Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

Metal Matrix Composite Rotor

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 01-20-2003, 09:23 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Supercharger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thumbs up Metal Matrix Composite Rotor

The standard aluminum rotors in the Renesis engine can be replaced by lighter MMC units.

Check out www.mmccinc.com
Old 01-20-2003, 09:27 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
Hercules's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
The rotors in the Renesis are pretty light as it is... I think lighter exhaust system, wheels, etc are better to replace as they won't be as key an element as the actual rotor themselves

For me though... bone stock I figure in three years I'll be in the MPS RX-8 or something, so I'm not worried about the power too much
Old 01-21-2003, 04:27 AM
  #3  
Registered User
 
maxcooper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
MMC is used for brake rotors, but I am not aware of any Wankel engine rotors made from MMC yet. The stock Mazda rotors are iron, but so are brake rotors usually, so I guess it might work.

And as Hercules said... the RENESIS rotors are pretty light already.

-Max
Old 01-21-2003, 07:41 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Supercharger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For those of you who have the budget to go racing, this is a good option.

The next step is replacing the heavy cast iron front/intermediate/rear housings with MMC units.

The MMC material I am refering to is: ceramic particles reinforced aluminum alloy.
Old 01-21-2003, 07:48 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
Hercules's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
While it might be a good deal, and good parts I am wary of upgrading my car in such a way that my warranty is voided.. cracking open the rotor housing would definately do that.

There are cheaper mods that can be done and allow for an increase in horsepower as well. The real change would be for the rotors to get wider but that comes as a different engine, because you can't upgrade to wider rotors.. the housing won't accept it.

This is rather a bad upgrade to do, even if there is a horsepower increase (which I'd doubt if the rotors are the same size/shape, and only a weight difference). Best to stick with CAI, Exhaust, etc to get a bit more kick out of the car.

I think I'll be happy with the power, it's handling for me that I am concerned about and reading reviews lately it's something I don't think I'll have to be concerned about
Old 01-21-2003, 08:50 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
Sputnik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's still a bunch of experimental stuff, and I'll let others 'speriment with it, thank you.

---jps
Old 01-21-2003, 10:20 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
Hercules's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,744
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally posted by Sputnik
It's still a bunch of experimental stuff, and I'll let others 'speriment with it, thank you.

---jps
Ditto
Old 01-22-2003, 05:10 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
maxcooper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think there may still be some confusion between "MMC brake rotors" and "MMC Wankel engine rotors". As far as I know, there has never been an MMC Wankel engine rotor. There are lots of MMC brake rotors, including some installed on cars with rotary engines.

It sounds like the suggestion is to upgrade to MMC Wankel engine rotors. That would be expensive and time consuming, considering you would have to do all the development. It isn't really an option for the average owner. And at 8.5 pounds already, it is not clear that there would be much to gain over the stock rotors.

Racing Beat makes aluminum side and intermediate housings for the 13B. I doubt if they have any with side exhaust ports, however.

-Max
Old 01-23-2003, 05:21 PM
  #9  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Supercharger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This mod is intended for road racing and drag racing applications.
It would be a good project for Mazda Motorsports.
Old 01-23-2003, 06:13 PM
  #10  
Administrator
 
zoom44's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: portland oregon
Posts: 21,958
Received 115 Likes on 88 Posts
Originally posted by Supercharger
...and drag racing applications.
who's drag racing the rx-8
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jamespond24
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
11
12-01-2015 11:11 PM
Evan Gray
Series I Trouble Shooting
4
11-24-2015 01:00 AM
TotalAutoPerformance
Vendor Classifieds
3
10-14-2015 12:29 PM
Eliseo Esquivel
RX-8 Discussion
2
09-30-2015 08:28 PM
pjwermuth
RX-8 Discussion
5
09-28-2015 11:36 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Metal Matrix Composite Rotor



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:18 PM.