Hi, I'm looking at a 86 RX-7, it's n/a, so I'm probably going to swap in a 13BT. I've read the FAQ, it doesn't sound that hard, I think I can do it with my dad. My question is how many miles does the 13BT run between rebuilds, cause I read stories where people rebuild engine every two or three years. I'm new to rotary engine, I have heard it's not as reliable as piston engine. is it true? My goal is 250whp for now and maybe if I have money 300whp later on. Can the stock motor w/turbo upgrade do it (250whp)? I tried search, but I want more specific answers. So please help. Thanks in advance.

 

Rotary engines are reliable if you take care of them. My N/a engine has 152k miles on it and it is the cars original engine. Turbo engines are a bit less reliable but they too can lastwell over 100k miles.

 

hes a liar... these things dont last 10k!

 

The rotary engine is EXTREAMLY reliable!!!

My last engine 86 n/a lasted 208,000.. it was my fathers car, (handed down to me) I replaced the clutch (original) and it was great! It still ran but it was smokeing very badly and guzzling gas. So i rebuilt and installed my own engine. It's extreamly easy (granted you have correct tools) to do.

Turbo's are slightly less reliable. but my friends has 130,000 on all stock, and it still runs great

As for getting 250 RWHP.. it is possible on stock internals.

If you get intake and a FULL exhaust you'll be close to fuel cut 10PSI?? (correct me if i'm wrong) BUt that alone will get you in the 220-230 RWHP range. Good luck with your project, let us know how it goes

-Markus

 

I have an 88 n/a and I just hit 171k on my cars orig motor. She could use a good cleaning, but other than that is running quite well.

- James

 

Fuel cut is lower than 10 psi. about 7.5 on s4 and 8.6 on the s5 I believe.

To get 250 to the ground you will have to run the stock turbo and inter cooler into the ground at 12psi+. or you can go hybrid on the turbo and pull 275 to the ground comfortably at about 10-12psi with all other "standard" modifications. Don't expect more than 225 whp on the stock turbo and intercooler without trouble.

 

Every few months the ability for stock components to do something goes down.. lol

 

my old 87na had 196k on it when i sold it and now it has over 220k i know the dude who owns it. my 91 i have now the motor blew at 124k i blew a oil seal in the rear rotor. but the turbo motors dont last as long

 

Wow, thanks for the replies, if the engine can last 100k it's good enough for me. What special maintnance does the rotary engine need? And what's this fuel cut you mentioned? Is it possible to trick the ecu to think it's lower boost? When will the injectors max out? I have seen people do a 5th injector on Nissan engine, it is possible to do it to a 13BT? I need to get a cheap RX-7 first, but after that I will upgrade to maybe a T3 turbo. You all are very helpful. Thanks again.

 

Oil changes: every 3000 miles

Fuel cut: ecu cuts fuel to the rear rotor when you boost past 8psi. You get either a standalone ecu or a fcd+safc to get around the boost limit. The FCD fools the ecu into thinking its only boosting 7.5psi while you make fuel corrections with the safc

Dont get a NA with plans to turbo it later. And the whole additional injector idea is possible but a waste of time.

 

Turbo motors don't last? Mine has 195,000 miles and still has lots of power.

 

It all depends on the car's history. Rotaries typically don't last as long for two main reasons: 1: they require more care (changing th oil on time is VERY important) and 2: the way the power band is (crappy low end, really good high end), people tend to drive it harder. That's part of the reason why turbos don't last as long. Boost is addictive, so people push the car harder, plus boost puts more strain on internals.

BTW my motor has 150k and is still going strong (knock on wood )

 

Seeing how you are new to RE's, check this out. Aaron does a detailed description on buying an NA.
http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy1.htm

 

And a TII.
http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy2.htm