l0rd
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posted on 10/5/10 at 09:25 PM |
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Why nobody uses the RX8 Engine
As per topic.
Has anyone tried it?
Is this such a bad engine?
Very expensive?
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eznfrank
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posted on 10/5/10 at 09:32 PM |
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I know 2 people with RX8's both of whom have had very bad problems with engine flooding if not warmed up, cooled down properly after short runs.
Both tried plugs out etc to help it breathe but ended up being a main stealer job - they are both a bit dim when it comes to cars though so maybe not
entirely the cars fault?!
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skinned knuckles
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posted on 10/5/10 at 09:34 PM |
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its actually something i've been looking at for when the time comes. not sure about 'boxes etc.
i would like to look underneath one to see its mechanicals to judge its suitability as a donor.
A man isn't complete until he's married, then he's finished
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deltron63
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posted on 10/5/10 at 09:35 PM |
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nope, it's the cars. happens all the time at work.
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NigeEss
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posted on 10/5/10 at 09:38 PM |
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The only two people I've known to have had RX8's have both had flooding problems from
time to time.
As ^ main dealer sorted but they were both done under warrantly. I had the opportunity
to chat with one mechanic when he came out to sort it. He said it's a common fault.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.................Douglas Adams.
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nick205
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posted on 10/5/10 at 09:40 PM |
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They've always struck me as an "enthusiasts" car needing a little care and attention in the way it's used. A friend had one
from new and having driven it a few times it never really did it for me - it was reasonably quick and agile, but somehow just didn't feel
exciting enough.
Would the running gear and suspension not be the same or very closely related to the MX-5? Can't see Mazda developing 2 different RWD set-ups
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matt_gsxr
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posted on 10/5/10 at 09:44 PM |
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Did Mazda fix the rotor wear problem with these engines? I thought that all these wankel engines had a fundamental fault in this regard.
If that were the case, then there are not going to be many spare engines kicking around, which makes them a tricky donor.
Matt
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matt_gsxr
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posted on 10/5/10 at 09:47 PM |
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e-bay has confirmed my fears
Loads of supply and fit packages at 2.3k
Replacement engines at £1600 out of running vehicles.
Not much money left from the £250 budget!
Matt
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expatkiwi
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posted on 10/5/10 at 09:57 PM |
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D2HIlyKa5I&feature=player_embedded
No problems with mine...however mine is an earlier 13btype engine.There are a few variants to look at but its all straight forward. Best thing is to
drop me a U2U with your number and I can give you a call with the ins and outs of it as its to much to type, or i can type it so as every one can have
a read
Cheers
Brian
I have decided to call my Westfeild "The Caterhammer" Hopefully it will
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SeanStone
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posted on 10/5/10 at 10:04 PM |
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A friend had one for two years. Never flooded once, was a great car. Down on torque but so are bike engines, so would go great in a kit car
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mangogrooveworkshop
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posted on 10/5/10 at 10:05 PM |
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Theres a rotary seven forsale on blat chat.
Rotarys are fun when they are working....they make huge power and chew fuel like a 27 litre spitfire.
But the do go pop and unless you had a supply of cheap 13b units you find rebuilds expensive....gaskets are eyewatering prices.
Later versions got better but you have to warm up and warm down.
Throw a turbo in and you are getting big power...
Goes well in a vw beetle....but cooling and a shortage of gearboxes put a stop to that....
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iti_uk
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posted on 10/5/10 at 10:20 PM |
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quote: Originally posted by nick205Would the running gear and suspension not be the same or very closely related to the MX-5? Can't see
Mazda developing 2 different RWD set-ups
That is correct to an extent. The RX7 and NA/NB MX5's were genetically very similar, but different enough to make a rotary-powered MX5 a pain in
the proverbials to do.
I think the current (NC) MX5 and the RX8 have a certain amount of platform-sharing going on...
