Rotary?

AZRaider03 · Dec 12, 2008

First off, I'm new here and I must say that this is the most addicting cite I've ever been on. I just bought a 03 xlt and love it. I also had a 91 xlt. Great trucks! So my question was, have you ever seen a rotary engine in a ranger and how tough would it be to do the swap. I was watching a show tonite and a rx-8 has a 1.4L 240hp rotary. Thats what like 80- 90 cubes?! Just curious..

86_cookiemonster · Dec 12, 2008

AZRaider03 said:
First off, I'm new here and I must say that this is the most addicting cite I've ever been on. I just bought a 03 xlt and love it. I also had a 91 xlt. Great trucks! So my question was, have you ever seen a rotary engine in a ranger and how tough would it be to do the swap. I was watching a show tonite and a rx-8 has a 1.4L 240hp rotary. Thats what like 80- 90 cubes?! Just curious..

I haven't ever seen a ranger with a rotary in it. I imagine you are looking at quite a bit of fabrication though.

And yes this site is like crack, anything that can be done to a ranger has been talked about or completed on by someone on this site.

JohnPi · Dec 12, 2008

Check the torque numbers with relation to RPM's on that before deciding it's a great idea. And rotary engines are notoriously inefficient with regards to gasoline. Might be good for a 2WD basic truck with low weight. Numbers from Mazda's website:

1.3 Liter RENESIS 2-rotor rotary engine (232HP 159lb/ft torque with MT, 212HP 159lb/ft torque with AT)

EDIT: By the way . . . Welcome to TRS!

Beanmachine7000 · Dec 12, 2008

Welcome, I think it would be neat to see something like that, just because it's never been done. I'd have to agree on the hp/tq numbers though, to actually get any "get up and go" out of those engines you have to pretty much wind them way up. IIRC isn't the rev limiter on those engines upwards of 9k RPM? I think if you wanna turbo one and hop it up like people did to the old RX-7's that would be cool, I think people used to get some pretty remarkable numbers out of them...

rusty ol ranger · Dec 12, 2008

Just drop in a 351 with a big ol' 4bbl and a 4sp. Be alot more fun, alot cheaper, and you'd actually have torque.

later,
Dustin

kunar · Dec 12, 2008

rusty ol ranger said:
Just drop in a 351 with a big ol' 4bbl and a 4sp. Be alot more fun, alot cheaper, and you'd actually have torque.

later,
Dustin

but that doesnt have any 'unique factor'

whats the fun?

AZRaider03 · Dec 12, 2008

I dont plan on doing it, just curious of what you guys thought. My truck only has 26000 miles. So I think Ill burn it up before doing anything crazy.. Would like to lift it. But it aint cheap. Actually, Im suprised no one here has done it, or brought it up. The only one I found was this guy...thinking that would be a little much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTrAnA2g--8

Hahnsb2 · Dec 12, 2008

It would certainly be different, not sure if having an inefficient engine with no low end would be worth the "unique factor"

Ozwynn · Dec 12, 2008

it was brought up on the old site in a dispute if a 13y/o RX7 with 130,000 miles would compete with a 2004 Neon SRT4 with 6000 miles and the torque thing was brought up that it prolly wouldn't move a pick up that well.

rusty ol ranger · Dec 12, 2008

Yeah 230HP doesnt do much good when you aint got the torque to get it moving.

I can see you wanting the unique factor, but 90% of the time your shooting yourself in the nuts by sacrificing a ton of money, time, and effort.

later
Dustin

Ozwynn · Dec 12, 2008

wasn't the rotary used in a mazda pick up in the mid 70's? I seen one in a 1974 mazda Wagon. appropriately enough it was called the Rotary Wagon.

rusty ol ranger · Dec 12, 2008

They musta geared the piss out of it.

I think even the RX7's were geared at like 4.30.

later,
Dustin

Ozwynn · Dec 12, 2008

rusty ol ranger said:
They musta geared the piss out of it.

I think even the RX7's were geared at like 4.30.

later,
Dustin

I don't know but it had a 5spd and would outrun my 78 Datsun 810 wagon.

FC3S · Dec 13, 2008

not to sound liek an ass, but dont even waste your time swappin a rotary in. Just do a v8, rotarys are so frickin tempermental its stupid.

littleme13 · Jan 3, 2009

would be cool yes but like its been said not worth the effort if you actually want performance. mazda rotory engiens like high high rpms 7k plus to make power. and really big turbos to feed them at those rpms. this is where the rev limiter comes in, unlike a "V" engine where the valve usually start to float is considered redline or close to. a rotary is limited by how much air you can pump in a 10k rpms. by nature it has very little vacume at those rpms and needs the air forced in to be effiecent. stock turbos are junk on most and some years had a very different sequintial twin turbo set up. the apex seals are also famus for going out. on the upside they are incrediable small and light and if it was me i think one in a short bed standard cab might be a nice little toy.

edit: if your gonna do it make sure you get a 3 rotor and not the 2 rotor. 2 rotors were generally n/a and 3 were turboed.

Rotary?

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