# Rotary Engine vs. Piston Engine - Opinions? **URL:** \ **Category:** Canada Nissan Automotive\ **Created:** [January 15, 2008, 3:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139 "2008-01-15T15:09:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![blitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbe5ce/32.png) [@blitz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/blitz)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/21 "2008-01-16T20:05:18Z")
> [@Brabus E V-12 Biturbo, not a bad Daily Driver](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/brabus-e-v-12-biturbo-not-a-bad-daily-driver/2739/8): > > Rotary’s have one issue, is they liked to be warmed up and cooled down. If you take your RX 7 out when its -40 and start it up and start redlining down the street, you will develop hot spots on the rotary wall. same with cooling down. The rotary engine design is extremely reliable. Plus with the removal of one part a stock 13B can shoot flames lol. Air planes use rotary engines, they must be reliable because they keep planes from falling out of the sky lol plane uses radial engine, not rotary. ---
**Author:** ![Re\_Ameyami](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/re_ameyami/32/5676_2.png) [@Re\_Ameyami](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Re_Ameyami)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/22 "2008-01-16T20:26:44Z")
> [@Paint j00b](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/paint-j00b/2838/3): > > They are APEX seals not apexI seals. Apexi is a company that focuses primarily on automotive tuner parts im very well aware of that but thanks for the reminder, sorry typed apexi instead of apex i was thinking of apexi at moment lol ---
**Author:** ![XuperXero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ea5d25/32.png) [@XuperXero](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XuperXero)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/23 "2008-01-16T21:20:33Z")
> [@ticket question](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ticket-question/2840/2): > > plane uses radial engine, not rotary. There are planes that uses rotary as well. Google is your friend. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RealityZ33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@RealityZ33](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RealityZ33)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 11:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/24 "2008-01-17T11:15:24Z")
> [@wtb: dsm head gasket](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wtb-dsm-head-gasket/2837/3): > > There are planes that uses rotary as well. Google is your friend. 🙂 +1…,lmao… ---
**Author:** ![kazzxtrismus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@kazzxtrismus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/kazzxtrismus)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 11:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/25 "2008-01-17T11:16:06Z")
> [@want a new cell phone](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/want-a-new-cell-phone/2809/8): > > Big difference too. > > Radial engine= Pistons all the way around… > > Rotary= Funky triangle that spins in a wonky oval… lol > > Hemi=sex. Only problem with a reverse domed piston is a distinct lack in compression, so you’d have to make up for it with more fuel, so your efficiency is lost. > > I concede the point on fuel efficiency, not sure what I was thinking there, but as has been stated, rotarys are awesome for mad power, provided they’re well maintained. the reverse domed piston (cocave) design is not to make a circle but to make the compression increase at the raised outer edges… think cutting a sphere into 3 pieces, above the equator and below the equator. this makes for a “cats eye” shaped compressed zone… the curve of the piston and the curve of the head ar made to be complimentary…done right the forces can be directed almost perfectly straight down… most flat topped pistons meet a obscurely shaped recess for the valves and plug. it is neither based on a complimentary angle nor is it a blanced and uniform shape, so the forces that occour at spark typically go as follows, rpimary ignition occours causing some of the gases to burn and the rest to begin to expand from the heat and force of the immediated burn. once the fire makes its way to these gasses they with burn and expand on their own like the rest… but…pls remember… the correct direction for maximum efficiency is strait up or down, in line with the connecting rod and the crank… BUT… they will have often moved away from the plug/point of ignition, because of the initial point of ignition’s gasses moving / expanding outward… this causes their forces to be directed like a wedding ring made of C4. they blow out in all directions as all gasses do…BUT some of this force is directed to the center of the ring /the other forces from the other side. as well as down past the piston rings as well as towards the cylinder walls the rest of their forces are pretty much going in the correct direction. this is why gapless rings and close tollerance pistons exist for very high HP cars…to get as much of those "misdirected forces BLOCKED so they are re-diverted to the center of the combustion zone and eventually like a lazerpointer in a house of mirrors towards the crank or head. this is also why many high HP cars run Dual spark plugs, the spark at almot exactly the same time (depending on tuning) to get the forces directed back at the center of the combustion zone, as well as improving the “completeness” of the air/fuel mix burning and therefore not wasting any gas that could be making power… but this is only done in cars where they are trying to get every last HP out of them…and only worth about 10-20hp in a 1200hp motor…not much by comparison, but maybe the difference between winning and losing $10,000 or $100,000 race. the inverted dome piston takes the wedding ring of C4 model and redirects it back up, the complimenting head design forces the gas back to the center. its only good for maybe a 10-15% increase in efficiency but imagine a 10-15%increase in HP instead of the 10-20hp we were talking about in the 1200 hp motor! ---
