2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

the bigger the seal the better, right?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-27-02, 01:48 PM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
the bigger the seal the better, right?

I guess there is some contraversy over bigger apex seals, but I dont see the problem, if the seals are bigger, they can withstand more, allowing for more boost, resulting in greater power. Am I right, or wrong?
Old 06-27-02, 01:53 PM
  #2  
...

 
dre_2ooo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
um.. more seal = more surface contact
surface contact = more friction/drag
friction/drag = more heat
more heat = needs more cooling

ALso, there is more drag, so it takes more power to turn over the rotors.. well if you're upping the boost then i guess taht's not a problem.

Look the Mazda engineers spent a SHITLOAD of time researching the perfect inbetween size. 2-3mm is good enough for wahtever you need IMO.
Old 06-27-02, 01:53 PM
  #3  
What Subscription?

 
banzaitoyota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Aiken SC USA
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From what I have read, 3mm boost buy you a little mistake in tuning. but at a cost, 3mm seals increase parasitic drag of the seal to housing.
Old 06-27-02, 01:57 PM
  #4  
What Subscription?

 
banzaitoyota's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Aiken SC USA
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
From Pineapple:
First of all, 2mm seals are perfectly fine for extremely high boost levels. Many people sucessfully run 20+ psi on stock 2mm seals with no reported problems. However, 3mm seals are much more durable and not all of us have (1) great tuning skills and (2) the financial resources to shrug off a small tuning mistake that requires a full rebuild. One hard ping and a 2mm seal will likely break. 3mm seals generally take much more tuning abuse (multiple, hard pings), which is often enough margin to back off and save the motor. Also, we use a special 2-piece 3mm seal that, when it does fail, tends not to cause subsequent damage to rotors and housings. While getting the rotors machined out for 3mm seals and purchasing the seals themselves costs a bit more, it does not begin to compare to that of a second rebuild. For this reason, we recommend 3mm seals to customers who plan to exceed stock power levels and/or go with aftermarket fuel injection systems. Again, it's not mandatory if you have advanced tuning skills or are willing to risk a second rebuild, but 3mm seals are relatively cheap insurance.
Old 06-27-02, 02:12 PM
  #5  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,826
Received 2,594 Likes on 1,842 Posts
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=88920

mike
Old 06-27-02, 02:15 PM
  #6  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
wozzoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Conyngham, PA
Posts: 903
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
3mm seals also do not seal as well against the rotor housing.
Old 06-27-02, 03:11 PM
  #7  
Lives on the Forum

 
RETed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: n
Posts: 26,664
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 15 Posts
Re: the bigger the seal the better, right?

Originally posted by red xeven
I guess there is some contraversy over bigger apex seals, but I dont see the problem, if the seals are bigger, they can withstand more, allowing for more boost, resulting in greater power. Am I right, or wrong?
Wrong.&nbsp Have you ever seen the relation of the rotor and apex seals on the rotor housing especially at "TDC"?&nbsp The apex seals are at a very "bad" angle, and even with an extremely thick apex seal (10mm), you'd get only a fraction of the apex seal edge beval against the rotor housing.&nbsp

Also, there is no "protection" of the apex seal against damaging detonation.&nbsp Due to the dynamics of the combustion chamber, the force of the detonation is actually "funneled" against the apex seal, which is one of the big reason the rotary engine tolerates very little detonation.&nbsp A piston engine with either blow head gaskets (relatively "easy" job to replace and fix) or the damaging force needs to blow by the piston land before it hits the piston rings.&nbsp Piston tolerances are TIGHT, and rings can be really far down the piston skirt - all of which help to protect the rings against blow-out from detonation.


-Ted
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
09-16-18 07:16 PM
Snook
Single Turbo RX-7's
18
10-08-15 10:09 PM
ZacMan
Build Threads
4
09-19-15 09:20 PM



Quick Reply: the bigger the seal the better, right?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:54 AM.