2012 Mazda RX7?

Endgame · 02-17-2009, 12:03 PM

Agreed. Rotary engines are bulletproof (unless you put boost through it)!

I have not heard of any FI testing on the 16x. I THINK Mazda intends it to be a NA application. If they did do FI, it would probally be a positive displacement supercharger is my guess.

Lug · 02-17-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

Agreed. Rotary engines are bulletproof (unless you put boost through it)!

I have not heard of any FI testing on the 16x. I THINK Mazda intends it to be a NA application. If they did do FI, it would probally be a positive displacement supercharger is my guess.

If it's gonna be FI, RX7 history says turbo or twin turbos.

Endgame · 02-17-2009, 04:10 PM

True, but the word is they were moving away from the TT setup as it produced too much heat. The supercharger would not produce as much heat and it would give the rotary the much needed low end torque.

Frankly, if they go FI, I hope for the TT also!!!!

370sed · 02-17-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvfreakazoid

I hear that the rotary engines are expensive to fix if something goes wrong with them since it has less moving parts. I also heard that those engines won't last as long as a piston engine.

Well I hope mazda brings back the rx-7. I saw some more drawing of it and I didn't like it all that much, except for the front. I hope they improve on the looks. I also read that they might make it a turbo. I read that they are working on a forced inductions for it.

All RX-8s have an 8 year 100,000 mile warranty on the rotary engine core components (those few moving parts and housings). This was added to the original 4 year 50,000 mile to quell any doubts people might have had about engine longevity. Doesn't get any better than that does it? So warranty on my 2003 will be up in..let's see 2011

Say, how long is a Z engine warrantied for anyway?

Endgame · 02-17-2009, 05:37 PM

HA! So 370sed... Are you holding off until 2011 to see what happens with a new RX7?? I got my 8 in 06 and potentially have until 2014 (I only have 10k miles on my car).

I am SOOOOO torn at this point, but am leaning toward the Z next year.... You?

Crash · 02-17-2009, 09:14 PM

Mammoth 2.8H blower on a 2.0L rotary FTW!!! LOL 800HP!!!!

I can see a twin-screw on a rotary! That'd be pretty sweet and it'd use less room under the hood than the turbos even with a air/water intercooler.

370sed · 02-17-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

HA! So 370sed... Are you holding off until 2011 to see what happens with a new RX7?? I got my 8 in 06 and potentially have until 2014 (I only have 10k miles on my car).

I am SOOOOO torn at this point, but am leaning toward the Z next year.... You?

I was considering a Z, but until and if the issue of track overheating is settled - no go. It would be my track car, but max 10 min HPDE sessions are not much fun....all the RX-8s would just go flying by lol.

Mazda really does need to pony up info on what's coming - and soon.

Fahlin Cho · 02-17-2009, 10:52 PM

I have to agree with 370sed about the overheating oil issue. This is a pretty worrying issue but I believe it will be addressed fairly quickly by Nissan.

If Mazda makes an official statement announcing the return of the RX-7 I'd be willing to sell a body part to get one.

Regarding the topic of the 370Z vs. 4th Gen RX-7, I'd have to say the 370Z doesn't stand a chance. The new 16X is using aluminum housings as opposed to iron which is a huge savings in weight on the motor itself. The next RX-7 will have 50-50 weight distribution which already guarantees it to corner like a beast. As far as everyone arguing about whether it will be able to meet it's weight goals I'd have to say it's very likely that Mazda will just for the fact that on the 3rd Gens they used iron housings, twin turbos, pre-cat(weighs a lot), and had rear bins behind the seats and still managed to keep the base model in the high 2700's.

Mazda's serious worries on making a new rotary based car will be emissions. They already have a lot of expertise in making a true sports car...hell the rotary was banned from Le Mans cause Mazda beat the piston cars so bad. The one things that worries me is the styling they will decide to go with cause the RX-8 is hideous in comparison to the FD.

Enough of my ranting that probably makes no sense but anyways I'm a rotary fan-boy at heart but still love the 370Z as Nissan is the only one making bad *** tuner cars from Japan.

Endgame · 02-18-2009, 12:04 AM

And that is why I am still torn. Maybe I will just wait a til 2011 to buy something. By then, we should have a better idea of what Mazda is doing.

But the Z is still hot.

Crash · 02-18-2009, 12:24 AM

50/50 weight distribution doesn't guarantee that the car will handle like a beast. It's likely that it WILL handle great, but the weight distribution is only one factor. Suspension, total weight, and tires are the other factors. But I agree, that it's very likely that it will be a canyon monster.

