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If I didn't live in california, I'd try the rotary swap. Actually, It would only work in an RSX because of the direction the engine turns.... Hmmmmm.....
Get's me thinking......

 
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It's been done or so I've heard, however, the shop where I take my 7 is throwing around the idea of making their parts hauler a civic hatch with a 20b in it. For those of you who don't know what that is it's the 3 rotor motor found in jc cosmos.
Heat is an issue with rotaries they just run hotter plus when you slap a turbo on that increases that, however, the main reason Mazda had problems was more engineering related since they used plastic end tanks on the radiator and IC which over time cracked.
I think another reason why these engines aren't more popular than they are is the torque issue. That's an area where they definately lack. In that case there really isn't a replacement for displacement.

 
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MMMMMMM...... 3 rotors........

The 2 main issues with rotaries in the past have been gas mileage and smog tests. Now that they have been re-classified as NOT being a piston engine for smog reasons, they seem to be slowly comming back.
My RX2 had an all metal radiator stock, so they did the plastic thing later. Bad idea. Actually, tourque isn't all that bad. It more than makes up for it with speed. I used to blow away a lot of sports cars that tried to cut me off from the right turn lane at the light thinking they could just zoom around me. Surprise!!! Hehehehe.... Damn, I want another one.

 
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Not to mention the original Rotary (Wankel) burned oil like a bitch and the Apex seals were **** out of the factory. Luckily modifiers jumped on the problem quick and made much stronger and improved Apex seals.

 
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the only thing you ever have to worry about with a rotary are the apex seals. Those motors will just keep goin and goin and goin.

Plus their power band is exponential, higher they rev more power they make....Rotarys own.

 
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A friend of mine got a rotary engine for free but it doesnt run. The damn thing is like the size of a transmission. Debating if he will swap it to a crx and make it a rwd monster.

 
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that would be sweet...how much do you think an rx8 engine would cost me? I would put the rx7 in it; can get that for not too much, but it would be illegal. But the rx8...damn...9,000 RPM redline, 238 hp NA!

 
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9000 RPM redline STOCK. Have the rotors pinned, and it can do 11-12,000 RPM.

 
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mmm

 
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Actually the misconception with rotaries is that you have to worry about the apex seals when actually you have to worry about tuning and in turbocharged applications boost creep/leaks leading to detonation.
jwalker.... you have to realize that yes the rx-8 (renesis) engine has 238 hp stock n/a, but it has higher compression so although you could boost it you couldn't run as much boost, at least not now and ecu management would be a problem. You'd basically have to convert the 7 over to an 8 brakes, transmission, sensors everything because of how the stock ecu monitors everything in that car.
Time will only tell the potential of the 8 and it's children (ie the mazdaspeed 8, possible reintroduction of the rx-7, and possible reintroduction of the rx-3) but for now the lower compression platform of the 13b or 20 b for that matter is still more suitable for boost.

 
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Oh man, the ECU part of a swap would be the absolute bitch. You might as well try to build an independent AI entity seeing that the ECU in the RX-8 gets really pissed when something is changed. That's why they couldn't get a correct reading of the HP when dynoing it. The ECU knew the front wheels weren't moving so it did something to restrict the power used. I saw something about it. Then they tried bypassing the ECU and the dash lit up like Vegas. They had to hook the everything back up and drive it for awhile for the ECU to recognize that everthing is ok.

I wish I knew where I saw that but I have no clue.

 
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that's crazy, yet funny

 
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Dammit! I fvcking hate videos where you can't adjust their position with the scroll bar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
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Newsflash! ECU compensates for idiot drivers, shuts off the engine!

Film at 11.

 
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poor engine

 
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Uh...Newsflash! No ****! But when a company is trying to find out the true HP when the Manufacturer lowers the rating, you try to a way to show the true numbers. The car is unbelievably smart and seeing that it is, you have to be careful.