Mazda Engine
Mazda engine comes in many types. Ranging from the smallest to the biggest engine,
there are at least fifty-five types of Mazda engines that can be distinguished
based on the fuel displacement. These engines have similar Mazda auto parts but
varying in design and output. These engines can be classified into four major
types. The four major types include the V2 or twin cylinder engine, the straight
four with four cylinders, the V6 with six cylinders and the Wankel which uses
a rotor rather than reciprocating pistons. These four main types have sub categories
or families. The sub categories cover twelve families of engines that are designated
by letters. The simplest Mazda engine was the V2 engine which only had 356 to
577 cc of fuel displacement. This engine was used in Mazda automobiles from 1960
to 1963. On the other hand, the V6 J engines are the biggest engines. Their fuel
displacement ranges from 2000 cc to 2954 cc.
Mazda has a wide range of engine designs and configurations. However, the oddest
of all engines is the Wankel Mazda engine. This engine is different from the standard
engine used by almost all automobiles. In fact, only Mazda ever succeeded in producing
commercially viable automobiles with Wankel engines. Mazda has been producing
automobiles with Wankel engines since 1963. The Wankel engine family includes
seven versions, namely the 10A, the 10B, the 13A, the 12A, the 13B, the 20B and
the RENESIS. Each engine has different configuration. The Wankel engine is an
internal combustion engine invented by the German engineer, Felix Wankel. This
engine utilizes a rotor instead of reciprocating pistons.
Moreover, such engine undergoes the typical four stokes of the Otto cycle. The
Otto cycle occurs between the triangular rotor and the inside of the housing.
A basic single-rotor Wankel engine has an oval-like epitochoid-shaped housing
that surrounds a three-sided or triangular rotor. The central driveshaft passes
through the center of the rotor and supported by bearings. The rotor has two motions.
It rotates around a crank and at the same time orbits around the central shaft.
Imagine a wheel within a wheel. The outer wheel is the bigger wheel, which is
the interior of the rotor. Its toothed surface is in direct contact with the smaller
toothed wheel, which is the central shaft.
Wankel engines have several advantages over the piston-driven engines. It has
higher output for a similar displacement and physical size. It is also simpler
and has few moving parts. The need for valves and complex valve trains is eliminated.
However, when you purchase a brand new Mazda engine, you still have to consider
the configuration of your vehicle to assure the perfect fit. Most Wankel engines
are utilized in sports cars.