The FD with an LS1 was an unbeatable canyon car. Interesting enough, the FD's motor must have weighed quite a bit because an LS1+t56 in a FD added only 47Lbs to the car WITH A/C still installed. Not sure what that means about those motors, but I can tell you that either the trans or the motor weighed a LOT more than some RX-7 guys are willing to admit. I know this because we have a guy that occasionally comes out to our meets with an LS1'd FD. It has a T56 trans and that thing is REALLY fast.

**BRING ON THE FLAMING!**

Fahlin Cho · 02-18-2009, 02:23 AM

I know first hand that the transmission on an FD is super light compared to a T56 as I was able to pick mine up easily when I installed a new clutch and my friend has a WS6 for the T56 comparison and that is a beast compared to the FD's. However I know the weight difference between the 13BREW and the LS1 is very minimal as I stated in my post before the rotary uses all iron housings so it weighs more then it should for the size. This is why I believe using aluminum housings will seriously help the motors weight and the the change in the stroke length on the 16X might actually mean a rotary that produces torque for once without having to get 3 rotor or even 4 rotor if you're rich.

I'm currently debating whether to drop in an LS1 or not as I've gone through two sets of turbos on my FD in 5k miles but I'm hoping to just sell it as a roller and move on to a more reliable platform.

Crash · 02-18-2009, 05:31 AM

Dropping an LS1 would be my choice, if I were in your shoes. The FD is a bad @ss looking car. There's SO many kits out there for converting the car over to LS1. Not to mention that the car does 12's in 1/4 with a bone stock N/A LS1! My friend's had a mild heads/cam package and was in the 11's. An LS1 or LS6 would be the way to go. You can still get an LS6 for cheap. Or get an LS1 and put the LS6 heads and cam on. (2001+ LS1s from an F-Body already have the LS6 intake!)

I'm sure the turbos set you back the same cost as an LS1.

Yeah, the T56 is pretty heavy. I had to move a couple of those too. But they're still lighter than the autos... 4L60's are WAY heavier. (Especially before you dump the trans fluid)

tvfreakazoid · 02-18-2009, 03:55 PM

WOW something is already wrong with the 370Z! That sucks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370sed

I was considering a Z, but until and if the issue of track overheating is settled - no go. It would be my track car, but max 10 min HPDE sessions are not much fun....all the RX-8s would just go flying by lol.

Mazda really does need to pony up info on what's coming - and soon.

tvfreakazoid · 02-18-2009, 03:57 PM

How much did it cost you to rebuild the carburetor? Is the rx7 stock or have you upgraded it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

I had an early RX7 for over 10 years and had to rebuild the carburetor once. That was the sum total of nonscheduled maintenance. Rotary engines are expensive to work because not many mechanics have experience with them but as long as you don't let the oil get low, they are practically indestructable. They get poor gas mileage for their displacement but are unbeatable when it comes to power vs weight/size. I have always thought Lotus should have used the mazda engine in their Elise and Exige models instead of the Toyota. Would have been a better fit.

Lug · 02-18-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvfreakazoid

How much did it cost you to rebuild the carburetor? Is the rx7 stock or have you upgraded it?

I got it in 1980 and sold it somewhere around 1992. The carb rebuild was just a kit. I rebuilt it myself. I believe I had somewhere around 130K on it when I sold it. One of the most reliable cars I've ever owned.

02-17-2009, 09:14 PM	#36 (permalink)
Crash A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,853 Drives: 02 Corvette Z06 Rep Power: 590	Mammoth 2.8H blower on a 2.0L rotary FTW!!! LOL 800HP!!!! I can see a twin-screw on a rotary! That'd be pretty sweet and it'd use less room under the hood than the turbos even with a air/water intercooler. __________________ 2002 Corvette Z06 - Totaled 2003 Corvette Z06 50th Anniversary

02-18-2009, 12:24 AM	#40 (permalink)
Crash A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,853 Drives: 02 Corvette Z06 Rep Power: 590	50/50 weight distribution doesn't guarantee that the car will handle like a beast. It's likely that it WILL handle great, but the weight distribution is only one factor. Suspension, total weight, and tires are the other factors. But I agree, that it's very likely that it will be a canyon monster. The FD with an LS1 was an unbeatable canyon car. Interesting enough, the FD's motor must have weighed quite a bit because an LS1+t56 in a FD added only 47Lbs to the car WITH A/C still installed. Not sure what that means about those motors, but I can tell you that either the trans or the motor weighed a LOT more than some RX-7 guys are willing to admit. I know this because we have a guy that occasionally comes out to our meets with an LS1'd FD. It has a T56 trans and that thing is REALLY fast. BRING ON THE FLAMING! __________________ 2002 Corvette Z06 - Totaled 2003 Corvette Z06 50th Anniversary

