NEED HELP!!!

[131mania]

Hello everyone! I don't get on very often, but i really need help.
I am in the United States. I have a 131 2 door. I know I have seen a 131 with a mazda rotary set up. I would like to know if anyone can help me get in touch with the owner of that car. Last I heard he was involved in an accident with that car. I would like to install the same thing in my car. I just don't know where to begin. I was wondering if someone could get me the recipe for this conversion.
Please help!!!

[january 131CL]

I think its a real blasphemy here to discuss a Japanese engine for a 131. I think the original engine with turbo or supercharger should be a better conversion. I think further for a supercharger, the 1.6 engine should do well if you are not racing professionally.

[sid131]

there used to be a site classic-celica.com that had lots of info on fitting rotary engines in old toyotas so should be the same for the fiat, would be very interested in following that project, as to the 1st reply it would be great to see a fiat 131 kept going with something unusual as there are too many succumed to the dreaded rust as is the same with toyotas of the 70s.

[january 131CL]

I agree. 131s are comfortable to ride and road handling. Using other engines may make them more desired. Why stop at rotary engines which are by themselves harder to maintain for long. Why not the Nissan Skyline or Toyota Supras? I have a mind to change my motor to something Japanese too. Lotus used a Toyota 1.8 I hear. Probably there's a hidden wisdom that we could unravel.

[eugene]

I don't agree to putting an engine of another make of car into a 131.If you do this,then the car isn't an original anymore.If you respect your 131,you won't want to do this.This is only my opinion.What do the other members think!!. .Eugene

[Kennedy of Sixmilebridge]

What do the other members think!!. .Eugene

I don't agree.

If putting a modern engine into a shell keeps the shell usable
and away from the crusher, then by all means go for it.

[Thotos]

So is the objective just to preserve shells? I thought the real objective of keeping classic cars on the road is to preserve the cars themselves and that includes their mechanicals. There are plenty of 131 engines around so there's no problem replacing a faulty engine. If someone wants the thrill and performance of a Mazda rotary engine then I think they should buy an RX7 or RX8 or even a classic RX3; all very fine cars.

But I know that some people like the kudos of a car that looks mundane but it isn't and a 131 with a powerful rotary engine will certainly have that kudos. I have no objections to such desires and I am not a believer in absolute originality; my 131 Sport is certainly not original. But why go to the trouble of fitting a rotary engine to a 131 for extra power when a lot of extra power can be had from a Fiat/Lancia twin cam engine.

[italianxrays]

iand the ultimate irony of course is that so many actual 131's have been lost by the Kit car brigade raided for their superb twin cam engines inc even Morgans and Moggy 1000 Ive even seen an Escort with one not so long ago.

ps. I recently missed on 2 one owner 1LATE 970's Mitsubishi colts a Sapporo and a Sigma, the later Turbo engines can of course be fitted, so keep Jap engines in Japanese cars, please.

One reason I purchased my 131 was to consider  a transplant into my Midget but after front ending the MG I got hooked on driving the 131 and quickly realised it would have been sacrelidge

As you can see Im currently in between cars looking for a retro saloon, last cars were a BMWM535 & merc 190 cossie, ultimately a nice early e28 Alpina B9 or B10 but they are fetching good money, budgets about ?4,000

Ian

[january 131CL]

But why go to the trouble of fitting a rotary engine to a 131 for extra power when a lot of extra power can be had from a Fiat/Lancia twin cam engine.

I agree on this point. After reading these forums and after listening to the successes of the Arbarth, Lancia at the rally championship, I am convinced that ample power is available in the original set-up. And I think the cost works out to be almost similar if not cheaper.

[131mania]

Guys,
I don't really like the idea of removing my drivetrain, and replacing it with non fiat either. The problem I have is that I amm in the United States, and there are not many of these around anymore. my car happens to be rust free and all original. I have a 2 litre block with an 1800 head. I also have twin weber idf 40's. I can't find any performance parts here in the U.S. I was looking for aan exhaust header, and other items but can't find them here. The reason behind the rotary idea was the ease of finding performance parts and being able to keep it alive. I understand the concerns, but I really love my 131 and want more performance.

[hicky131]

Hi 131mania,

I may be of some help here. If you click on this link(Warning! - bent 131 pics ahead!)

http://retrorides.proboards86.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=readersrides&thread=35690&page=1#491662

and sign up on the the Retrorides forum,you might be able to get in touch with the owner of the car via a personal message.

I've tried to find his email address on the site but it's down as "hidden"
The guy hasn't posted on there for a few years so it might be a long shot.
Maybe if you PM the guy who runs the forum "Hotwire",he may have some contact details for him.

Hope this helps.
Wayne.

[hicky131]

Just found the original post that the owner put on the site before the cars demise.A bit more info on the car as well.

See here:-? ?http://retrorides.proboards86.com/index.cgi?board=readersrides&action=display&thread=35580&page=1

Wayne.

[Tas131]

He used to post here quite a bit. He went real quiet after he pranged it and hasn't posted since August '07.
http://turbo124.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3720&p=40299#p40299
http://turbo124.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2938&highlight=

[sid131]

Check out this thread for some inspiration.
http://www.classic-celica.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5907

[Baja141]

I love every bit of those conversion    ..and the alloys too