roarinrotaryrx7

iTrader: (8)

I already know the answer to this question but i'd like to hear what you guys have to say... Why are rotary engines some much better than Piston engines? And what are some of the pro's and con's to the Wankel Engine?

Feds

They're better because they are smoother, and have a higher power density.

They are worse in terms of durability. I know that you CAN get 4 million miles out of one, it's just not as easy as getting 4 million miles out of a piston engine.

tjgosurf

I would say it depends on application.

I bought my 7 for AutoX, I cannot imagine trying to take my giant drag car Nova thru cones pushing 400hp. Its just not gonna work.

Just like my little FB would not be suited to pull a boat.

I say it all depends on application.

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

Pros:
- Smoother power. You don't get the Up-Stop-Down-Stop motion of a piston
- Cool and unique powerplant, looks like a keg. "Nah, my car is really a rear-engine car, I just put all that other stuff in there to disguise the keg while I cross the boarder "
- Lots of room for power with bolt-ons! Take my 7 and my friend's CRX as examples. Both almost 100hp stock. Mine with exhaust and intake done properly can get to 145+, his can get at most 125 with DUAL webers and headers!
- Higher redline, good for applications like planes, watercraft, and great if you like driving that kinda thing.
- Ub3r-Light! The rotary engine is insanely light compared to it's piston counterparts even though we still have three cast iron housings on it. With RacingBeat's aluminum housings (for the Rich and Famous), the engines weigh like nothing.
- Less moving parts to break, easier to rebuild once you know how. The engine is alot less complex. Five slices, two rotors, one e-shaft, six apex seals, six seal springs, twelve corner springs, four side seals, four side springs, and a few oil/coolant seals. Even with that expanded list, you're still looking at WAY fewer parts compared to a piston engine! Take out the seals and their springs, and you're looking at an even bigger difference.
- Awesome response to supercharging from what I've heard.


Cons:
- Not as researched. What I mean by this is that there has been SOO much more development put into the piston engine. It's been around longer and has been more widely adopted leading to funky genius breakthroughs like hemi.
- Harder to control pollution and get good gas milage. Again this stems from the fact that Mazda has been the only company really researching ways to improve these things with this engine. This is much better with the Renesis, but old misconceptions are hard to dispel.
- Too many misconceptions follow the car. Because the engine was relatively new for use in cars in the '70s it had many problems with pollution and fuel efficiency that many people *THINK* still plague the car.
- Parts are hard to find
- Until this forum came along help was hard to find.. It still is if you're looking for a good rotary garage.
- Hotter and harder exhaust pulses make exhaust parts more expensive.

That's all I can think about for now.

Jon

Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

rotarys have far fewer moving parts, and aren't as popular as piston engines (its no fun if everyone has the same car/engine as you)

Bolox

rotaries came stock in the super sexy 1st Gen Rx-7

capri93

How many 20 Y.O. cars came with a 7k red line or if they did how many of them could actual servive hiting it.

Brianhsval

Contrary to somes belief the rotary actually has been reaserched quite extensivly. Russia even has a version of it. GM had even looked into putting it in the vett in the 70's. I think that the only reason it is not as popular as the piston motor is that not as many have been mass produced. If they put them in cars and force the puplic to accept it then in 10-20 years no one will like the piston as much. They may even get 40 MPG by then.

Eeewww, perish the thought! I enjoy being among a few who own a unique car and motor!

mustang85GT

jesus why ask this question? your only going to a biased response. i like both, but, pistons are just a little better.(development) whatever, i guess i should put on my "Kiss the
Cook" apron on, cuz i'm prolly about to get flamed.

Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

piston engines are good for cheap power but if you ask me for a car to be cool it has to be unique and how much more original can you get then a completly different engine design that most people have never heard of mmmmmm i love it!

HeX

Pistons are like @$$holes, everybody has one.

Bolox

i dont... oh dear god, i need to poop

RacerX7fb

Rotaries are just damn plain cool

~*Nector_Rivera*~

The rotary engine is just about the only engine I know of that (with the proper mods) can hit a 11k red line and still ride. All pistons can sound the same but no two rx-7's will ever sound the same(muffler wise. i love that damn sound). The best damn drift car ever. Easy to get HP out of with the right parts. Not as well known(dev. aspect) and last but not least the response you get when you tell someone you have an Rx-7 or a rotary engine is unique.

SAtwentytooslow

your right, when you say RX-7 people are like "holy **** you have and RX-7?" and you like damn right...i feels good, cause everyon has a nova or a camaro, dont get me wrong cause ive had them too...the RX is just more fun

tjgosurf

In the Nova's defense it is also a little known car. Like my FB is mistaken for a Z car, my Nova is mistaken for a Chevelle all the time.