Hi, guys! I'm new here, and I'm looking for guidance.

I'm in Huntington, W.Va, and we have an asphault oval track here that has re-opened, and the have a 4 cylinder class. I've been talking to the new owner and FINALLY convinced him to let me run a rotary engine in that class.

What I was wondering is....first or second gen?

The track is 7/16 mi., asphault, turns are banked, and as of now, there aren't any other rx7's in the class, so I'm trying to put together a list of pros and cons for the 1st and 2nd gen rx7's, but that's where I need help.

If you guys would, I would appreciate info on horsepower, power to weight, what year you think would be best, etc.

Well, thanks for the help, and look forward to being in this forum.

Oh, by the way, I'll keep you all posted on how we do this year! Thanks!

 

You do know you just posted this is the 1st gen section, right?

What do you think we're going to say?:p

Seriously tho, the 2nd gens are faster, stock.

 

RX-8

 

They would have no earthly idea what they were looking at when you pop the hood, so stuff a 13 or 20B in an SA (That's the '79 and '80 cars...)with a good cage and proceed to clean up....WEIGHT is your enemy in braking,handling and accelerating out of the corners, the poor man's Porsche is a heavy beast...

 

i'd choose a 84-85 GSL over a SA or any 1st gen... of course with a 13B swapped into it, or a GSL-SE if u can find a nice one.... they'd go to town...

 

id say if you have the money run a 85 gsl turbo 12a. You would put the competition to shame, but it would cost quite a bit. Or you could also swap a 13b-rew in one... That would rip really good...

 

ya, if you have the funds, that would make one crazy *** Rx

even a FC TII engine in a first gen at the track would be pretty mean, once ya turn the boost up.

g'luck

 

12a full bridgeport should get you over 250 hp. What more do you need.

 

He'll renege when you kick their asses.

 

Depending on if boost is allowed or not:

If allowed:

FB with a REW Swap

If not:

FB with a BRIDGEPORT.

Having owned both FBs and FCs, that's my answer.

 

Seriously, if you want to compete in an honest way, and not slaughter them so badly that they outlaw rotaries (has happened at some tracks) then I'd suggest you get a GSL-SE and strip it down. Remove the A/C, Power Steering, Cruise, Emissions crap, Interior..... get it as light as you can.

The GSL-SE came only in '84-'85 and had a slightly larger 13b engine, which was fuel injected.

The 2nd Gens were heavier, had alittle more hp, and also came in the "Turbo II" (single turbo... second gen, go figure).

If you're allowed to run forced induction, then a TII would work.

I don't know the rules of your class. Are the 4cyl guys running forced induction? Are they allowed engine swaps? What is their max displacement?

If we have some more rules, we can help you play fairly within those rules so that you, and other rotary drivers, get the chance to compete properly. You don't want to get rotaries banned because of something as stupid as cheating (like dropping a TII, 3rd Gen or Rx8 engine into your 1st gen, or adding big turbo).

I prefer the First Gen cars because they're a little lighter and they look nicer . When it comes to the engine, well, you'll have to work within your budget and the constraints of your class.

Jon

 

Any RX-7 or 8 engine is fundamentally the same, and will fit in any year model, but that is not necessary. Since the 1978-1985 is the lightest model it makes sense to use it. If turbocharging is prohibited, you can attain 325-350hp (at wheels) in normally aspirated form. That should be sufficient to get rotaries banned or re-classified with V-8s instead. They may not allow peripherial port engines however. Turbocharging will make more power, but at cost of added complexity and points of potential failure.

 

Do not get a GSL-SE, because all of those came with sunroofs. For racing, you want a model without sunroof, which also happen to be the base model and the lightest. The GSL-SE fuel injection is inadequate anyway.

 

How in God's name can you make a statement like that for a track car?

A Peripheral Port 13b Drag Car running Alcohol might be able to do it, but the cost of building a car like that are prohibitive, and it's not suited for the track.

I'd aim for the 180rwhp range with a street ported 12a or 13b. The four-port 13b TII motors make good NA ported motors if you swap in some high-comp rotors.

Jon

 

Go with a 2nd gen

They are dirt Cheep.
Easy to get parts cars.
Easyer to get engines.

 

rotoracer1,
First find out what the rules are to run in that class. What would be the allowed modifcations, safety equipment, etc.

 

Hades12
makes a good point !!!!!

But, ..........................................Lighter the better, and Good Luck!!! You need to consider Power to Weight Ratio........So that would depend on Mods/Rules...


I'm gonna check if this is posted in the 2nd gen. !!!! see what they have to say!

 

Why do you say not suited for the track? This is the configuration we raced in the past, and is very suitable. You can often find components for sale. Peripheral ports are best unless prohibited by the rules.

 

We have 2 RX-7s. My -SE which makes oodles more power (ported engine), but is more of a cruiser.

The S (base) we are stripping down for racing.

But stock, the -SE trashed the S.
Plus LSD and better brakes...

Now, idealy, an S with a GSL-SE conversion...
That would be sweet...

 

wow! Thanks for all of the input!!

I didn't want to say it earlier, but I have an '87 2nd gen that I drive for fun, but for racing....I thought a lighter 1st gen car would be better. 1st or 2nd gen, I just like rotary engines, especially on a short track 'cause they rev so well.
The rules for this class at this track are: No power adder, stock as stock can be, remove all glass, must have 6 point roll cage, aluminum racing seat, window net, stock tires. That's about it, I think that they leave it simple to keep cost down. That's why I think that a rotary will dominate.

I like the idea of pre-fuel injected just for simplicity and reliability, and the difference is what., .2 liters? and I don't think they'd notice a mild street port, do you all?

Anyway, them's the rules, and they're meant for breaking, but like you guys said, I don't want to get these cars banned, 'cause there's no fun in building the car if I can't race it.
Well, I'm leaning towards a 1st gen, but any more info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

GSL-SE it is then... strip it for weight, a decent exhaust, and if you sneak it by, a mild steet port...