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The Time Has Come (Building From Bottom Up)

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Old 05-07-2013, 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by pdxhak
You know how many people kill their builds with that line of thinking?

Spend your money wisely. Research. Plan. Document. Do all 3 before "going big".

If you "go big" in one area then do not go cheap in another to compensate.
Exactly...

Why I'm trying to figure something out for internals. Running 7-10 pounds on a stock motor is poopy.

That's not big at all. But is big for this motor

If I did get those rotors, yes a lot more would be involved to support those rotors. I was a CNC tech before. I do understand how components need to work together perfectly.

I see way people do 3 rotors swaps now
Old 05-07-2013, 02:11 PM
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The issue is the side port exhaust bro...
Old 05-07-2013, 02:14 PM
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Something to consider:

For the cost you are talking, you can put in an REW from an FD and have an engine proven to make power. Significantly lower risk of something going wrong post-build.
Old 05-07-2013, 02:15 PM
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9k and Shady are giving you good advice.

10 psi on a high compression motor is different than a low compression motor.

Looking at your first post I do not see much listed for a goal of the build. Basically you want to build a motor to handle higher HP. Well what is higher to you? Do you know what is considered high for the Renesis?
Old 05-07-2013, 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
Those Ebay rotors looked damaged already and there is no problem with the Renesis rotors so why would you bother?

If you want to experiment then go ahead. But if you think rebuilding piston engines relates in some way to building a rotary then you are sadly mistaken. I often hear how easy rebuilding rotaries is, but rebuilding them to last is another animal all together.
That was just an example that I understand the details needed when changing from OEM.

How to check clearances and specs.

The 2 are completely different, but you would need to check clearances for both. May use some of the same tools for both.
Old 05-07-2013, 02:16 PM
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Or you could just do an Isuzu V6 swap and boost that. I hear they make mad torx.
Old 05-07-2013, 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by shadycrew31
The issue is the side port exhaust bro...
Thank you.

I did read this but no one would confirm it.

Is there anything else that would help? I was planning on doing the intake ports too.
Old 05-07-2013, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by pdxhak
9k and Shady are giving you good advice.

10 psi on a high compression motor is different than a low compression motor.

Looking at your first post I do not see much listed for a goal of the build. Basically you want to build a motor to handle higher HP. Well what is higher to you? Do you know what is considered high for the Renesis?
My goal depends on what the block can handle and at what cost/time.

I may say 8 pounds with a 50 shot but who knows. I'm going to build something that is safe, reliable and have the most power possible.

If its OEM seals with a port job, then I will have to work off that. I would like to keep the 13b as it is unique. A brand new project for me. Could do a 3 rotor but then I might as well get a different car. I don't like it that much to spend 20-30k into it.
Old 05-07-2013, 02:43 PM
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Ask 50 rotary builders the same question and you will get 50 different answers. But one thing that all of them will tell you is that there is no way to build a reliable turbocharged Renesis. Unless you consider 30,000 miles reliable or plan on running 3 psi of boost.
Old 05-07-2013, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
Ask 50 rotary builders the same question and you will get 50 different answers. But one thing that all of them will tell you is that there is no way to build a reliable turbocharged Renesis. Unless you consider 30,000 miles reliable or plan on running 3 psi of boost.
What fails for them to only last 30,000?

Can we fix/CNC the problem?

Get better apex seals, but different materials dont do well with psi. lager ones have concerns for hot spots.

Is it the denotation from a bad tune for running psi on such a high CR. Cant be that much to machine down material to lower the CR. Figure 1500 to have it machined and balanced. But this might lead to a big headache changing other components to except the lower CR.

There has to be something easier other then just porting.
Old 05-07-2013, 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by jayrerickson
What fails for them to only last 30,000?
Assuming that every bit of turbo hardware is perfect, and the tune is perfect, the side seal springs deform under the increased EGTs until the spring pushes the seal out of place, it clips the exhaust port and shreds everything in that rotor.

But even getting there is a huge challenge. This engine isn't tolerant of any mistakes in hardware or tune. You have to have everything right the first time. It's a tall order.
Old 05-07-2013, 03:14 PM
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TX

Originally Posted by jayrerickson
What fails for them to only last 30,000?

Can we fix/CNC the problem?

Get better apex seals, but different materials dont do well with psi. lager ones have concerns for hot spots.

