Mazda RX-8 Engine: The Ins & Outs of Mazda's 13B MSI - VehicleHistory (2024)

Drew Blankenship

Mar 31, 2021

Mazda’s RX-8 is a well-balanced sports car with great handling. Here we review its engine in detail.

Mazda RX-8 Engine: The Ins & Outs of Mazda's 13B MSI - VehicleHistory (1)

Despite its legendary motorsport heritage, the Mazda RX-8 engine does not inspire the same lust or cult following as its predecessor. This is due to the reliability issues and arthritic power output of the Mazda RX-8 engine.

This article will cover the ins and outs of Mazda’s 13B MSI powerplant and how changing emission standards relegated the rotary engine to history books.

History of the Rotary Engine

The original rotary engine was designed in 1954 by a German engineer named Felix Heinrich Wankel. He did this to provide an alternative to the traditional internal combustion engines with fewer vibrations. To accomplish this task, he started from scratch with the design. In the end, Wankel created something completely new named the DKM54 rotary engine.

Instead of a single or multiple pistons moving up and down, the “Wankel” engine uses a triangular-shaped rotor that spins on an eccentric shaft. This allows the engine to be very balanced, compact, and reach incredible revolutions per minute.

In 1956, an engineer named Hanns Dieter Paschke revamped the design to make it more cost-effective to produce, and that was when the modern rotary engine was born. The new KKM57P design would essentially remain on the shelf until the late-1960s. That is until Japanese auto manufacturer Mazda came poking around looking for an engine for their new model, the Cosmo.

Mazda RX-8 Engine: The Ins & Outs of Mazda's 13B MSI - VehicleHistory (2)

Rotary Engine: How it Works

Simply put, the rotary engine is a triangle-shaped rotor that spins inside an oval housing. Each rotor has three combustion chambers, one for each side, and is housed in between a pair of plates to create a closed chamber. Rotary-style engines come in a single rotor form to the Le Mans-winning four-rotor engine.

When the ignition is turned, power is sent to the starter and mechanically forces the engine to turn. Starting at the top left of the housing, air and fuel are drawn in through a slot cut into the rear plate.

As the rotor turns, the mixture is compressed as the geometry inside the chamber changes. Once the mixture reaches around the 2 o’clock position, two spark plugs fire. This ignites the mixture, forcing the rotor to continue to rotate clockwise. After the combustion stage, all the gasses are forced through an exhaust port located under the intake manifold.

Unfortunately, besides making a cool noise, the only thing the rotary is efficient at is consuming fuel. It is not even good at burning the fuel it consumes.

Historically, this the reason for its poor fuel economy and emissions. Even with two spark plugs igniting the mixture, so little fuel in the chamber is burnt that tons of its vapor end up in the exhaust system. This is why RX-7s and other rotary-powered cars spit huge flames at hard gear changes. The vapor in the system builds up over time and under heavy load combustion is still happening as it enters the exhaust.

This ignites the fuel vapor in the system shooting a huge flame out of the tailpipe.

The basic design of the rotary engine would remain the same for many years. In the 1980s, changes came along as technology had advanced, like fuel injection and turbocharging. This brought huge power gains to the rotary engine and allowed the low displacement RX-7 to flourish in motorsport against traditional piston engines.

Mazda RX-8 Engine: The Ins & Outs of Mazda's 13B MSI - VehicleHistory (3)

First-generation Mazda RX-8 (2002-2009)

The original Mazda RX-8 was a large departure from the last generation RX-7. What was once a low, two-seater sports car with the heart of a turbocharged weedeater, now had seating for four and rear cat flap doors.

On top of the passenger accommodation improvements, the RX-8 is pleasant to look at and handles beautifully. Unfortunately, the styling was not all they changed. The infamous fire-breathing 1.3L twin-turbocharged 13B-REW had been replaced with a new naturally aspirated 13B-MSI.

