All of my friends that are into cars are all into their v6/8 engines, and are always acting like rotaries suck. Honestly, I've been reading a lot about them, and I think they are really misunderstood. The RX8 got me into cars, but as my knowledge of cars has increased, I've realized I really want a rx7 (much faster). So what do YOU guys think? Most of you OWN a rotary engine car, so YOU would know better than someone that can't get past his v6/8....

From my understanding, they need more oil, (every 2k miles.... which means I'd change it every 1500 law) and more care than your traditional car... the SECOND I inherited my blazer from my mom and she gave me the keys, I did every possible thing I could do to make my car happy - I'm that kinda guy xD

The engines fail at like 140k miles?

Could a "fully" modified rotary compete with a "fully" modified v8 (Turbo, nos, you name it)???

I really just want someone to give me the straight beef on rotaries!!!!

thanks

soaren

 

Why would you ever change the oil at 1500 miles?! Check the FSM for change intervals but I'm pretty sure it is 3000 miles severe, and 5000 normal. Just top up the oil every 1000 miles (about a quart will be needed) and you'll be fine.

Engines fail when they fail. NA engines run forever, turbo engines tend to die sooner due to boost related problems. Unless you are talking about the FD, which often has engine failures under 100K due to design issues.

400HP is fairly easy to make on a rotary and can be done without needing to open the engine. A 400HP 2nd gen is a low 11 second car. A 400HP 1st gen is a 10 second car if you can get traction. A 400HP FD is similar to a 2nd gen.

Who knows what "fully modified" actually means. And by "compete" what are you referring to?

 

Turbo'd RX-7s can compete with V8s.

If you build it well and include auxiliary injection you can compete on power and reliability. You'll never compete in low-end torque and fuel economy though. And if you simply want to keep up with your friends fast cars, I do not recommend an RX-7 - it takes more care, more money, and more patience to build an RX-7 to keep up with cars that are just for straight-line speed.

Which generation do you have in mind?

 

second or third generation - the younger the engine the more hp if I recall correctly.

low 11 second car? ugh
Not what I wanted to hear. I still like 7's tho. Ultimately, I'm gonna check one or two out when I go about buying a car, and see if I like them.

Anyone else?

soaren

 

honestly i like my 7 just for the simple fact that i can feel the power when i touch the gas,

and that i can mod the "H" word out of it,

and it's one car that you can rev. to the fullest and it wont blow.

now the one thing thats a pain is it sounds like a lawn mower, my friends all own other imports and they're always asking me to cut their grass, but if your like me and don't care what other people think just tell them that you need to go get your deck and you'll be right back, but they have to pay cuz gas isn't cheap lol.

so those are some things to think about when your going to check one out

 

I personally love mine and wouldnt trade it at all. Especially if you do your own work, rotary is almost like learning all over again. Seems like im here daily looking something up. Definately an enjoyable adventure. I have seen some 3rd gens make it in the 9's, however, they were highly modded and had a decent sized shot. I personally get beat (w/ a N/A stock car) just about everytime i line it up with a friend, however if we get on the back roads they're cars cant handle like min and I usually win those.

 

2nd gen RX-7s came with either a NA 13B making 146 or 160 HP, or a single turbo making 180 or 200HP.

3rd generation RX-7s were all twin turbo and made 255HP.

Not what you wanted to hear in what way? A low 11 second car that is daily driven isn't too bad in my book. But then again, the 1/4 mile for me is just some fun and the real joy of the RX-7 is that it dominates corners in ways that few cars can even come close to match.

 

HAHAHAHAH that made my day. xD

I've still been looking at 7's, something about them just makes me want them more than other cars, I can't really shake it... The stories you guys have about them, makes me realize that people who have 7's are really into them. Not to mention there is A LOT of online resources on this car, considering how old it is.

And yeah, I'm the kinda guy that wants a car that needs Tender Love and Care, seriously, at this point I'm pretty sure that I want one. The only thing really now is that I really want a 2+2 seater, and those are harder to find. I'm driving from Mass to Cali (to move) within the next the months or so (It's a dream I've had since was a kid, I was born in Vista, and I hate Mass).

