Mazda's radical new rotary tech + Reason behind Rx8's demise

[Nd4SpdSe]

Mazda’s next rotary engine will have a “special kind of ignition system” that will not make use of traditional spark plugs, according to a senior engineer with the manufacturer. It is believed the alternative could involve using laser beams to ignite the fuel/air mixture inside the engine.

Mazda, which has refused to give up on development of the rotary engine, started work on the next-generation 16X Renesis unit in 2007, 40 years after it first introduced its innovative new power source to the industry.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArtic ... -8/248910/

The 16X’s capacity has been raised from 1304cc to 1600cc, and it is also physically smaller and partly built from aluminium. The changes are designed to improve two of the biggest issues with rotary engine performance: fuel economy and torque delivery.

However, increasingly stringent emissions regulations are hampering future progress. The Mazda RX-8 was withdrawn from Europe because its rotary engine could not meet Euro 5 emissions regulations, and future upgrades of the existing engine may not meet Euro 6 laws.

The Mazda source said the new engine “needed a smaller hole on the wall [of the combustion chamber]” as a result of eliminating the space-hungry normal spark plug. He also admitted to Autocar that the use of laser ignition “was absolutely possible”.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArtic ... rs/257612/

Recent advances in Japan have created high-power lasers made from ceramics that measure just 9mm in diameter and 11mm in length, easily small enough to fit into a car engine.

Using lasers to ignite the fuel/air mix would allow an engine to run leaner. It would also make it possible to much more closely control the timing and the point of ignition, reducing emissions and improving economy.

[Josh]

What sux, is my car is at 128K and compression is to low to start when warm... dam thing. A rebuild kit is 1500 and that wont fix the low comp unless you replace the rotor housings, well that's like another $800.00 x 2. a Mazda reman i can get at cost for 2200 but the rotor housings were not replaced so its a guessing game to find a good one. Its a shame that the 16X wont come out until 2014 cause i want a good replacement now, a 16X would be sweet to say the least. Laser ignition system.. no more 24 dollar plugs, but will probably be insane to replace a faulty laser. its been said that the motor is done tested and ready to go. They are just waiting on the release of the next generation rotary vehicle the SHINARI. regardless great stuff to come ahead in the rotary world.

Pineapple does a killer rebuild for 5K, probably where I am headed

Nd4SpdSe: Thanks for posting. whats your name on RX8 club?

[Nd4SpdSe]

Shitty

I didn't know that the spark plus hole was an issue to the design of the motor. That was new info for me.

Nd4SpdSe: Thanks for posting. whats your name on RX8 club?

Guess

[hotsiit]

I am excited for new rotary technology...The Rx-8's have grown on me, handling is great, but the renesis not so much. One of my favorite Rx-8's we did at the shop was to swap a single turbo FD motor in (~400whp).
Josh--Agree with you totally, parts cost for new from mazda are killer

[Nd4SpdSe]

I think what made the old 13b inefficient is what give it it's potential, and with the rotary, it might just get worse as they squeeze out more power out of it to improve fuel efficiency and emission standards.

13B swap has been around for awhile, with a few 20B's and there's even the BMI 4-rotor drift Rx-8

[Nd4SpdSe]

I think what made the old 13b inefficient is what give it it's potential, and with the rotary, it might just get worse as they squeeze out more power out of it to improve fuel efficiency and emission standards.

13B swap has been around for awhile, with a few 20B's and there's even the BMI 4-rotor drift Rx-8

[hotsiit]

Yeah, I can see your point...I know all about the different swaps ( I build rotary engines) I'm just glad Mazda is sticking with & further developing the rotary / technology.

[Josh]

yah, a lot and a lot of searching, and i have thought about the 20b and even a 4 rotor, i dont feel like spending 8 to 15K on a motor that I would still have to build myself. so I have decided to go with a Frankenstein motor derived mostly from 13B-TT and some renny parts, to run it off of the 8's ECU and wiring. its going to be a challenge but seems pretty straight forward.

some guys are running 20B's with running 2 ecu's one for the 8 the other for the 20B, and i just dont want to deal with all that. whats so freaking dumb is how much Mazda is charging for the seals and brushes. you can rebuild an old 13B for a third the price of a renny.

I have officially blown my motor now so ts going to sit until i decide what to do with it. good think i only have to walk 5 blocks to work now and not commuting 30+ miles a day one way.

[BornSticky]

josh there is a shop in abbotsford B.C. just above you called forcefed performance they do a lot of 20b swaps and stuff like that i go there for all my major stuff for my fd and they are very happy to give advice they have a 1000 hp 20b in their shop right now. the owner is marko hes a good guy. he might be able to give you some other ideas on what to do.

[Josh]

Thanks BornSticky. I think i have decided to leave my 8 behind, doing a full part out to maximize my profits. then I plan on buying a KL swapped MX every enthusiast needs 2. Besides I have to many projects and Mazda will be bringing out their new RX model in two years and I will probably want that if I dont go with the 2014 Miata

I will miss my 8 a lot it is pretty pimp to roll up in but I have a 55 ford I could finish for that too.

[Mooneggs]

I think i have decided to leave my 8 behind, doing a full part out to maximize my profits.

good decision, this is great news!

[Nd4SpdSe]

I don't see how selling his 8 is great news?

[_-Night-Shade-_]

I think he was referring to the partout decision. Either way those rotaries are a big headache and I don't blame people for changing their minds about it.

[Mooneggs]

I don't see how selling his 8 is great news?

well with so many of the long time owners abandoning their mx-3 dreams/projects over the past couple years it's nice to see someone keeping theirs for a change This is an mx-3 forum afterall...

[_-Night-Shade-_]

I don't see how selling his 8 is great news?

well with so many of the long time owners abandoning their mx-3 dreams/projects over the past couple years it's nice to see someone keeping theirs for a change This is an mx-3 forum afterall...

+1 very good point...