Hi, I was wondering if anybody knew the best way to learn mechanics. More specifically to race cars, rotary engines, and stuff like that. If you could point me to the best direction to teach myself, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

school for some reason comes to mind.
Also Buddies,tracks,Shops,Internet,Car magazines...and if you are into those Rotary thingies..here!

 

We had a guy on this forum who tried to teach himself. Unfortunately, he just ended up "reinventing the wheel" on a regular basis, coming up with things that were new to him but had been known to the industry for decades. There is an entire thread on the "other" rotary forum dedicated to bashing him. I don't think that you want to be that guy.

If you really want to learn, then you would want to get a degree in mechanical engineering. The rotary engine would not likely be in the curriculum, but the program in general would be applicable to race cars and internal combustion engines. Try to look for a school that specializes in automotive engineering, competes in automotive events, or otherwise has some type of automotive ties. You could also look for a college that offers an automotive engineering degree, but that generally isn't such a great way to go because it is so narrowly focused.

I think that Missouri S&T is a good bang for the buck.
Missouri University of Science and Technology

Some of the top schools are MIT, Stanford, Princeton, Cornell, and Georgia Tech, but they are a little pricey and rather difficult to get into. I graduated from Embry-Riddle, which specializes in aviation as opposed to cars, but it is a similar field.

Regardless of the school, keep in mind that you are going to need to be an outstanding student in order to make it through a top-notch American mechanical engineering program. If this isn't for you, then you can take classes at your local tech school or community college. For example, I took two welding classes at a tech school just for fun, and they were only about $100 per semester, which I swear is less than it would have cost me to buy all the metal, sticks, and electricity that I used for the classes.

If you just want to learn more about RX-7s and rotary engines, then see the below link for gobs of online books and manuals. I recommend the Kenichi Yamamoto book (either year), "How to Modify your RX-7", and any "Training Manual".
Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals

 

similar other than the MET curriculum, I feel like I could be a weatherman after that course.

ATC program here here.

 

I would love to go to school for it, but I'm not yet out of high school, and the classes in the high school I'm transferring down to in Utah are teaching about lawn mower engines. I love reading, so I was hoping to find some recommended material to read. I would never try and "reinvent the wheel" I would just like to understand everything better than I do now and be able to talk to you guys without looking like an idiot. Which I probably do now anyways. thank you all for the suggestions, I do plan on going to some mechanical classes in university, assuming one accepts me.

 

well, my advice would be to stick to the basics for now. the lawnmower classes you mentioned may not be a total waste since it is teaching you about engines in a formal setting. at the end of the day, an engine is an engine - it converts energy to do work (usually a fuel to mechanical motion). there are many differences in the details though (reciprocating, rotary, gasoline, diesel, 2-stoke, 4-stroke, pushrod, OHC, VVT, etc.), but they are all built on the same basic foundation.

i was not formally educated for any of this stuff. i got the basics from my brother and the rest i got for myself through reading and hands-on experimentation. this is a great passion for me, i started in 1987 and have not looked back.

allow me to say this: believe in YOURSELF. be confident, while maintaining humility.

for rotary stuff, check the link that Evil Aviator provided. some of it may currently be over your head, but much of it will give you a headstart.

 

See if there are any local shops that specialize in RX-7's and see if you can get a part time job doing general service, then you're in a learning position from the others that work there. Most people are fine helping others learn...especially if you're an enthusiast. Also, see if you can find any members on the forum from your area...if they're working on their car see if you can stop by and either help or watch...good luck.

 

learn working on lawnmowers then family and friends cars :p then maybe yours if your feeling brave enough

 

Search the forums and read about people's problems and what the fixes were. And you will know where to start looking on your car. You can also help your friends when they work on there car.

 

Im a hands on kind of guy myself. Iv also had a wrench in my hand since i could hold one too. But honestly a biiig part of it is to have the will and eagerness to learn. Just gotta pay attention, try, and accept the fact that no matter how good you are, you will always make a mistake.

 

I feel like you guys think by my initial post I only know how to turn the ignition and drive hahaha.