The new Renesis engine was still a 1.3L rotary but the turbos were gone and changes were made to how the exhaust housing worked. Instead of a large spherical port like the old models, the Renesis had a slot cut into the housing similar to how the intake plate works. This resulted in mild torque gains down low and improved emissions but lackluster performance.

Without the assistance of forced induction, the new engine only produced 189hp in 5-speed form. That is a rather pathetic amount when looking at the outgoing FD RX-7’s 261 hp. Not to mention, most RX-7’s made well over 300hp but were advertised at a lower figure to dodge a Japanese law limiting horsepower.

Attempting to improve fuel consumption on a notoriously dirty engine, Mazda raised the compression ratio and ditched the turbos because more air means you need more fuel. A low initial power figure is normally not an issue with aftermarket modification but the RX-8 engine does not handle force induction well.

Unlike the older 13B-REW that practically laughs at insane boost pressure, the 13B-MSI starts to come apart at the seams.

Mazda RX-8 Engine: The Ins & Outs of Mazda's 13B MSI - VehicleHistory (4)

Second-generation Mazda RX-8 (2009-2012)

In 2009, Mazda refreshed the RX-8 with subtle styling changes and an upgraded suspension. Improvements were made to the lubrication system, including a stronger oil pump and more oil injectors to help with seal wear.

A new catalytic converter was installed to help with the premature failures as well as more robust ignition coils.

All these improvements helped to grow the power output to 212hp in sport trim and all models had the gear ratio slightly lowered to improve acceleration. These upgrades proved to be too little too late and didn’t do much to help Mazdas sales numbers.

In 2010, the RX-8 failed the new European emission regulations and was pulled from that market entirely. Mazda continued to produce the RX-8 in Japan until 2012 when the company pulled the plug altogether.

In recent years, Mazda has patented several prototypes of rotary engines that run on alternative fuel. Hydrogen seemed to show the most promise but the project was short-lived. With ever-increasing emissions regulations, Mazda has yet to find a viable use for the rotary engine moving forward.

Mazda RX-8 Engine: The Ins & Outs of Mazda's 13B MSI - VehicleHistory (5)

Rotary Engines: Common Problems

Traditionally, rotary engines are known for flame-spitting horsepower, not reliability but the Renesis is particularly bad. Some major problems were addressed in the second generation but the solutions Mazda came up with only acted as a Band-Aid.

Most of these so-called solutions just make problems show up later. Here are a few common issues you can encounter with the Mazda RX-8.

  • Carbon Build-Up: The changes made to the exhaust port cause the gasses to make a hard turn before entering the extractors. Over time, carbon created from burning fuel slowly builds up on the exhaust port. As the carbon accumulates in the passage, it slowly strangles the engine. Other issues like failing ignition coils can speed up this process and, like most issues with a rotary engine, you have to completely disassemble the motor to repair it.
  • Oil Consumption: It is common knowledge that rotary engines are notoriously oil-thirsty due to the engine design. The only way the rotor and housing are lubricated is when oil is being injected into the chamber. Since everything is contained in a single cavity, the oil must be constantly injected into the combustion chamber to lubricate the seals. As parts like the apex seals and side seals wear, this consumption will get worse and leads to other issues. Unfortunately, there is no way around this unless you rebuild the engine. The RX-8 has to burn oil to function so make sure to always keep spare oil in the trunk.

  • Catalytic Converters: When rotary engines were originally thought up emissions were of little concern. The design of the engine requires oil to be consumed and it directly leads to premature wear of the catalytic converter. This is because the excess oil being burnt creates more contaminants that need to be collected by the converter. Symptoms of a bad catalytic converter include poor gas mileage, loss of power, and overheating. Replacement of the converter will remedy the issue temporarily but excessive oil consumption is the root problem.
  • Loss of Compression: The main reason scrap yards around the world are littered with Mazda RX-8’s is compression loss. Changes to the rotor itself caused the Renissis to have more relaxed tolerances than the older rotaries. The apex seals sit at the point of each rotor and seal each side from the next. Side seals are thin pieces of metal that ride against the walls of the chamber and are the equivalent of piston rings. All of these seals are vital in keeping the different chambers separate, insuring compression. As the seals wear, the pressure in the chambers begins to leak out. This causes loss of power and leads to excessive oil consumption. As this continues to get worse, your RX-8 will eventually not run at all, because it can no longer compress the fuel mixture enough for ignition. The only way to remedy this issue is to completely rebuild the engine. This total overhaul usually costs more than the vehicle is worth and means the end of the road for the car.

