. Those things are dead dog slow.
86 C4 Vs Rx-8?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 170
From: Buffalo Grove IL
I'll never understand while Mazda continues on with the rotary, the design has some fundamental shortcomings: you can't generate much torque with a rotary, and the rotor seals are continuously under huge stress, which is why they wear quick and have high oil consumption.
Sorry this is kinda off-topic, but every time I see a RX-7 or RX-8 on the road, I just ask, "Why?" I guess it's unique...
Ben
Sorry this is kinda off-topic, but every time I see a RX-7 or RX-8 on the road, I just ask, "Why?" I guess it's unique...
Ben
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,060
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Originally Posted by bmalec
I'll never understand while Mazda continues on with the rotary, the design has some fundamental shortcomings: you can't generate much torque with a rotary, and the rotor seals are continuously under huge stress, which is why they wear quick and have high oil consumption.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
From: Aledo/Waco Tx
I don't see a rotary engine as any sort of techincal marvel....I guess people think they're so special because of their high hp/liter, but as previously mentioned, they don't produce a whole lot of torque, and they get horrible gas mileage for their engine size (toyota 1.8L engines get 40mpg...)...
Also, someone mentioned about the rotary engine only having 40 years of development by one company....well although that is not completely true (mazda didn't come up with the idea, and anyone else that tried a rotary gave up, but mazda has done the vast majority of the development), why do you think other manufacturers didn't pursue the rotary? Because it's not the best design for an engine thats why! Don't you think if the rotary was the best engine that companies like porsche, lotus, mercedes, lamborgini, ferrari, bmw, hell even american and asian companies (chevy, ford, nissan, toyota) would have tried to make them as well? The reason these companies stick with piston engines is because they are simply a better overall design.
Also, someone mentioned about the rotary engine only having 40 years of development by one company....well although that is not completely true (mazda didn't come up with the idea, and anyone else that tried a rotary gave up, but mazda has done the vast majority of the development), why do you think other manufacturers didn't pursue the rotary? Because it's not the best design for an engine thats why! Don't you think if the rotary was the best engine that companies like porsche, lotus, mercedes, lamborgini, ferrari, bmw, hell even american and asian companies (chevy, ford, nissan, toyota) would have tried to make them as well? The reason these companies stick with piston engines is because they are simply a better overall design.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by aeronautica86
I don't see a rotary engine as any sort of techincal marvel....I guess people think they're so special because of their high hp/liter, but as previously mentioned, they don't produce a whole lot of torque, and they get horrible gas mileage for their engine size (toyota 1.8L engines get 40mpg...)...
Also, someone mentioned about the rotary engine only having 40 years of development by one company....well although that is not completely true (mazda didn't come up with the idea, and anyone else that tried a rotary gave up, but mazda has done the vast majority of the development), why do you think other manufacturers didn't pursue the rotary? Because it's not the best design for an engine thats why! Don't you think if the rotary was the best engine that companies like porsche, lotus, mercedes, lamborgini, ferrari, bmw, hell even american and asian companies (chevy, ford, nissan, toyota) would have tried to make them as well? The reason these companies stick with piston engines is because they are simply a better overall design.
Also, someone mentioned about the rotary engine only having 40 years of development by one company....well although that is not completely true (mazda didn't come up with the idea, and anyone else that tried a rotary gave up, but mazda has done the vast majority of the development), why do you think other manufacturers didn't pursue the rotary? Because it's not the best design for an engine thats why! Don't you think if the rotary was the best engine that companies like porsche, lotus, mercedes, lamborgini, ferrari, bmw, hell even american and asian companies (chevy, ford, nissan, toyota) would have tried to make them as well? The reason these companies stick with piston engines is because they are simply a better overall design.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 21,510
Likes: 0
From: On a Wisconsin Death Trip
Whe I sold my '86 RX-7 it had 150K on it and still ran great. It wouldn't pass emissions, though. They're notoriously "dirty".
Drive one (and watch the tach needle soar) and you'll know why they are so loved by the RX crowd.
One time I had a buddy of mine with me and I wound it up as far as it would go and he was like "Dude! Shift!". Scared the crap out of him - he thought the engine was toast.
Drive one (and watch the tach needle soar) and you'll know why they are so loved by the RX crowd.
One time I had a buddy of mine with me and I wound it up as far as it would go and he was like "Dude! Shift!". Scared the crap out of him - he thought the engine was toast.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
From: Aledo/Waco Tx
yeah, I agree with both of you...as far as the hydrogen thing goes, yes this is true, but I don't see that ever happening, and besides, it shouldn't matter now considering we still have plenty of crude oil still untapped...
and loig, yeah they wind up nicely, but I'd rather have 300 lbs/ft tq @ 2000 rpm than 160 @ 9000
note: figures in last statement should not be taken litterally, I made them up off the top of my head, so I know they are not compeltely accurate, but they are close so my point still stands
and loig, yeah they wind up nicely, but I'd rather have 300 lbs/ft tq @ 2000 rpm than 160 @ 9000
note: figures in last statement should not be taken litterally, I made them up off the top of my head, so I know they are not compeltely accurate, but they are close so my point still stands
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Also worth mention is that a 4-rotor Wankel was considered for a mid-engined Corvette ant one time, but the idea was soon brushed aside. Rotary engines are neat, but so are steam engines (high torque at next to 0 rpm). You don't see those things in every car either. Every engine has its pros/cons, but I'll stick with my pistons, thank you. 
