Hey Guys. I'm thinking about buying a second car and have always wanted a 2nd Gen RX-7 Turbo II since I could drive. Not much can deter me now! This will probably be a weekend car or second car while I'm working on my current one (It's a '95 neon, btw, I'm hoping to put in a turbo and other things).

I like doing repairs myself, and have never taken my cars to any garages - I don't trust them, and it's more fun to do it yourself anyway.

My questions is: how difficult is it to work on a rotary engine?

I hear alot of people say that the car ate their wallet or the engine's blown.. sometimes, both.

What are some common mechanical problems with 2nd Gens?

Thanks. I'm looking forward to being a proud owner and member of this board.

 

Can you open a can of beans? Ok, you can work on a rotary. It is no different than any other car, you just have to do some learning. Yes, rotaries can be volatile, but if you treat it well, maintain it, and don't be retarded, the engine will last for years. A TII usually will need a new engine at about 120K miles, so be ready for that. All in all, even though mine has a possibly popped engine, they are great fun, and VERY addictive!! Happy Rotoring!!

 

Common problems

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...ommon+problems

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...ommon+problems

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...ommon+problems


As for working on the car its self, i dont think its harder than any other car, its just different in its own way

And as for expensive, it depends on the car and what you do to it, and your luck, not to deter you but i spend 1200 on my 87 n/a, put 900 into it and now my engines dead, so i guess it can be expensive, but Damn.. there sure worth it

 

When you guys say "engine dead" what exactly do you mean?

do you mean it's not repairable and you need to get a new one?

When an piston motor dies, you can get new pistons, re-bore the cylinders, etc.. what can you do on a rotory? Machining doesn't seem possible.. so is it just a matter of replacing parts?

Are rebuild kits common and how long would it take to rebuild an engine? Or is that even possible to do it yourself (due to special tools)?

thanks again.

 

It means that it threw an apex seal, cracked a rotor, broke a corner seal, basically the engine is blown. A rebuild costs about $1500 (REALLY cheap), to $3000+. The seal and gasket kits on their own sell for $800-$1000, and it takes about 2 weeks to rebuild an engine, if you are skilled. You have to replace the apex seals (3 per rotor), apex seal springs (3 per rotor), corner seals (6per rotor), and gaskets. If the apex seal gouged the rotor housing, those cost $500 a peice. Rotors run about $250-$300, and apex seals go from $50 a peice to $350 a peice (race only ceramic).

 

don't forget side seals... 6/rotor hehe

 

The most common thing referred to when someone says they have a "dead engine" is a blown apex seal. Apex seals are the seals that touch the walls of the rotor housings . When one goes, it usually takes chunks of the rotor housing with it, requiring a new rotor housing. The most common cause of this on turbo II cars is detonation.

rebuild kits are common, and not TOO expensive. also, Jspec motors are a great alternative to rebuilds, and less expensive than a rebuild.

try some searches, read up on things and enjoy

 

Oops, knew I would forget something!! Basically, it can be done in your garage with hand tools, but it can be a hassle. I have never rebuilt one, I can tell you, it will take some time.

 

They are easy to work on, indeed. But, what you're going to find out is, you ALWAYS have to work on it! It's an ongoing project, even when it's running fine it's a project, because you'll want more speed, then more speed is going to make the engine pop. The never ending rotary cycle!