Sorry for probably sounding so dumb, but i just bought a 83 RX-7 and its in pretty good shape only 130000 km, I have just heard some conflicting views on rotary engines. My Car is in the shop geting certified and i haven't had a chance to give it a good testing yet. I have heard that red lining is really bad for it, but on the other hand i have heard that red lining it is totally fine. I hope you guys can help me out. Also, my car doesn't need to follow any emmission regulations, so whats the first mod I should do?

Thanks alot!

 

My motto is "muliple redlines a day keeps the rebuild away." In all seriousness, these cars seem to thrive on high revs, while cars that were babied seem to have more problems with carbon buildup. First mod should be exhaust. Racing Beat stuff is pretty much the best way to go. Stuff isn't cheap, but it's build to survive a nuclear winter or three. Welcome to the fray..

--Danny

 

Redlining is what rotaries are for! They love it.

If you don't hear the buzzer at least a few times a day, you're not driving it right!

As for mods, I'd agree that the exhaust is a good place to start, you'll wanna get rid of the tinny sound up high and let the rotary breath some more.

Welcome to the world of Sevens.

 

I second the motion! Congratualations on a very fine purchase.

 

Redlining *most* engines are bad for them, but rotaries prefer to be in the higher RPM range and with far less wear and damage than on a piston engine. Some of the top rotary racers even instruct others driving their cars to shift when the rev buzzer turns OFF.

Main thing is traditionally a rotaries torque has been in the higher RPM range (much like a certain VTEC), but with only 3 moving parts there's far less inertia to overcome and far fewer parts to accelerate/decelerate with every rev

 

its doesnt hurt them because first of all, its one continual motion, not violent up and downs like pistons. also, theres really no parts that are moving at the speed of light when your up there (no valve springs, cams, etc).

 

Thanks alot guys

Very helpfull!

This is a great forum

 

Of course things wear out quicker the more you use high rpm... that's common sense. But, as long as you don't over-rev the engine it should last a long time. Stock engine's should be kept under 8400rpm max. due to the apex seals but there's no need to go that high anyway as peak power is quite a bit lower.

 

It's just fun to hear your engine whine at 8400 rpms. haha

 

Double post.

 

With a stock carb there's little purpose in redlining too much, since it falls on its face at that point. If it's longevity you're interested in, and acceleration with the stock engine (it doesn't matter what racers do with extensively modified engines that are rebuild every month), keep the revs below redline. That said, obviously don't baby the car like a grandma, it's a sportscar, that should go without saying.

Also, the stock tach is not especially accurate, I personally wouldn't rely on it for judging when you think you're at 8400.

 

I try to redline my car at least once a day, for me more than the car but seriously rotaries like to get revved.

 

My motto is Buzzer + 3, when you hear the buzzer, keep the throttle burried for 3 seconds, then change.

 

no buzzer, its all done by ear for me, and the occational glance at the tach

 

i find the pitch in engine noise gets harder to tell what rpm its at from after about 5000-6000. so im always looking at my tach, esp taking off in 1st gear, if i dont look b4 i even know its alreay going past 8000

 

Haha, I can hear it, but I know what you mean aobut it revving away so fast...Expecially since I have the RB and other stuff, it revs MUCH quicker than the stock car did . If Im distracted for just a split second and cant hear it, shes tapping the bottom of the tach...

~T.J.

 

I haven't been able to red line my car in a while. My Holley isn't tuned. It starts sputtering because not enough fuel or too much fuel around 6k. I haven't figured out which one yet.

I just need to get some free time to tune it. It still runs like a bat out of hell, I just wish I could get to the higher RPM range for that added extra power.

-Error402

 

Thats true, 1st I usually look at the tach a lot since it revs really fast.