MisguidedMischief

I'm thinking of getting a FD and modifying it, so I have some questions.

1. How do you change the apex seals? Do you pull the motor out and tear it apart, or is there special ports in the housing to allow for replacement?
   
2. Since this is my first turbo, what turbo is bigger then the stock turbo, and how do you define "bigger"? Is the actual turbo housing bigger and can stuff more air in?
   
3. Why should I swap the 13B for the 20B? I heard because at higher horsepower levels, the 13B loses it's reliably. The level that I want to go to is around 500 to the wheels.
   
4. If I need to go to the 20B, all of the ones that I've found, come with automatic transmissions. Do I need to go with the auto or can I keep the stock five speed?
   
5. What about the apex seals on the 20B?
   

Also I'd like to know any, and all, tips.

Sukai94

1. You must pull apart and rebuild the motor in order to change the seals. A rebuild should cost around 5k.



2. If you want a "bigger" turbo I suggest you talk to a rotary specialist before considering anything. I knew a guy who put a "bigger" turbo on his rotary car and feet nothing till after 6krpm. The rotary doesn't have the displacement. This is a good topic for its own thread.



3. With the things you are talking about doing I hope you are rich. This question should be another thread on its own. Why do you want a 500bhp car? What are you planning to do with that power? The purpose of the car should be the basis of your decisions. If you just want a 500bhp to have a 500bhp car get something with a Chevy 350. A lot less work, a lot less of a pain in the *** and a lot less money. The rx-7 is an exceptional road race car. It has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution which can be compromised with a 20b. However there are advantages and disadvantages with going 20b.



4 & 5. I haven't messed around with 20bs. The apex seals should be the same though. Ask Shannon



If you have never spent decent time in an FD I would suggest owning it for at least a year before modifying it. I have driven porches, aston martins, vipers the works and no car demands the respect that the FD does.

MisguidedMischief

Let me get this straight, to replace the seals you need five thousand dollars every time you replace the seals at the recommended mile mark, so what is the recommended mile mark?



If the rotary doesn't have the displacement for a turbos, why are they twin turbo charged?



More or less, I want it just because, I'll probably take it to a drag strip once a month or so. And yes, I plan on having it for a long time before I do anything other then routine maintenance.

Mahjik

You can use large turbos on the rotary engine. However, you need to make sure what you buy will suit your needs. As mentioned, buying a turbo which won't spool well until you are at 5500-6000 rpms probably has limited use (i.e. high speed runs only). But, there are many turbos around which can produce very good power amounts for the FD without causing you to wait until the next day for full boost.

Sukai94

To replace the apex seals you must pull the entire engine apart. I would recommend doing this before the motor "blows" as broken seals can do serious damage to the rotors and housings (which are not cheap) If you are worried about prices and have a small budget this car is not for you. A good rebuild should cost you about 5,000. This car requires constant upkeep that a regular piston engine does not. If this car is your passion, you have the ability to spend money getting it repaired right, have lots of patience and persistence and you have explained to your wife she will no longer be #1 in your life than maybe this is your car.



Because rotarys are typically smaller in displacement the turbo that can make your piston engine kick at 3k rpm wont necessarily do the same on an FD. Bigger or more is not always better (this goes for horsepower too) The turbos that came on the FD are considered to be very small (and can be somewhat problematic)



If this is supposed to be your street car I personally think you are nuts for wanting 500bhp. Drag racing is different though. I used to competitively drag race and got over it after a few years. The more money you have the faster you can make your car so the more you will win. More money = faster car (gay!) I moved to road racing where my old stock 90bhp mr2 could beat a new Porsche (argue that all you like my friends. No talent and "nice" car with a lot of horsepower make for a really bad road racer) The stock horsepower in an FD is more than enough to start racing. While drag racing I learned to rely on horsepower to win my races. I have to re learn how to drive when I started road racing.



I have seen SO MANY people around here (horay cali ) thinking the Rx-7 is the coolest thing ever, buying it and treating it like a Honda. Lower it, never check the oil, put a bigger turbo on it (because a bigger turbo will give it more power ) then the motor blows, they have some hole in the wall shop "rebuild" the motor for $2,500 then due to the bad rebuild blows in another 5k miles. They are sick of the car, think it is a piece of **** for being so "unreliable" and are angry it has eaten up all that money. So they sell it as a worn and broken lump of metal. Please don't be that person. Rotary loves you