I've been looking online every few days to see if any come up with the 2+2 seating, and none have come up yet. I really wanna drive down to Cali in a car I really like, I'm gonna be driving 3k+ miles, I want to enjoy every minute of it, and the rx7 seems like a car that would make it very pleasant (I love cruising). Plus if it's a car you need to work on contantly, that seems like my kinda deal, I'll know a ton about cars in few years if I get one.

 

if you just want straight line speed you probably shouldn't.
but, as they've said, they are spectacular when you throw a corner at them.
they don't require constant fixing and stuff, if in good condition.
just keep up with regular maintenance.
but as stated, higher horsepower needs more attention.
but yeah, rotaries can be a bit of an addiction.
the way i see it, they aren't the BEST at any one type of racing.
but they have the potential to be and are extremely versatile.
hearing how you are i'm certain you will love an rx7 as much as most of us.

 

Interesting points guys.

 

Bump for Boston.

 

More than happy with my 255 HP at the moment

 

I would be happy with a 2nd gen ... period. I have a bunch of freinds woth EK's that i need to teach a lesson lol.

 

Considering availability, I would wait until you get to CA to look for/purchase an rx-7. A lot more 7's to find over that way. Not to mention putting an unknown-conditioned car that you've just bought on a cross-country road trip seems like an absolute disaster waiting to happen.

Just a thought.

 

So low 11 second cars aren't fast enough for you? Been watching too much Fast and Furious, huh? 11 seconds is supercar territory. And that's just an estimate of a 400hp car. Go on youtube and look up drag videos if you want to see even faster 7s. But really, who cares? You're never going to own one.

Odds are, you'll never own a "fully modified" anything, so stop worrying about it, and set your sights on something more reasonable.

 

I don't know where this engine bs comes from. I have had a lot of people ask me if i have had any problems. Change the fluids according to the owners manual, keep them full and the engines run for ever. I have had two RX7's that I ran for over 20 years, and while I have gone through clutches, alternators, and minor stuff, never an engine.

 

You must be the lucky one!

 

Not really. NA engines, in particular, last forever. It's the abused turbo engines that give the rotary engine a bad reputation.

 

ouch

I was hoping on scoring an rx7 with a (rebuilt) turbo.... seeing as how most rx7 that originally had a turbo died.....

 

Stock FDs count as "abused turbo engines" also. (Thanks, Mazda!)

Dave

 

Note that I said abused. If you take care of it, a turbo engine will last nearly as long as an NA. It's ignorant owners that jack the boost up too high, without adding fuel that give us the blown ones (mostly).

Haha, yeah, I was going to mention that, but didn't want to offend any 3rd gen guys. Those twins make great space heaters.

 

Yes. Correct.

My first sports car was an R1. Def took more money, patience to keep up and make sure it was reliable. Always wanted more with the torque though.

Now I'm back to the V8. Maintenance is a breeze and parts are cheap and plentiful. Easier to build up a V8's hp vs a rotary.

Having had both, I'd stay with the piston. Don't get me wrong, I love and respect the rotary for what it is or else I would not have had one in the first place. It is unique and can be a potent powerplant.

That being said, having more torque than most people have hp, I love my new V8 in FD skin.

 

true enough about straight-line speed, but who wants to give up that tight handling?

 

Brings up another question. A LOT of things i read online brag about the rx7's handling as legendary. Would you deem it so?

 

The FD chassis is supposed to be top notch, well balanced etc... You often hear that they can compete with Porsches. Unfortunately I am not a a level where I can confirm...and I have never driven any Porsche :o(

The engine small weight/size makes the car agile too (near 50/50 weight distribution if I am not mistaken).

One of the thing to consider too is that rotary engine R&D has been marginal compared to piston engine. Piston engines are kind of old school now whereas Mazda's beloved skunkwork keep on improving our dear rotary engine year after year. It is true that the RX8 completely different than the third gen but they have apparently done a tremendous work on improving reliability, fuel consumption emissions and everything (too bad turbos don't seem to go well with rotaries).

I got to say it's more whether you're in love with the car and the engine or not. I personnaly admire the engineers that keep the rotary going as I feel like these people must devote a fair chunk of hours just for the purpose of technology innovation (plus I would not be surprised they had to go against management more than once too). If I was rich I'd buy an RX7/RX8/RX9 etc... every year (just to show my support).

Ooops maybe I got carried away...