Hey all. Im new to rotary but I want to learn about them. Ive never rebuilt an engine or transmission or anything worth while like that but I would like to start. I guess my first question is how hard is a rotary to work on? I would think relatively easy. Second question, and I know this is crazy and maybe the worlds stupidest question ever but, given that I am a green (new) mechanic, would it be possible for me to put an S4 turbo engine and tranny into an 86 FC N/A? Is that even physically possible? If its a stupid question please tell me. I have a guy who will sell me his 86 rx7 for $600. it is in pieces but im not looking for a new car I want a project. Im not made of cash so I would be going slowly and adding parts as I go its not a speed thing for me. Yay or Nay ?

Thanks for reading this and just tell me how it is. Thanks guys.

 

lets put it this way:
If you can perform regular maintenance on a Piston car,like changing belts,brakes,alternator etc.. then you should be able to put an engine IN.This is providing that you have done mechanical work,and know the basics of what you are getting into.
The engine is pretty well the same once you get passed the Keg(block),and the fact that the engine has no valves,timing belt etc.
If you plan on Rebuilding then that is where you have to be meticulous and pay attention to Specifications and detail.

For a Novice,I would highly recommend getting a Working engine and install it as trying to rebuild will only confuse the **** out of a normal person!Small seals and springs,etc may be a little more overwhelming than the normal handful of bolts.

There are some Real good sites on Google that can help you find out how a Rotary works (how does a rotary engine work?..punch that in).
YOUTUBE is full of Aaron Cake videos( A personal favorite to watch,as he knows what he is doing!).Aaron also has his own site where it it is chocked full of useful info (Aaron's Homepage )
You could always get a DVD of a rebuilding an engine from people such as Bruce Turrentine,Atkins or Mazdatrux.

 

i ported and rebuilt my engine, a good 18 years ago, now. still runs!

i had/have zero mechanical training, and could fairly be described as being mechanically inept.

it's just measuring, loosening and tightening a bunch of nuts and bolts. the engineers at mazda have done the hard work

i say give it a go.

 

But you are from Australia!..where they can turn a hand mixer into a Ferrari!.
Between you guys and the Puerto Ricans,If MAZDA would have hired you guys it would have been "reliable"..lol!..and FAST!

 

HA! i accept the compliment on behalf of all numpty backyard engine builders in Oz, however someone now owes the fellas that build them high powered rotors here and in PR an apology for lumping me in with them.

 

But I think that Puerto Ricans would probably look at a Kangaroo and say: "we can make that go faster and give it a smoother ride!!!!"

New Product: Kangaroo Coilovers!..I'll be rich!

 

... just as the Australians probably look at a coqui and think it would be nice if they could stick a Weber on them and make them Brap.

 

I've built my share of V8's but my son just bought a 1985. Should be fun learning about these. They are certainly a whole different world!

As far as I can tell, if you are even a bit mechanically inclined and patient, you should do just fine.

 

It is about the same difficulty as a piston engine. The main downside is that although there are less parts on a rotary, the parts are more expensive than their related piston engine parts.

Yes. From a Turbo II donor car, you will need an engine, flywheel, clutch, clutch slave cylinder, transmission, starter, propeller shaft, LSD, and halfshafts. It is easiest if you just swap the entire rear subframe between the two cars. Depending on your build, you will also need an ECU or standalone EMS, intercooler, MAP sensor, upgraded fuel pump, stock Turbo II 550cc or larger fuel injectors, downpipe and/or other appropriate exhaust components, and probably an upgraded radiator. The cost is typically between $3,000 and $10,000.

It is much easier and cheaper to just buy a Turbo II car and start from there. Trust me, it will still be a project car. A common alternate strategy for the financially-challenged types (probably 80% of the people on this forum) is to start with a NA RX-7 that you can drive around and enjoy while performing minor maintenance on it, and then save up your money to buy a Turbo II later on. Most people find it more fun to drive a NA for several years as opposed to having a Turbo II sitting on blocks in their front yard for several years.

 

rofl thread

 

These are relatively simple engines, get a good manual and start working.

 

I started with first gen 12A's. Completely stock rebuild, put it back in and pray it ran. It did, so I went on from there. IDontEvenKnow, just keep it simple and go from there. Easy engines to learn aside from the 1000's of seals. Good luck.

 

I think working on the engine itself actually isn't too bad. Cleaning all the parts when rebuilding was the most tedious part for me but once that's done, its awesome to put it back together. Getting out of the car and unbolting stuff down to the block was probably more tedious as well.

 

ive ive helped work on one just not on my own, but from what i saw and did, it seemed and felt a bit easier than a piston engine.