Rotary Car Club - December 2012 RX-8 Rotary of the Month Winner!

Congratulations to Steve Crandall's / estevan62274
2005 WWP GT 13B REW Swapped RX-8
Location: Melbourne, Fl

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Q: Congratulations for being our December Ride of the Month! Tell us about how you acquired this car?

A: Thanks Kevin, I got lucky...there are lots of kind people here on the forum :biggthumpup:

When I sold my FD, I started to research doing a REW swap in a RX-8.(wanted something rotary powered that had backseats for my kids).
My plan was to find an 8 with a blown Renesis then piece together everything to swap a REW in it.
Then this car popped up for sale already completed at an awesome price so I pulled the trigger.
There is NO WAY you could have built this car for the price I purchased it.
Thanks again. --Jim

Q: How did you first become interested in rotary cars? Have you had any previously?

A: My uncle lit the fuse and ignited my interest; he has been building & racing rotaries since the 80s.
Back when I was in middle school I would help him out after school and on the weekends.
My first car was an 83 RX-7 GSL, I’ve had a total of 4 first gens and a third gen.
I currently have an 84 GSL-SE (under construction) & this RX-8.

Q: What’s the biggest reason you chose a rotary-powered car to modify?

A: The biggest influence again was my uncle and helping him with his first gen when I was in 6th grade.
I’ve always liked the rotary because it was so different and unique.

Q: Is this car your daily driver? Do you participate in any form of racing? (Drag, Auto-X, etc.)

A: No but it could be. I have an Explorer that’s my daily.
I do drive the RX-8 at least 2-3 times a week to work and to pick up the kids from school (they love riding in it).
I’ve made a couple of trips to the ¼ mile strip for fun/ grudge matches against co-workers.
Also have ran a couple of Auto-X’s and it tons of fun.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your car?

A: Love the fact that it has a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality.
I can use it to go out to eat with the family and it runs and drives like a civil stock car:Angel_anim: or take it to the track and have some fun :reddevil:

Q: Do you have any future plans for the car, or any car?

A: Clean up the engine bay (wire tuck, simplify hoses & vacuum lines)
Battery relocation and polish and paint some other engine parts too.
Also have my 84 GSL-SE under construction; I’m doing a REW swap w/BW S366 and other goodies.

Q: Any other hobbies besides cars?

A: Yes, avid basketball player and beer drinker:cheers2:.
Also love watching my kids play sports (basketball & soccer).

Q: Anyone you'd like to thank?

A: My wife, Anna. She’s the BEST! Thanks for putting up with my rotary craze. TE AMO
She even rides with me on the Dragon at DGRR and she hates all the turns :puke: 318 to be exact

BIG Thanks to Jim and SPEED1 for a kick A$$ build, since bought not one problem with the car.