With all that being said, the Mazda RX-8 is an attractive-looking car with an even more attractive price tag. These cars can be picked up for pennies when stacked up to comparable vehicles but finding a reputable rotary specialist to make it all better is getting harder. If you manage to find a good running RX-8, it will likely be wonderful to drive and inspiring to look at as long as it lasts.

Photos: Mazda

Frequently Asked Questions

Apr 24, 2022

How much HP can a 13B handle?

The Mazda 13B is the most popular rotary engine in the world, and it has been built on and off for over 30 years since it was first introduced in 1974. Since the 13B is such a unique engine it has garnered an enthusiast following over the years and there are a lot of people that like to modify them to produce more power.

A 13B engine should be able to produce over 700 horsepower as long as you modify it well. You will need to build out some of the internal components, but the block should be able to handle the extra pressures. There are examples of RX-7 and RX-8 vehicles out there with over 700 horsepower still using the stock 13B.

The 13B can be somewhat finicky to work on, so if you want to build it to be a high horsepower engine you will need to find an experienced builder.

Are 13B rotary engines reliable?

The Mazda 13B engine is a mixed bag when it comes to reliability, primarily because they are not usually maintained as well as they need to be. They can generally be as reliable as a standard piston engine, but they do need more maintenance as well. In standard operation, a rotary engine will always burn more oil than a normal engine so you will need to get the oil changed and add oil much more often.

Another important thing to do when you have a rotary engine is to get tune-ups done at least once a year. You will need to get the carbon buildup out of the engine because once carbon buildup happens you will start to blow seals and then it gets more expensive to repair.

The best way to help prevent carbon buildup is to always use premium gasoline that has detergents in it that are designed to prevent buildup and remove old buildup. Rotary engines can be just as good as piston engines, but they do need more care and maintenance.

Are rotary engines expensive to repair?

Rotary engines are typically more expensive to repair compared to piston engines. There are fewer components that are in a rotary engine, so that means that there are fewer things that can get damaged. On the flip side the fact that there are fewer rotary engines out there means that there are fewer parts available should anything go wrong. That leads to spare parts being much more expensive than normal piston engine parts.

Another reason that rotary engines are expensive to repair comes down to labor costs. Since under 1% of the cars in the world use rotary engines there just are not a lot of mechanics that know how to work on them. That means that you will have to find a mechanic that is a specialist with rotary engines, and they usually charge a premium for their knowledge.

The more expensive parts, and the increased labor costs really do wind up making rotary engines much more expensive to repair compared to conventional engine designs.

messageEdit Write a Review

Drew Blankenship

Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician with nearly 15 years of experience. Born in North Carolina, the heart of NASCAR country, he grew up building and racing cars before later working for a local import tuning shop, Driven Performance. Fueled by long nights in the garage and some engine-tuning wizardry from the shop’s owner, by his 20s Drew was outrunning sport bikes in a 1992 Honda Civic hatchback with a power-to-weight ratio rivaling a Bugatti Veyron. He continued upgrading and repairing Japanese cars until a chance meeting with a Porsche master technician at Rezoom, a Porsche specialist shop in Tennessee. He was taken under the wing of a veteran Porsche driving instructor and learned everything to know about air-cooled Porsches. Today, he shares his mechanical knowledge on several popular auto websites, including Youcanic and Vehicle History.