Chris
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skydivepaul
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posted on 10/5/10 at 10:47 PM |
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just got rid of our RX8
good car, engine did seem highly strung.
flood very easily if you dont warm them up before shutting them off.
drink fuel!!! we averaged 18 mpg and that was taking it fairly easy
good power if you rev them high, down on torque though. all in i think they would make a decent donor engine if a little pricey
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scootz
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posted on 10/5/10 at 11:13 PM |
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I had a 231ps RX8 kit I intended to put in the Caterham I had at the time.
Pro's
Tiny
Quite light
Make good power
Rev forever
Cheap to buy
Cons
Rotor wear
Mpg
No ecu can control the oil metering pump, so have to run pre-mix
It's Evolution Baby!
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scootz
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posted on 10/5/10 at 11:14 PM |
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Oh... and the 6-speed box is a stormer!
It's Evolution Baby!
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Canada EH!
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posted on 11/5/10 at 01:50 AM |
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We have an RX8, has flooded a couple of times, both times moving it in the drive to let someone out then turning it off. Hooked it to the Jeep pulled
it a short distance fired right up.
Biggest problem is the amount of oil cooler area required to keep it cool in a 7.
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expatkiwi
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posted on 11/5/10 at 05:41 AM |
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Easy to fit and loads of room. Even though my engine is an earlier variant its still the same size. Mine does not have the same emissions/induction
stuff on it but it will give an idea.Front on the engine is no bigger than the diameter of the gearbox bell housing so its effectivly lowering the
centre of gravity.
The noise comes out these 2 holes.The exhaust is the only issue we have at the mo but I will get some pics up of the finished article hopefully next
week.All in cost of the exhaust will be just under £400
I have decided to call my Westfeild "The Caterhammer" Hopefully it will
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Werner Van Loock
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posted on 11/5/10 at 09:59 AM |
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here's one in a Stylus making 380BHP
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=113867
He knows a lot about the rotary engine, so u could ask him the do's and dont's
http://www.clubstylus.be
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iti_uk
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posted on 11/5/10 at 03:18 PM |
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expatkiwi, is that an MX5 5-speed 'box on there tilted over? Why didn't you use the 6-speed? (both the RX8 and MX5 6-speeds are AZ6
gearboxes, just with a different front case to accomodate the different bellhousing pattern)
Chris
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expatkiwi
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posted on 11/5/10 at 04:55 PM |
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Mine is a std 12a mazda housing with mazda 626 internals making it a closer ratio. The centre section from a 1600 MX5 box can be used also and this
gives a wicked 1st gear.
The omp on a RX8 engine is mechanical for the operation but the flow of oil is controled by the ECU. The RX8 uses a system on its wiring where one
wire may do 5 different things(so I am told) and if its messed with and not got right it wont work properly.
Another option would be to go for the 6 port EGI engine out of the 2nd gen RX7(The non turbo one) If its put on a 48mm IDA carb and has a better
flowing exhaust and leaving the rest of theengine standard it will make about 180bhp.Thats pretty good for a standard engine. I have one of those
engines in bits but I am "enlarging" the inlet and exhaust ports a little and hope to get about 230bhp.If that fails I will go the stylus
way and get a turbo.It might not be suited to the racing I do but at least I can do some mighty fine wheelies with it
[Edited on 11/5/10 by expatkiwi]
I have decided to call my Westfeild "The Caterhammer" Hopefully it will
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Antnicuk
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posted on 12/5/10 at 07:35 PM |
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Can't type much as I'm abroad on my iPhone but we have fitted a 231bhp engine and 6 speed box in a tiger Avon, box was a squeeze though.
This will be a track car and should be running soon, i don't have any upto date pictures
600 BHP per ton, Stylus Brought back from the dead! Turbo Rotary Powered!
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expatkiwi
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posted on 12/5/10 at 07:41 PM |
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I need to speak to you about me going turbo
I have decided to call my Westfeild "The Caterhammer" Hopefully it will
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