Lounge For casual talk about things unrelated to General Motors. In other words, off-topic stuff. And anything else that does not fit Section Description.

RX8

Thread Tools
 
Old Sep 24, 2003 | 08:32 PM
  #21  
brminder's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Cheyenne WY
brminder is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by TrueWildMan
Theoretically, that engine is supposed to never stop increasing RPM'*. I say "never" quite sparingly, however. That'* a big word. But, as brought out above, 13,000 is quite a bit. But the finer tuned ones can do much more than that now. Rice bike I-4'* can do 13grand.
Rotaries do have their limits of rpms. If you spin them too fast, seals start giving out, and the eccentric shaft'* gears can be damaged.

I think they are a superior design to piston engines, but they never got the R&D that piston engines got, because it was basically only Mazda developing them.
A rotary engine has far, far more potential for performance than a piston engine.

Imagine if GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, BMW, and Mercedes were all trying to compete with Mazda to build a better rotary engine...
If that had happened 35 years ago, we would all look at the piston engine like an antique steam engine. It would be obsolete.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2003 | 01:23 PM
  #22  
macho_mike21's Avatar
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington-Normal, IL 1997 SE
macho_mike21 is on a distinguished road
Default

it does have downsides, the linked article on here talks about how inefficient they are, thermodynamically.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2003 | 01:32 PM
  #23  
Jim W's Avatar
Senior Member
Expert Gearhead
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 20,893
Likes: 2
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Jim W is on a distinguished road
Default

it does have downsides, the linked article on here talks about how inefficient they are, thermodynamically.


Sorry for dumbing it down MachoMan

But reminds me of Homer..."Lisssa???" In this house we obey THE LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS"
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2003 | 01:38 PM
  #24  
L27Buick's Avatar
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, Mi
L27Buick is on a distinguished road
Default

this may have been asked or told earlyer but werent the old rx7 not very dependable and they were proned to oil leaks?
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2003 | 03:35 PM
  #25  
brminder's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Cheyenne WY
brminder is on a distinguished road
Default

[quote="89BonnieSE89"]
it does have downsides, the linked article on here talks about how inefficient they are, thermodynamically.
Yes, that'* true, but Mazda'* been able to overcome the downsides to a large degree. And they're only a small car company. Imagine what the large companies (GM, Ford, Toyota) could have done with their resources.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2003 | 03:44 PM
  #26  
TrueWildMan's Avatar
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,246
Likes: 3
From: Salina, KS
TrueWildMan is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by brminder
Originally Posted by TrueWildMan
Theoretically, that engine is supposed to never stop increasing RPM'*. I say "never" quite sparingly, however. That'* a big word. But, as brought out above, 13,000 is quite a bit. But the finer tuned ones can do much more than that now. Rice bike I-4'* can do 13grand.
Rotaries do have their limits of rpms. If you spin them too fast, seals start giving out, and the eccentric shaft'* gears can be damaged.

I think they are a superior design to piston engines, but they never got the R&D that piston engines got, because it was basically only Mazda developing them.
A rotary engine has far, far more potential for performance than a piston engine.

Imagine if GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, BMW, and Mercedes were all trying to compete with Mazda to build a better rotary engine...
If that had happened 35 years ago, we would all look at the piston engine like an antique steam engine. It would be obsolete.
Exactly!! Thus the word "theoretically". The piston has far less rpm capabilities because of violently changing directions on each turn, whereas the rotary engine'* flywheel works with it'* own perpetual motion, and reduces the resistance experienced with a piston. It is obviously a much more superior design than the piston. As far as the R&D, it'* just a little delayed. Looks like it may be going now, unless GM'* hydro-cell design catches on more than it looks like it will.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2003 | 05:54 PM
  #27  
repinS's Avatar
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
repinS is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by L27Buick
this may have been asked or told earlyer but werent the old rx7 not very dependable and they were proned to oil leaks?
The old rotaries did indeed have these kind of problems.

It is said, however, that the new motor in the RX-8 has been cured of such problems.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2003 | 07:08 PM
  #28  
macho_mike21's Avatar
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington-Normal, IL 1997 SE
macho_mike21 is on a distinguished road
Default

either the hydrogen or the hybrid cars would be neat, as long as they remember to keep power. Thats one reason why I wouldnt buy one. That, and maybe make them look like a normal car...
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2003 | 11:12 PM
  #29  
brminder's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Cheyenne WY
brminder is on a distinguished road
Default

I just read an article today that the car companies are realizing that their hybrid and hydrogen cars have to have enough power if people are going to buy them.
More powah!
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2003 | 10:09 PM
  #30  
macho_mike21's Avatar
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington-Normal, IL 1997 SE
macho_mike21 is on a distinguished road
Default

whats the smallest engine ever put in a mass-produced car? I was j\w...

If you really want fuel efficiency, strap that chainsaw motor in there
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:25 PM.