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Current revision

The Mazda rotary engine is a good match for Datsun 1200 -- it is light and compact. It makes more power than a piston engine of the same size and weight. The engine weight is down low so it doesn't interfere with good handling.
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Performance

Also See: Mazda Wankel engineᵂ

Typical engine power in stock form:

12A: 100-130 HP, 100-115 lb. ft. torque
13B EFI: 135 hp, 133 lb. ft. torque
13B-Turbo (1987-1991 "Turbo II"): 185-200 HP
13B-REW (twin turbo) 255-280 hp
13B-MSP (RX-8) 237 hp USA, 191-250 hp world

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Quarter Mile acceleration performance ranges from quick to insanely quick. With a totally stock rotary engine you won't be wanting for power.

19.8 secs at 65 mph: Stock Datsun 1200 piston engine (baseline)
16.1 at 90mph: bone stock 12A rotary engine tuned by ear
Ange's 13.7 second 12A bridgeport
JVML's 8.1 second 13B twin turbo

Rotor Power
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Overview

Search Club!: <rotary> <10A> <12A> <13B>
Image search: Rotary Datsun 1200ᴵ
Video search: Rotary Datsun 1200^V ᴳ

#Differential suitable for torque of engine
Radiator Upgrade suitable for the HP of the engine
Mazda engine & transmission
- Modify crossmember & fabricate new mounts
- Custom gearbox mount
- Oil pan to suit 1200
- Bigger tunnel to fit the Mazda transmission
- Custom exhaust
- Custom turbo manifolds (for 13BT)
- Shifter relocation forward
Tailshaft, custom

Post click for topic Post 422392 Post 422392

13BT in Sunny B310
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Engine

The Mazda rotary comes in two common sizes: 12A and 13B. In Australia, choose a 10A for street legal swaps. Everyone else, choose the 13B. There are less common versions, the old 10A and the ultra-rare and expensive 20B triple rotor.

Custom Single Rotor rotary engine (pictured in Datsun 1000)
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12A (1146 cc, equivalent to 2.4 liter piston engine)
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Mazda 13B (1308 cc, equivalent to 2.6 liter piston engine) carbureted
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13B Fuel Injected
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Mazda 13B Turbo rotary engine
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Mazda 13B Turbo Factory EFI
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13B Turbo with factory intercooler
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20B triple rotor
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13B carbureted
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Discussions

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Builds

Datrotor's DATYLD

Stu's rxute

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Swap Notes

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Oil Pan

Use the Moroso oil pan for Datsun 1200.

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Engine Mounts

Cut out about 10mm out of the standard 1200 crossmember and brace it. This allows the engine to sit low enough.

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Front Mount

Most swappers use the front-mount engine case.

Fit at front of engine bay (two styles shown)
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Mount circled in green. Original engine mounts are removed (circled in red)
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Topic - Weld or bolt new custom-made brackets to the front of the chassis rails (bolt to bumper support bolts)

If your rotary doesn't have a front-mount case, you can retro-fit it using a 12A timing cover (which fits on 13B).

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Engine Setback

If you want to get the rotary farther back, the tunnel is cut larger. Consequently the pedals will need to be moved.

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Side Mount

Mad Dat 13BT Fitting Kit allows the newer-type rotary engine side mount, their crossmember curves down so the top of the cross member is lower.

Datrotor fabricated these for a 13B:
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Mad Dat

13BT into 1200 Engine Fitting Kit
Product No - FK13B1200 ($1200 in 2012)

Includes custom engine crossmember, custom 13B engine brackets, rubber mounts, gearbox cross member (2 part) and gearbox rubber mount. Adjustable 22mm sway bar includes mounting bushes & saddles and link ends. Suits RX-7 S4 (1985 - 1988) and RX-7 S5 (1989 - 1991) as is. Engine cross member comes with engineers report.

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Motor Plate

For racing a hard-mounted motor plate can be used. Not recommended for a street car as it transmit vibration directly to the body.

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Transmission

Use the transmission that comes with the rotary engine (the Mazda transmission).

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Fabricate gearbox mounts.

Driveshaft

A custom driveshaft to mate the Mazda transmission with your differential will have to be fabricated. Any driveshaft shop can make this for you.

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Shifter

A new shifter mount hole may need to cut? Look into doing the shifter extension mod otherwise your shifter will be a little bit to far back for comfort (it will sit in between the front seats right in front of the handbrake).

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Tunnel

Some fabricate a large tunnel. Is it necessary, or just used with beefy racing transmissions?

In any cause, you'll have to make the tunnel higher through the middle and make space for the clutch fork, or cut a hole for the clutch fork.

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Alternatively you can fit an aftermarket hydraulic throwout bearing to replace the clutch fork.

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Differential

Diff Strength: differential suitable for torque of engine

The least 12A engine outputs 100 lb. ft. of torque. The stock Datsun 1200 H145 diff can handle that.

Many 12A put out 115 lb. ft. of torque, which calls for a stronger diff. The H150 from a B210 or B310 can handle this. See Rear_Axle_Swaps#B210_Japan_.28Hitachi.29_axle

Stock 13B engine calls for an H165. See Rear_Axle_Swaps#1200_Ute

Any modified rotary (especially if the turbo boost is raised) will need a stronger differential, such as a Nissan H190 swap. Serious drag racing versions may need the ultra-strong Ford 9".

Main: Rear_Axle_Swaps#Strength_of_Differential_--_Torque_Rating

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Exhaust

For the 13BT, run headers to the rear firewall across to the passenger side.

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Wiring

Fit these using the stock 1200 wiring harness. Wires may need to extended.

* Starter +
* Starter S
* Alternator +
* Alternator Earth
* Engine earth
* Body earth
* Coil

For carbureted engine
* electric choke (connect to coil 12V)

For EFI engine
* ECU relay
* Fuel pump relay

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Rotary-Powered Datsun 1200 photo index

Here are some pictures from our club photo album. Click a pic for larger photos, details, and discussion:

rota 1200

project 1200

1200 rotary prototype.

rotor ute

my 2nd datsun

my !st 1200

supercharged 13b 1000

oh yes ....

DATSUN 1200 FROM GUATEMALA CITY CENTRAL AMERICA

black drag 1

black drag 2

13b 2dr blue drag 1a

13b 2dr blue drag 1b

13b 2dr blue drag 1c

13b 2dr blue drag 1d

13b 2dr blue drag 1e

1972 1200 datsun w/Rotary

13b1000ute bay

100013b interior tunnel

project 2 13bturbo 1000

rotary coupe w/15" SAAB rims

rotary 1200 ute

my 1000 ute

1000 dragsedan

13b mounts

pic for d

some of the puertorican best

supercharged 13b 1000

series 5 13b turbo rotary

very nice indeed!

8 second 1200 13b turbo

coupe

avenge

nother 13b 1200

1200 drag race coupe

drag coupe

rotary powered 1200

supernats

early prototype rotary

1200 ute (perfection)

rotary mounts in 323 spud

powercruise coupe

yellow rotary coupe

what noisy exhaust

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Photo Index

Click any thumbnail to see it full size in our Club Photo Album. Read details or post a comment!

Post click for topic

Retrieved from "http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawiki/index.php?title=Mazda_rotary_engine_swap"

Mazda rotary engine swap

Current revision

Contents

Performance

Overview

Engine

Discussions

Builds

Swap Notes

Oil Pan

Engine Mounts

Front Mount

Engine Setback

Side Mount

Mad Dat

Motor Plate

Transmission

Driveshaft

Shifter

Tunnel

Differential

Exhaust

Wiring

Rotary-Powered Datsun 1200 photo index

Photo Index