1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Diesel 12a

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-04-03, 09:50 PM
  #1  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
 
specRX7_22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Diesel 12a

this topic came up on the Rotary Performance section of this site. has this ever been done.... and what would be involved in converting a 12a to diesel? im not asking cuz i wanna do it... lol, definately not. its just interesting cuz ive never thought of it before.
Old 01-04-03, 10:20 PM
  #2  
Open up! Search Warrant!

 
Project84's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Kicking down doors in a neighborhood near you
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
You would need very high compression, so that means different rotors. All the internals would need to be beefed up for the kind of power it would make, so I would go with the 3 window e-shaft bearings, hardened stationary gears, clearance everything, 3rd gen corner seal springs, high pro oil ring springs, additional housing dowels, oil thermo pellet mod, oil pressure relief mod, new front and rear counter weights to balance the rotating mass, and a high compression starter to get that beast fired up. Thats all I can think of for now, but I'm sure someone else could tell you more.
Old 01-04-03, 10:35 PM
  #3  
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Nanaimo, B.C
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
what kinda power would that beast be pushin or would it be less?
Old 01-04-03, 10:37 PM
  #4  
Open up! Search Warrant!

 
Project84's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Kicking down doors in a neighborhood near you
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
diesel will make way more power.
Old 01-04-03, 10:41 PM
  #5  
it WILL run

 
wwilliam54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Raleigh,MS
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
problem with diesel rotary is that diesel engines use knock to burn the fuel
and we know how bad knock is on a rotary
Old 01-04-03, 11:00 PM
  #6  
Open up! Search Warrant!

 
Project84's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Kicking down doors in a neighborhood near you
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
But its not knock on a diesel because its calculated. With gas, its usually because of a lean mixture or low fuel grade, which leads to an uncalculated, therefore mis-timed detonation which is powerful, but destructive.
Old 01-04-03, 11:03 PM
  #7  
it WILL run

 
wwilliam54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Raleigh,MS
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
good point

id love to see this working well
cuz I wanna see a deisel DKM rotary
Old 01-04-03, 11:07 PM
  #8  
i say what i want

 
onepointone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: richmond, va
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
how about apex seals??? those would need to be some strong bastards...
Old 01-05-03, 02:41 AM
  #9  
Full Member

 
VashtheStampede's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: KC
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
calculated shmalculated.

the reason diesels can get away with the high compression is that they ingest AIR ONLY, not an air/fuel mix. this is compressed to extreme pressures, then at the point where you would spark out mixes, they inject the fuel. knock/detonation is bad because it is uneven and creates undue temps(/pressures?). but in a desiel, it isnt knock or detonation because the flame propogates evenly from the point of fuel injection.
we wouldnt even make it to the compression rated that diesels hit before the air/fuel mix burst into flames (on a heated running engine) let alone to a properly timed spark.

at least... thats how i understand things.
Old 01-05-03, 02:46 AM
  #10  
add to cart

 
Manntis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just adding the direct injection fuel rail would be a PITA, nevermind beefing up ALL the components (seals, gaskets, rotors, and housing) By the time you're done it's an all-new engine, so why not just start with a Diesel rotary rather than convert a gasoline one?
Old 01-05-03, 03:20 AM
  #11  
Junior Member

 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Kansas
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
well holy sh*t they actually make a rotary diesel? me and a few friends joke about such a thing but I never knew they already made one
where could I find more info on this heh
Old 01-05-03, 03:49 AM
  #12  
aheadau

 
racermike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Posts: 411
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can't you also "compress" the air (turbo or super charger) before the engine compresses it more, to get to pressure. Diesels are only in the ~20 range instead of ~10.

There was also once a 2 rotor engine where the rotors were different sizes. The big one was for "pre-compression" and it's output was directly the input for the smaller rotor, only the smaller one "firing".

Last edited by racermike; 01-05-03 at 03:53 AM.
Old 01-05-03, 04:07 AM
  #13  
Wassup!!

 
Rotor13B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Longmont Co.
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I'd like to see this 2 rotor you speak of, maybe a pic or a name?
Old 01-05-03, 09:48 AM
  #14  
add to cart

 
Manntis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
try a google search, there's a ton of info on Diesel rotaries out there (including that stupid design that uses a large rotor as the World's Worst Supercharger Design to precompress the air before sending it to a smaller rotor for combustion)
Old 01-05-03, 01:39 PM
  #15  
i say what i want

 
onepointone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: richmond, va
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i dont get how you "pre-compress" air. wouldnt it "un-compress" as it travels to the next chamber???
Old 01-05-03, 01:44 PM
  #16  
Rotary Enthusiast

Thread Starter
 
specRX7_22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
heres a link to the thread in the Rotary Performance section i was talking about. apparently someone raced one.

