Nivekk

Just wanted to ask you guys flat out:

What is the big deal behind the lack of reliability with the 13b in the FD?

1. What kind of power can a "rebuilt" (for example, it was rebuilt from - say - 100,000 miles) 13b see, but still be "reliable" given the owner maintains it properly, combines the proper supporting modifications and tuning, and doesn't beat on the car too much.

2. A modded 13b has GOT to be terrible on gas, given the motor has horrible fuel economy in completely stock form. If so, how bad is it, and what kind of gas mileage do you see in mixed driving?

Thats all I can think of right now. I was just curious, and I do apologize about my noobishness - I'm a Subaru guy, and I'm on here because I love learning new things and the rotary has always been fascinating to me.

P.S. Any questions about Subaru's flat-four? Ask away! Can I be the resident Scooby-geek?

4CN A1R

iTrader: (6)

check the faq, you will find all you need there

BLOODYKNUCKLESRACING

not exactly a simple question i used to race a mustang SVO and i always did about 2 or 3 rebuilds a season to keep things happy but i know lots of rotary guys i raced with rebuilt about every 2 years. you can pound the **** out of them longer than pistons but on the street they are higher maintenance.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Rotaries have lots of seals and the heat in the combustion chamber puts some of these seals in very difficult environments. These engines are really quite reliable until you add boost and start driving up the heat in the engine block. It's a direct tradeoff between boost level and reliability. The stock 10psi is good for 60k or more, and with reliability mods done to improve the cooling system maybe some more.

Most guys at/under 350hp can have reliability very similar to stock, IF the modded setup is well sorted and tuned.

Run a search. Generally, a well tuned 300hp FD can get 20mpg on the highway, which is better than stock because a tuner can do good things with light load economy. But if you're putting down bigger HP number then mileage goes to crap in start/stop stuff. My car is stock power, and I basically drive it to autox's and mixed driving, and I get 16mpg on a good day.

dhays

iTrader: (1)

I don't know anything about the car yet as I've only only owned it for a week. However, I can tell you that I saw mileage of about 21 mpg on the freeway as I drove it home. (speeds were typically between 80-90 mph) The car has upgraded exhaust and intake, but otherwise is stock. It most likely also needs a tune and new plugs.

I don't want to even think what it is going to be like around town. I'm hoping it is no worse than my V8 Ford Explorer.
Edit: I should mention that the drive home was about 3000 miles.