Ka-T vs. 13BT NOT a hp or torque, or reliability question

[EfiniRX7]

Well Im trying to decide if I want to trade my FD for an equally built s14 with KA-T. The only thing holding me back is the difference in the two engines. I don't need an idiot to come in here and say some thing along the lines "rotaries have no torque and blow up meeehhh". I will give some details about my rotary. I make 400whp, and 330wtq so my rotary probably has more tq than most ka-t's any way. I reach full boost at 3000 rpm. Im also only pushing 14lbs of boost. My question is to any one who has driven both equally set-up. I know my rotary pulls and makes power all the way to 8500 rpm, and dose not drop off. I use my car for road racing as well. I really am just looking for some one to give me an idea of how a similarly built ka-t (turbo size and boost) will feel like compared to my 13bT. Thanks, and I did research on power out puts and such that is not my question. The biggest reason for the trade is the s14 chassis has a custom cage, and some other attractive features.

[WDRacing]

The FD is one of the sexiest cars on the planet. Nuff said really. I dislike rotaries, but I'd never trade a FD for a S14/S13.

WD

[EfiniRX7]

Well I agree but the s14 has a cage, and sorted suspension. I want to get on the track and the s14 would provide that faster. I have had the FD for 3 years now and just want to race. I have done allot of auto-xing and have been trying to get onto an actual track. Here is the s14. I would be getting this car in running condition.

http://zilvia.net/f/cars-sale/....html

This is not a should I trade thread, I just want to know the feel of the ka-t. I want to race, and as of right now I don't have the money to put a cage in my FD, and rebuild my rear coilovers. Thanks for the input.

[WDRacing]

Wow, I'd never buy ANYTHING that says "used to run good but is now sluggish"....Does that not make you pause and ask yourself why? "could be the tune or the Z32 MAF"...um could be?

For 14K you're buying something that runs like crap and doesn't even have a turbo.

My opinion is no on that car homie. How do you have money to buy that and not money to cage your FD? Also, have you thought about dropping the LSx in your FD?

If you're set on owning a S14, keep looking.

[EfiniRX7]

^ I should have specified that I would be getting the s14 in running order. I don't have money to buy that car but trade my FD. I love the rotary and would never swap an ls1 into it. I have been talking to the guy for a month now and he has since sorted out the s14. I think I still need some time with my rotary powered monster though, so keeping my FD will probably happen.

[Tyler]

dont trade

[EfiniRX7]

dont trade

Ya I don't think Im going to. I don't want to kick my self later.

[WDRacing]

Which you definitely would do. I almost traded my R32 Skyline for a Silver 93 Efini when I was over in Japan. Had the FD been a tad cheaper I would have done it. I'll own an FD one of these days, hopefully there are some unmolested ones around still when that day comes.

Keep her, love her.

[EfiniRX7]

^ It really is hard to find a clean FD. Since the market died the FD's have become cheap enough for the younger kids to afford them. Im not saying all young kids destroy cars but the chances are much higher. Well I guess this thread is useless now. Thanks folks for the replies.

[C-Kwik]

Well Im trying to decide if I want to trade my FD for an equally built s14 with KA-T. The only thing holding me back is the difference in the two engines. I don't need an idiot to come in here and say some thing along the lines "rotaries have no torque and blow up meeehhh". I will give some details about my rotary. I make 400whp, and 330wtq so my rotary probably has more tq than most ka-t's any way. I reach full boost at 3000 rpm. Im also only pushing 14lbs of boost. My question is to any one who has driven both equally set-up. I know my rotary pulls and makes power all the way to 8500 rpm, and dose not drop off. I use my car for road racing as well. I really am just looking for some one to give me an idea of how a similarly built ka-t (turbo size and boost) will feel like compared to my 13bT. Thanks, and I did research on power out puts and such that is not my question. The biggest reason for the trade is the s14 chassis has a custom cage, and some other attractive features.

