YouTuber Builds Crazy Miata With Thirteen Rotors And Four Turbochargers

YouTuber Rob Dahm built a first-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata fitted with thirteen total rotors, and the vehicle actually runs. Dahm showcased the machine at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where it drew heavy crowds.

The Setup

The build combines a massive 12-rotor engine up front with a separate single-rotor engine that handles the actual work of moving the car. The engine management company Haltech sponsored the project and asked Dahm to bring a vehicle for its booth. The display 12-rotor engine carries a claimed output of 4,500 horsepower, though it sits disconnected from the drivetrain. A smaller single-rotor engine equipped with a Garrett GBC22 turbocharger provides the actual propulsion.

Engineering Challenges

Fitting both engines into a compact Miata chassis required custom engine mounts built from scratch and triangulated to stop side-to-side wobble. Three turbochargers mounted on the setup added about 70 pounds each to the heavy front end. The team also reused labeled wiring harnesses from older projects to save time before loading the car onto a trailer for the show.

Context

The SEMA Show is a massive annual trade event for the automotive aftermarket industry, held in Las Vegas, where builders often showcase extreme and unusual engineering projects. Rotary engines use triangular rotors instead of traditional pistons to create power, and they have long been popular among car enthusiasts for custom modifications.