Woah, A Diesel Rotary?

[Howard]

Right, because nothing good has every come from experimentation and further engineering. It's a good thing we let the piston engine die back in the early 1900s due to pathetic power. 1hp? What the fuck good is that?

Did we have any feasible alternatives at the time?

 

[Howard]

Whatever, you were wrong, that's all I was pointing out.

How much more does an LSx engine weigh? Like 20, 30 lbs more?

 

[overst33r]

How much more does an LSx engine weigh? Like 20, 30 lbs more?

More like 200lbs.

Renesis 270lbs
LS1 460lbs
13b-rew 400lbs (some sources say around 375lbs)

Specifically the LS1 and the Renesis in the RX8.

Now if you compare the ancient turbo 13b-rew, which is what you might have been doing, things get much more even due to all the extra plumbing. Even then an LSx weighs nearly 50-90lbs more.

If power/weight is concern it's a no brainer, however if balance/handling is vital, the rotary wins.

 

[zoiks]

I'm actually glad that Mazda takes it upon itself to work on the technology to make it better. There is potential otherwise they would've given up a long time ago. And sure it's not for everyone but people do buy the RX cars.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Well, they said they're working on the things that everyone criticizes the rotary for: high oil consumption, poor fuel economy, and lack of low end power. If they can improve the engine even mildly (at least more than slightly) in these areas, why wouldn't it be an amazing engine?

edit: unintended pun with a diesel and high oil consumption

 

[angry hampster]

More like 200lbs.

Renesis 270lbs
LS1 460lbs
13b-rew 400lbs (some sources say around 375lbs)

Specifically the LS1 and the Renesis in the RX8.

Now if you compare the ancient turbo 13b-rew, which is what you might have been doing, things get much more even due to all the extra plumbing. Even then an LSx weighs nearly 50-90lbs more.

If power/weight is concern it's a no brainer, however if balance/handling is vital, the rotary wins.

Yeah I believe I was considering the stats of the FD motor. The renesis is much lighter than I realized.

 

[theeedude]

They would have to double the torque and power while keeping same fuel consumption to catch up to piston engines.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

How could a diesel rotary do 10k given that the limitation for diesels is often how quickly the diesel burns...?

 

[Stefan Payne]

How could a diesel rotary do 10k given that the limitation for diesels is often how quickly the diesel burns...?

'cause 1 'crankshaft' rotation equals 3 rotor rotations.

 

[overst33r]

'cause 1 'crankshaft' rotation equals 3 rotor rotations.

I thought the RPM is measured at the eccentric shaft?

 

[Stefan Payne]

I thought the RPM is measured at the eccentric shaft?

Yes that's correct, that equals the crankshaft.

But you just have 1 ignition per eccentric shaft rotation and rotor.

 

[StageLeft]

Well, they said they're working on the things that everyone criticizes the rotary for: high oil consumption, poor fuel economy, and lack of low end power. If they can improve the engine even mildly (at least more than slightly) in these areas, why wouldn't it be an amazing engine?

edit: unintended pun with a diesel and high oil consumption

It would an amazing engine; it would be a piston engine.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The size of rotary engines have always made me think that they'd be best in an MR2 like package rather than a long hood one.