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[geoffr70]

RX7?

[Radiomarko]

RX7?

Yes my bad RX 7, the owner wrote it off the following week. Very smooth engine, responsive power, the steering was crap.

[geoffr70]

I wasn't being funny just dont really know much about mazdas. Do the wankel engines have much low down torque or not?

[Radiomarko]

NP no offence taken.

I dont know for sure but my guess would be not as they are high revving engines. The earlier ones were a pain as the rotating tips would break up. I remember that the mazda in question sounded like a turbine...

edit for typo

[geoffr70]

what does that mean if the tips break off? Is that the end of the engine? Or can you just replace the piston/rotors or whatever they're called?

[aaronjb]

what does that mean if the tips break off? Is that the end of the engine? Or can you just replace the piston/rotors or whatever they're called?

Assuming they don't eat anything else (unusual IIRC as they are soft) then you just replace the apex seals and you're away.. it's akin to replacing the piston rings on a regular piston engine, basically 

[geoffr70]

what does that mean if the tips break off? Is that the end of the engine? Or can you just replace the piston/rotors or whatever they're called?

Assuming they don't eat anything else (unusual IIRC as they are soft) then you just replace the apex seals and you're away.. it's akin to replacing the piston rings on a regular piston engine, basically 

ah cool thanks aaron. How many rotors is there in an engine? Would there be 4 in the same way as a 4 pot?

[Radiomarko]

This is all a vague memory - tip failure meant that the "combustion chamber" wall would generally be damaged also requiring a rebuild. They needed rebuilding every 100k anyway...Later engines used ceramic tips apparently.

The friend who owned it was an enthusiast with more money than sense   

[geoffr70]

This is all a vague memory - tip failure meant that the "combustion chamber" wall would generally be damaged also requiring a rebuild. They needed rebuilding every 100k anyway...Later engines used ceramic tips apparently.

The friend who owned it was an enthusiast with more money than sense   

WOW he must have if they need rebuiding that often!!!

[aaronjb]

what does that mean if the tips break off? Is that the end of the engine? Or can you just replace the piston/rotors or whatever they're called?

Assuming they don't eat anything else (unusual IIRC as they are soft) then you just replace the apex seals and you're away.. it's akin to replacing the piston rings on a regular piston engine, basically 

ah cool thanks aaron. How many rotors is there in an engine? Would there be 4 in the same way as a 4 pot?

I believe there are two rotors in a standard RX-7 13B engine, but unique to the rotary is the ability to (and I'm simplifying here) throw extra rotors on .. so there are RX-7s running around out there with three rotor (and I think 4 rotor) engines.

[Radiomarko]

The way he drove it there was no way it was going to get to 100k    His was the first model 1978 I think they improved to tips & walls as aaron suggest later on I think.

iirc there were 2,3,4 rotor engines made by Mazda.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-7

[geoffr70]

The way he drove it there was no way it was going to get to 100k    His was the first model 1978 I think they improved to tips & walls as aaron suggest later on I think.

iirc there were 2,3,4 rotor engines made by Mazda.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-7

Fun though!!!

[aaronjb]

The way he drove it there was no way it was going to get to 100k    His was the first model 1978 I think they improved to tips & walls as aaron suggest later on I think.

iirc there were 2,3,4 rotor engines made by Mazda.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-7

Oops yes, sorry - people say RX-7 and I always think of the one produced from '89 onward  (Mostly because I would love one, one day - I think they're a truly beautiful car)

[Radiomarko]

Yes aaronjb, the earliest model was pretty raw tech, but it sounded glorious! Very different engine noise, a very quiet jet or gas turbine, very smooth acceleration.

I'd love one too but I fear my gammy leg would mean once in, never able to get out!