Clarks7

Okay, first let me point out I am a rotor head through and through. And I won't ever change that... and I might get shot for even bringing this up but...



20b vs V8? There are more and more rx7 conversions to V8's out there. V8 is substantually cheaper and easier to get. Other than the point that one is a 20b and the other is a V8 (and this is a rotary forum), why would someone choose a 20b over a V8 (intellegent comments please... oh what the hell throw in the catty comments also ).



Of course I currently own: 20b, S6, S5, S5t2, and S313b. But I also recently picked up an Audi B6 S4, and that V8 puts out 340 hp of smooth running, high reving, torque producing joy! ... it is not your old 289, 350, or 454.



Thoughts? Just for discussion (I digress to my first point, that I am not looking to change... but someone might be)

Clarks7

I am surprised no one has an opinion on this matter... I am sure the title of this forum is "NoPistons"! and I know this topic is not about "toast" or something truly meaningful . But there must be a reason not to switch over to cylinders!

Baldy

V8s have a lot more parts, configurations, mechanics, aftermarket parts, etc. available to them.



I don't own a 20b, but there's a start.

Clarks7

And with more and more V8 adaptor kits (other than to an rx7 tranny) it allows you to take advantage of the readily available V8 parts!

To_slow

One major factor is budget. For 10k you can have a nice v8 set up and it take 30k to have a nice 20b set up.

90% of the rotary comunity is on a tight buget. So v8 are in favor just beacuse off this reason. They all want 500hp rx7 but with a rotary platform becomes verry expencive.



I personally like to have unique toys.

1988RedT2

I think that's it in a nutshell. Anyone can make a V-8 RX-7, and do it more cheaply than with a 20B, but a 20B is "different". The same things that draw people to the 13B are present in the 20B, and in greater amounts.



It's all about "The Road Less Traveled".

Clarks7

I like the unique aspect aswell!



The other big thing is "the smog man". You can always pass a car with a US motor to the newest year of the motor or chassis.



What about weight distribution? I know the 20b is heavy also, but?



I am surprised this conversation seems to support the V8's....

Nateb123

In a way that's my argument FOR the 20b. How many moving parts are there in a 3 rotor engine? The rotors and the output shaft. A v8 has 4 valves per cylinder, rocker arms, valve springs, pistons, rods, etc. There's going to be much more to break in an engine with dozens of parts. The rotary does have the issue of having the combustion stroke heating only a certain part of the housing, but there's one thing that is also key here. A 20b will rev like a beast. The v8 will rumble, it's like a Harley, but the 20b will scream like an F1 car. Tell me you would want to hear a lazy v8 instead of a rotary whenever you put some weight on the throttle.

To_slow

Me likey 20b ....

ducktape

For someone who's been building (and rebuilding), tuning, and flogging 13b's for a few years the 20b is simply the next logical step. It's different from a 13b, but not as drastically different as a v8. An example of a good fit for a 20b would be someone who has a turbo/port 13b with existing cooling, exhaust, oil, fuel, spark, drivetrain, and ECU support mods. For someone in this position, the sale of the unusable 13b-specific parts would bring the cost of a 20b swap down significantly. If you've got an unmodified car and no experience, a v8 may be the right choice for you.



I'm not sure what the motivation is for other guys, but I've got lots of rotary-specific parts/tools and 6 years of trial and error with a 13b that can be applied to 20b. Not to mention my preferred vendor (where I take stuff when I'm in over my head) is pretty much rotary specific. Also, I would never have found a modern aluminum v8 for what I paid for my 20b. Although I'll grant, I got a good deal.