I really must jump in on this one. I love RX-7s and Spitfires. They are
both great cars for their time. I grew up in England when the Spitfire
was the rage over there. Always loved the body style. However, the car
does lack under the hood. Now I realize that the technology wasn't the
same when the Spit was first begun, but 75 hp is not very much for a 2100
lb car. ( I may be off there, but that is the number I remember). I
think the hmmm that the rotary makes is pretty awesome, especially when I
am running at 7k rpm and the car is still running very smoothly.
Because of the size of the Spit, it begs for a lightweight, smooth
running, small engine. I know many have done GT6 motor conversions and
V-8s, but in looking, the rotary was just about made to fit. Like I said
before, a stock to stock replacement yields a gain of 25 hp and at least
100 lbs of weight reduction. There are plenty of bolt on mods that can
be put on a rotary to get you to 150 quite easily. I would think that in
the Spit, that would be quite a quick little car. Plus as I read about
all the troubles with valves, timing chains and covers, rear seals, etc,
I love more and more the simplicity of the rotary engine. If you want it
to be a little more raspy, get a header, straight pipe, and an exhaust.
Believe me, the rotary can be very loud. Now don't get me wrong, the
Spit was and continues to be a great car. Has that British flair to it.
Never have understood why it has been so over looked in favor of the MGs
etc. But under the hood, it does have a "boinger" for a powerplant. My
spit will probably end up with a rotary. I think it is a match made in
heaven. BTW, if you have never driven a car with a rotary engine, you
should. Might open your eyes a little. Especially if you drive a third
gen rx-7(93-95 models). But I digress. This is the Spit list. Fun car,
simple for the most part. One day I will have mine done and maybe I can
meet some of you all in person. If you must flame, do so directly. I
have my Nomex flight suit(several actually) prepped and ready.
Nelson
78 Spit,
3 80 RX-7s, 1 RX-4
On Tue, 24 Nov 1998 14:58:11 -0800 "Laura G." <savercool@email.msn.com>
writes:
>What's that old Mazda commercial jingle? "Piston engines go...but, the
>Mazda
>goes hmmmmm..."-
>
>Why would I want an engine that goes "Hmmmmmm..."? <BG>
>
>Laura G. and Nigel
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Tom O'Malley <tomomalley@meganet.net>
>To: Laura G. <savercool@email.msn.com>; spitfires@autox.team.net
><spitfires@autox.team.net>
>Date: Tuesday, November 24, 1998 2:49 PM
>Subject: Re: Rotary Spitfire
>
>
>>Laura writes...
>>
>>>Yeah, yeah, yeah-rotary Spitfire...
>>>
>>>There's a guy out here where I get my Weber jetted who tells every
>Spit
>>>owner who walks throught the door-" your engine's shot-want me to
>put a
>>>Mazda engine in that thing?" -(Yes, he told me this too.)
>>>
>>>I'll keep my little english 4 banger thanks.
>>>
>>>Just sign me-"Brit Lover"<g>
>>>
>>>Laura G. and Nigel
>>
>>He he....you made a wise decision. Grassroot's rotary Spit
>conversion
>>has been on going for about 4 years now. :-)
>>
>>Cheers!
>>Tom O'Malley in Southbridge Massachusetts
>>'74, '77 Spits
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