Is it the denotation from a bad tune for running psi on such a high CR. Cant be that much to machine down material to lower the CR. Figure 1500 to have it machined and balanced. But this might lead to a big headache changing other components to except the lower CR.

There has to be something easier other then just porting.
Many things can fail or cause failure, especially when you are dealing with used hard parts. So no, you cannot fix the problem.

Apex seals are usually only the issue when a bad tune and too much boost is added. they rarely fail from just wearing out a boosted engine, they typically go in a much more dramatic fashion. But they can be an issue due to the lack of a center oil injector and other things and there is no work around for that.

Porting only makes the side seal issue worse. And even if you do not port the engine, the fact remains that too much heat to the side seals can cause failure.

Lower compression rotors has been discussed at length, I suggest you research that.

The bottom line is that there is no combination that you can come up with will fix these issues. There are so many variables it is ridiculous and even then you have the design flaws of the Series I Renesis that really cannot be addressed. You could make a hybrid engine like Mazdatrix but then at that point why not just install and REW and be done with it.


Oh, and what RIWWP said.
Old 05-07-2013, 05:07 PM
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^^you forgot about the REW conversion fix ....
Old 05-08-2013, 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8
Many things can fail or cause failure, especially when you are dealing with used hard parts. So no, you cannot fix the problem.

Apex seals are usually only the issue when a bad tune and too much boost is added. they rarely fail from just wearing out a boosted engine, they typically go in a much more dramatic fashion. But they can be an issue due to the lack of a center oil injector and other things and there is no work around for that.

Porting only makes the side seal issue worse. And even if you do not port the engine, the fact remains that too much heat to the side seals can cause failure.

Lower compression rotors has been discussed at length, I suggest you research that.

The bottom line is that there is no combination that you can come up with will fix these issues. There are so many variables it is ridiculous and even then you have the design flaws of the Series I Renesis that really cannot be addressed. You could make a hybrid engine like Mazdatrix but then at that point why not just install and REW and be done with it.


Oh, and what RIWWP said.
Yup, RIWWP and 9k are dead on. The Renesis is hilariously intolerant of boost and impossible to make reliable due to the design limitations. Side exhaust ports work wonders on emissions and increasing the anemic naturally aspirated power of the rotary, but are terrible for boost. If you are dead set on a FI motor for the RX-8 chassis the best option is a 20B, the most cost effective is a REW swap. You can invest far more money than a REW swap into a Renesis turbo setup and still have it fail even with solid tuning, engine management, and top notch parts. Even more depressing, despite the investment you will still end up with a car that is unreliable, and slow. My Evo when it had just stock turbo, bolt-ons and a tune would have flattened my turbo RX-8 in every way.
Old 05-08-2013, 04:48 PM
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But it's still a Lancer,
Old 05-08-2013, 05:09 PM
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Blackeneds post just made me want to part out.
Old 05-08-2013, 05:21 PM
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Meh, I'll take my chances with the Renny, no one around me has a reliable or even running REW in their 7's so that's not really a better option IMO.
My turbo 8 wastes stock Lancer evo's at a roll no problem. And modded lancer evo's are just as reliable as 8's, my buddy with a track only lancer evo 9 is on his third engine this season, he's completed 8 laps.
Replacing engines is relatively inexpensive when it comes down to it, if you hate the rotary engine so much, you know where the door is, no one is keeping you.

Last edited by bose; 05-08-2013 at 05:26 PM.
Old 05-08-2013, 05:30 PM
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Yeah my buddy has had 3 EVO's, even paid the outrageous prices when they first came out in 03'. Like any power car, his all broke at one point or another from both major and minor things. I'm a former subie owner and they can break in great ways too when you start turning up the powa. Great cars though, I am just giving Blackenedwings ****.

The new EVO's are nicer but still do nothing for me. For what I have spent I could have a sick EVO or STI but they are just boring to me. Different strokes.
Old 05-08-2013, 06:15 PM
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New evo is too ******* big and ugly, I like the evo 8,4 and 2.
I like you, could have a nice stage 2+ sti or evo. But then I'd have to buy some white framed sunglasses and replace all my driving caps with flat billed hats.
I'm not cut out for it.
I just wouldn't fit in at all, I'll keep my weird, unreliable rotary.
Old 05-08-2013, 11:17 PM
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So I should make it a n2o set up. I feel I would get the most out of it with n2o then turbo. I think It would be more reliable as you only put max stress with it activated. As turbo will always add more heat and stress.

