Rx-7 Rotary vs V8

[alz0rz]

Even the oil consumption part is notoriously blown out of proportion. The car burns oil BY DESIGN, i.e. it is DIRECTLY INJECTED into the housing during operation. You can't use that fact against it. I owned an RX8 for 5 years.

[VintageFD]

Originally Posted by alz0rz

Even the oil consumption part is notoriously blown out of proportion. The car burns oil BY DESIGN, i.e. it is DIRECTLY INJECTED into the housing during operation. You can't use that fact against it. I owned an RX8 for 5 years.

Its weird, when I bought my FD I was expecting to put half a quart every fill up since thats what all the rumors suggested. I literally but 1/5 a quart every 3-4 fill-ups. I started to believe something some wrong with my oil metering pump but later learned its just normal. Apex seals or better yet the engine will last you as long as you have proper lubrication and tuning/fuel. Premix helps. This is coming from me whos been at 400whp for many years. 500whp is next after I add some water injection which is reliability mod also.


As for the chassis, FD's are still kicking ass in Time attacks worlwide. Pretty sure the chassis is still competitive. Fornt/Rear double wishbone is a thing of rarity now a days also.

EDIT:
Another cool thing about the rotary is its throttle response and ability to spool turbos quickly given their high volume of exhaust gas. This is a crappy and short footwork video I have but it does a good job at showing the relationship with throttle input/response. The turbo is an EFR 8374 which is a pretty big size but also responsive. Warmup lap ends at around 1:25

For reference
2nd gear-65mph
3rd gear 100mph
4th gear- 140mph

[b0bab0i]

Originally Posted by Nitrousbird

And most motor swaps for those cars are another Nissan motor, which is the same manufacturer.

When people yank the rotary out of an FD, they aren't going to the Mazda parts bin for a replacement, which was the point of my original post.

- Poor fuel mileage (think how much heavier your M5 is yet get the same fuel mileage)
- Drinks oil
- Well known for eating apex seals and destroying the motor. It's hard to find an RX7 with over 50k on the original rotary
- Lack of torque
- One of the worst sounding engines out there
- Have to ring the crap out of it to make power, but doesn't even make power at that high of an RPM, especially for such a small motor.

I've never understood the advantage of the rotary, other than to be different.

Mine lasted 112k miles on original motor before it had to be rebuilt.
Sound is a matter of opinion.
And the point about having to ring the crap out of it to make power, that can be said about every M3 before F8X.

[Sephiroth]

Its not often you see a well cared-for FD. Hats off to you on that and keep driving! I never went beyond an N/A FC, it had 166k on it when i sold. Engine was solid but the tranny gave up on me. I had two friends with RX-8s for a while and even that car was really fun. The FD is/will be a classic in my book.

[VintageFD]

Appreciate the words guys. If any of yall see me buttonwillow or willow springs ill happily give you ride alongs to give an idea of how she feels.

[VintageFD]

Had time to hit the track again in preparation for Super Lap Battle this coming Nov. For much of the morning I was running a consistent 2:00.xx flat at Buttonwillow, a far gap from my goal of 1:56 which is around where the Enthusiast class time attack record sits. Posted a 1:58.8 by the last session with the shock compression turned up. After dialing in the shocks, refreshing the brakes and shaking off my rusty driving I believe I should be able to bring the time down to 1:56.xx

Faster laps are towards the end

[Gle8]

I've owned an RX-8 and multiple FBs. Never had an apex seal go. And yes, as was stated, they drink oil by design.

I'd never consider an engine swap, especially on the FB. Unless I was swapping for another rotary.

Unless you've driven one (for many miles and preferably on the track) you won't know the appeal. The delivery is different than any other engine out there. And putting in a larger displacement cylinder motor just screws up the perfect balance they had from the factory.

[VintageFD]

Originally Posted by Gle8

I've owned an RX-8 and multiple FBs. Never had an apex seal go. And yes, as was stated, they drink oil by design.

I'd never consider an engine swap, especially on the FB. Unless I was swapping for another rotary.

Unless you've driven one (for many miles and preferably on the track) you won't know the appeal. The delivery is different than any other engine out there. And putting in a larger displacement cylinder motor just screws up the perfect balance they had from the factory.

I agree, it just feels different than anything else out there. The same could be said about the chassis as well. Double wishbone front/rear, light weight, power plant frame design, 50/50, etc adds up for something special.

[davesz4mc]

I loved the 89 turbo II I had, kick myself everyday for selling it. It was mostly stock and drove just like any other car really but it could sure move when pushed.

[VintageFD]

Anyone here make it to GTA super lap battle at Buttonwillow?