AndrewM (azdaspeed3)

the 1990-1992 naturally aspirated mazda rx-7 holds the title for most hp/liter for a naturally aspirated engine. it puts out roughly 124hp/liter. the 93-96 rx-7 turbo put out 212.3hp/liter. but thats not the end, the brand new car on the show circuit, the rx-evolv, has a 1.3 liter rotary naturally aspirated that puts out a full 280 hp. that would be 215.8hp/liter for a naturally aspirated engine!!!! imagine what the new rx-8 turbo will do when it inevitably debuts in 2003-2004!!! Spinning triangles have the undisputed hp/liter title, as far as i know. a fully modified a4 should do about 194hp/liter, so that gives you some insight into the power potential of the wankel engine.

HJB

They really have 2x the effective displacement?

AndrewM (azdaspeed3)

a wankel engine uses what is called a roloux triangle, basically just a triangle with curved sides. since a triangle has three sides, the rotary is constantly being fed with fuel/air, constantly making power, and constantly exhausting. a wankel really has 3 power strokes per revolution of the rotary equivalent of a crankshaft, which is a part of the explanation for their notorious thirst for gas. this constant power stroke is also what gives the rotary its smoothness. just like an inline six or a 60 degree V12, for every degree of rotation of the crank there is a cylinder (or a triangle) producing power, leaving no gaps for hesitation. so there you have it in very abridged terms.

A4 FL2

My first car was an 85 GSL-SE. Tricked that one up but good. What a blast of a car it was to. Even put flares on it, similar from 924 to a 944. My old roommate had a last model Rex, and that thing was a wild ride. It stuck like glue, revved to the wonderful reminder "buzz". Got that sucker over 140 once, but it had way more. I always knew the hp/liter potential, but it is a shame it is no longer produced. Glad to hear they are still wankeling, hope to see it here in a $30k sports car in apx 39 months.