Renesis 16x
I mentioned this in Randy's Saab thread, but I decided I should stop hijacking his thread and post this here.
I found a few links to the new 1.6L rotary engine, the RENESIS 16X.
http://www.mazda.com/mazdaspirit/rotary/16x/
It looks like the rotary epitrochoid is bigger, but the width of the housings are narrower. Edit: The rotor housings, just to be clear.
I have always thought it would be neat to make an attempt at rebuilding a 13B and get an FC or FB to like-new condtion (not an FD, I am not made of money here!).
Last edited by MX-5EE; 05-28-2008 at 07:33 AM. Reason: clarification
I recommend starting with this one...Originally Posted by MX-5EE
http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/693154244.html
On the funny side of things, that car has fewer miles than the '83 Limited Edition I bought in '91 for $1300, drove for 124k miles and sold for $1700...
Maybe 4 wheels aren't so bad after all... wickett.org
It only goes to show when people can no longer discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, or sexual orientation, they can improvise and still find someone to hate. - Dave Moulton
I'd hate to disappoint Raymond, so here's my response.
I've read quite a bit on the 16X, and I agree that it does hold the promise of being the first real step forward on the rotary since the original 13B over twenty years ago. That said, but I'm not holding my breath. Go back and reread the pre-release press on the Renesis - Mazda has made these promises before. The Renesis was supposed to offer "substantially" better fuel economy than the 13B-REW out of the FD while making the same power. Not only was the power missing (down 23hp on paper, and closer to 35hp in reality), but my modified FD actually got better highway fuel mileage, because it was geared much taller than the '8.
I'm just not that impressed by the Renesis. Here you have an engine that barely makes 230 horsepower (and that's only when the tertiary ports haven't gunked up and the ignition system is working properly) in a 2800-lb car that gets worse fuel economy than a 6500-lb 4wd SUV. Is the car a blast to drive? Yes. It has a brilliant chassis, wonderfully communicative steering, and excellent brakes. Unfortunately the engine - which is supposed to be the showpiece of the RX-8 - is the biggest letdown.
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Heh... I remember my first roomate had an '83 GS. Last car I ever remember seeing with a choke knob on the left side of the dash.
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I can't think of any 6500 lbs 4wd SUV's off hand that get 18 mpg city. Seems like most things in that category get 18 mpg highway. 18 is pretty unacceptable either way though, if the car got 23-25 mpg city that would be very acceptable (to me at least).I'd hate to disappoint Raymond, so here's my response.
I've read quite a bit on the 16X, and I agree that it does hold the promise of being the first real step forward on the rotary since the original 13B over twenty years ago. That said, but I'm not holding my breath. Go back and reread the pre-release press on the Renesis - Mazda has made these promises before. The Renesis was supposed to offer "substantially" better fuel economy than the 13B-REW out of the FD while making the same power. Not only was the power missing (down 23hp on paper, and closer to 35hp in reality), but my modified FD actually got better highway fuel mileage, because it was geared much taller than the '8.
I'm just not that impressed by the Renesis. Here you have an engine that barely makes 230 horsepower (and that's only when the tertiary ports haven't gunked up and the ignition system is working properly) in a 2800-lb car that gets worse fuel economy than a 6500-lb 4wd SUV. Is the car a blast to drive? Yes. It has a brilliant chassis, wonderfully communicative steering, and excellent brakes. Unfortunately the engine - which is supposed to be the showpiece of the RX-8 - is the biggest letdown.
VW Bug in running shoes
M Porcupine sedan
M Porcupine coupe
Crusty old e46 beater
Battery Powered appliance car
It isn't 6500 lbs, but the Tahoe hybrid 4wd is rated at 20/20.
Yeah but it's a hybrid, not apples to apples. We're not comparing the hydrogen Renesis to a hybrid SUV. I don't think a Range Rover Sport gets 18 mpg city.
VW Bug in running shoes
M Porcupine sedan
M Porcupine coupe
Crusty old e46 beater
Battery Powered appliance car
I don't need it, but it sure would be fun... I love those cars!
Rack and pinion steering kit?
I didn't know they made a conversion... neat.
'94 Black & Black & Tan
'99 head swap, JR header, TDR intake & header blanket, MegaSquirt, RB hollow bar, Tein Flex, 15x8 6ULs, HD M2 Sport, FM cat, Borla cat-back, black '95M interior, MOMO Zebrano, IL Motorsport console...
Dyno Days
8/16/08 (bone stock): 103.1 hp/99.0 lb-ft - Dynojet
8/23/08 (Borla cat-back): 108.2 hp/104.1 lb-ft - Dynojet
8/13/11 (more stuff...): 126 hp/116 lb-ft - Mustang dyno
Roger Moore: the Danny White of James Bonds
So a hydrogen Renesis is apples to apples to a gas engine SUV as long as it is non-hybrid. OK. At some point in the not so distant future, all cars will be "hybrid". Just like CAFE pushed all cars to Fuel Injection, CAFE II will do the same for Hybrid.
Neither does the RX-8 (EPA 16/22 city/highway).
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
No, it's 7300 pounds. The 7100 pound 2wd Tahoe hybrid gets 21 city/22 highway.
By the way, the 7300 pound, non-hybrid, 4wd 5.3L V8 Tahoe gets 14/19, which is pretty damn close to the RX-8.
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Ahh.. you were talking GVWR. I was looking at Curb weight, which is about 1800 lbs less.
Maybe within the next 10-15 years but I doubt hybrid will be mandatory within the next 5. Fuel injection was just a different method of fuel delivery, hybrid is changing the type of "fuel" all together.
Besides what do I care, both my cars average 25 mpg together, I already rid myself of the gas guzzler curse :)
VW Bug in running shoes
M Porcupine sedan
M Porcupine coupe
Crusty old e46 beater
Battery Powered appliance car
I don't think hybrid will be mandatory, but I do think it will become standard. There will be a few holdouts, just like with fuel injection, but it doesn't make sense to waste energy if it can be easily used. As far as the type of fuel, last time I checked Hybrids still use gas as the only fuel you need to add.
Huh... I'm averaging 19.8 commuting, did 24.5 on two sub 14 hour 1,023 mile runs in March... Maybe yours doesn't like you!
Maybe 4 wheels aren't so bad after all... wickett.org
It only goes to show when people can no longer discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, or sexual orientation, they can improvise and still find someone to hate. - Dave Moulton
Thanks, but right now it's either buy and fix up an RX-7 or buy a bike. And since I don't have a house and garage an RX-7 would be a little hard. Further, since my wife and I are wanting to start a family I think this all may be just dreaming on my part for the time being.
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