Renesis 914 rotary?

[The Kelzer]

Aloha gang,

I've been a fan of the rotary motor for well......since I began driving. My 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th cars were all rotary powered and were an absolute delight.

I've had a lovely 75 2.0 for over 10 years now. 150K on the stock motor and she's just starting to smoke a touch.....so I've been thinking......

Apparently the tranny is the weak link with regards to heavy motor mods. Either the gearing is too short or not strong enough to handle the newfound torque.....am I correct?

Introducing Mr.Renesis...a 1.3 liter 200ish hp, 159ft/lb torque, high reving, lightweight, compact, rotary piston motor.

Is this the perfect match to the already fantastic, but sorely underpowered 914?

Has anyone done this conversion?

Can I get this power for less money from my existing 2.0 block? How?

Please advise and aloha!

P.s....we have no emission requirements here in Hawaii.

Mahalo,
The Kelzer

[RandyLok]

It's been done many times. It is a good match for the tranny. Rotaries generate a lot of heat, and cooling is an obstacle - but not unsurmountable.

You can absolutely get 200hp from your type 4 motor, and a hell of a lot more torque than with a rotary. Easiest way is with a Raby kit. As to cost comparisons? $5500ish? I think it's pretty close, considering everything else that has to be done for a watercooled conversion.

Google has some hits.

[The Kelzer]

Thanks Randyloc,

I checked out the site...well, the first statement at least....

Not worried about longevity???? Want HUGE POWER?? Want the ability to have the power of most 914/6 conversions??? Want to do it without adding precious weight to your car???

"Here strap this $5000 grenade to your car and pull the pin while next to a punk in a supped up civic"

I addeed that part.

Thanks for the info. I know about the heat thing, I'll do some more looking at type 4 mods. Though I could sell the 2.0 to recoup some of the 13B costs....

Any other ideas?

TK

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I don't know of any Renesis conversions, but there have been a number of older-style 13B conversions over the years.

Rotaries require lots and lots and lots of cooling--as much as a big V8! So using one of the cooling systems for the V8 conversions is an option. They don't produce big torque, so the 901 should be able to cope.

Cheaper? I don't know. A decent-quality set of conversion hardware will cost ya. Not to mention the fact that you'll have to figure out a good number of engineering changes yourself.

The Raby approach is very simple, at least for the end user. Unbolt your motor, do the carb conversion (or other EFI conversion), bolt in the Raby motor. No pin needed; all of his street motors are built for longevity. By his estimates (and these appear to be backed up by his customers), his engines should be good for 100K+ miles as long as you refresh the heads every 50K. I must say I have been very impressed with his results...

Other ideas... Small-block Chevy: popular, powerful, and at least cheap engine parts. Scooby flat-four, flat-six, or flat-four turbo: nice, low CG, looks "right" in the bay, possibility of the radiator in the engine bay. Nissan V6: wicked sounding, good power, interesting challenges of setting it all up. 911 engine: sounds the best, is right at home in the bay, decent resale, good power. 928 engine: cool factor is over-the-top, difficult to do well, lots of engineering challenges to solve.

--DD

[RandyLok]

FYI, Andy posted some links with a ton of info on rotary conversions over at world you might want to check out...

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=81586

[The Kelzer]

Awesome info !! Thank you Dave and Randy!

Looks like I got some decisions to make. I sure wish my Dad (a Porsche purist through and through...his first car was a 356) would stop barking at me about "Keeping it PURE". I'm not so sure anything about a 914 (or 356 for that matter) was "pure".

I'm 38! Why am I STILL listening to my Dad?? ;-)

Thanks again!
TK