Hi, I have a 1975 Triumph Spitfire I am comtemplating putting an 88 13B non turbo in it. I have the motor and tranny already.



I don't know much about fuel injection and even less about rotary engines and had some questions.



1) I let the motor sit for a little to long without turning it, maybe 6-8 months (was running good when I removed it from the junk rx7) I used a breaker bar to turn it, it was slightly hesitant then turned. I can now turn it with my hand. I have read that leaving these sitting too long makes the seals stick and ruins the motor. Anyone think I ruined it? Is there a way to tell if the seals are ruined without running the motor?



2) If I have not ruined the seals I need some type of computer system to run the motor, I have seen other people use Haltech systems to replace the stock computer. I am looking for the simplest (cheapest hopefully) system to run this, I have the entire wiring system from the 88 RX7 but it looks a little complex. I am not looking for a high HP motor, just a nice running one, I am using the stock spitfire rear end and don't want to blow it.



Well, thats the plan. I am a little scared to use the 13b since I am very unfamiliar with it and I have to do a little frame notching to get it to fit into the TIGHT spitfire frame.



Thanks in advance!

 

I'm not expert, but do some research on the Megasquirt engine management system. It's all open source (lots of support), and very cheap (compared to other units). You can buy the pieces and assemble it yourself, or buy pre-assembled units. I haven't used it myself, but read a ton on it, and the reviews are all positive.



There are also carbs available, if you feel more comfortable with that (check racingbeat.com or mazdatrix.com).



If you're not going to be rebuilding the engine, you don't really need to know the nitty gritty (in my opinion), but it does help to know the basics:



how rotary engines work

cool 3D animations

 

I also had another question, I have read that some transmissions for the rotary engines had the starter on the top of the transmission. As this is the biggest impediment to installing the 13B in the spitfire are there any of these trannies that would bolt to the 13B? hopefully a 5 speed? just dreaming I guess.



I will look into the megasquirt, although I think I would prefer something a little bit more idiot proof for more money.



Thanks in advance!

 

If you want simplicity and know your way around a carb, I would go with that. Check www.racingbeat.com for the latest stuff on running EFI to carb.



The transmission thing I am not too sure about, but I do know that 88 and 89 N/A transmissions have the starter located on the bottom. All other years and Turbo models I have no clue about.



Good luck and welcome to nopistons!

 

I guess you know that the people at Grassroots Motorsports Magazine did a rotary spitfire. Quite a car from what I recall. You might find some expertise here: http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com...es/rospit.html

 

If you have the ECU it is not that hard to adapt. I put a stock 1989 turbo in my Porsche 911. It only requires about four or five wires hooked up to make it run. 12v, 12v switched, ground, fuel pump relay, maybe a couple more. I found the stock wiring diagram online. It wasn't too hard.

That engine blew at the track at 130 mph and I replaced it with a built turbo 13B with Haltech E6K. The Haltech was very easy to install. Runs great!

Check for pics in the For Sale section.