 1100hp+ LS1 sandrails.

    it would be a neat swap. but personally i wouldnt do it. a nice 911 swap seems fun however



    12a rotary mated to a bus transaxle going in a sandrail.
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