**Author:** ![RealityZ33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@RealityZ33](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RealityZ33)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 11:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/26 "2008-01-17T11:44:06Z")
> [@wtb: dsm head gasket](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wtb-dsm-head-gasket/2837/2): > > i believe those are apexi seals there are lots of flaws but 20b tt puree sex ??? Engine wise…There is inherently one flaw/weakness, and its the seal on the **APEX** of the **rotor** …\*note, only a weakness if boosted beyond OEM levels. Edit: ok I guess you can say the Vac hoses as well… ---
**Author:** ![pcproa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@pcproa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/pcproa)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 12:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/27 "2008-01-17T12:04:31Z")
> [@Nice engine swap on eBay](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/nice-engine-swap-on-ebay/2788/13): > > this is also why many high HP cars run Dual spark plugs, the spark at almost exactly the same time (depending on tuning) to get the forces directed back at the center of the combustion zone, as well as improving the “completeness” of the air/fuel mix burning and therefore not wasting any gas that could be making power… > > but this is only done in cars where they are trying to get every last HP out of them…and only worth about 10-20hp in a 1200hp motor…not much by comparison, but maybe the difference between winning and losing $10,000 or $100,000 race. Not true. Not true at all. Enter NAP-Z. Acronym for Nissan Anti Pollution. It originated on the Z22E motor. They had two spark plugs per cylinder coupled with a Hemispherical head. One spark plug fired right after the other. The ideology behind getting all of the unburnt fuel to usable power and increasing fuel efficiency while reducing carbon emissions was the driving factor behind this technology. The Z22E was in the S110 (Datsun 200SX) from 1982 up (I believe California models got it right from 1980 on the Z20E), and later found its way into the S12 (Nissan 200SX) but on the CA20E motors. The CA20E motors didn’t have Hemispherical heads. Only 2 spark plugs per cylinder. I’m not sure if there were other Nissan cars out there that used this technology as well. EDIT – I forgot to mention as well, with the Z22E, it was built with one spark plug on the drivers side of the head and one spark plug on the passenger side. The Driver side plug would spark first and pushing against the Hemi head it would start to spiral. Then the other plug would then spark further increasing the velocity of the spiraling explosion to push down the piston even harder. By the time the exhaust valve opens the spiral would be headed out the exhaust valve on the Drivers side of the engine. The CA20E lost the appropriate heads which I think can be accounted for part of the horsepower decrease. Z22E in 1982 had 102HP CA20E in 1984 had 96HP Of course there are many block differences etc ---
**Author:** ![flatsil40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@flatsil40](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/flatsil40)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 12:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/28 "2008-01-17T12:24:39Z")
teds 200 had two spark plugs all tho i really dont know much about rotary motors, i just started as a helper at a performance shop, they make huge numbers out of rotarys and i love the potential they have. and its a nice package. street porting and all tat fun stuff. anyone need some rotary power done check out bscmotorsports.ca by the way, i loveeeeee the sound of a heathly nicely tuned rotary…sex…sex!! ---
**Author:** ![pcproa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@pcproa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/pcproa)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 12:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/29 "2008-01-17T12:34:47Z")
> [@Paint j00b](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/paint-j00b/2838/9): > > teds 200 had two spark plugs Teds 200 was an S12 ---
**Author:** ![flatsil40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@flatsil40](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/flatsil40)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 12:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/30 "2008-01-17T12:36:08Z")
chassis code was a s12, the rear bumper said 200sx. the other chassis code people get confused with is i belive the b14 200…fwd ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 12:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/31 "2008-01-17T12:47:41Z")
> [@pcproa"](#): > > ok… this baffled me… So I looked it up to verify cause I didn’t want to sound dumb. > Rotary motors do not have head gaskets. They do not have Cylinder Heads to have head gaskets. Are you sure you’re talking about the right thing? The fact that you even went out of yout way to look-up such BS, is halarious… Myselft and Flatsil40 were at BSCmotorsports.ca and there was a guy we we’re feeding all this crap too, and now he is all ANTI-Rotary…LOL! ---
**Author:** ![pcproa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@pcproa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/pcproa)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 1:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/32 "2008-01-17T13:10:37Z")
> [@Spider photography](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/spider-photography/2834/14): > > The fact that you even went out of yout way to look-up such BS, is halarious… Myselft and Flatsil40 were at BSCmotorsports.ca and there was a guy we we’re feeding all this crap too, and now he is all ANTI-Rotary…LOL! Have you even read the other posts to realize that other people are laughing at you? I pride myself on accurate information. If I’m not too sure about something, google is a click away. If I’m not “wasting my time” to make this post, obviously it’s not out of my way to look up the correct facts. It took me less than a minute to verify my information. I’m waiting on flatsil40 to back you up on this too considering you think what you’re saying is right. I honestly have no clue what you’re talking about with BSCmotorsports and being fed crap. Please elaborate _once again I ask this of you_ instead of short, cryptic and obscure posts. ---
