94 4dr cavi, swap engine INSANITY

[redhawk14506]

OK, I am completely insane. For those of you who don't believe me, then just look at my topic about swapping a 2JZ-GTE into an AE86 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ghlight=2jzgte). I have these strange ideas. Unluckily, not only did I get flamed, but also it had already been done.
Over all I really dont care about being flamed, so flame away on this post. It was the fact that it had been done that kinda irked me, but at least someone else is crazy like me.

Anyway, I have recently acquired a strong running 94 4dr cavalier from a friend of mine. Although I like the car, I would like to do a little work with the engine.

Mainly, I would like to swap it out for something else. I have considered an RB26DETT, but its too long. I have also thought about a GM 350, and still have not yet killed this idea. But this has been done as well.

So, back to square one, I tried to think of a pretty good engine that no one has yet used in a swap. And it hit me, why not a 13B?

As in, Mazda rotary 13B out of an RX7. Crazy? Yes. But definetely new and different.

As for cost consideration, I am going to have to make it a RWD, and do something about a frame, or some other way of strengthing the rear end. I will also have to make sure that the engine will fit, and that I can get mounts for it. Either I will fabricate the mounts, or just cut some out of a junk RX.

The main reason for posting, is I want some feedback as to whether this is feasible, I may do it anyway, just to say it can be done. But its nice to have feedback. Anyway, feel free to call me an idiot, or insane. Or deluded. I am probably all 3. Thanks for giving me your time.

[4dr92cavi4cyl]

LOL! After I got SMOKED by a first gen RX7 I was thinking about a the same swap. Sounds like a great idea, a rotary powered Cavy! I just couldn't believe how he left me behind, he gave me a 20ft head start and then FLEW by me, when I heard the weedeater engine sound I knew it was rotary. THEN I saw the RX7 badge. I gave up at 30pmh. I was actually not ashamed of losing to him though.

The only issues I can imagine would be finding a good 13B, and tuning it. From what I've seen on rotary tuning sites work on these motors can be pricey. Their main drawbacks are overheating and detonation, i think.

If I had the money I would do it! Maybe we're both crazy!

[caviman69]

sounds like a good idea to me if you have the money, time, and Know how. I personally wouldent want to mess with that cavi.

[KustmAce]

So did you fill this 94 Cav with money or did you buy it this way?

[phily_bluntz]

the only prob that i see is are u goingto be able to runa drive shaft under that? u may end up having to raise ur car and that kills ur handling. id go with a vtec from honda (v6's from a nsx run 300 hp w/ no turbo i think) or u could just get the ecotecs they come stock about 160 and u can push about 700 750 hp with most stock parts if u feed it nos. ii think when they did it they just changed the piston rings and the crankshaft. but going rwd alone is a pain. but good luck

[Chevy4life1985]

Originally Posted by phily_bluntz

the only prob that i see is are u goingto be able to runa drive shaft under that? u may end up having to raise ur car and that kills ur handling. id go with a vtec from honda (v6's from a nsx run 300 hp w/ no turbo i think) or u could just get the ecotecs they come stock about 160 and u can push about 700 750 hp with most stock parts if u feed it nos. ii think when they did it they just changed the piston rings and the crankshaft. but going rwd alone is a pain. but good luck

WTF? IM confused 700-750 hp on a mostly stock engine? The ecotec cant handle much more than 200hp on stock parts. The V6 NSX runs good but not 300hp without turbo. To get 300hp out of the V6 you need to drop money in it.

[OverAllComa]

Or you could always do the sensible thing and just swap in an older Quad 4 H.O. or a W41 and boost those. I mean, they came stock back in the early 90's/late 80's pushing out 180 and 190 horsepower, respectively. They respond very well to boost (as evidenced by the Twin Cam, the next-gen Quad4).

You'd be able to keep the FWD, save $$$ on the fact that all the parts can be found from various places online or whatnot, and be able to push out very VERY nice numbers from a motor you can easily find laying around a junkyard.

[Chevy4life1985]

If you want a RWD you could always get a 1984 Firebird 4.4L V8. You wont have much room for upgrades but youll have a V8.

[cavicrazy]

first off, the ecotec can make 500 hp while retaining 60% of the stock components, gm built a cobolt with the ecotec motor to do exactly this with an automatic as well, as for the acura nsx, them things come stock with clost to 300 hp anyhow, as for swapping to rear wheel drive, the design of the cavalier wouldn't allow for it because of the chassis design, however, if you can figure out a way to get a rear drive cavalier let the rest of us know cause it would definately be unique to see one done like that, can ya just think of the possibilities of a rear wheel drive v-8 cavalier that could eat mustangs alive as well as imports?