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=145897
Old 01-05-03, 02:56 PM
  #17  
Senior Member

 
NanaimoRx-7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta
Posts: 723
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
RPI’s plans are to deliver an upgraded Series 70 two (2) rotor production engine to SAFE Boats this coming fall for further testing in a 17 foot jet drive boat. Production of the Series 70 250 HP engines could occur as early as next year. RPI intends to begin field testing of the Series 70 four (4) rotor 500 HP version of the engine in the spring of 2003”.

Also, underway in New Jersey is the development of a Series 580 two (2) rotor 1000 HP diesel fueled prototype development engine. This effort to provide a 1000 HP diesel fueled rotary engine for the marine and power generation markets is being led by John Mack, RPI’s Vice President and Chief Engineer. Plans call for the testing of this engine early this fall.

Holy Crap.
Old 01-05-03, 03:19 PM
  #18  
Full Member

 
VashtheStampede's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: KC
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by racermike
There was also once a 2 rotor engine where the rotors were different sizes. The big one was for "pre-compression" and it's output was directly the input for the smaller rotor, only the smaller one "firing".
its called a two-stage diesel
Old 01-05-03, 03:25 PM
  #19  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (1)
 
85RX7GS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Last edited by 85RX7GS; 01-05-03 at 03:49 PM.
Old 01-05-03, 03:31 PM
  #20  
add to cart

 
Manntis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by onepointone
i dont get how you "pre-compress" air. wouldnt it "un-compress" as it travels to the next chamber???
no, because it's compressed with part of it's volume already in the other chamber (through a port where the leading spark plug normally would be). When the second rotor moves away from that port it traps the air, already compressed, and compresses it further - hence the large rotor is acting as an inefficient supercharger.
Old 01-05-03, 03:54 PM
  #21  
HEAVY METAL THUNDER

 
rotary emotions's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Elsenborn, Belgian Eifel
Posts: 3,864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Guys, may I fresh up some memories? The engine that had a big rotor/chamber for compressing and a smaller for working, was made by ROLLS ROYCE.
As for diesel rotaries, the ones that are available nowadays are not suitable for automotive use. Running kerosine into those isn't that much different then running diesel fuel.
Old 01-05-03, 04:37 PM
  #22  
I read your email

 
inittab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: NW New Jersey
Posts: 2,624
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Look Ma.... no distributor


* SmartPlug ignition system!
* Wankel Rotary
* 1 rotor
* 8.5:1 compression ratio
* 650 cc
* Diesel fuel
* Distributorless
* Proprietary fuel injected

Old 06-05-04, 05:29 PM
  #23  
Senior Member

 
jhillyer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: San Ramon CA 94583
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by racermike
Can't you also "compress" the air (turbo or super charger) before the engine compresses it more, to get to pressure. Diesels are only in the ~20 range instead of ~10.

There was also once a 2 rotor engine where the rotors were different sizes. The big one was for "pre-compression" and it's output was directly the input for the smaller rotor, only the smaller one "firing".
Yes, anything to raise the final compression to ignition range.


Originally posted by inittab
Look Ma.... no distributor


* SmartPlug ignition system!
* Wankel Rotary
* 1 rotor
* 8.5:1 compression ratio
* 650 cc
* Diesel fuel
* Distributorless
* Proprietary fuel injected

Hey Ma! How's this work? 8.5:1 with no compressor? Oh, do tell about your fuel injection. Is that top-mounted silver thingie a pump?
Old 06-05-04, 05:58 PM
  #24  
Senior Member

 
SERIES 1 XLR8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NEW ZEALAND.
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i thought about this a while ago. Strange concept though. I'd like 2 c it working! It would cost a bit though.
Old 06-05-04, 08:56 PM
  #25  
Censored

iTrader: (14)
 
ray green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,368
Received 176 Likes on 137 Posts
Deisel fuel = $1.53 gal, plus torque. Both good for my 7.

Ray


Quick Reply: Diesel 12a



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:34 PM.