Digital 1 SR

I'm about to buy my neighbors 1st Gen. RX7. I believe it's an 83. It's missing the carburator, but other than that, he says it ran fine when it had one. It's been sitting there a very long time. First time I will own a rotary engine.



My questions to you guys are:



What problems can I expect from this rotary engine sitting for so long?



How do I know if it is a 12a or a 13b engine?



Are the parts expensive and hard to find?



How much maintenance do these cars require?



I was told that the rotary engine can take some abuse like it was nothing. Some what in the sense that you can add a turbo with a nice amount of boost or just simply add a big shot of NOS to a stock engine with NO DAMAGE but the need to replace seals.

How true is that?

and what would I need to add the NOS and/or TURBO if this isn't true?

Racer X

Yes rotary engines are tough as hell but the require maintenance like every other car.One thing to remember is the engine injects oil on to the rotor therefore you must keep a eye on your oil level.Always keep a eye on fluids(like any other car).Other wise they are a fun engine.If the car your looking at is carbed then you most likely have a 12a model.A way to look is over by the oil filter on the rotor housing there is a stamp with the engine code on it.83's only had the 12a carbed on them.As for NOS you can hook it up to the stock carb using the kit Summit Racing sells.I heard it bolts up to the stock Nikki carb.Or you can run a holley 600 with racing beat manifold and run a Plate system for your NOS needs.Just remember induction of any sort requires MORE FUEL!Nice things with 12a's is that you can buy parts from just about anywhere so that should pose as a problem for you.Let us know if you buy it.

Digital 1 SR

Very Helpful Racer X. If I do happen to buy it, just know you helped convince me. :bigok:

I'll let you know.

What's the real difference between a 12a and a 13b? I see you swapped.

5th and 6th port sleeves?

Rat's nest?

drifter

Rotary engines are mint.

13b is a slightly bigger engine (1.3L instead of 1.1L) than the 12a and has more power output (not that you can't get a 12a to blow your doors off ) Both still twin rotor, umm, the 12A has a little less torque, but will rev higher, has 105bhp and a top speed of 122mph.

13B rotary engine horsepower is 146bhp and has 138 ft-lbs of torque at the wheels. The top speed is 137mph.

Read brief history



Rats nest is the emmisions stuff that came with the rx's, basically lots of little black hoses and plastic running around everywhere, reasonably easy to remove.

Racer X

Aussie Rx's have some more power to them.US rx's(first gens)the 12a has 101hp and the 13b EFI(SE(84 and 85))came with 135hp.To see all rotary vehicle specs click on this link.Wankel cars Hope this helps you.



~Luis