**Author:** ![flatsil40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@flatsil40](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/flatsil40)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/33 "2008-01-17T14:45:49Z")
rotary is a good motor. as for it needing rebuilding from abuse and what not after 100.000k_ish_ its not a motor for me. and they are awesome tho. i think somewhere i read that one rotor is pretty much three pistons, so if you get the triple rotor motor your laughing. they make good hp/tq numbers also. and they LOVE forced induction ---
**Author:** ![Browntown\_01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Browntown\_01](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Browntown_01)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 3:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/34 "2008-01-17T15:30:21Z")
apex seals last in the 100 000kms range, but it is a total space/weight saver. Even weight distribution wise it’s good. The 13b is good and rev’s high (all this info was stated I know) but totally in agreement that the 20b is king. the T2 FC is a good example of a car with a 13b and lots of potential. reliability is fine if you put the time into it like with anything, tuning is key. ---
**Author:** ![XuperXero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ea5d25/32.png) [@XuperXero](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XuperXero)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 4:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/35 "2008-01-17T16:03:42Z")
Vacuum hoses are not much of a problem if you do rat’s nest removal. Flat - built rotary can last longer than that. There are plenty of decent mileaged built rotaries out there, they’re just as reliable as pistons given the proper maintenance (not necessarily more maintenance). Apex seals are upgradeable to stronger ones. But above ALL else, tuning on rotary is the most vital part of the engine. Steve Kan anyone? ---
**Author:** ![RealityZ33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@RealityZ33](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RealityZ33)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/36 "2008-01-17T16:43:49Z")
> [@flatsil40"](#): > > rotary is a good motor. as for it needing rebuilding from abuse and what not after 100.000k_ish_ its not a motor for me. and they are awesome tho. > i think somewhere i **read that one rotor is pretty much three pistons** , so if you get the triple rotor motor your laughing. they make good hp/tq numbers also. > and they LOVE forced induction Your information is incorrect. Stop listening to whoever is feeding you this garbage… ---
**Author:** ![RealityZ33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@RealityZ33](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RealityZ33)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/37 "2008-01-17T16:46:17Z")
> [@My friend's new ride. Oh my.](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-friends-new-ride-oh-my/2798/53): > > Vacuum hoses are not much of a problem if you do rat’s nest removal. > > Flat - built rotary can last longer than that. There are plenty of decent mileaged built rotaries out there, **they’re just as reliable as pistons given the proper maintenance** (not necessarily more maintenance). > > Apex seals are upgradeable to stronger ones. > > But above ALL else, tuning on rotary is the most vital part of the engine. Steve Kan anyone? ^agreed. If they put in as much engineering and development into the Rotary as they did the Piston engine… it would be even more reliable. IIRC, it was ford who really pushed the Rotary development onto the back burner… ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/38 "2008-01-17T18:45:00Z")
> [@Happy B-Day Sherm](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/happy-b-day-sherm/2806/20): > > Have you even read the other posts to realize that other people are laughing at you? I pride myself on accurate information. If I’m not too sure about something, google is a click away. If I’m not “wasting my time” to make this post, obviously it’s not out of my way to look up the correct facts. It took me less than a minute to verify my information. I’m waiting on flatsil40 to back you up on this too considering you think what you’re saying is right. I honestly have no clue what you’re talking about with BSCmotorsports and being fed crap. Please elaborate _once again I ask this of you_ instead of short, cryptic and obscure posts. If google is a click away to you, did you not search rotary vs. pistons, and did the OBDVIOUS stick out, that there is no headgasket? and that everything I said… was total b.s.? Obdviosuly you where looking for straight answers, sorry I thru off with such BS. I didn’t think you would have taken me serious…let alone go and look it up … As for bscmotorsports.ca it is way over your head, something happened there the other night, we told some kid(everythign I posted on previous page) and the kid totally fell for it, going along as if he knew everything we were talkin about. We we’re just yanking his chain, like I am to you and those who are “laughing” at me… … Sorry if I thru you off your hunt PC "D ---
**Author:** ![JDM-IMPORTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d78d45/32.png) [@JDM-IMPORTS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JDM-IMPORTS)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/39 "2008-01-17T19:31:51Z")
Too many people are arfraid of the Rotary boogey man… drive one and you’ll see the difference; quiet effortless reving and spooling… with a 9-10k redline… They are a blast to drive since the cars are so light and produce so much power easily… Rotary motors do require proper maintenance; like any motor; and rebuilds are not that bad; in terms of $$$. Not everyone can work on these motors though; take it to someone who knows what they’re doing and you’re fine… I’ve owned/imported 5 FD3 TT’s… modded or stock they are always a good choice. This is coming from a fan of the SR20DET’s and RB26DETT’s… ---
**Author:** ![flatsil40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@flatsil40](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/flatsil40)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139/40 "2008-01-17T19:52:20Z")
in Australia there is a company that has a lifetime warrenty on apex seals i heard someone speak of, i may stand corrected but that is what i heard via word of mouth. but as i stand corrected. but not informed properly by RealityZ33 i guess i am wrong i still love the rotary motor none the less. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/rotary-engine-vs-piston-engine-opinions/135139.md?page=3)