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Detroit, 12:03 AM
Sat Dec 12
24 posts in the last 24 hours

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    If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
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    Dsmvwl  Admin  Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×
    Image of Murilee Martin Murilee Martin
    02/22/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    Isn't anyone totally impressed by the fact that the dude does this project at work and then hides the car on a high shelf in the warehouse?
     Reply
    Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred
    Image of Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
    02/22/09

    @Murilee Martin: Ahem:

    "...and doing the whole thing with subterfuge is the icing on the cake." @ 12:45


    If it was my business, I'd build a stage in the front lobby and set this guy up there, so he could work on projects like that all day long. You want to show off talent like this and impress the paying customers.


    Doing the work on the down low magnifies the difficulty, and multiplies the cool factor. Like if you found out that your accountant drums for a thrash metal band, or your dad has another family in Cincinnati...

     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was starred Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was unstarred
    Image of junkman junkman
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    I think this project is very cool, but let's show some love for the Murena in its original configuration. We have a 2.2 here in Ohio and, though not as nimble as the lighter Bagheera, it's faster and still very agile. It's also very roomy inside and comfortable for all three occupants. The only thing about it that is cramped is service access to the mid-mounted engine.
     Reply
    junkman was starred junkman was unstarred
    Image of something_unique_and_descriptive something_unique_and_descriptive
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    I don't understand why he's using a 12a, if you're going to go through all that work you aught to at least bump up to a 13b with it's superior aftermarket support.
     Reply
    something_unique_and_descriptive was starred something_unique_and_descriptive was unstarred
    Image of Murilee Martin Murilee Martin
    02/21/09

    @something_unique_and_descripti...: I'm pretty sure it was the fun of the technical challenge and not the end result that was the priority here.
     Reply
    Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred
    Image of Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    HAving now actually bothered to look at the photos, I'm doubly impressed by the vision and craftsmanship displayed. However, I have a few points to raise:


    Couldn't the oil filter have been better relocated to a dry sump system. The upended filter on top of the engine seems to invite disaster and a great deal of clean up hassle when doing changes. Also, there seems to be a stacked plate oil cooler beneath the filter. A more traditional radiator for oil cooling would likely have been better, and the location on top of the engine is probably not ideal for exposure to cooling air flow.


    This fellow sure used a lot of steel plate. Looks to be about one centimeter thick mostly. I'm sure it's stout, but it seems like overkill that would add a great deal of unnecessary weight. He might have been able to substitute sheet metal, thinner steel sections, or used aluminum pieces more easily and saved a good deal of fabrication effort.


    The CV joints look undersized for the loads, and it also looks like the shafts will be permanently out of plane, leading to high levels of wear. I also don't understand the arrangement of the captured boot flange and how that can stand up to wear and be replaced when they fail.


    But the new shift linkage arrangement just blows me away.


    From the safety of my absolute impossibility of connecting with a project like this - I want it in the worst way.

     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was starred Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was unstarred
    Image of AlienProbe AlienProbe
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    I like the way this man thinks... Small displacement of the 12A Rotary is pretty ideal for a little compartment in a mid engine chassis. I'm wicked curious to how the cooling system is going to be rigged up though.


    A well tuned rotary runs soooo smooth, if the car is properly balanced, I would imagine that it would drive like a dream. You would not have to worry too much about the vibration of pistons behind your back a'la Fiero.


    Tonight, I will drink an extra beer in honor of this fine gentleman.

     Reply
    AlienProbe was starred AlienProbe was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    02/21/09

    @AlienProbe: Why wait for tonight? I'm already drinking my lunch microbrew.
     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of Novaload Novaload
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    However else Jalopnik changes society, it will certainly be known for lifting up mossy plywood and old bits of tarp and exposing the strange world of secretive crazy car guys to the light of the Interwebs. Like Ken I., building a perfect Italian supercar in the privacy of his basement. And this bloke, hiding his insane project like Dad hiding his whiskey bottle.
     Reply
    Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred
    Image of Plecostomus [Tyrrell] Plecostomus [Tyrrell]
    02/21/09

    @Novaload Misses Murilee: Perfect analogy, Nova.
     Reply
    Plecostomus [Tyrrell] was starred Plecostomus [Tyrrell] was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    This guy has issues. But, then, so do we all. That's why we come to Jalopnik. Its sort of group therapy.


