Rotary Bullet (miata)

"@rbalch1" (rbalch1) 02/10/2014 at 01:34 • Filed to: None

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1996-1998 Rotary Bullet

"Quite often mistaken to be a rotary engine in an MX5, the first Bullet car was designed around a Mazda MX5 body shell with a complete space frame chassis underneath.

This was the basis of the Bullet Car as we know it today. Originally, the Mazda MX5 body was left totally standard except for the body being cut off at the firewall and the new chassis secured underneath it. This allowed for exceptional handling and weight distribution. A unique one piece fibreglass tilt front was engineered and this instantly became the way to tell a Bullet from an MX5.
The 13B Turbo charged motor and gearbox were sourced from a Mazda Series IV RX7 and produced over 300hp with Microtech engine management. The Brakes were also sourced from the Mazda RX7." !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

2000-2002 Prototypes
With a shortage of Rover V8 engines to fulfill orders, the decision was made to change to the Toyota 1UZFE 4.0 litre V8. This engine was originally found in the Toyota Soarer and the Lexus LS400. With an aluminium block and heads, 6 bolt mains, 32 valve and quad cams, these technologically advanced engines were renowned for their reliability and smoothness.

Naturally aspirated 1UZ cars were built using the original idea of the standard MX5 body on the Bullet chassis. With the idea of supercharging on this engine and the increase in Power and Torque, an upgrade of the drivetrain to include a Borg Warner Limited Slip Differential and heavy duty clutch/gearbox was needed. At this stage, the decision was made to move away from the original MX5 body styling and shape new rear guards and side skirts.

This was the start of the "wide body" cars. From this point onwards, the Bullet idea grew into a venture that was more than anyone could have dreamt about.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > @rbalch1 02/10/2014 at 02:21

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That lead image gives me an idea- graft the front clip of a first gen Neon onto a Miata. Anyone here have the photoshop skills to try that?

ASheep > @rbalch1 02/10/2014 at 03:18

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I remember reading a review of the blown Bullet V8 in MOTOR magazine when it first came out, It was all kinds of awesome. Early 2002 I think. I feel old now...

EDIT: I just found the magazine in my bookshelf... It had the review of the Monaro, HSV GTS, first-gen Maloo, and TickFord TE50. Good times...

@rbalch1 > ASheep 02/10/2014 at 05:28

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haha thats awesome
could you scan in/take pictures of the reviews and post them here!

William Byrd > @rbalch1 02/10/2014 at 06:50

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This one!