How to properly Drive a rotary?
09-12-14, 07:29 PM
#26
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Here's a serious response if you still need help, don't bog the engine, don't put excessive load on it from low RPM's (under 2500) and exercise patience.
I personally never go WOT under 3000 rpm, but I'm poor and can't afford a rebuild. You might be rich and want to rebuild tomorrow.
I personally never go WOT under 3000 rpm, but I'm poor and can't afford a rebuild. You might be rich and want to rebuild tomorrow.
09-12-14, 07:31 PM
#27
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Synchronized transmission, so don't even attempt to "rev match" and shift without the clutch, you'll just **** up the transmission. You can also forget power shifting.
There are TONS of videos on youtube describing how to properly down shift and rev match the engine for when you release the clutch pedal.
If i get bored/drunk enough today, I may make a little video for you describing what to do. I'll probably go ahead and describe the little querks these cars have.
There are TONS of videos on youtube describing how to properly down shift and rev match the engine for when you release the clutch pedal.
If i get bored/drunk enough today, I may make a little video for you describing what to do. I'll probably go ahead and describe the little querks these cars have.
.
09-14-14, 12:13 AM
#30
There is an old joke about driving RX7's. Stix being old, evidenced by the lint in his belly button, maybe he's the one that started it. When the High Rev buzzer goes off, that's when you upshift to the next gear. 
In truth, once it's broken in, getting on the freeway you want to up shift at a high enough rev point so the RPM doesn't drop below 4 grand as that's where most of your horsepower is. Wankles love high revs.
If you're just cruising the neighborhood, just listen to the engine. If it sounds like it's starting to struggle, down shift. Otherwise, REV FREE is dead on. Most will agree you want to keep the RPM's from dropping much below 3 grand.
Most of all, just have fun with your car.
In truth, once it's broken in, getting on the freeway you want to up shift at a high enough rev point so the RPM doesn't drop below 4 grand as that's where most of your horsepower is. Wankles love high revs.
If you're just cruising the neighborhood, just listen to the engine. If it sounds like it's starting to struggle, down shift. Otherwise, REV FREE is dead on. Most will agree you want to keep the RPM's from dropping much below 3 grand.
Most of all, just have fun with your car.
09-14-14, 11:15 PM
#31
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There is an old joke about driving RX7's. Stix being old, evidenced by the lint in his belly button, maybe he's the one that started it. When the High Rev buzzer goes off, that's when you upshift to the next gear.
In truth, once it's broken in, getting on the freeway you want to up shift at a high enough rev point so the RPM doesn't drop below 4 grand as that's where most of your horsepower is. Wankles love high revs.
If you're just cruising the neighborhood, just listen to the engine. If it sounds like it's starting to struggle, down shift. Otherwise, REV FREE is dead on. Most will agree you want to keep the RPM's from dropping much below 3 grand.
Most of all, just have fun with your car.
In truth, once it's broken in, getting on the freeway you want to up shift at a high enough rev point so the RPM doesn't drop below 4 grand as that's where most of your horsepower is. Wankles love high revs.
If you're just cruising the neighborhood, just listen to the engine. If it sounds like it's starting to struggle, down shift. Otherwise, REV FREE is dead on. Most will agree you want to keep the RPM's from dropping much below 3 grand.
Most of all, just have fun with your car.
09-15-14, 08:53 AM
#32
Best advice I can give, is find someone with a good rep to show you first hand. But finding the right person is key. Go to a local sanctioned event, talk to a few people, and find someone mature with a good rep to show you how to drive properly.
Driving properly means not beating the **** out of the car. You can drive fast without driving hard and straining everything.
To show you with words or a video is simply not enough.
Driving properly means not beating the **** out of the car. You can drive fast without driving hard and straining everything.
To show you with words or a video is simply not enough.
09-15-14, 10:31 AM
#33
Information Regurgitator
What ever did we do without the internet? We just drove and figured it out. My point is just drive it and you will figure it out. I tend to shift higher in the rx7 than other cars. 3500rpm to 4000rpm usually for normal driving. You'll get the feel of the power and where to shift. Rev matching, heel/toe downshifting etc. is the same as any other car. You can find explanations on this wonderful interwebs. Also I don't think WOT below 3k will hurt anything. No power down there so it doesn't accomplish a lot in any gear other than 1st but not harmful.
09-15-14, 12:06 PM
#34
^ It's ok to just drive and learn, but the learning curve will be MUCH better, if you have a good, capable driver sitting beside you. Plus you won't learn bad habits that take a long time to lose. And before the internet, people still used others to help them, but in person.
My dad still lugs the engine terribly and downshifts way too late. There's no changing him. A lot of people downshift AFTER the turn, or turn with the clutch disengaged (pedal pushed). All not terribly bad stuff, but far from proper or good.
When accelerating, I also gradually push the accelerator all the way, and don't WOT below 3-4k RPM. It's just better for the engine and rest of the drivetrain. Cruising, on a level road, I aim for 2k-3k.
Rev matching is basically downshifting, where after selecting the lower gear, you increase the RPM's with the accelerator to match the higher RPM's the engine will be spinning at, taking account the speed at which the car is going. If you don't rev match, you'll feel the engine slowing down the car (or the car speeding up the engine) as you let out the clutch.
But main thing is, get someone in the pass seat that knows. Then switch back and forth. BTW, they don't have to have rotary engine experience.
The rotaries can handle high RPM, but just like any engine, don't beat on it when cold.
My dad still lugs the engine terribly and downshifts way too late. There's no changing him. A lot of people downshift AFTER the turn, or turn with the clutch disengaged (pedal pushed). All not terribly bad stuff, but far from proper or good.
When accelerating, I also gradually push the accelerator all the way, and don't WOT below 3-4k RPM. It's just better for the engine and rest of the drivetrain. Cruising, on a level road, I aim for 2k-3k.
Rev matching is basically downshifting, where after selecting the lower gear, you increase the RPM's with the accelerator to match the higher RPM's the engine will be spinning at, taking account the speed at which the car is going. If you don't rev match, you'll feel the engine slowing down the car (or the car speeding up the engine) as you let out the clutch.
But main thing is, get someone in the pass seat that knows. Then switch back and forth. BTW, they don't have to have rotary engine experience.
The rotaries can handle high RPM, but just like any engine, don't beat on it when cold.
09-15-14, 12:56 PM
#35
Information Regurgitator
Sure nothing wrong with someone in the know showing you how to do the more advanced techniques once you got the basics down. Till you find that someone just drive it and get a feel for it. I may need a break from the forum again. Some of the things people ask how to do on here could be answered by spending the time it takes to post looking in the Haynes manual instead. Not this post obviously but it does give an explanation of how to double clutch.
09-15-14, 12:58 PM
#36
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