    Does anyone know whatever happened to the TyrannasaurusRX project some guy was working on several years ago?


    I'm searching my memory, but IIRC he had a 60s Mustang with the front end cut off and he welded in an 80s RX-7 front end (he found they were the same width). I believe he also hung the RX-7 rear axle under the Mustang. I believe he was autocrossing it.


    I tried doing a search on the internets, but couldn't find anything. I thought that was a pretty cool/creative/insane project.

     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of Bad Juju Bad Juju
    02/21/09

    @engineerd has a crush on Murilee: Are you thinking of the Tord Suprang? [suprang.com]
     Reply
    Bad Juju was starred Bad Juju was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    02/21/09

    @Bad Juju: That was it! Thanks!


    A heart click for you.


    Now I'm wondering what the TyrannasaurusRX was. I know it was real. Probably just an RX-7 with a real engine.

     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    Now THIS is why I show up here! It's like a dream come true. A sick, twisted, pathetic dream,,, but still. In high School I had a persistent desire to wedge a Wankel into a FIAT X1/9, that I fortunately never acted on. But a quick calc had shown about an 8 lbs/hp ratio.


    I suppose that Murena's are a little easier to come by there in Dutchland, but that's fairly relative, since I can't recall ever seeing any in France. And I doubt RX 7s are much more prolific. But the amazing level of effort required to mate all this up and fab all the specialized components is over the top. The body stand does look a little frightening, I hope that was just for a transfer or to take the photos..


    The photos look like this was a very sanitary job, and doing the whole thing with subterfuge is the icing on the cake.


    And I'm procarastinating changing my fan belts...

     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was starred Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was unstarred
    Image of layabout layabout
    02/21/09

    @Van Sarockin: Murena's are pretty rare in Europe,the RX7 on the other hand would be easy to find. Just a quick look on a cars for sale site finds around 40 RX7's for sale in various conditions in a 30 mile radius.
     Reply
    layabout was starred layabout was unstarred
    Image of Rust-MyEnemy Rust-MyEnemy
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    This isn't an engine swap.


    Rather the engine stays constant, and the entire environment and world surrounding it is being altered.


    It's a question of relativity.

     Reply
    Rust-MyEnemy was starred Rust-MyEnemy was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    02/21/09

    @Rust-MyEnemy Smells Of Mobil 1: It all depends on your coordinate system. Murilee has taken the autocentric coordinate system. The enginecentric coordinate system is also a valid system.
     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of Rust-MyEnemy Rust-MyEnemy
    02/21/09

    @engineerd has a crush on Murilee: Either way, it is meritous of 130 of my patent "Crikey" points.
     Reply
    Rust-MyEnemy was starred Rust-MyEnemy was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    02/21/09

    @Rust-MyEnemy Smells Of Mobil 1: Yes, and a nomination for Jalopnik sainthood.
     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of Deartháir II Deartháir II
    02/21/09

    @Rust-MyEnemy Smells Of Mobil 1: I want Crikey points to hand out as well! Can I apply for licensed use of your trademarked patented product?
     Reply
    Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred
    Image of Rust-MyEnemy Rust-MyEnemy
    02/22/09

    @Deartháir retracts his calls for AutoInsider's death: You can, but I demand a 15% cut of any awarded.


    Be warned, the application process takes ages.

     Reply
    Rust-MyEnemy was starred Rust-MyEnemy was unstarred
    Image of j6r j6r
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    Why not use an NSU Ro80 rotary? I think they're fwd to boot. Might have been able to contribute some parts. Ah I'm probably thinkin too much.


    I remember seeing one of these DOTS in Mountain View CA in the mid '90s. Funny 3 wide seeting.

