FD RX7 as track / drift car?

[e46m3c]

I had originally planned for a 5k e46 m3 track / drift car, however i cant shake the idea that for the same money i can get a 350-370 bhp 1200kg rx7 with potential to push to 400 if i fancied. That would be as quick and light as an m3 without having to strip it down to unusable ness levels. Im sure parts are cheaper too?

Am i mad?

How many track days would i get per engine?

How chocolate are they really? Do those who have them constantly worry when out on track?

Edited by e46m3c on Wednesday 1st January 19:02

[Vixpy1]

I have an FC track car.

It now has a 1JZ in it.

Think that prob says how suitable the 13b is for track and drift

[e46m3c]

Engine swap sounds like a good plan.

What weight is a stripped out rx7 without tons of carbon fiber?

With stock engine, how much life are people getting?

[Vixpy1]

e46m3c said:

Engine swap sounds like a good plan.

What weight is a stripped out rx7 without tons of carbon fiber?

With stock engine, how much life are people getting?

We got ours down to 1200kg without trying at all, its possible to get them down to 1000kg. I got 3 track days out of the 13b before splitting the block in 2.

[cocopop]

Plenty of FD owners use their cars regularly on track with no issues. Just look after the engine properly, it's not the ticking time bomb that it's sometimes made out as.

There's definitely no definitive answer to how many track days you'll get per engine.

Edited by cocopop on Thursday 2nd January 16:09

[Kaiser Damz]

the 13b is more reliable on the track than evo, subaru's and pretty much anything. rotaries don't stress at high rpm's as the rotor just spins faster, with pistons there are far more forces at play and things to go wrong. I have yet to hear of a rotary having complete and utter failure (except for drag ones) I have however seen evo engine blocks explode and flaming oil run along the track.

also they are cheap to fix, a blown bmw engine is going to cost a lot more than a rotary rebuild. a complete rotary rebuild is about £2000 inc labour from most places.

The killer for rotaries are overheating, if it overheats it will damage the engine, if cooling is doing it's job then they will go around tracks all day long, well until it runs out of petrol which is actually rather quick.

I say buy one, use it. If the engine goes then do the transplant but why transplant a new engine in when the current engine works? sounds like a complete waste of time and money.

also ignore any messages about rx8 reliability, they have different issues from rx7's.

so the only real killer to a 13b in an rx7 is really just heat, which is just as bad as on any other car.