Have a Wankel or mod the 5 or...

speed · Postby **speed** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 5:32 pm

Just thought I'd throw some factual prices your way.

I paid 5.5k to rebuild a 13bt. That includes new housings, 3mm apex seals, wire cut rotors, gaskets and all other seals. Doweled for strength, mild ported. So basically a new engine that will easy support 500hp.

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Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 5:57 pm

So about 50%more than it takes to build a 500hp BP.

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 6:07 pm

Nobody can give a real answer here. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference.
Do you want an rx7 or not.

Me personally I'd love an fd but not at the expense or my current mx5 (turbocharged na6).
Mine was cheap to build and drove wonderfully. For me an fd would be a downgrade but that is only because i love my na so much. In a perfect world I'd own both but unfortunately the bank doesn't simply "give" me money when i want it.

Maybe druve a few fd's, stock ones, bridge ported ones etc so you can get an idea of what they are like from the factory and what they can be like with money spent.
likewise take a few boosted mx5 out dor a spin and find out what works for you.

Anyone here can tell you what they think you should do, but at the end of the day you are the one who has to lice wirh whatever you decide to buy.

YanMa YatTai · Postby **YanMa YatTai** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:30 pm

Hi all. My question was - what would you do? So I am not looking for advice, merely opinion. This is after all a forum for discussion. Thank you all for sharing.
I find it interesting that people talk up ultimate horsepower in an mx5 forum. It was never a design goal and I think my profile suits Mazda's.
If I wanted horsepower I think I would get an R32 GTR as they are about the same vintage and price of an FD. And near bulletproof.
I am fully aware of the fragility, running costs and fuel consumption of the Wankel. But the allure of something different is still there.
I like the lightweight nimbleness of both mx5 and rx7.

mattyredlocks · Postby **mattyredlocks** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:39 pm

In that case... Still the 5.

Mostly because for me, the money to keep a 5 running means I can still afford my mortgage. Even if money wasn't an issue, if I had an RX-7, I'd probably do the same times at the track. For me, I'm not at a level of ability where the extra power is going to do anything but make me more likely to end up in a wall.

That said, if Mox pops her donk, damn straight I'm going to ask how much getting a renesis engine dropped in will cost ...then I'll probably laugh and get a new BP dropped in.

Black_Penguin · Postby **Black_Penguin** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 10:28 pm

If I had $20k to $30k to spend on a weekend toy/track car I would go for the FD. Partly cause I'm a rotor fan and partly there is a lot more potential in my mind with the platform than with a 5.

Postby **NitroDann** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 3:41 am

YanMa YatTai wrote:an R32 GTR as they are about the same vintage and price of an FD. And near bulletproof.

Ummm..

I'd love to tell you a Gtr joke...

But I'm still working on it.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 7:42 am

The joke or the gtr??

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Postby **NitroDann** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 8:43 am

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 11:42 am

Buy an already modded FD, which has everything rebuilt/replaced. Pay only a fraction of the parts cost.

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 12:06 pm

I love the rotaries (I've owned 9 of them!) but not a fan of the bloody repair and servicing bills...hence the foray into MX'5s.

My heart still rotates but my unfortunately empty wallet doesn't! :lol:

Buy the MX5 :beer:

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 3:34 pm

Weekend/track toy? Clubman. Lotus 7 style Clubman. End of story.

Hell, there's an FD drivetrain in a scratch built for sale in QLD at the moment. Think he's asking $25k?

speed · Postby **speed** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 6:27 pm

NitroDann wrote:So about 50%more than it takes to build a 500hp BP.

That's what it cost me. Appreciate the perspective though.

I'm now curious to know all the parts and machining needed for a complete BP engine that supports 500hp

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oztrackdays · Postby **oztrackdays** » Sat Mar 07, 2015 9:05 pm

I have had 500 bhp a few times you don't want the running costs that come with the Bragging rights. I welcome you to the next level of consumables club. Engine cost such a small part of the story,

speed · Postby **speed** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 9:28 am

Not bragging, just stated what I spent and what I got for the money. (An engine that supports 500hp)

Back to the thread. If I could get a well built FD for low 20s, that's what I'd get.
Was good enough to beat Porsche 4 years in a row at the 12 hour.

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