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Reliability Parts ?

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Old Aug 3, 2007 | 09:01 PM
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Reliability Parts ?

So i keep hearing that the apex seals will blow at around 100,000 miles or so, and i just heard that there are parts to prevent this from happening. Well i just want to know more about these parts, maybe if its not too much truble to get the name of the part or parts that can prevent the seals from going and if i should get these parts before i start fixing up the engine performance wise.
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Old Aug 3, 2007 | 10:30 PM
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apex seals blowing at 100k is just a rumor. its all about how you care for your car (how modified it is helps too). some people on here have blown seals at 20k others are still going past 120-130k miles.
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Old Aug 3, 2007 | 11:16 PM
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Rotary Nene
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well wont they eventually blow? because i want to fix up the car but i dont want to fix it up and then have the apex seals blow because then i would have wasted the money. i mean i take care of my car and i dont run it hard but i want to do anything i can to prevent the seals from blowing.
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Old Aug 3, 2007 | 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by TwilightRotary
others are still going past 120-130k miles.

130k+ mile apex seals on an FD?

You need to look up the definition of the word 'outlier'.

To address the original question: The best 'part' to get if you are worried about FD reliability is a car with a non rotary engine.

BTW, you are the 354,134th person to ask this question on this board.
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Old Aug 3, 2007 | 11:38 PM
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well just because can i be the 354,135 person?
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Old Aug 3, 2007 | 11:39 PM
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Rotary Nene
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didnt know that. and im not trying to get rid of my car i was just wondering if there was anything i could do to prevent the seals from going. i mean if they do go i guess i can get them re- built or something, my mechanic knows alot about FDs but he told me the only place that can do stuff like fixing the seals is in maryland and thats about 3 hrs away.
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Old Aug 3, 2007 | 11:47 PM
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The seals rub against the housings. So by design, they will wear down over time. Adding forced induction just adds more stress to the system which shortens its lifespan. The question isn't will it happen; it's when will it happen?

Take a look at the NA 1st and 2nd gen RX-7s. You'll see those things going 200k+ miles. Granted, compression is a lot less as it gets older, but they go for a long time. Unfortunately, its just something you'll have to except owning a turbocharged rotary powered car.
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Old Aug 3, 2007 | 11:48 PM
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you cant fix the seals you can only get new ones the only thing that you can do is take care of the car read the faqs to learn what to look for. The best thing for a rotary is to keep the heat down. look at the recommended upgrades in the archives the will help.
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Old Aug 4, 2007 | 12:05 AM
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seems like this quesition is asked lot, im sure there are a few links about these mods.
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Old Aug 4, 2007 | 12:27 AM
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Rotary Nene
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ok so i should get a new radiator and intercooler, get a downpipe, change the catilitic converter, get a boost controler, get a AST thats not plastic, and chande the vacuum hoses. and im sure theres other things im missing. you see i dont know why most kids my age complain because they want to leave the house as soon as possible... im glad i dont have bills to pay yet that way all the money i work for can go into my car ... well at least a good amount of it.
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Old Aug 4, 2007 | 12:28 AM
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girlfriend takes the rest
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Old Aug 4, 2007 | 12:29 AM
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one can read a lot of information here, including reliability mods http://www.rx7.org/Robinette/mod_pro_con.htm
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Old Aug 4, 2007 | 12:49 AM
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thanks that does help alot
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Old Aug 4, 2007 | 06:11 AM
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There isn't much you can do to make an FD motor last more than 100k. The heat and stress and wear always gets to *something* by that point.

Reliability mods are what help make sure you get near 100k. Without them, people tend to have more accidental overheats, higher underhood temps, etc.

Dave
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Old Aug 4, 2007 | 03:31 PM
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o ok, well when this does happen what sould i do? buy a rebuild kit or what?
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Old Aug 4, 2007 | 08:01 PM
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Atkin's has rebuild and engine removal video's, if you are serious about doing it yourself. If not take it to a shop that can work on it.
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Old Aug 4, 2007 | 08:56 PM
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Rebuilding is not a trivial undertaking. Yes, DIYers with good mechanical background do it, but it's a long detailed process and you should ask yourself if this is the best thing to do.

Dave
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Old Aug 4, 2007 | 10:51 PM
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There is a gentleman in Fuquay-Varina that does rebuilds here in NC. It is about 20-30 minutes from Raleigh depending on traffic and lights. So it would be closer to I-95 if you came down that way. I think it is Rotary Aviation?
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