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Rob Dahm’s tri-turbo test-fire brought a one-off 12-rotor Wankel engine to 6 psi of boost at 7,700 rpm—but it was not a dyno pull, and it did not confirm the project’s much larger power targets. The engine, built by Apex Manufacturing & Design founder Tyson Garvin, had already recorded separate, earlier dyno figures reported by New Atlas.
What is the Y12 MegaWankel?
The Y12 is a Wankel rotary engine with 12 rotors arranged in three banks of four. New Atlas describes it as a 15.7-liter engine with a block made from 7075 aluminum. Garvin designed it around overall dimensions and bolt-pattern targets similar to a big-block Chevrolet, according to the publication.
Garvin originally conceived the engine for a speedboat powered by a big-block Chevy. New Atlas reported on February 1, 2025, that the Y12 had not been installed in that boat or another vehicle. Its story describes a one-off project, not a production engine offered for sale. New Atlas’s report is the source for the build details and figures below.
What happened during Rob Dahm’s tri-turbo test-fire?
For Dahm’s development build, the engine was fitted with three Garrett G55 96 M24 turbochargers, one serving each bank. New Atlas gives a range of 1,850–2,900 hp per turbo and says the units can exceed 40 psi of boost; those are the publication’s stated turbo specifications, not results measured during this engine test.
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The test-fire reached 6 psi (0.41 bar) of boost at 7,700 rpm while the engine was at partial throttle. The turbos were reported to be spinning at 47,000 rpm, against a stated maximum speed of 88,000 rpm. That is a limited test condition, not a completed dyno pull or proof of the engine’s eventual output.
How much power has the 12-rotor engine made?
New Atlas reported these earlier dyno figures for the engine, using 87-octane gasoline. They predate Dahm’s tri-turbo test-fire and should not be attributed to it.
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| Earlier reported dyno point | Output |
|---|---|
| 2,000 rpm | 800 lb-ft (1,085 Nm) of torque |
| 3,200 rpm | 497 hp (371 kW) |
| 8,500 rpm | Nearly 1,400 hp (1,044 kW) |
Garvin designed the engine for operation up to 14,000 rpm, according to the report. New Atlas also describes a possible 3,600-hp configuration using two turbos and race fuel, as well as a 5,000-hp target discussed in connection with the later project. Those are design intentions or projections, not demonstrated results in the reported test-fire. The article does not establish a subsequent dyno figure.
What had to change for the turbo build?
Adding three turbos required custom packaging and heat-management work. New Atlas reports changes to the fuel rails, intake, and exhaust. The team switched from gasoline to ethanol during testing, with methanol identified as the intended end fuel.
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- 【Fitment】Perfect for any 4-6 cylinder applications. Perfect for 4/6 cylinder 1.5L-2.5L engines
- 【Turbo Specification】Inlet Diameter: 3", Outlet Diameter: 2", Oil Inlet: 1/8 NPT, Compressor Wheel: .55 Trim, A/R Compressor: .50 A/R, A/R Turbine: .63 A/R
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The report also describes rotor-clearance trouble. The team milled five to six thousandths from the rotors and then rebuilt the engine. An earlier start attempt reportedly produced a roughly 200-psi backfire that blew apart the intake manifold; New Atlas says no one was harmed. A backfire occurs on the intake side, unlike an afterfire in the exhaust.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What remains unknown?
New Atlas’s February 1, 2025 report documents the test-fire but does not establish what happened afterward. It does not confirm a later dyno pull, a vehicle installation, or achievement of the projected power targets. The reported 6-psi test and earlier gasoline dyno figures are distinct stages of the project, not interchangeable measures of its final turbocharged performance.
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