     Reply
    j6r was starred j6r was unstarred
    Image of Murilee Martin Murilee Martin
    02/21/09

    @j6r: You can even get a Soviet Wankel engine.
     Reply
    Murilee Martin was starred Murilee Martin was unstarred
    Image of Omaxem Omaxem
    02/21/09

    @Murilee Martin: So, in Soviet Russia, does the engine wankel you?


    But the life of the Lada-Wankel engines is terribly short: 20.000 km!! ... Still today, these engines are produced in limited series (also for the aeronautical use)


    Hum... ok...

     Reply
    Omaxem was starred Omaxem was unstarred
    Image of MushyHeirloom MushyHeirloom
    02/21/09

    @Omaxem: I think they mean floatplanes, for when the engines fail over water.
     Reply
    MushyHeirloom was starred MushyHeirloom was unstarred
    Image of j6r j6r
    02/21/09

    @j6r: Ok so maybe there aren't any NSU Wankels around (outside of nautical use...) but maybe he could have avoided fabricating so many parts.
     Reply
    j6r was starred j6r was unstarred
    Image of junkman junkman
    02/21/09

    @j6r: Don't jump to conclusions. I've got an NSU Wankel engine (for a Spyder) and a Murena sitting right here in fly over country. Thankfully, the 2.2 2orks great because I don't have the time, talent or desire to attempt a conversion.
     Reply
    junkman was starred junkman was unstarred
    Image of Deartháir II Deartháir II
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    I might actually be one step closer to my goal today. :)
     Reply
    Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    02/21/09

    @Deartháir retracts his calls for AutoInsider's death: What's your goal? Other than getting Murilee to agree to marry you.
     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of Deartháir II Deartháir II
    02/21/09

    @engineerd has a crush on Murilee: Nibbles hates me. this was in response to BTLFED just above me there.
     Reply
    Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    02/21/09

    @Deartháir retracts his calls for AutoInsider's death: Your goal for a personal race track? Do tell!


    I was actually mostly serious about the offer to give up some vacation time to help...if it does become reality!

     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of Deartháir II Deartháir II
    02/21/09

    @engineerd has a crush on Murilee: I might need that.


    I have a friend who offered his excavator equipment for the task. He says he could probably have the foundations for the course laid out in a weekend, and in a few more weekends have a few banked corners set up and ready to go.

     Reply
    Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    02/21/09

    @Deartháir retracts his calls for AutoInsider's death: Call me. I'll be there. Gawd, now I sound like and AT&T commercial.


    My phone number is on FB.

     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of Alan Vochaska Alan Vochaska
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    To me, no longer is an engine replacement/retrofit complete without a plunger as a functioning part of the equation.
     Reply
    Alan Vochaska was starred Alan Vochaska was unstarred
    Image of Deartháir II Deartháir II
    02/21/09

    @Alan Vochaska: I accept your philosophy, and adopt it as my own.
     Reply
    Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred
    Image of Deartháir II Deartháir II
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    A "good" RX-7 rotary engine?


    Those things weren't all that "good" from the factory! I'm therefore assuming you're speaking in relative terms.

     Reply
    Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    02/21/09

    @Deartháir retracts his calls for AutoInsider's death: I had a professor in college swear by his RX-7's Wankel engine. His justification was, "It is a far superior engine. Only one moving part, see! Your piston engine has several moving parts any one of which could fail at any time!"


    It was the last part of that which made me giggle. That and he went to Penn State.

     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of Deartháir II Deartháir II
    02/21/09

    @engineerd has a crush on Murilee: Whereas the rotary has only one moving part which can (and probably will) break at any time.


    I remember discussing this with a friend who adored rotaries and rebuilt dozens of them. I had to point out that it wasn't the number of parts to break, it was the relative likelihood that they would.

     Reply
    Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    02/21/09

    @Deartháir retracts his calls for AutoInsider's death: Exactly. One part breaking 100 times is the same as 100 parts breaking once each.


    Although, by the third or fifth time that one part has broken, the time it takes to repair start to decrease.