I don't want to do a swap as I can think of many other cars to put that kind of money in.

Here is the engine stand I got for $30. Great deal. Guy build NASCAR motors back in his days.

Last edited by jayrerickson; 05-09-2013 at 12:02 AM.
Old 05-08-2013, 11:58 PM
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N20 is fun. But it sucks having to do things first in order to feel the powa. And filling bottles gets expensive if you use it a lot. But if you just want occasional power, it is nice. But a bottle warmer and bottle opener are a must.
Old 05-09-2013, 01:12 AM
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Im still contemplating the Zet kit, depends on how much I over budgeted for my build and how bored I get later in the fall.

Turbo'd I wouldn't even bother, our cars are already a tuner's nightmare and very unforgiving if even the simplest parameter is slightly off. Why complicated something that as is only a half dozen people are competent in doing
Old 05-09-2013, 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by bose
Meh, I'll take my chances with the Renny, no one around me has a reliable or even running REW in their 7's so that's not really a better option IMO.
My turbo 8 wastes stock Lancer evo's at a roll no problem. And modded lancer evo's are just as reliable as 8's, my buddy with a track only lancer evo 9 is on his third engine this season, he's completed 8 laps.
Replacing engines is relatively inexpensive when it comes down to it, if you hate the rotary engine so much, you know where the door is, no one is keeping you.
Look, I didn't make my post to be a dick. I posted because this guy is about to open up a world of hurt on himself financially for something that ISN'T WORTH IT. I've done it. I had one of the highest whp Renesis motors in the country, the only turbo Shinka in the world. Everyone who builds one of these cars wants to believe that everyone who went before them only had problems because they half assed something or made poor decisions or got work done by the wrong people. "If I do it right, its going to be awesome." It's just not true.

My build issues are well documented, particularly getting massively screwed by a shop I chose specifically because I wanted to remove the factor of inexperience screwing up a part of the install. What a lot of people don't know however is that EVERYTHING on that car was redone after the shop. I had the best parts, the best tuner, and more money than most people spend on their entire car go into that build. I was also one of the few people running 12+ psi daily without blowing a motor. In the end it was unreliable as hell, and slow. At the time to me it felt fast, but it just wasn't.

I don't know what Evo's you are "wasting at a roll" with a turbo RX-8, but my stock turbo, stock motor Evo with an exhaust/intake and a tune was making 330 awhp and 300 wtq. For a while I owned my turbo RX-8 making 330 rwhp and the Evo at the same time. It wasn't even close. It wasn't even REMOTELY close. In the straights or the corners my Evo with bolt-ons absolutely murdered my RX-8 on a good day. On a bad day my RX-8 wasn't able to turn on.

On the reliability... I don't know wtf your friend is doing to his Evo, but my experience hasn't been anything like that. I had over 10,000 track miles at WOT at 27 psi on my stock motor with no failures. The only things that have gone out on my car (repeatedly) is stock transmissions, first a 6-spd, then a 5-spd. I have a built transmission now. I absolutely murder my car on the track and she never misses a beat. I was co-driving the car with my driving instructor (a Grand Am driver who used to drive RX-8s actually) and we ran 20 sessions in two days in 92 degree heat and the only thing we screwed up was the stock transmission.

Replacing engines is not "relatively inexpensive" and building a turbo RX-8 isn't either. If you do it with top notch parts, expert tuning its very expensive. If you are lucky, and drive it on the street with low boost...you get what? 30,000 miles?

I'm not a rotary hater, I'm realistic about the Renesis. It's a crap engine for boost. I'm not a huge fan of the REW either tbh. The only rotary motor I would ever own again would be a 20B NA and never for a street car. A dedicated track **** with a perif port NA 20B would be monstrous though.

The OP could take my experiences and learn from them, or you guys can keep believing that everyone else who's done this and moved on just did something wrong. Mysql, Mawnee, myself, even MazdaManiac is tracking... a piston engine Miata after blowing 10-12? Renesis motors?
Old 05-09-2013, 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by bose
New evo is too ******* big and ugly, I like the evo 8,4 and 2.
I like you, could have a nice stage 2+ sti or evo. But then I'd have to buy some white framed sunglasses and replace all my driving caps with flat billed hats.
I'm not cut out for it.
I just wouldn't fit in at all, I'll keep my weird, unreliable rotary.
Lol, I agree with you. I hate the Evo X. Most of the earlier generation Evo drivers do. It's insanely heavy and slow with too many computer aides.