  • Articles
  • Mazda RX-8 Engine: The Ins & Outs of Mazda’s 13B MSI

The Mazda RX-8's engine, the 13B MSI, represents a unique yet contentious legacy in the automotive world due to its rotary design. The RX-8 was a significant departure from its predecessor, the RX-7, both in terms of its design and performance. The RX-8's engine, the Renesis, a 1.3L rotary engine, sacrificed the turbocharged power of the previous model for emissions compliance and fuel economy improvements.

Let's break down the concepts mentioned in Drew Blankenship's article to shed light on the RX-8's engine and related aspects:

Rotary Engine Basics:

  1. History of the Rotary Engine: Developed by Felix Wankel in the 1950s, the rotary engine uses a triangular rotor moving inside an oval housing, providing a balanced, compact design capable of high revolutions per minute (RPM).

  2. Functionality: Instead of traditional pistons, the engine uses a rotating rotor with combustion chambers that compress air-fuel mixture and generate power through controlled explosions.

  3. Working Principle: The engine's combustion process involves intake, compression, ignition, and exhaust, but its inefficiency in fuel consumption leads to notable emissions and poor fuel economy issues.

  4. Evolution: Over time, advancements like fuel injection and turbocharging improved the rotary engine's power output and performance, notably seen in the RX-7's success in motorsport.

Mazda RX-8 Engine Specifics:

  1. First-generation RX-8 (2002-2009): Transitioned from the turbocharged 13B-REW to the naturally aspirated 13B-MSI (Renesis). The Renesis engine aimed at emission compliance and better fuel efficiency but lacked the power output of its predecessor.

  2. Second-generation RX-8 (2009-2012): Upgrades were made, enhancing power output to 212hp, refining the suspension, and addressing some reliability concerns with improved oiling systems and ignition components.

  3. Reliability Concerns: The RX-8's Renesis engine faced common issues such as carbon buildup, oil consumption, catalytic converter wear, and loss of compression, which significantly impacted its longevity and reliability.

  4. Future of Rotary Engines: Mazda experimented with alternative fuel prototypes for rotary engines, including hydrogen-powered variants. However, meeting stringent emissions regulations posed challenges for further development and application of rotary technology.

FAQs on Rotary Engines:

  1. Power Potential: The 13B engine, with proper modifications, can handle over 700 horsepower, but achieving this requires internal component upgrades and expertise due to the engine's complexity.

  2. Reliability: Rotary engines like the 13B can be reliable with meticulous maintenance. They require more frequent oil changes and tune-ups to prevent carbon buildup and maintain seals for optimal performance.

  3. Repair Costs: Rotary engines tend to be more expensive to repair due to the scarcity of parts, specialized knowledge required for repairs, and higher labor costs associated with fewer mechanics skilled in rotary engine work.

Expert Insight:

Drew Blankenship, a former Porsche technician and seasoned automotive enthusiast, provides a comprehensive overview of the RX-8's engine, drawing from years of hands-on experience and technical knowledge gained through working with various high-performance vehicles.

His background in tuning and repairing Japanese cars, coupled with extensive experience with Porsche vehicles, lends credibility to his insights and analysis of the Mazda RX-8's engine, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses from a mechanical perspective.

By amalgamating historical context, technical specifications, and practical experiences, Drew offers a nuanced understanding of the Mazda RX-8's engine and the challenges it presents in terms of reliability, maintenance, and future prospects in the automotive landscape.

Mazda RX-8 Engine: The Ins & Outs of Mazda's 13B MSI - VehicleHistory (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jamar Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5255

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jamar Nader

Birthday: 1995-02-28

Address: Apt. 536 6162 Reichel Greens, Port Zackaryside, CT 22682-9804

Phone: +9958384818317

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Scrapbooking, Hiking, Hunting, Kite flying, Blacksmithing, Video gaming, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Jamar Nader, I am a fine, shiny, colorful, bright, nice, perfect, curious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.