Notices
General Automotive Discussion

Rotary engines

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:15 AM
  #1  
nick88f150's Avatar
nick88f150
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: fremont ohio
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.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:18 AM
  #2  
250-1968_campspecial's Avatar
250-1968_campspecial
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
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
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:26 AM
  #3  
F2504x4's Avatar
F2504x4
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,773
Likes: 7
From: On the road in Ohio
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,,
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:35 AM
  #4  
46fordtruck's Avatar
46fordtruck
Moderator
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 35
From: Orange County, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
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.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:37 AM
  #5  
BigF350's Avatar
BigF350
FTE Leadership Emeritus
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
FTE Emeritus
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!!!
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:47 AM
  #6  
nick88f150's Avatar
nick88f150
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: fremont ohio
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?
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:50 AM
  #7  
BigF350's Avatar
BigF350
FTE Leadership Emeritus
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
FTE Emeritus
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...
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 12:58 AM
  #8  
pfogle's Avatar
pfogle
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Shoot, most of the RX7s barely got 20mpg as I remember...
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:05 AM
  #9  
46fordtruck's Avatar
46fordtruck
Moderator
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 35
From: Orange County, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
EPA says the '91 models got 17 city and 25 highway
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:12 AM
  #10  
Fordtastic's Avatar
Fordtastic
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
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.
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:17 AM
  #11  
46fordtruck's Avatar
46fordtruck
Moderator
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 35
From: Orange County, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
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
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:22 AM
  #12  
FORD352V8's Avatar
FORD352V8
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 938
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
How do they work? I never seen one myself.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:27 AM
  #13  
wyldstallyn73's Avatar
wyldstallyn73
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
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.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:27 AM
  #14  
kameronth's Avatar
kameronth
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 39
From: North Dakota
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/rotary-engine.htm
This should tell all about it.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2004 | 01:33 AM
  #15  
Sam_Fear's Avatar
Sam_Fear
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 2
From: Davenport, IA
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.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:22 PM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE