New Guy

toyzforme · 01-16-2014, 09:11 AM

Hey everybody. I own a 74 Triumph Spitfire racecar that had a Alfa Romeo engine in it until the bottom end let go. Well a good friend let me drive his Jensen Healey with a 13B rotary in it. Wow was I impressed so the hunt began for a donor car.

I picked up a 86 RX7 GXL with only about 57K miles on it. After fixing several issues to get it to run right (PO had no idea what he was doing) I proceeded to do a transplant rotary into my 74 Spitfire. After 5 months of cutting and grinding and welding, I managed to stuff it into the racecar. Plans are to take it to the track this weekend and see how she will run.

I have learned a lot about the rotary in this journey and will continue to learn more as I go along. Well talk at y'all later.

GySgtFrank · 01-16-2014, 10:38 AM

Very cool project. Keep us posted on results. Pictures of the swap?

speedjunkie · 01-16-2014, 11:16 PM

Welcome!

toyzforme · 01-24-2014, 09:13 PM

I have to figure out how to post pictures to this site. The track day went pretty well and I learned a few things. First the plug that I had put on the rear heater fitting blew out after 3 or 4 laps. The car was fast as hell for being so damn cold out. Had to go into town and find a parts store who could get me some heater hose and a plug for that small cramped space that it was supposed to go. Got that and went back out. Was having a blast and noticed a nascar looking type car trying like hell to catch me. I saw him drive off the track twice trying to catch me. He finally did at the end of a long straight. I let him go and continued on to turn 6 which is a carousel. All of a sudden it felt like I had a flat and did everything I could to prevent a spin. Got it under control and was making my way into the pits and at turn 14 just before pit out, it was so bad it put me off the track into the grass through the rumble strips etc. Pulled into my pit spot and after lifting up the rear it was discovered that both rear adjustable toe rods had snapped at the welds. I have since ordered new ones that don't require welding and put them on the car. I am glad I did the track day to find out this weak link before the actual race season starts.

GySgtFrank · 01-24-2014, 10:19 PM

It sounds like it's a really fun car to drive. More power = more broken parts.

BeautifulProtege · 01-25-2014, 10:25 PM

Hi, I'm new here too..... just getting into rotaries as well... The Triumph would be an AWESOME platform for a rotary.

01-16-2014, 09:11 AM	#1
toyzforme The Newbie Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	New Guy Hey everybody. I own a 74 Triumph Spitfire racecar that had a Alfa Romeo engine in it until the bottom end let go. Well a good friend let me drive his Jensen Healey with a 13B rotary in it. Wow was I impressed so the hunt began for a donor car. I picked up a 86 RX7 GXL with only about 57K miles on it. After fixing several issues to get it to run right (PO had no idea what he was doing) I proceeded to do a transplant rotary into my 74 Spitfire. After 5 months of cutting and grinding and welding, I managed to stuff it into the racecar. Plans are to take it to the track this weekend and see how she will run. I have learned a lot about the rotary in this journey and will continue to learn more as I go along. Well talk at y'all later.

01-16-2014, 10:38 AM	#2
GySgtFrank Professional Stick Poker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Stafford, Ks. Posts: 1,012 Rep Power: 16	Very cool project. Keep us posted on results. Pictures of the swap? __________________ 1988 N/A SE 2+2, dead stock and staying that way. 1979 SA22C stock? Not so much. http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ad.php?t=15585

01-24-2014, 09:13 PM	#4
toyzforme The Newbie Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	I have to figure out how to post pictures to this site. The track day went pretty well and I learned a few things. First the plug that I had put on the rear heater fitting blew out after 3 or 4 laps. The car was fast as hell for being so damn cold out. Had to go into town and find a parts store who could get me some heater hose and a plug for that small cramped space that it was supposed to go. Got that and went back out. Was having a blast and noticed a nascar looking type car trying like hell to catch me. I saw him drive off the track twice trying to catch me. He finally did at the end of a long straight. I let him go and continued on to turn 6 which is a carousel. All of a sudden it felt like I had a flat and did everything I could to prevent a spin. Got it under control and was making my way into the pits and at turn 14 just before pit out, it was so bad it put me off the track into the grass through the rumble strips etc. Pulled into my pit spot and after lifting up the rear it was discovered that both rear adjustable toe rods had snapped at the welds. I have since ordered new ones that don't require welding and put them on the car. I am glad I did the track day to find out this weak link before the actual race season starts. Last edited by toyzforme; 01-24-2014 at 09:26 PM.

01-24-2014, 10:19 PM	#5
GySgtFrank Professional Stick Poker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Stafford, Ks. Posts: 1,012 Rep Power: 16	It sounds like it's a really fun car to drive. More power = more broken parts. __________________ 1988 N/A SE 2+2, dead stock and staying that way. 1979 SA22C stock? Not so much. http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ad.php?t=15585

01-16-2014, 11:16 PM	#3
speedjunkie RCC Loves Me Not You Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 2,089 Rep Power: 20	Welcome!

01-25-2014, 10:25 PM	#6
BeautifulProtege Mrs. Stig Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 70 Rep Power: 12	Hi, I'm new here too..... just getting into rotaries as well... The Triumph would be an AWESOME platform for a rotary.