Long time lurker with a Rotary Miata
 

Hey folks, I'm a long time lurker at the site always watching but rarely posting. Figured I'd finally introduce myself. From Central NY, and have been wrenching on my Miata for the last few years. I started with a 1995 with the sole intention of pulling the 1.8 and swapping in a 13b. I documented the swap on the "other" Miata forum from start to the current iteration of changes and upgrades.

Here's the current setup:

1995 Black and Tan
13B-REW with Single Turbo conversion
Link G4 RX ECU
KG Parts primary / secondary Fuel rails with 850/1600 injector combo
Walbro E85 Pump
Flexfuel sensor plumbed into the return line (it's full flexfuel capable but not fully optimized on both fuels as of yet)
Comp CT3-5862 turbo
6AN from tank to engine bay
3" DP -> 2.5" Cat-back
A/C and PS Delete
V8 Roadsters Frame rails

Next round of mods include:
Rebuild on the engine
Direct Fire conversion using LS2/Truck coils
3" Full exhaust

If I can squeeze the extra cash out also going to swap in a Getrag with 3.42's

Here's a couple Vids I took, first one is a idle walk around the second a rolling acceleration at 14 psi on 93 with a cracked apex seal. Speedo is a bit off due to tire diameter difference between an FD Rx7 and a Miata (25" FD vs 23" Miata).

NB gauge cluster?

Yeah, had to go NB gauges to tie in the VSS from the FD transmission.

Where in CNY? I'm in Rochester. Also know of a guy doing a Rotrex in Canandaigua.

Oswego for the most part, but spend more time in the Syracuse area. How deep into the build is your friend?

Not sure. He moved just before winter, so probably not in too far, yet.

In before the rotary hate. I think it's awesome :giggle:. Did you fix the apex seal(s)?

What bov is that? Sounds pretty interesting.

Alot of folks definitely do hate on rotaries. But to me it was the only option to keep the car under 2k lbs and be able to push 500 hp with ease (and not spending 10k on a race prepped engine).

For those rotary haters who say the rotary isn't that light, here's a pic the last time I had the car weighed. Had about a gallon of gas in the tank, full stock interior with leather seats, spare tire, jack, and stock 18 lb steel wheels:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1393210132

Video was taken last fall before I put it up for winter, the rebuild kit should be in this week so when the weather gets a bit warmer the engine can get pulled and rebuilt with the new super seals (engine I started with was a used JDM import).

BOV and Wastegate are both Tial

If you are using E85 then you shouldn't have detonation causing apex problems and it should be good.

That is an interesting car. Never liked the way 13b's sound, but I still respect how they perform.

Do you drag race it?

Welcome

Do you have a link to the build thread?

Very cool. I would never do a rotary swap myself nor am I interested in one, but if you like it then that's awesome. Sounds sick, and is very, very cool. And light!

Would love to see more pics and videos of this thing. Link to build thread on the other site?

Kind of funny you mention that as that's when the seal really started letting go is when I was tuning for E85. Front Rotor was 90/80/80 when I got the engine, so it was obvious there was an issue with one of the seals. After the 93 street tune was decent, I started on the E85. I just started to get into the positive pressure side of the map when it cracked further causing the compression to go to 90/30/30.

Build thread Link:
Engine Conversion: 13B-REW / 13B-TT Build Thread - MX-5 Miata Forum

I haven't made it to the strip or really put the car through it paces as of yet besides shaking it down (beating the crap out) of it on the street.

Thanks for joining, wildman923!

Did it have 2mm or 3mm apex seals?

I'm wondering if the reduced lubricity of E85 was a contributing factor. I seem to recall that the '89 and newer engines had a reduced oil injection volume or frequency for the sake of emissions and to the detriment of longevity, but there were workarounds for that. Oil vapor does increase the propensity for pre-ignition or detonation.

Engine is currently bone stock with the factory Mazda 2mm Apex seals. I'm actually switching to pre-mix instead of using the OMP for oil injection. I'll be pre-mixing Klotz Super TechniPlate for 93 and Klotz Benol for E85.

Sounds like you have it figured out.

Nice, I've been an admirer of the rotary. As any though, not a fan of the "reliability" factor.
Since if I put one in my car it'd need to be ported to hell and be a 20b.
I'd love a 24b as well. Can't be too picky though.

In for ported rotary miata idle. GO

Welcome. Love the scale numbers.