Mazda supposedly claimed a new RX7 retro model to be unveiled in 2017.

every few years we always hear the same rumors though, no matter the source. for some reason i wouldn't blame mazda for calling it quits on rotary powered cars. there have been many days i felt like just going home and forgetting about these spinning doritos. there have been many inherent flaws to the design with seemingly one gremlin just replacing another, always.

naturally aspirated they are suited best but with limited displacement they were never amazing engines. if mazda made 3 rotor naturally aspirated engines they may have gone somewhere. the fact mazda never actually produced a supercar with one also never truly gave their pride and joy any real notice in the market. the RX8's will soon replace the 7's as they plummet in value and continue to eat engines, dropping the 8 market down to where even the FC3S currently sits in about another 5-6 years(you can actually find blown 8's already in the $3-4k range, sitting very near the FD3S in value currently and actually below it and they will continue to drop).

unique? yes. practical? no

 

I'll always love the rotary, obviously for its uniqueness, not for reasons of practicality.

How many years have you been in the rotary scene? I'm going to be rebuilding a s4 Turbo engine soon

Rotary >Pistons

 

10 years.

not nearly as long as some shops, but considering i do everything and work 7 days a week that figure may as well be 15+.

 

Any tips for me on my first rebuild? Im trying to do everything the right and be organized.

Rotary >Pistons

 

get a rebuild video and watch aaron's video as well. its easier after seeing what you will be working with.

 

Which rebuild video do you recommend (if you've seen them).

I know Atkins , Mazdatrix, and rotary aviation have one all for around the same price, not sure if anyone else offers one.

I've still got to get some tools and looking into getting an engine stand.

Rotary >Pistons

 

i have only watched the Atkins video so i can't comment on the others. Aaron's is on youtube and is free to watch.

 

Everyone is saying trial and error. I went from working on Honda for the last 15yrs to rotary. And I can tell you, being different cost, especially if you fall into the trap of "let's might as well do this." I fell into it and the car had sat there for 2 years. Nonetheless, if you put your heart into learning it, you'll succeeds.

 

If you love something you'll let it go, and if it loves you it'll come back.

Well I had to let go my na rx7 I had for 6 years, ran for only 25,000 miles over the 6 year period after being rebuilt and blew the coolant seals but still ran, sold it because I had no choice but to sell it.

2 years later I'm getting a turbo 2nd Gen, car needs some work , basically needs the engine rebuilt but its a hell of a car.

Once I pick it up I'll post up some pictures.

Rotary >Pistons

 

Same here for me too. The best way to learn, you'll appreciate your car and engine much more, I'm on my 8th RX7 and I think I finally got it right.

 

Lot of information from Books. There is plenty of literature about this engine. Even it is rarely build you'll get lots of information.

 

I hope you were not planning on "making a living working on rotaries" since you'd be supporting a powerplant that isn't being produced anymore. You'd be better off making a living doing something else.

You'd most likely spend a lot of money trying to make a little.

Go ahead and do it as a hobby though, there are worse ways to spend money and time.

 

I made a lot of questions and learn with the trial and error method.

 

hang out with rotor heads. ask questions. two ears, one mouth i.e. listen more than you talk.

offer to help out on builds (nothing like an extra pair of arms when your swinging that donk into a freshly painted engine bay).

most folk enjoy imparting their knowledge, especially rotor heads, who can be evangelical, sometimes, trying to convert folk to rotaries.

 

Make friends! Offer to help them wrench on their cars!

 

Everything I have learned has been from doing the work myself and reading tons and tons of stuff on this site and in the manual. Tearing stuff apart and putting it back together builds a lot of confidence and is the only way IMO to understand how things actually work.

Unfortunately it's cost me a lot of money as I have messed things up frequently on the first go around. Best of luck.