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    22 November 2017

    Dorito power: the five most obscure rotary engine swaps

    By Mitchell TulkMitchell Tulk
    GOLD! I love gold! (image credit: Speed Hunters)

    Brapping isn’t exclusive to Mazdas.

    The rotary engine isn’t known for its reliability, and cops a lot of flak for high fuel and oil consumption.

    However, due to the engine’s small dimensions and high power output, the Wankel rotary can fit under almost any bonnet and has become a popular engine swap.

    Here are our five most obscure rotary swaps.

    5. Nissan Skyline C110

    The Skyline is known worldwide for its straight six engines (most notably the RB) but this C110 is running a screaming 13B twin-rotor instead.

    Loctaed in Japan, this isn't a large car, yet there is easily enough room in the engine bay for another rotor or two, highlighting just how compact the rotary is.

    While it isn’t uncommon for Datsun 1000 and 1200 utes to receive a rotary swap, it’s unlikely you’ll find another Skyline with this powerplant.

    4. Chevy Nova

    While there are plenty of Japanese sports car with a V8 heart transplant, it's rare to see a classic muscle car with a Japanese engine.

    Under the bonnet of this ’74 Chevy Nova is a turbocharged, 13B rotary which is pushing out 429kW, enough to get the car down the quarter mile in an impressive nine seconds.

    There is also a ’67 Chevy Nova wagon in the US that appeared at last year’s Bonneville festival with a 10A from a Mazda R100. Maybe these swaps are more common than we thought.

    3. Jaguar E-Type

    Known as the ‘3Type’, the purists scoff at the idea of a triple rotary-powered Jaguar E-Type but rotor heads love it.

    Built using a genuine E-Type shell with a custom chassis, an RX-8 six-speed manual, MkII Escort steering, the brakes and LSD from a Sierra Cosworth, this Jaguar is like Frankenstein’s monster but  better looking.

    2. Opel GT

    • Looks as rough as I do after a Saturday night out. (image credit: Deanz Rodz and race carz) Looks as rough as I do after a Saturday night out. (image credit: Deanz Rodz and race carz)
    • That supercharger should solve the lack of torque problem. (image credit: Deanz Rodz and race carz) That supercharger should solve the lack of torque problem. (image credit: Deanz Rodz and race carz)

    America's 24hr of LeMons always attracts an interesting line-up of cars and this beaten-up Opel GT is no exception.

    Powered by Mazda’s 13B rotary, the fuel injection system proved to be troublesome, so the owners swiftly replaced it with a two-barrel carburettor which only continued to give the team problems.

    The next step involved installing a supercharger and a four-barrel Holley carburettor before the Opel crashed into a guard rail and was scrapped.

    1. Queen St BMW E46 M3

    Australia’s own, the Queen St BMW drag car is the team's most insane quarter mile destroyer yet.

    The turbocharged, quad-rotor is plated in 23 carat gold (God knows why) but it’s not all show and no go.

    This 1600hp BMW recently completed the quarter mile in 6.827sec @ 320km, a new personal best.

    Honourable mentions: Lamborghini Gallardo

    • An Italian supercar with a quad-rotary? Hell yes! (image credit: Derwin Performance) An Italian supercar with a quad-rotary? Hell yes! (image credit: Derwin Performance)
    • These rotors can't get into the Gallardo soon enough. (image credit: Derwin Performance) These rotors can't get into the Gallardo soon enough. (image credit: Derwin Performance)

    Choosing to ditch the Gallardo’s 5.2-litre V10 is a hard decision to make but the people at Canada's Derwin Performance are installing a 26B, quad-rotor into its Italian supercar.

    The build is yet to be completed with the engine waiting to be assembled, but the company is aiming for power output of around 447kW. Watch this space.

    Holden Roadpacer AP

    • Yes, you are looking at a HJ Holden Premier with Mazda badges. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Yes, you are looking at a HJ Holden Premier with Mazda badges. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Mazda fitted all the bells and whistles, such as a boot-mounted fridge. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Mazda fitted all the bells and whistles, such as a boot-mounted fridge. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The Roadpacer received remote side mirror controls, which weren't available on our local HJ Holdens. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The Roadpacer received remote side mirror controls, which weren't available on our local HJ Holdens. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Built in Australia and shipped to Japan, the Roadpacer had its 13B Wankel engine fitted by Mazda. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Built in Australia and shipped to Japan, the Roadpacer had its 13B Wankel engine fitted by Mazda. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The rotary pushed out half the torque (138Nm) of Holden's 5.0-litre V8. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The rotary pushed out half the torque (138Nm) of Holden's 5.0-litre V8. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)

    During the ‘70’s, Mazda was without a large, executive sedan but struck a deal with GM that would see the HJ Holden Premier exported to Japan where it would become the Roadpacer AP.

    Decked out with all the luxuries you could think of at the time, the Roadpacer’s major downfall was the torqueless 13B engine in such a heavy car.

    The Holden/Mazda program lasted just two years before the plug was pulled and very few exist today.

    What is your favourite rotary swapped car? Let us know in the comments.

     

     

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