Mazda RX-8 Canceled. Goodbye Rotary Engine?

[r0tor]

My new engine is getting like 21 mpg in mixed driving... Must be the rocket boosters I installed

[NomisR]

My new engine is getting like 21 mpg in mixed driving... Must be the rocket boosters I installed

So what actually happened to your old engiine?  I wonder if I had kept my Rx8, would I have needed a new engine as well..

[Onslaught]

Has anyone ever heard of someone putting the RX-8 rotary into an NB1 Miata?

I've never seen a renesis in a NA or NB. I've seen them in a NC and it's "easy" to do from what I've seen.
But I wouldn't put a Renesis in a NA. I'd put the regular 13B from the RX-7's in it. It's easy to get power
out of them. Not that you'd need that much power in a Miata anyway.

It's still possible that I make a rotary miata one of these days for fun.

[r0tor]

So what actually happened to your old engiine?  I wonder if I had kept my Rx8, would I have needed a new engine as well..

It was only pushing like 60 psi of engine compression... Was replaced for free by Mazda

[AutobahnSHO]

LOL My subie gets that, and I have to push the pedal down a lot to just get moving..

[Onslaught]

You know whenever something is wrong with a rotary engine at the dealer they just say "get a new one!" I understand if it's still in warranty then it's the easy way out. But it's older then they don't even try.
Many of them just need new seals.

[Soup DeVille]

You know whenever something is wrong with a rotary engine at the dealer they just say "get a new one!" I understand if it's still in warranty then it's the easy way out. But it's older then they don't even try.
Many of them just need new seals.

I have a feeling that most mechanics, even those in a Mazda delership, don't know a lot about them and don't want to.

[Onslaught]

I have a feeling that most mechanics, even those in a Mazda delership, don't know a lot about them and don't want to.

That's it! Or the ones now don't know much about them and don't want to. When I first started they had a few guys who knew about them because Mazda sold so many RX-7's in the 80's.
But the kids working there now have no idea how to do anything with them. That's why I'm going to learn so I can keep my 8 and future 7 going.

[68_427]

You know what makes even more sense than that? Just buying an S2000.

Sure if you've got at least $12K sitting around.

[NomisR]

You know whenever something is wrong with a rotary engine at the dealer they just say "get a new one!" I understand if it's still in warranty then it's the easy way out. But it's older then they don't even try.
Many of them just need new seals.

Yeah, but replacing new seals isn't really as easy as replacing a spark plug. 

[Onslaught]

Yeah, but replacing new seals isn't really as easy as replacing a spark plug. 

It's not any worse then doing a normal engine rebuild. I'd think it even be a little better.

[NomisR]

It's not any worse then doing a normal engine rebuild. I'd think it even be a little better.

Yeah, I'd say it's easier than doing a normal engine rebuild.  But most mechanics at the dealers say "new engine" probably because, a. they're not familiar with rotaries and b. mazda's footing the bill. 

[r0tor]

Actually Mazda will not let the dealers crack open the engines... They all get yanked and sent to the reman plant after a bajillion tests are done to assure its dead.

[Onslaught]

Actually Mazda will not let the dealers crack open the engines... They all get yanked and sent to the reman plant after a bajillion tests are done to assure its dead.

Yea, that's the RX-8. I was talking more about the RX-7's that still come in.

[sportyaccordy]

Sure if you've got at least $12K sitting around.

Buying a Miata + F20C + getting it swapped in would cost at least that much. And then you have to upgrade the rest of the car to handle the engine. Project cars are fun but never cost effective, unless you own a junkyard + shop

[Raza]

Early S2000s are around 9K now anyway, as long as you're willing to take a high mileage example.