Whats the advantage of a rotary engine?
06-14-02, 03:38 PM
#1
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: /dev/mustang
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whats the advantage of a rotary engine?
I've been thinking about this the last couple of days, the only thing I can think of is it save weight which would be perfect for road racing.
From what I can tell so far, the put out less power, same gas mileage, and last just as long if not shorter then a engine with a crank rods and pistons.
From what I can tell so far, the put out less power, same gas mileage, and last just as long if not shorter then a engine with a crank rods and pistons.
06-14-02, 03:43 PM
#4
WTB S5 N/A FC
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: College Station, Tx
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
3 moving parts, high revving, light weight, compact, over 100hp per liter, simple. Nuff said.....
You find me a 1.3L piston engine that can claim all that, and then you can ask why!!! The closest thing would be a B18 ITR. 1.8L, 195hp. 1.3L, S5 n/a.....180hp. Don't think your puttin out 500hp in that 5.0L stock do ya??
You find me a 1.3L piston engine that can claim all that, and then you can ask why!!! The closest thing would be a B18 ITR. 1.8L, 195hp. 1.3L, S5 n/a.....180hp. Don't think your puttin out 500hp in that 5.0L stock do ya??
Last edited by rico05; 06-14-02 at 03:48 PM.
06-14-02, 03:56 PM
#6
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: /dev/mustang
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by rico05
Don't think your puttin out 500hp in that 5.0L stock do ya??
Don't think your puttin out 500hp in that 5.0L stock do ya??
Besides, since when is racing determined by how efficent your motor is
Trending Topics
06-14-02, 04:55 PM
#8
infini guru
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The key advantage of the rotary engine is it's size and weight. Very few engines can be placed in the front of the car, keep a 50/50 weight ratio, keep the gross weight of the chassis to around 2800 lbs, and have the potential for 400+ horsepower. That's why the rotary is a good platform for a lightweight canyon carver, autoXer, race car, etc.
Steve
Steve
06-14-02, 06:15 PM
#15
WTB S5 N/A FC
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: College Station, Tx
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Drag racing (or any kind of racing for that matter) is ALL about efficeny. The most hp/lb is ALL that matters. 200hp will propel a 2600lb car faster than a 3000lb car faster. Lightweight and high power, that is the ESSENCE of racing.
06-14-02, 06:34 PM
#16
infini guru
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lol, I said ILLEGITIMATE children. You guys get NO cash!! Little money grubbing bastards! 
Steve
P.S. Rico, don't forget chassis design, honestly, I think that's more important than high power, although weight could be included in chassis design, so maybe you were including it? =P
Steve
P.S. Rico, don't forget chassis design, honestly, I think that's more important than high power, although weight could be included in chassis design, so maybe you were including it? =P
06-14-02, 06:44 PM
#17
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: California
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This forum is the most useful and supportive forum that I have found for any car. And Abecx I think it is cool that your asking real questions instead of just coming on and bashing us because we drive Japanese cars. If you do decide to keep your mustang try www.stangnet.com , my friends love that forum.
06-14-02, 06:46 PM
#18
Has been.. hangin' around
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Milpitas, CA
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Um, Rico..
That's really simplifying..
Would you rather run an ultra efficient 2600lb car that runs 14.5 with 153hp per liter (forced induction) , or a pig of lump iron 3100 that runs 12.2 with 70hp per liter.. But that's 2+ seconds faster.
Me, I'd rather run 12.2 and not have to tell everyone how efficient my 200HP car runs. (btw, not a dig at you, I just get tired of everyone boasting about HP per liter)
Chassis design, weight distribution, TORQUE output, transmission gearing, differential type, etc, all have a lot to do with this, it's not just how effecient the motor is.
PaulC
That's really simplifying..
Would you rather run an ultra efficient 2600lb car that runs 14.5 with 153hp per liter (forced induction) , or a pig of lump iron 3100 that runs 12.2 with 70hp per liter.. But that's 2+ seconds faster.
Me, I'd rather run 12.2 and not have to tell everyone how efficient my 200HP car runs. (btw, not a dig at you, I just get tired of everyone boasting about HP per liter)
Chassis design, weight distribution, TORQUE output, transmission gearing, differential type, etc, all have a lot to do with this, it's not just how effecient the motor is.
PaulC
Last edited by Silkworm; 06-14-02 at 06:48 PM.
06-14-02, 08:23 PM
#20
Full Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
www.howstuffworks.com
go to wankel/rotary engine. Towards the end of the article it has pro/cons. Pros heavily out weigh cons in my opinion.
go to wankel/rotary engine. Towards the end of the article it has pro/cons. Pros heavily out weigh cons in my opinion.
06-14-02, 10:15 PM
#21
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Other stuff; Wide power band. Smooth power delivery. Compact which allows the car to be designed better.
Reliability seems to be as good or better than a similar piston engine, as long as it's properly taken care of.
As for that "How Stuff Works" page, one thing I found different was in a book called "The Wankel Engine: Design, Development, Application" circa 1971. It indicated there that the cost of manufacturing should be less than even the difference in the number of parts. I believe that assumes a proper infastructure in place and then comparing piston vs. wankel.
Couple problems regarding looking at the rotary engine itself: 1. Since the 80's, hp/L and technology have improved rapidly. The only way to do things fairly, would be to pick cars of similar years and then compare the merits of each respective engine. 2. Mazda has been on their own for many years. Piston engine technology is advanced by many companies which make use of other's developments. Mazda's small rotary R&D buget has a tough time matching the billions spent every year around the world. (not that they haven't done a hell of a good job)
Reliability seems to be as good or better than a similar piston engine, as long as it's properly taken care of.
As for that "How Stuff Works" page, one thing I found different was in a book called "The Wankel Engine: Design, Development, Application" circa 1971. It indicated there that the cost of manufacturing should be less than even the difference in the number of parts. I believe that assumes a proper infastructure in place and then comparing piston vs. wankel.
Couple problems regarding looking at the rotary engine itself: 1. Since the 80's, hp/L and technology have improved rapidly. The only way to do things fairly, would be to pick cars of similar years and then compare the merits of each respective engine. 2. Mazda has been on their own for many years. Piston engine technology is advanced by many companies which make use of other's developments. Mazda's small rotary R&D buget has a tough time matching the billions spent every year around the world. (not that they haven't done a hell of a good job)
06-14-02, 10:48 PM
#23
88 AE
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: N/A
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes I would definately say power/weight and also power/displacement. The Honda S2000 has the best power/displacement engine ever (250hp/2.0L). The 3rd Gen. Rx-7 has 255hp/1.3L with plenty of room for upgrade. Also less moving parts like Rico05 said, but i read somewhere that it was 8 moving parts. This way you can rev high and not have to worry about valve float or any other thing asociated with piston engines.
06-14-02, 11:21 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Duncan, BC, Canada
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They compare n/a cars when they say hp/L. Its not fair to compare a done up S2000 to a stock 2nd gen though. The S2000 comes pretty much done up as much as it can be done and the 2nd gen had to be detuned, so it can get a way better hp/L value then the S2000.