Need help! I am thinking of getting a Chevrolet Chevette and doing an engine swap. This car would have fiberglass body panels, hood, etc. plus other mods on suspension, axle, frame (tube frame would be nice but might not happen) on-and-on. Anyway, I have been trying to decide on which of these three engines to use:
Suzuki 2.0L L34 DOHC all-alluminum 4-cyl used in the Vitara and Tracker.
GM rwd 60-degree V6 like the 2.8L or 3.4L from the S10/S15 and Camaro.
Mazda Rotary...would love a 20b but any would be fine.

The 60-degree V6 swap is very popular and there are many "adapters and kits" available. These engines also have many perfromance parts avail and can be built for huge torque and power considering the size. The 60-degree V6 only weighs 30-lbs more than the Chevette's stock 1.6L 4-cyl!!
I love rotary engines, though, and would love to do a rotary Chevette if possible. Pretty sure that the engine could be mounted far enough back for good results but don't know if it can be mounted low enough down?
I know that it has been done because I have seen a picture on the net but don't know who.
What are the results?
Who has done it?
Do they have a web-site?

Thanks for any help.

 

Hi its me again Just for your info, I have posted this same question on two other sites:
http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com in the message board as Rotary Chevette?
and also in the Internationl Chevette Club message board.

I have been told so far that there was an article a while ago about a 13b rotary powered Chevette on the www.overboost.com website. I guess this car was pretty sweet, and it was even featured on that site. I emailed the people from Overboost.com and nobody has ever emailed me back
The only other links I have gotten have been for V6 or V8 swaps. I have had people tell me that they have seen this Rotary-powered Chevette on the internet too but no-one remembers where at.

My idea is too built the perfect sleeper. Think of how light that car will be with all fiberglass body panels (everything except the roof). Parts for the underside can some from Pintos, Mustangs, BMW 3's, and more. There are a couple of different drag strips here that would be fun to go to....also, there is some stoplight to stoplight activity. The fun would be to smoke all the "stock" BMW's, Mustangs, and Camaros with a little Chevette!

There are a lot of first generation RX7's around here but it seems like almost every single one is rusted out and half of those don't even run anymore. Otherwise, I would probably ****** one of those. There are quite a few older Supras and BMWs also but the price-tags on those are just ridiculously high.
Anyway, I'll quit blabbing.

Any ideas would be good.
Thanks.

 

If you fand find one, the engine from a RWD Isuzu Impulse Turbo sould swap in... they are the same chassis!

 

sounds good. the V-6 or a 13B would be great swaps

 

Do a 13B if it'll fit between the frame rails. Sure a V6's oil pan is narrower than a rotary, but I got a 13B to fit in my Midget. Go for it!

 

Chevettes are VERY narrow at the bottom. I dunno if a rotary would fit. You might have to cut out the front suspension and put something else in there (like a tube axle with leaf springs like an old-school dragger )

 

That was actually my main concern was if the engine could be mounted low enough down without any major problems. I know for sure that at least one guy has done the 13B swap into the Chevette because I have seen a couple of pics on the net....I have been trying to figure out how to get info on him and his ride but have not turned up anything yet. Would like to know what all he had to do to get it to work. If it is a lot of modifing involved then it might be better to go with the V6 swap instead.

There are actual kits you can get that include everything you need to swap a 2.8L or 3.4L V6. There are also kits for swapping a Buick 3.8L too.............The thing is that rotary engines are just soooo awesome. I have always wanted a rotary car but have yet to get one.. all the RX7s around here are pretty much junked and would be more work than worth.

 

This is the sad thing: I do a delivery route that is in the country and I see tons of 1st gen RX7s, older (late 80's) Toyota Supras, and Datsun Z-cars that most of them are just sitting outside rusting away.....the worst part is that the Iowa farmer is usually ten feet away in the driveway waxing and polishing his brand new Chevy Corvette!! I have nothing against Corvettes but if you got the money to baby your 'Vette, Jaguar, or Porsche then why can't you use a little of it to fix up the RX7, Supra, or Datsun Z?
Poor people like me would love to have the time and resources for an old RX7.

Anyway....I will quit blabbing.

 

dude theres a guy here in NYC thats running a t2 motor in a red chevette....he's doing 10's with that car.........email T&R racing they know the guy pretty good....the guy with the chevette name is Mike AKA "chevette Mike"T&R racing

 

Thanks for all the help! I found pictures of the red Chevette with a 13b (turbo?) on these three pages:
http://members.tripod.com/darryl_lowes/id40.htm
http://members.tripod.com/darryl_lowes/id25.htm
http://members.tripod.com/darryl_lowes/id24.htm

Notice how the engine fits under the stock hood and with stock wheel-wells etc.

also: thanks for sending me to T & R Racing about Mike's blue Twin Turbo 13b! I emailed them and they responded the very next day. They were very excited and said how they all know Mike real well. I had about a million questions and they were ready to answer each one with enthusi but said there is way too much info to email.....they gave me Mike's number so I can talk to him one-on-one! Pretty sweet, huh?

Anyway, this means that there are at least two rotary Chevettes out there (hopefully soon to be three!!!) I am not planning on doing the swap for about 4-5 years, though

I will quit blabbing now, thanks again for all the help!

Ben Sonksen
-9c1 cruiser-

 

Yep, that's a turbo alright, on a 3rd gen engine. Pretty cool!

 

Did you ever get any info from Mike with the Chevette?
I am intrested to know how he got it done.

 

hey Mr e=mc2 whats yuh name on trinituner???what yr rx7 yuh running??

 

Actually Mike's chevette runs a REW motor

 

Hey- if you want to do a Chevette, go find one of the late 70's-early 80's Opel/Isuzu's. They are the same as a Chevette but you can get a prettier fastback body shape. Also, Opel GT Source can get the current Opel turbo motors. Plenty of power, super strong and the drop right in.