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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:15 AM
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Rotary engines

So the new mazdas (RX7/8 i think) have rotary engines in them now...no pistons. What do you guys think of these? I tend to be a bit skeptical.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:18 AM
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From: peggs,ok
i have a friend with a rx7 (rotary expierimental 7) and he says theres not much to taking it apart but theres not many adjustable parts to it, u can like ad a cam to adjust the fuel air ratio, but they are vary reliable and fast
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:26 AM
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i had a rx-7greatcars, different but fun....and very reliable.....i also had the wagon version , engine rubber seals were worn out , and it would lose compression, so i would just pour about 2 tablespoons of brake fluid in it , seals would swell up, andrun like new,I could go for 3000 + miles before doing it again,,
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:35 AM
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Mazda RX's have always had rotary engines, since 1978 when they were intro'd. The rotary idea was conceived by a guy named Wankel in the early-mid '20's. It's a good efficient design.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:37 AM
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Originally Posted by nick88f150
So the new mazdas (RX7/8 i think) have rotary engines in them now...no pistons. What do you guys think of these? I tend to be a bit skeptical.
Now???
RX-7's have always had rotaries...

And they are (IMHO) very impressive.
My wifes car, series VI RX-7 SP - with few mods - makes 320 RWHP.
Am hoping for around 500RWHP shortly with a turbo change, some porting, and some injectors, much to her disgust

The only problem with them is fuel consumption, and the fact they have to have lots of boost to make power - looking at a dyno graph, it almost equally corresponds with the boost graph...
They are very reliable, and sooo smooth...

In drag racing in Australia few cars can touch rotaries.
You have to have a serious supercharged big block to beat them, as they will run 8's quite cheaply, I have even see a twin rotor run high 7's, thats even before we get into triple and quad rotors - the 787B which won the Le Mans in 91 ran a quad rotor, and the Mazda Cosmo used a triple rotor.

Anyhow, to sum up a very impressive motor, and kudos go to Mazda for perserving with the engine, and to Ford for funding it!!!
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:47 AM
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Shoot I didn't know they've been around so long. I knew about Wankel, but i didn't know Mazda has used them for so long. Why are these engines not used in more vehicles, just because of mileage?
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:50 AM
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Originally Posted by nick88f150
Shoot I didn't know they've been around so long. I knew about Wankel, but i didn't know Mazda has used them for so long. Why are these engines not used in more vehicles, just because of mileage?
Pretty much, they are great in a light car, but as soon as you start trying to move some weight, mileage goes out the window...
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:58 AM
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Shoot, most of the RX7s barely got 20mpg as I remember...
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:05 AM
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EPA says the '91 models got 17 city and 25 highway
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:12 AM
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isn't the new RX-8 rated for even less? By the way I am failing to see what is so efficient about an engine that gets horrid mpg...please enlighten me. By the way don't they also consume more oil?
 

Last edited by Fordtastic; Nov 14, 2004 at 01:16 AM.
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:17 AM
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EPA says RX8 autos get 18 city, 25 hwy and manuals get 18 city and 24 hwy. I should have said good on power...but like mentioned, expensive
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:22 AM
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How do they work? I never seen one myself.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:27 AM
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I know a guy in Oklahoma that built a rotary powered rock crawler that is very impressive. I cant believe how small those engines are, about the size of a large Briggs&Stratton engine. From what I'm told, rotarys are extremely hard to over rev due to the fact there are no pistons,rods and such that have to change directions. I wheeled with that guy last spring-he runs through a glasspack in his exhaust. When I was in front of him the noise was very annoying-when I was behind him it was unbearable. I have a set of lightweight axles that are very low geared and I'd like to build a buggy type thing using a royary.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:27 AM
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http://auto.howstuffworks.com/rotary-engine.htm
This should tell all about it.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:33 AM
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how they work explained:
http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/index.html

efficient meaning the way they are built - not fuel consumption - alot less moving parts in a Wankle rotory than a piston engine.
 
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