Rotary AE86?

[Apolan]

yes it would be nice to get some solid input from somebody who knows rotaries inside out. but it just apeared to me that with this combo you "correct" or improove all the "downsides" of a hachiroku. It would be nice if it had 20-30 hp more, it would be nice if it had a more solid geabox; and the stock ae is a bit on the understeering side, so it could gain from better weight distribution (engine, transmision - and driver further back).

[GTRJazz]

I used to work for a Mazda dealer in the 80s and have rebuilt these engines back to standard spec.
Problems: There is a pump that injects oil into the combustion area.
This means you get through a lot of oil, not good if running synthetic oil £60 for 5 ltrs.

If a rotor tip breaks it cannot get out, so just goes around and around scratching the outer housing not cheap.

In N/A form these engines are so slow from 0 to 60, the old Ford XR3s used to beat me from the traffic lights.

Fuel consumption is very, poor.

[hachirokuGTV]

I built a 1974 KE25 SL coupe with a 12a rotary in it and I have to say it was very quick but also very unreliable. Probably to the point that it almost wasn't worth it other than it is something different.
Having said that, the later engines are not bad at all. Electronic over points distributors is an absolute must. The points shit themselves all the time. The later engines have this problem sorted.
The only FC's that came out N/A over here were the convertable ones. Maybe its different where you are?

I have always thought a 13b Turbo from an fc would be perfect in an 86.

[GTRJazz]

I dont know anything about the later cars but I think they all had turbo engines in the UK?, the only turbo RX7s in the 80s were the Janspeed cars who also got rid of the thermal reactor set up

[manipula]

I know a guy in the UK with a fairly highyl fettled Batmobile RX7, which is I think at about 400bhp, and he's sworn blind over the years he's had it, that the problem with rotary engines isn't that they're fragile, just that they're misunderstood. FWIW he's now done two rebuilds on his, one for tuning, one as the rotor tips wore out, and he's not what I'd call a mechanic by any means. Think you've just got to understand them a bit...

[WOLF45]

Please swap in the rotary, at least it's better than that heavy sr20det. Not to mention you'll be flying on the freeways

[Eircamae86]

There is 4/5 in Ireland

1 for sale at the present

http://search.autotrader.ie/www/cars_adv...0188241370

[Miguel - Newera]

Yeah, they are misunderstood. Those who think they blow up easily have either never owned one, or if they have - they bought a cheap duffer - that was on it's last legs anyways. People who say "Oh, rotaries - they're unreliable aren't they!" are just misinformed. Mazda's developed the Wankel engine for the last 35 years and they know what they're doing by now. The RX-7 is the car with the largest ratio of enthusiasts owners for number of cars built - Not a bad accolade. They're also great track / race cars...

I've had an FD3S which I've modified to around 420 bhp for 6 years and given it hell every time I drive it (Including track use) and it hasn't yet blown up (But it's maintained properly!).

We're also currently building a very special time attack RX-7 in the UK (4 years so far in the making, lol)!

Rotaries are great engines 'cos they don't have valves, pistons, conrods, etc. to replace if you want more power. Just make sure: they run cool, get plenty of fuel and never run lean or low on oil. Someone above mentioned they use oil in combustion - they do, but you must't put synthetic oils in (Unless expensive rotary specialist oils - only available in japan). as they won't burn properly. Just use normal cheap 10W40 - that's what Mazda & Mazdaspeed recommends... and change it regularly.

There are 13B converted (Turbo) AE86's in Japan. They make great drift cars...Some are often in the limelight winning competitive drift events! Hot Staff also make a kit to use the FC3S gearbox in the AE86, I think... A conversion like this won't be cheap - but will be a lot of fun.

See http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com & http://www.fduk.org to find out more on rotaries

[speed-inc]

I got a DIY movie somewhere on how to overhaul a 13b.
There is basically everything explained and filmed. It looked rather easy.

Also check the American touge DVD's.
There is an Ae86 13b turbo tested by Keiichi San.

Besides all that what was mentioned, I think if you like the idea and think a rotary will fit the hachis character then just go for it.
You will have quite some upsets during the build and some not so easy tasks but in the end it will be worth it because it is what you wanted.

[NoHachi]

Dropping in an NA rotary seems nutty to me. Same hp as 20V, marginal gains in every aspect of performance and limitless potential for big trouble (just build wise its already a large amount of work).

Then considering that the 13B and 12A engines already came in nice little, well handling 80s sportcoupe bodies, the logical swap to me would be to just swap cars. FC's are pretty damn cool already imho.