3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

how reliable is rotary engine?

Old 09-17-01, 04:49 AM
  #1  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Zerosoul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SF, CA
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
how reliable is rotary engine?

I heard something called Apex seal is a must for upgrading RX7.
what is that for? does it prevent those nasty blowout I hear all the time? what other "essentials" would I need if I were to buy a used RX7?

thanx guys

jonas
Old 09-17-01, 10:30 AM
  #2  
It's never fast enough...

 
Flybye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Miami - Given 1st place as the POOREST city in the US as per the federal government
Posts: 3,760
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Rotary engines are one of the most reliable engines on the planet. Why do you hear stories of people blowing them?

1) People run them lean, they detonate, and its time for a rebuild
2) Early 3rd gen engines had certain issues.

The apex seal is the seal at each apex of the rotors. Hence the name Apex Seal :p
Old 09-20-01, 03:25 PM
  #3  
Junior Member

 
Ed Everidge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Spring, Txas,USA
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
At least as reliable as any other 80 cubic inch 300HP engine.

The apex seals are analygous to piston rings. They seal the tips (the apex) of the rotor/housing interface

What can happen when you blow out an apex seal is threefold:
1. The rotor and housing can get scratched up
2. You lose compression and power
3. The debris destroys the turbos

Do you need 3mm apex seals?

I don't know.

To protect the stock seals, keep the revs below 4000 until the engine is warm and don't overrev.

You have to take the engine apart to make this change so that even if you can find the parts cheaply, this will be at least moderately expensive.

I would not do it unless I was having the engine rebuilt anyway.
In that case, I'd throw in a street port.

Are you going to race it?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
elfking
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
3
08-19-15 09:48 PM
Seaweed
Introduce yourself
0
08-16-15 11:46 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: how reliable is rotary engine?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:02 PM.