Post by yoeddynz on Feb 4, 2010 9:58:21 GMT 12
Hiya Taistorm,
If you do need any help with your rotavette I'm happy to help! It is a really easy conversion and I think it should be possible to do it cheap if your prepared to do the work yourself. I reckon the most expensive thing here in NZ is getting a good 12A.
We paid very little for the running gear in our car but thats because rx7 stuff can be had so cheap in Britain. I paid about $1200 at the time for a really good rust free chevette- that was the most expensive part for us. we later sold the complete car for what it all cost us and the fella then crashed it! But he has re shelled it...here....
You wont need to do much welding to the car- remounting the radiator maybe- but rather than use a rx7 rad like I did use something shorter that will fit in with out having to mount on an angle. Rx7 rads are not that big- but just a touch too tall.
tunnel wont need raising- just a couple of hammer blow... our chevette was an auto- but they only have a wider tunnel- not taller.
rear axle- try using the stock one- so long as you aint dropping the clutch all the time it may cope ok. The HS axle I used was 3.4 to 1 and too tall for the characteristics of the 12A; Ie peak torque at 4000 not 2000 like the big ol heavy slant 4..... my Rx3 was 3.8 to 1 which was much better suited. Standard chevette is 4.1 I think?
I think the standard nikki carb is underated too- with a little work on that and some cleaning of the ports/ matching of manifold etc and a good exhaust they can work really well!!! Guys in USA (pineapple racing- sterling carb) are getting Nikkis to flow as well as Idas. Nikkis are good for economy too(dont laugh- petrols on the up....) - which means a lot to me if you want to use a rotary a lot- my rx3 was getting 30mpg whilst still being able to shift pretty well. I love the idea of bridge ports but nuts ya must have to love going to the pumps every bloody hour to run one.... and they are a little bit...bridgey bro....
If you do need any help with your rotavette I'm happy to help! It is a really easy conversion and I think it should be possible to do it cheap if your prepared to do the work yourself. I reckon the most expensive thing here in NZ is getting a good 12A.
We paid very little for the running gear in our car but thats because rx7 stuff can be had so cheap in Britain. I paid about $1200 at the time for a really good rust free chevette- that was the most expensive part for us. we later sold the complete car for what it all cost us and the fella then crashed it! But he has re shelled it...here....
You wont need to do much welding to the car- remounting the radiator maybe- but rather than use a rx7 rad like I did use something shorter that will fit in with out having to mount on an angle. Rx7 rads are not that big- but just a touch too tall.
tunnel wont need raising- just a couple of hammer blow... our chevette was an auto- but they only have a wider tunnel- not taller.
rear axle- try using the stock one- so long as you aint dropping the clutch all the time it may cope ok. The HS axle I used was 3.4 to 1 and too tall for the characteristics of the 12A; Ie peak torque at 4000 not 2000 like the big ol heavy slant 4..... my Rx3 was 3.8 to 1 which was much better suited. Standard chevette is 4.1 I think?
I think the standard nikki carb is underated too- with a little work on that and some cleaning of the ports/ matching of manifold etc and a good exhaust they can work really well!!! Guys in USA (pineapple racing- sterling carb) are getting Nikkis to flow as well as Idas. Nikkis are good for economy too(dont laugh- petrols on the up....) - which means a lot to me if you want to use a rotary a lot- my rx3 was getting 30mpg whilst still being able to shift pretty well. I love the idea of bridge ports but nuts ya must have to love going to the pumps every bloody hour to run one.... and they are a little bit...bridgey bro....
