Internal Engine parts for the RX-8?
 

Hey, I just recently got my RX-8 and I am kinda new to the Rotary Engine itself. When you go to buy a turbo or supercharger that puts out a reasonable amount of psi it is recommended that you do some internal work to your motor (new pistons, etc.) so it can take the punishment. But what do you do for the Rotary? Can it already take a good beating? Or are there some internal parts that are recommended to get and install? I'm just really curious on what the Rotary engine is really capable of. Thanks.

Good question. I know you should replace your apex seals, bearings, and injectors, but not sure beyond that. If you read through this thread the rest of the rebuild/strengthening is there. Hope this helps.

thanks a lot Omicron

Nothing internally needs any replacing unless it breaks. The internals of this motor will stand up to plunty of boost given correct tuning. This is where the rotary differs from piston engines. Sure if you wanted to be a bad ass you could mill the rotors to drop the compression ratio, throw in some 3mm Rotary Aviation apex seals(800% stronger than stock), port the shit out of the housings, hurly corner seals, drop some big webber jets in the e-shaft, re-check and change the end play spacer (Mazda screws this up alot, not sure why), and call it a day. This is alot of shit though that really doesnt need to be done. Good tuning is what keeps these motors from exploding. As far as turboing them, its the same as a piston car. You need the proper fuel (IE, larger injectors, fpr, return line, and fuel pump), Your gonna need and ignition amp to aviod breakup in the higher rpms (Only if your going over the 350ish rwhp range). Your going to need a tunable ecu (enough said), and a shit load of money. Im guessing since you asked, there is no chance of you doing any of this yourself, so ya, your gonna pay through the nose.

sorry for the long post.. its late, I get like this..

THe rotary engine doesn't have pistons, it has an eccentric shaft and 2 rotors. Take a look at this website: http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/ and learn about whats under your hood.

I think you misread BeattyRX-8's question. He/She asked what the equivalent mods are to a piston engine that you would do to a rotary should you add FI.

I would rather be safe than sorry and replace most of my internals such as apex seals before they pop. If i were to invest in a turbo, i would seriously think about having the internals beefed up to withstand the boost.

I promise you, there is no beefing needed. I have been at this for a very long time. The stock mazda apex seals are very strong. I've seen 600 hp on the stock seals with np (on c16). The stronger aftermarket seals just give you an extra bit of assurance.

Changing internal engine parts requires a complete teardown. In which case you will be replacing the rotorhousings anyways, so going in just to beef it up is pointless. If it blows you have to replace the seals and housings. If you replace the seals in the first place you should replace the housing at the same time (to ensure proper compression). A stock mazda remain is pluty strong for any turbo or s/c you would be straping on. Beefing up the motor and porting the housings is really more of a racing thing.

That being said, I drive a street ported FD with a apexi RX6 single turbo daily. Its makes a hair over 400 at the rear wheels. Other than ported housings, the motor is a stock mazda remain. Trust me, they're strong.

Who the fuck is AaronElCampeon?? Thats not me..

The only reason that i say that is becasue when something breaks interanlly, you are just asking for other problems, am i right??? But thanks for the info!

with only 3 moving parts in the engine bay there is considerably less collateral damage that can occur within a rotary than a piston engine when/if something lets loose under boost. At least thats my opinion.