longjon009

Please forgive my ignorance if the answers to my questions are blatantly obvious, but i'm a fan of the Rx7 series, and not yet an expert. I was curious as to why there arent any (as far as i know) mid engine rotary cars, and why there arent any rotary exotics?

I would imagine such a potent and efficient engine would be ideal for a high powered exotic, especially the 20b and 23b. I would imagine a 3 or 4 rotor engine would be as powerful, if not more powerful than some of the larger engines used currently, and much more efficient as far as weight is concerned, i can only imagine how much lighter a 2.3 liter engine is than a 6 liter!

I was also curious as to why i havent heard of any mid-engine rotaries, (besides Mazda's race cars) is there some technical reason the engine couldnt be in the back? I've always imagined that a mid mounted engine had more potential for high performance applications, and would allow for better weight distribution.

I've also noticed that aside from custom fabrication of certain parts, the biggest issue with a 20b swap is making a larger engine fit in certain models, it therefor makes sense to me that mazda could build an exotic while keeping the overall dimensions of the car relatively similar, but adjust to fit a slightly larger engine in the back.

I'm just curious. I see alot of new mazda concepts, the kabura looks really nice, and i had heard it rumored that it might come with a rotary option, but last i checked, it's currently running with the miata engine, I just thought it'd be nice to have another rotary powered car for the 21st century. If anyone can shed some light on this topic, or also voice their opinions, i'd be grateful to you for sating my curiousity.

Niven

i think the only reason there isnt a rotary mid-engined exotic is because nobody wants to make one, or that Mazda doesnt have the money. and sorry to say, rotary engines arent the most effecient engines out there, largely in part to the lack of money going into the further development of rotaries.

longjon009

But the engine has SO MUCH potential, and like you say, it should be developed more, it's a shame that it's not. When i say efficient, i dont mean gas-wise, which of course is a big issue today, but size-wise and weight wise.

Hopefully one day it'll happen, and hopefully i'll be around to see it.



As for the mid engine layout, is there any particular reason it couldnt be done? Has anyone ever put a rotary in an MR2?

heretic

That was true when rotaries were new. Today, thanks to widespread use of light metals and plastics in engine construction, the weight issue is moot, or even siding towards the piston engine after you factor in the reduced exhaust and cooling system requirements. Take a look at the Duratec four-cylinders for a nice example of a modern undertuned, lightweight power plant.

fc3sboy1

if i am not mistaken there was a midengine rotary back in the late 70s as a kit car, was powered by a 12a. also there was an american lemons lmp2 courage chassis powered by a 20bpp last year ( bk motorsports out of good old wisconsin) but now there goin with a lola and a mazda mzr-r motor. anyways there are a few out there mostly as a race car and i know for one if given the money and some time i would love to build one myself

longjon009

Yeah, i know what u mean bout wanting to build one. As of now, my mechanical skill is rudimentary, I'm heading to the airforce soon, and i think i'm gonna take advantage of the free classes to learn a bit more. Seeing all the new technology they're coming up with, i'd love to get into auto designing, or at least be learned enough to do an experiment like a mid mounted rotary. We'll see. ty for the feedback.

Rotary911Porsche

The rotary engine fits into a Porsche 914 (mid engine) and is a somewhat common conversion.

I put one in the back of my 911 (rear engine). Runs great, no problems.

Il RX8 lI

Isn't the RX-7 race car that runs in the JGTC from RE-Amemiya rear engine?

longjon009

I know bout the professional racecars, I was talkin bout somethin like that porsche, that's awesome to hear bout. I wonder if anybody's ever taken an older lamborghini or ferrari with a bad engine and swapped it out with a rotary. I was just looking at how massive their engines were the other day and wondered why no one had tried a rotary yet, wondered if it was something to do with the mid engine rear wheel drive.

longjon009

which model rotary do you have in your porsche?