     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of something_unique_and_descriptive something_unique_and_descriptive
    02/21/09

    @Deartháir retracts his calls for AutoInsider's death: I've never heard of a rotor breaking, it's just the apex seals that give out... upgrade those to some heavy duty aftermarket pieces and follow an obsessive maintenance schedule and the things are pretty damn reliable.
     Reply
    something_unique_and_descriptive was starred something_unique_and_descriptive was unstarred
    Image of Deartháir II Deartháir II
    02/21/09

    @something_unique_and_descripti...: Exactly right. It is the seals that just give up on the Rotaries. But, see, the same thing you said about the Rotary applies to pretty much every engine out there. "Follow an obsessive maintenance schedule..."


    Well, yeah. My buddy kept a GMC S15 running for 250,000 kms on a 2.8L V6 with an obsessive maintenance schedule, and that's one of the worst engines out there. Any engine that requires you to be obsessive compulsive about it is not a good engine.

     Reply
    Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred
    Image of If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    "Matra Murena" sounds way too much like "Morris Marina."
     Reply
    If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was starred If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was unstarred
    Image of Number_Six Number_Six
    02/21/09

    @FromaBuick6 has a fever, and the cure is more Murilopnik: Except the Murena was a really good little sports car, while the Marina made you want to stick your head into a wood chipper.
     Reply
    Number_Six was starred Number_Six was unstarred
    Image of layabout layabout
    02/21/09

    @Number_Six: Really good is being a little generous,i'd have gone with quirky.
     Reply
    layabout was starred layabout was unstarred
    Image of layabout layabout
    02/21/09

    In reply to If We Can Put A Man On The Moon, A Mazda Rotary Can Be Installed In A Matra Murena!
    The guy that did this M1 copy based on a Murina is in need of therapy...
     Reply
    layabout was starred layabout was unstarred
    Image of Tossed Accord taco salad over Malibu face Tossed Accord taco salad over Malibu face
    02/21/09

    @layabout hunting Cerbera:


    Ummm...


    No that I'm ingrateful that ya actually bothered to find a picture.. of SOMEONE who made a replica of a M1..


    But that picture.. isnt even worth a picture. Its an astounding result of someonen who just wants a fake.


    Oh yeah..


    That rear end.. looks like its going to fall right off,

     Reply
    Tossed Accord taco salad over Malibu face was starred Tossed Accord taco salad over Malibu face was unstarred
    Image of layabout layabout
    02/21/09

    @Accordforall: Yeah,it's terrible,i just didn't want to suffer alone ;)
     Reply
    layabout was starred layabout was unstarred
    Image of Rust-MyEnemy Rust-MyEnemy
    02/21/09

    @layabout hunting Cerbera: Christ. That's just brimming over with wrongability.
     Reply
    Rust-MyEnemy was starred Rust-MyEnemy was unstarred
    Image of Tossed Accord taco salad over Malibu face Tossed Accord taco salad over Malibu face
    02/21/09

    @layabout hunting Cerbera:


    Sir,
    Youu deserve a heart clicky thingy just for finding such an atrocity.


    And... a website for crazy ass bastards such as yourself. Who are compulsed *swallows hard* to see the most wrong.. in moving ABOMINATIONS.


    [www.jimmy540i.com]


    Please check this out... and try not to claw your eyes out. Not to mention.. examine the M1 via MR2 at the bottom of the first page!

     Reply
    Tossed Accord taco salad over Malibu face was starred Tossed Accord taco salad over Malibu face was unstarred
    Image of layabout layabout
    02/21/09

    @Accordforall: Thanks,& a hearty click for you too. Now i'm off to view the link.
     Reply
    layabout was starred layabout was unstarred
    Image of Six Flags Over Tomsk Six Flags Over Tomsk
    02/21/09

    @layabout hunting Cerbera: If that car could talk, it would say, "Please kill me."
     Reply
    Six Flags Over Tomsk was starred Six Flags Over Tomsk was unstarred
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