1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Engine mods needed to run safely past redline.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-11-07, 08:13 PM
  #1  
Stu-Tron Get Yo Groove On

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Jeezus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Huntsville AL
Posts: 8,405
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Engine mods needed to run safely past redline.

I heard that you shouldn't have to go past 7k with a stock car because it does not make anymore power after 7. If you modify the carb and exhaust, what is the advantage? Is it justifiable to rev it to 8k? I heard that is when the E-shaft starts to bend and whatnot.

Just want some pointers to clear the confusion.
Old 09-11-07, 08:20 PM
  #2  
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary

 
Latin270's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Allentown, PA - Paterson, NJ
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I use to go close to that back when I had my modded nikki and RB exhaust w/ MSD set up. Never had any issues and seemed to pull strong. Someone (i forget who) posted a short video of there yellow rx3 hitting 8k......or was it 9k? I forget its been a while. Wacky was that you?
Old 09-11-07, 08:22 PM
  #3  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
'84-12A-GSL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Someone on another forum mentioned that ones of their friends claimed that they spun the tach right around on a GSL-SE LOL!
Old 09-11-07, 08:24 PM
  #4  
Stu-Tron Get Yo Groove On

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Jeezus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Huntsville AL
Posts: 8,405
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
I noticed that my car pulls way harder after 5.5k rpm. The chokes are bigger than they are supposed to be AFAIK. Reason my asking, Bad83 and I have both witnessed my car being able to one-wheel-peel first and bark second, but when I was leaving an old work place, My father wanted to see what it could do. Revved her to 6k and dumped it. Got both rears to spin all through first, and when the tach jumped to 8, I shifted to second and got the right wheel to peel all through 2nd as well. I mean all through it! I have to go down there and get a pic of it, I think Sam would be impressed. You can see two wheel marks, then one wheel, no hesitation like I shifted or anything.

I got skeptical because I dont want to cause any hardcore internal damage to the engine (like apex chatter).
Old 09-11-07, 08:28 PM
  #5  
FD Daily

iTrader: (26)
 
K-Tune's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gulf Breeze, FL
Posts: 3,308
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
i believe chatter happens at 8,500 in a 12A.
Old 09-11-07, 08:55 PM
  #6  
premix, for f's sake

iTrader: (6)
 
Sgt.Stinkfist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: madison, WI
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
from what ive read, apex chatter is caused by sustained high rpms and shouldn't be much of an issue for momentary high revs. i think that most of the damage that comes from high rpm on our stock motors is shaft flex and the rotors making contact w/ the side plates. i know that hardened stationary gears and an upgraded oiling system is usually reccomended for high rpm motors too
Old 09-11-07, 08:57 PM
  #7  
Say hello to Mr.Wankel

iTrader: (7)
 
dbragg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Cartersville, Ga
Posts: 5,962
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
i wouldnt suggest going higher than 8, and not doing it regularly. when you get to those high of rpms and you dont have the appropriate mods things that to seperate, IIRC.
Old 09-11-07, 08:59 PM
  #8  
Stu-Tron Get Yo Groove On

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Jeezus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Huntsville AL
Posts: 8,405
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Appropriate mods?

As in hardend stationary gears/3 window bearings?
Old 09-11-07, 09:05 PM
  #9  
blown up motors

iTrader: (1)
 
81gsl12a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: morganton, NC
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
put the jungle juice to it and it will pull to 8k nice and strong you will make power the whole time
Old 09-11-07, 09:08 PM
  #10  
Say hello to Mr.Wankel

iTrader: (7)
 
dbragg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Cartersville, Ga
Posts: 5,962
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Jeezus
Appropriate mods?

As in hardend stationary gears/3 window bearings?
IIRC, youll need stronger stationary gears, the 3 window bearings, higher oil pressure and maybe other oil mods. youd definately need more fuel and breathability. i think youd see the best results with some port work done.
Old 09-11-07, 09:41 PM
  #11  
Stu-Tron Get Yo Groove On

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Jeezus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Huntsville AL
Posts: 8,405
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
I got some half bridges here and a few engines, so port work will be fun. I was always scared to go past 72 or 7300.
Old 09-11-07, 09:49 PM
  #12  
Famous Taillights

iTrader: (3)
 
FirebirdSlayer666's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Hagerstown, MD
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
chatter can start at about 7500rpms but usually under a heavy load. Spinning the tires shouldn't cause this since it is usually momentary and the motor isn't under a heavy drive load. I spiked the tach at 8k once at the track off the line. I didn't think the needle could move that fast LOL. Those were the days when the old girl could chirp 3rd.
Old 09-11-07, 10:09 PM
  #13  
Stu-Tron Get Yo Groove On

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Jeezus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Huntsville AL
Posts: 8,405
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Heavy load as in when the car is full throttled in third gear and up? I dont think that the wind resistance or gear ratio of 2nd gear would play a lot on heavy engine load, but then again I have been wrong before.
Old 09-11-07, 10:46 PM
  #14  
FB+FC=F-ME

 
steve84GS TII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Rohnert Park CA
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Ive hit 8000 a few times in 1st or 2nd gear when the tires would start to spin free and the revs would catch me off gaurd.Did it the other day going up a freeway on-ramp with the backend fishtailing the whole way.
It actually hit the rev limiter this time,which I have never done previously.It cut in a 8000rpm,I just happened to be looking down at the time,although I should have been looking up in order to keep the beast pointed straight! Although I dont make a habit of doing it,I dont worry about hitting 8K with my ported S5 TII engine, since it has the same rotor weight as the S5 N/A and my turbo can move enough air to make some power up there.