02-18-2009, 05:31 AM	#42 (permalink)
Crash A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,853 Drives: 02 Corvette Z06 Rep Power: 590	Dropping an LS1 would be my choice, if I were in your shoes. The FD is a bad @ss looking car. There's SO many kits out there for converting the car over to LS1. Not to mention that the car does 12's in 1/4 with a bone stock N/A LS1! My friend's had a mild heads/cam package and was in the 11's. An LS1 or LS6 would be the way to go. You can still get an LS6 for cheap. Or get an LS1 and put the LS6 heads and cam on. (2001+ LS1s from an F-Body already have the LS6 intake!) I'm sure the turbos set you back the same cost as an LS1. Yeah, the T56 is pretty heavy. I had to move a couple of those too. But they're still lighter than the autos... 4L60's are WAY heavier. (Especially before you dump the trans fluid) __________________ 2002 Corvette Z06 - Totaled 2003 Corvette Z06 50th Anniversary

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02-17-2009, 12:03 PM	#31 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	Agreed. Rotary engines are bulletproof (unless you put boost through it)! I have not heard of any FI testing on the 16x. I THINK Mazda intends it to be a NA application. If they did do FI, it would probally be a positive displacement supercharger is my guess.

02-17-2009, 04:10 PM	#33 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	True, but the word is they were moving away from the TT setup as it produced too much heat. The supercharger would not produce as much heat and it would give the rotary the much needed low end torque. Frankly, if they go FI, I hope for the TT also!!!!

02-17-2009, 05:37 PM	#35 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	HA! So 370sed... Are you holding off until 2011 to see what happens with a new RX7?? I got my 8 in 06 and potentially have until 2014 (I only have 10k miles on my car). I am SOOOOO torn at this point, but am leaning toward the Z next year.... You?

02-17-2009, 10:52 PM	#38 (permalink)
Fahlin Cho Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 7 Drives: 1993 Mazda RX-7 Rep Power: 16	I have to agree with 370sed about the overheating oil issue. This is a pretty worrying issue but I believe it will be addressed fairly quickly by Nissan. If Mazda makes an official statement announcing the return of the RX-7 I'd be willing to sell a body part to get one. Regarding the topic of the 370Z vs. 4th Gen RX-7, I'd have to say the 370Z doesn't stand a chance. The new 16X is using aluminum housings as opposed to iron which is a huge savings in weight on the motor itself. The next RX-7 will have 50-50 weight distribution which already guarantees it to corner like a beast. As far as everyone arguing about whether it will be able to meet it's weight goals I'd have to say it's very likely that Mazda will just for the fact that on the 3rd Gens they used iron housings, twin turbos, pre-cat(weighs a lot), and had rear bins behind the seats and still managed to keep the base model in the high 2700's. Mazda's serious worries on making a new rotary based car will be emissions. They already have a lot of expertise in making a true sports car...hell the rotary was banned from Le Mans cause Mazda beat the piston cars so bad. The one things that worries me is the styling they will decide to go with cause the RX-8 is hideous in comparison to the FD. Enough of my ranting that probably makes no sense but anyways I'm a rotary fan-boy at heart but still love the 370Z as Nissan is the only one making bad *** tuner cars from Japan.

02-18-2009, 12:04 AM	#39 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	And that is why I am still torn. Maybe I will just wait a til 2011 to buy something. By then, we should have a better idea of what Mazda is doing. But the Z is still hot.

02-18-2009, 02:23 AM	#41 (permalink)
Fahlin Cho Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 7 Drives: 1993 Mazda RX-7 Rep Power: 16	I know first hand that the transmission on an FD is super light compared to a T56 as I was able to pick mine up easily when I installed a new clutch and my friend has a WS6 for the T56 comparison and that is a beast compared to the FD's. However I know the weight difference between the 13BREW and the LS1 is very minimal as I stated in my post before the rotary uses all iron housings so it weighs more then it should for the size. This is why I believe using aluminum housings will seriously help the motors weight and the the change in the stroke length on the 16X might actually mean a rotary that produces torque for once without having to get 3 rotor or even 4 rotor if you're rich. I'm currently debating whether to drop in an LS1 or not as I've gone through two sets of turbos on my FD in 5k miles but I'm hoping to just sell it as a roller and move on to a more reliable platform.