The 13b is likely to be a lot more like a high revving honda in its power curve. Its a high revving motor that uses mechanical leverage to make the high specific HP ratings. The KA is a more traditional motor that uses a balance between moderate levels of mechanical leverage and torque. The Rotary will rev higher, but if they have similar HP levels and turbos sized decently to avoid excessive lag, then both will accelerate somewhat similarly as a certain amount of HP as a given speed will always have the same torque at the wheels.

Outside of power output differences though the RX-7 is likely a bit better out of the box. Hard to say once mods are done, as one could add a bunch of parts to a car and actually end up with worst handling. The RX-7's use of the rotary does present a nice technical advantage though as the motor is compact and can sit rather low which reduces its center of mass and likely has a lower moment of inertia than the 240sx. Which handes better is hard to say for certain though. I've never driven an RX-7 and the only real experience I've had with one was when I was on the track with one. I have no idea if the driver was that bad, the suspension was that poorly set-up or if the boost came on so suddenly that it was difficult to control but it was damned fast down the straight (I heard 500 HP from someone). But as it got into the first off-camber turn, it spun out everytime. And I passed it at that turn everytime. I doubt it was representative of a well set-up RX-7 though. I have always loved the way the RX-7's looked though.

[EfiniRX7]

The 13b is likely to be a lot more like a high revving honda in its power curve. Its a high revving motor that uses mechanical leverage to make the high specific HP ratings. The KA is a more traditional motor that uses a balance between moderate levels of mechanical leverage and torque. The Rotary will rev higher, but if they have similar HP levels and turbos sized decently to avoid excessive lag, then both will accelerate somewhat similarly as a certain amount of HP as a given speed will always have the same torque at the wheels.

Outside of power output differences though the RX-7 is likely a bit better out of the box. Hard to say once mods are done, as one could add a bunch of parts to a car and actually end up with worst handling. The RX-7's use of the rotary does present a nice technical advantage though as the motor is compact and can sit rather low which reduces its center of mass and likely has a lower moment of inertia than the 240sx. Which handes better is hard to say for certain though. I've never driven an RX-7 and the only real experience I've had with one was when I was on the track with one. I have no idea if the driver was that bad, the suspension was that poorly set-up or if the boost came on so suddenly that it was difficult to control but it was damned fast down the straight (I heard 500 HP from someone). But as it got into the first off-camber turn, it spun out everytime. And I passed it at that turn everytime. I doubt it was representative of a well set-up RX-7 though. I have always loved the way the RX-7's looked though.

I will be keeping my RX-7. I have had her since stock. My RX-7 is now a track all track vehicle. I was just having a mood with being layed off from my job. I was just considering the other car due to the fact it had a roll cage. I was hoping for my fears of a less suitable engine for my purpose to be expunged by making this thread. I am truly RX7 guy. I don't think that will ever change. As far as the FD handling, without a proper driver and good rear spherical rod ends the car is almost impossible to drive. Driving the FD is like riding a mechanical bull. To be at the limit feels very un-smooth to the driver, so a ham fisted person or some one used to a tame car will not fare so well. That is probably the problem of the person you have described. Thanks for the reply

[RustspecS13]

Matt if you ever get rid of your FD I'll pimp slap you.

Id kill for a FD track car. So much better off then s chassis's, first they have double wishbone front suspension, yours is retardedly light, you live down the road from logan and peter (rotary parts = stolen prices)

Besides yours is bad a**. I haven't ridden in it since we went autoxing but 3K-8K power band is awesome, and not something easily achievable with a KA. Yours is caged, has good coils, blah blah you know your cars history blah blah blah.

Only that R34 on ebay you showed me would have been an interesting trade. KEEP YOUR FD FOREVER, and fuel your automotive ADD with cheaper cars.

Oh and get that POS BMW out of your profile.

~Alex

[EfiniRX7]

^ Ya I know. I got rid of the autopower due to there unsafe track record. I can't get rid of my FD, I love her. I was just thinking of taking the easy way out by getting a car with an already welded in cage. I think I may have also been bored and looking around on the net to much late at night.