I am sort of a newbie to Rotaries, I want to purchase a 93 RX7, everyone I ask for an opnion tells me to get a honda because the RX7 has problems with the Apex seals, all i know about them is that they are like strips of rubber at the tips of the rotors, what is this "problem" with them if there even is one? and is it easily fixed?

 

death to apex seals...**** apex seals

apex seals aren't repairable, you just have to replace them...they are the most fragile and sensitive things on this planet and cost a **** load of money to replace. Death to the apex seals

 

they are all right....get a honda......rx-7's are too frustrating to deal with...

 

But i want an RX7 they area fast and i dont want to be like everyone else.

 

then get an rx7. an rx7 looks much better, drives much better, handles much better. gets more chicks too!!!

just take care of it. if you take care of the car, the apex seals wont get damaged.

 

umm the reason rx7's get a bad rep is because uneducated people don't take care of them ! if you goto an rx7 repair shop you should be fine. this is a sports its supposed to break

 

well they're not rubber(apex seals).. RX7 is sweet, I had a MR2 that had stomped RX7's/hondas/supras/and silvias, but that car was a pain in the ***!!!! Rotary engine are kind of a pain, but what real sports car isnt. AS soon as you tune any car you will start to have problems, thats why car companies make them the way they do. BUT TUNE IT ALL I SAY..... RX7 has the looks and the go. HONDA ain't got no show, and for sure a got no go.... hahaha

 

I've actually seen more corner seals break than apex seals. The car's fun to tune. It's a pain in the *** when it has STOCK TWINS, but once you go single.....you never want to go back.

 

Single turboes are overrated..

 

How do i know when to change the Apex seals, and thanks for the info guys.

 

When your engine sounds like *** and your car smokes up a city block it's probably about time to change the apex seals/rebuild the motor. I believe it's somewhat similar to blowing a head gasket on a standard engine..(?)

 

So what you are saying is that everytime i replace the seals i also have to get the motor rebuilt?

 

Yeah, but unless you do stupid mods and/or take really bad care of it you should only have to rebuild the engine once at most. The general consensus here I believe is that the 3rd gen TT rotaries last on average 80k before needing a rebuild, but can last much less or much more depending on what you do with the car.

 

Apex seals are the equivalent to piston rings on a standard engine. They hold the compression between the points of the rotor to create the combustion chamber. You change them, you have rebuilt the motor. (along with any seals or worn parts in the process).

There are two ways they need replaced. They wear out after about 150,000-200,000 miles. The other is breaking or cracking due to improper tuning, bad fuel, bad fuel filter, lean condition, etc, etc. causing the end of the engine. It usually takes out other components with the breaking of the apex seal.

Either of these conditions will require a rebuild or a reman engine replacement.

If you have the money, the patience, the time, the knowledge, and the WILLPOWER TO SEE IT THROUGH, get an RX7. If you lack any of these, you must overcompensate with another component or get a HONDA.

You make the call.

Tim

 

An oil seal problem could cause the car to smoke a lot, not just the apex seal.

Do an engine compression check if you are in the market for an RX-7. Mid 8's and 9's are good signs of compression or > 100 psi.
Drive the car around and see how it feels when you're on boost.

If all things are good with the car/engine/tranny/suspension, then buy it and take good care of it. If you treat an RX-7 right, it'll treat you right (usually).

Modified Hondas blow engines too.

For modified cars, reliability is dependent on tuning abilities. Some engines can take more abuse than others with the rotary being the most sensitive to detonation and abuse.

Good luck with your purchase,
J

 

Thanks for your help everyone, just one more question should i go for the low milage RX7s or the ones with the overhauled engines trannies and turboes cause i found plenty of both, and again thanks for the help.

 

Well put. I love my seven, but it does take time and money to operate that car.