Last 13b rolls off the assembly line| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

Hungary Bill Reader
6/21/12 2:39 p.m.

So... I guess the last 13b just rolled off the assembly line

I'm kinda sad, trying not to cry in front of the wife, and currently in a bottle trying to drown my sorrows.

Blurb: A very sad day for all Rotary enthusiasts around the world. Today, after 40 years of production, the last 13B and Rotary Engine rolls out of the factory. Mazda is holding a ceremony on the 13B line today to commemorate the end of an era. Our thanks and appreciation to all of those engineers, craftsman, executives at Mazda who made the Rotary Engine of such a great joy to us for so many decades! Our hope is that Rotary Engine makes a swift come back and our joy is returned. NEVER STOP CHALLENGING MAZDA!

petition again anyone?

ReverendDexter UltraDork
6/21/12 2:54 p.m.

Wouldn't this last one be a Renesis? Or do they only use that name for the US Market?

JohnyHachi6 Reader
6/21/12 3:02 p.m.

In reply to ReverendDexter:

Don't know if the name is used elsewhere, but the Renesis castings are stamped "13B".

Javelin UltimaDork
6/21/12 3:06 p.m.

I will pour one out in remembrance.

Now come on 16X!!!

Hungary Bill Reader
6/21/12 3:08 p.m.

Man, I'd love to see that 16X become a possibility for an engine swap option.

bravenrace PowerDork
6/21/12 3:19 p.m.

Looks like the brightest future for the rotary may be with a company named Liquid Piston. They've already made significant improvements in the thermodynamic efficiency, and have currently have prototypes undergoing testing. Yeah, yeah, I know, it's not Mazda, but I thought I'd share just a little bright spot to cheer you all up.

Curmudgeon MegaDork
6/21/12 3:35 p.m.

Oh the pain, the pain...

Brett_Murphy Dork
6/21/12 4:18 p.m.

That does it. I am selling my Golf project and buying and RX-8.

friedgreencorrado PowerDork
6/21/12 4:24 p.m.

I'm with Brett (except for dumping my Golf--I bought that one new! ). If I'm ever gonna have a rotorcar, I should do it while I can still get parts.

DaveEstey Dork
6/21/12 4:33 p.m.

Guess I better start collecting spare engines.

Knurled Dork
6/21/12 4:51 p.m.

You mean they stopped making the engine that took up enough production that they had to stop making rotors and housings for the earlier engines?

Boo. Farking. Hoo.

Now ramp up 12A and early 13B rotor housing production again, kthx. Or license the technology to 3rd-party manufacturers if Mazda doesn't want to cater to old farts driving around in their cars. I'm pretty sure Dart or Brodix could figure out how to cast aluminum around sheetmetal, and chrome it.

Feedyurhed Dork
6/21/12 5:13 p.m.

That is sad. I have had a rotary in one car or another for a good part of my driving life.........and most of them were running.................most of the time.

corytate Dork
6/21/12 6:12 p.m.

iirc renesis are still 13b, just with an REW suffix.
sadsad day.
now they need to come out with a 20b renesis twin turbo for their next non-miata sports car=]

z31maniac UberDork
6/21/12 7:45 p.m.

Even though it doesn't make sense from a $$$/effort standpoint, I still desperately want a rotary in my miata.

irish44j SuperDork
6/21/12 7:55 p.m.

I've been losing to RX-7s all year in the e30. I wish all the rotaries would blow up

Streetwiseguy SuperDork
6/21/12 8:05 p.m.

I guess all you poor guys are just going to have to go boing, boing, boing from now on.

Just the way mother nature intended.

nocones Dork
6/21/12 8:12 p.m.

I will pour one out for the lost through my blown water o-rings.

JtspellS HalfDork
6/21/12 9:27 p.m.

Temporary hiatus i hope!

Ranger50 SuperDork
6/21/12 10:02 p.m.

More FaceBook fonder:

We have now "unofficially" heard from Mazda, on the future of the Rotary Engine and parts. Paraphrasing from Mazda to RN.COM:

"You can reassure everyone, though, that rotary is not dead… Stay tuned for something "official". ...there should be no concern about spare parts"

rebelgtp SuperDork
6/22/12 12:22 a.m.

I have always wanted to try a rotary. Particularly I would love to get an FC.

Hungary Bill Reader
6/22/12 1:43 a.m.

While drinking last night I had serious thoughts of trading my Impala for another RX-7. I thought those thoughts would leave me when I woke up this morning but they didn't.

Last time this happened we got the RX-8. Maybe this time we'll get that 3-rotor job they've been working on?

TheGloriousTachikoma New Reader
6/22/12 1:46 a.m.

Hungary Bill wrote: While drinking last night I had serious thoughts of trading my Impala for another RX-7. I thought those thoughts would leave me when I woke up this morning but they didn't. Last time this happened we got the RX-8. Maybe this time we'll get that 3-rotor job they've been working on?

I'm not sure 3 rotors is necessary. Going off the patents Mazda submitted, the next Wankel will be direct injection. Then they'll be able to run all the aggressive port timing they want and power won't be an issue. Though, from what I understand, the revisions to the housing geometry to improve chamber sealing will negatively affect torque.

Oh, and when the next Wankel comes out, if I haven't succeeded in converting a 13B to DI, I'll be one of the first in line for a crate 16X or whatever they'll call it.

Knurled Dork
6/22/12 6:07 a.m.

DI won't solve problems relating to exhaust residuals (what the side exhaust port helped) along with noise (ditto). Port timing will always be constrained in an OE setting.

Klayfish Dork
6/22/12 7:34 a.m.

So now you'll have to buy a MazdaSpeed3 or some other offering they have. You can still call it rotary. The pistons rotate up and down, the crankshaft rotates, the camshafts....