On Columbus Day, Sam Scholten wrote:
I was wondering about the Wankel for some time. A guy I know with an old
RX-7 was whining about a blown seal, but upon reflection, said that he had
no real problems with the motor except for that.
However, I am not aware of any kits for Wankel conversion, nor am I hip to
anyone who has done this, and I get the suspicion that there is a reason.
 Does anyone know what is up with this?
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Just before eating dessert, gmbulley@bulley-hewlett.com replied:

Back in my Porsche 914 days (while Ronald Reagan was in Office), this (put
an RX-7 motor in a 914) proposition was much bandied-about. I believe
Automobile Atlanta, (914 headquarters) used to sell the conversion stuff,
and that despite it being an air-into-water conversion, it was pretty
simple to do. I vaguely recall a Marine I served with had one of these, and
it was zippy and amazingly quiet. Seems like he had problems with the
oil-seal between the two chambers. Not sure. Long time ago.

Point being, if it can be done to a 914, you certainly can do it to a
Vanagon. Check around.

G. Matthew Bulley
Principal
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
Communications for Organizational Development
www.bulley-hewlett.com
(888) 468-4880 toll free