The S5 N/A engines have a factory 8K redline,so there should be little problem taking the lightweight rotor equipped 12A's to 8K,if your making any power up there.The 83-85 12A rotors are almost exactly the same weight as the S5's and the 12A is shorter,so the Eshaft is stubbier.The only hang up would be the 3MM seals of the 12A being rougher on the housings than the multi-piece 2MM seals of the 2nd gens.
Old 09-11-07, 11:16 PM
  #15  
RX for fun

iTrader: (13)
 
Siraniko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Socal
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 19 Posts
Originally Posted by Latin270
I use to go close to that back when I had my modded nikki and RB exhaust w/ MSD set up. Never had any issues and seemed to pull strong. Someone (i forget who) posted a short video of there yellow rx3 hitting 8k......or was it 9k? I forget its been a while. Wacky was that you?

yup, 9K. thats my RX-3 (formerly chiquito banana RX-3). Been abusing racing it for years and continues to run strong.
Old 09-11-07, 11:40 PM
  #16  
Lives on the Forum

iTrader: (13)
 
Rx-7Doctor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 10,584
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Originally Posted by Jeezus
I noticed that my car pulls way harder after 5.5k rpm. The chokes are bigger than they are supposed to be AFAIK. Reason my asking, Bad83 and I have both witnessed my car being able to one-wheel-peel first and bark second, but when I was leaving an old work place, My father wanted to see what it could do. Revved her to 6k and dumped it. Got both rears to spin all through first, and when the tach jumped to 8, I shifted to second and got the right wheel to peel all through 2nd as well. I mean all through it! I have to go down there and get a pic of it, I think Sam would be impressed. You can see two wheel marks, then one wheel, no hesitation like I shifted or anything.

I got skeptical because I dont want to cause any hardcore internal damage to the engine (like apex chatter).
It should be pulling harder past 5.5K RPM. Remember the stock engine makes peak HP around 6500 RPM. So with a better exhaust, carb, intake, etc. The peak will change slightly. The only thing is that that HP isn't there long if you leave her at those RPM levels. The engine is not built to sustain high rpms for any period of time unless modified internally. This also means a larger oil capacity.

Revving and dumping the clutch like that can lead very quickly to broken drivetrain components if you know what I mean.

My last Se when I ran the S4 intake on it and the other mods would burn the tires thru 2nd then throw the car sideways in 3rd. I wasn't prepared for it to do that either. Needless to say my eyes were alittle wide.
Old 09-12-07, 01:25 AM
  #17  
Double Ds for me to share

 
blown7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: abbotsford
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
I've taken my old half bridge 12a to 9500rpm on the dyno and the strip. Only stopped there cause the ignition system couldn't keep up with the engine. So far on the 13b peripherial port it goes to 9000 rpm will be more once it is tuned, not making power past there with the old exhaust. Once we retune it i will let you guys know how far we take her up to.
Old 09-12-07, 03:28 AM
  #18  
Junior Member

 
the_newt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: arlington, tx
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
first thing that popped into my head about supporting mods was a scatter shield for when a rotating item failed with pizazz but i guess it's not as necessary as i thought it was.
Old 09-12-07, 06:14 AM
  #19  
Lives on the Forum

 
Kentetsu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Grand Rapids Michigan
Posts: 11,359
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
I believe that the main problem is the weight of the apex seals. Once you hit the higher (8000) rpms, the apex seals start to pull away from the housing surface resulting in the dreaded chatter. Carbon seals can do a better job due to their lighter weight, but you have to rebuild every 15-20 thousand miles with those...
Old 09-12-07, 06:34 AM
  #20  
Stu-Tron Get Yo Groove On

Thread Starter
iTrader: (4)
 
Jeezus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Huntsville AL
Posts: 8,405
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
So what is the final word? Chatter on 12a's begin at 8k?
Old 09-12-07, 10:30 AM
  #21  
Blood, Sweat and Rotors

iTrader: (1)
 
DriveFast7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: California
Posts: 3,742
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Smile

Originally Posted by Jeezus
So what is the final word? Chatter on 12a's begin at 8k?
Yes.

In addition what others said about motor mods, plus the rotors need to be clearanced on the land (face) so they won't hit the plates. Then the rotating assembly balanced. You want 10psi of oil per 1000rpms to keep from seizing bearings. So the RB 85psi regulator is only reliably, consistantly good for 8500rpms by the book.
Old 09-12-07, 11:27 AM
  #22  
RX for fun

iTrader: (13)
 
Siraniko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Socal
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 19 Posts
Shift when the motor stop pulling or starts chattering.
Old 09-12-07, 11:29 AM
  #23  
WTF is a Piston?..Anyone?

 
rx-7 obsessed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: regina
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
what about the 13b's?
Old 09-12-07, 12:06 PM
  #24  
sellout

iTrader: (4)
 
Midwest 7's's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Lawrence KS
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
last summer me and alex7 bought a $500 rusted out s5 that ran great. the s5 redlines at 8k anyway but we gave it hell. when the motor was tore down one of the rotor housings had a like a wash board texture if you ran your finger nail over it. still ran strong and made good compression til the day we pulled the motor, just made that one housing unuseable.
Old 09-12-07, 12:30 PM
  #25  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
j9fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,993
Received 2,691 Likes on 1,905 Posts
Originally Posted by Jeezus
So what is the final word? Chatter on 12a's begin at 8k?
chatter is a function of a few things.

1. rpm
2. lubrication of the apex seal/rotor housing, the higher the friction, the more the seal is going to want to skip across the surface.
3. apex seal spring

its not uncommon to see bad chatter marks on high mile engines that have just been driven normally.


Quick Reply: Engine mods needed to run safely past redline.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:46 AM.