Mazda rotary question

[adam69]

Well im getting a 1977 323 for free in the next few weeks and was considering fitting a rotary down the track,nothing special just a bit more go.Can anybody point me in the right direction?Thanks

[jules]

323s didn't come with rotaries though, did you mean rx3? that was the sports version of the 868 wasn't it? you could fit a rotary to a model that came with a rotary, but if you mean the hatchback 323 you'd be talking serious engineering and a certificate.

[adam69]

I know they didnt came with a rotary but there sre a few around espec in NZ.I dont think it would be too much to get it legal.Its not a big motor.

[minux]

323 are a very simple and effective conversion.

I believe its just a simple engine mount change and away you go. You can do a full conversion in a few hours.

If you need any help with the building of an engine etc let me know, i spent 3 years learning to BP/PP/EP etc and went through many housings and plates to get it right

[jules]

of course i could be wrong. ignore my post then.

you'd need a certificate though i think.

[adam69]

The car will be like this

[minux]

of course i could be wrong. ignore my post then.

you'd need a certificate though i think.

i have seen probably 30 rotary powered 323's never been engineered, most people do not know what a rotary is.

Either way, its a simple engineer because you do not need to change the stock brakes etc.

I am still on the lookout for an RX3 Coupe if anyone happens to know of a cheaper one for sale.

[Cheap6]

Because Mazda was nearly broke at the time it developed the RWD 323, there is an awful lot of 808/RX-3 underneath it. An engine swap to 12A can be done using RX-3 bits easily, if you can find them.

That model 323 also used a gearbox from the same family as 626, B1600 vans and RX-7 SI-SIII and SIV-SV non-turbo, + a few more (the MX-5 one is similar) so you can use a gearbox with the rotary bell housing and play mix and match with the extension housing (swap the shift rails and ext. housing across together) to put the shift lever up through the hole in the floor. Generally, the later the gearbox, the stronger it will be.

A 12A, that meets the appropriate pollution requirements, will be able to be engineered in most states. You may have problems with a 13B because the 323s are pretty lightweight; ~850?kg.

A S1 RX-7 would probably be the best donor but good luck finding one, esp. cheaply and if you want it legal, and the engineer inspecting it is doing his job properly, all the vacuum solenoids and thermal reactor etc. will have to be in place.

[slo_firo]

lol thats one of the easiest conversions know to mankind..... my brother who cant even tie his shoes properly put a 12a into one - then changed his mind and put in a ke-20 corolla, that one was a bit of a mission

[adam69]

Thanks guys you have been very helpful

[Doctor Sodways]

Im still kicking myself for not buying my mates bridge ported 13b turbo RX3, but at the time it would have been the worst thing i could do, P plates, and a rotor so loud it rattled the entire house coming down the street, was a bloody rocket for what it was, but just not feasible for me at the time

[minux]

Im still kicking myself for not buying my mates bridge ported 13b turbo RX3, but at the time it would have been the worst thing i could do, P plates, and a rotor so loud it rattled the entire house coming down the street, was a bloody rocket for what it was, but just not feasible for me at the time

My RX2 was a 13b Turbo setup with a straight through 3 inch system, most people could hear me coming for about 10 minutes, not once did i get hassled by mr plod. Weird really.

[VLDavo]

My RX2 was a 13b Turbo setup with a straight through 3 inch system, most people could hear me coming for about 10 minutes, not once did i get hassled by mr plod. Weird really.

the turbos seam to quiren them down alot but....

me dads rx2 was shocking loud as it was n/a with massive pipes as it was hes rally car at the time.. even had full rego back in the day with a full cage and 5 point harnesses

[minux]

the turbos seam to quiren them down alot but....

me dads rx2 was shocking loud as it was n/a with massive pipes as it was hes rally car at the time.. even had full rego back in the day with a full cage and 5 point harnesses

Nah the turbo wasn't any quieter than the EP with a weber. What was really noisy was the peripheral ported 13b with a 55 weber. I didnt dare drive that around the city It was as loud as an 8 with no exhaust lol.

[jules]

crikey, what was the idle speed?

[davey g-force]

Im still kicking myself for not buying my mates bridge ported 13b turbo RX3...

LOL, ummm, you can't have a bridge ported turbo, due to the overlap in the exhaust/intake (hence the bap bap bap sound) of a BP. It would have been either a n/a bridge port or a turbo.

[adam69]

Im not too worried about it being legal,it wont be too loud just quick enough to get people wonder whats going on.Im not paying for the car,its clean,straight and well looked after.She told me she gets it serviced every 3 months and it never goes far at all.

[Marco-EFIVL]

Drop a 20B into it and fit a big single!

[VLDavo]

Im not too worried about it being legal,it wont be too loud just quick enough to get people wonder whats going on.Im not paying for the car,its clean,straight and well looked after.She told me she gets it serviced every 3 months and it never goes far at all.

u should be able to fit a 12a no probs with it being legal.. i actualy saw a 12a 323 for sale a little while ago for 4500 fully engeneered sleeper

[adam69]

u should be able to fit a 12a no probs with it being legal.. i actualy saw a 12a 323 for sale a little while ago for 4500 fully engeneered sleeper

There are a few in NZ and in there in 5 weeks.