The sunglasses/flat bill thing is a Subie thing isn't it? I dunno, I hate that crap. I don't hang out with "Evo guys", I hang out with track guys, so they all drive different things ranging from Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Mazda, Porsche, GM etc. If someone is out there driving, I think pretty much any brand can be cool.

I don't hate on Mazda's because I'm a Mitsu guy or anything. I still love Mazdas. RIWWP has let me drive his modded MSM a few times and I love that little thing. I'll probably get a Miata myself for a daily. The Evo is pretty much a dedicated track car now, so it doesn't see much street time.
Old 05-09-2013, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by blackenedwings
Look, I didn't make my post to be a dick. I posted because this guy is about to open up a world of hurt on himself financially for something that ISN'T WORTH IT. I've done it. I had one of the highest whp Renesis motors in the country, the only turbo Shinka in the world. Everyone who builds one of these cars wants to believe that everyone who went before them only had problems because they half assed something or made poor decisions or got work done by the wrong people. "If I do it right, its going to be awesome." It's just not true.

My build issues are well documented, particularly getting massively screwed by a shop I chose specifically because I wanted to remove the factor of inexperience screwing up a part of the install. What a lot of people don't know however is that EVERYTHING on that car was redone after the shop. I had the best parts, the best tuner, and more money than most people spend on their entire car go into that build. I was also one of the few people running 12+ psi daily without blowing a motor. In the end it was unreliable as hell, and slow. At the time to me it felt fast, but it just wasn't.

I don't know what Evo's you are "wasting at a roll" with a turbo RX-8, but my stock turbo, stock motor Evo with an exhaust/intake and a tune was making 330 awhp and 300 wtq. For a while I owned my turbo RX-8 making 330 rwhp and the Evo at the same time. It wasn't even close. It wasn't even REMOTELY close. In the straights or the corners my Evo with bolt-ons absolutely murdered my RX-8 on a good day. On a bad day my RX-8 wasn't able to turn on.

On the reliability... I don't know wtf your friend is doing to his Evo, but my experience hasn't been anything like that. I had over 10,000 track miles at WOT at 27 psi on my stock motor with no failures. The only things that have gone out on my car (repeatedly) is stock transmissions, first a 6-spd, then a 5-spd. I have a built transmission now. I absolutely murder my car on the track and she never misses a beat. I was co-driving the car with my driving instructor (a Grand Am driver who used to drive RX-8s actually) and we ran 20 sessions in two days in 92 degree heat and the only thing we screwed up was the stock transmission.

Replacing engines is not "relatively inexpensive" and building a turbo RX-8 isn't either. If you do it with top notch parts, expert tuning its very expensive. If you are lucky, and drive it on the street with low boost...you get what? 30,000 miles?

I'm not a rotary hater, I'm realistic about the Renesis. It's a crap engine for boost. I'm not a huge fan of the REW either tbh. The only rotary motor I would ever own again would be a 20B NA and never for a street car. A dedicated track **** with a perif port NA 20B would be monstrous though.

The OP could take my experiences and learn from them, or you guys can keep believing that everyone else who's done this and moved on just did something wrong. Mysql, Mawnee, myself, even MazdaManiac is tracking... a piston engine Miata after blowing 10-12? Renesis motors?
I will just have to agree to disagree, not trying to start a pissing match. I don't have enough miles on my build to comment on how long it will last, if it goes 30,000 I'll be stoked. It's a weekend/track/fun car so I don't drive it that much, I've barely put 30,000 miles on it in the nearly 6 years I've owned it.

I'm not trying to say the Renny is something it's not, but other options don't excite me so I'm sticking with what I have. My buddy probably is just bad at building engines honestly, but it does make me wonder about it's reliability nonetheless. Believe it or not, sti's and evo's are not a challenge for my 8.

Compared to what I've spent already an engine is a fraction of the cost, when I get to engine 5-6 I'll probably go n/a 20b, cause I also would like that monster under my foot.

It's not that I think I can do it better than those before me, I just wanted a boosted 8. That and I'm a glutton for punishment and have to learn everything the hard way. I'm just trying to have some fun along the way.

Last edited by bose; 05-09-2013 at 09:36 AM.


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