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Just got an 04 rx8 with 63k miles. Owner told me it needed new engine because of hot start issues. Decided to take the car and see what I could do. After replacing starter and doing coils, plugs and cables, decarbing and cleaning ssv the car is starting better and idling much better. Still having hot start issues so I figure it does have low compression issues. My question is, Where have you guys had best results as far when replacing engine. I see a lot talk about rebuilt kits and also about that there are no “new” crate engines, just remanufactured.any help as to what websites I should look into.
There's still some debate.
Positive long term results getting your engine rebuilt depends a lot on the condition of your engine.
If you've run it until it won't start anymore, (like me) your results will likely be less than satisfactory for your $3-4-K investment.
Crate remans seem to be hit or miss.
I'm far from an expert, but just from reading and observing for a few years, a 'new' engine from a reputable rebuilder could yield the best results.
Read this thread, including the links within, and hopefully you'll get some idea what I'm talking about.
If you find someone not mentioned who helps you, please post it to the Rebuilders Thread.
Thanks.
Good luck!
Reman engine every time. The seals tou would replace with a kit are only part of the problem, the big parts wear too. You don't want to rebuild with your parta if they're out of spec, the engine won't last.
most rebuilders are going to reuse parts because frankly, this is not an easy engine to rebuild effectively on a budget. A proper rebuild to achieve an optimum engine is new rotor housings and rotors with the iron plates resurfaced, plus the usual seals, bearings, etc.. If the engine has high miles then it’s wise to replace the center iron as well because the divider plate in the center siamese exhaust port is prone to failure. Those parts alone are about what the avg half-done rebuild will cost.
If you’re in it for the long haul though, having the rotors and corner seals modified and fitted with Iannetti ceramic apex seals in the deeper RX7 seal depth configuration will allow you to reuse the rotors, housings, and apex seals for at least several more rebuilds or more. That assumes you rebuilt the engine when necessary rather than running it into ground like most people do and fon’t suffer a catastrophic internal failure (quite rare in NA configuration if assembled, operated, & maintained properly). You’re probably looking at $7000-$8000 or higher at that point for the first build, then the subsequent rebuilds will be quite a bit less.
not really what the average street car owner wants to hear, but that’s the basic truth of it to have an engine that will perform as intended. If you just want it to run and get you from A to B, then a lower cost rebuild will likely fit your need.
Just got an 04 rx8 with 63k miles. Owner told me it needed new engine because of hot start issues. Decided to take the car and see what I could do. After replacing starter and doing coils, plugs and cables, decarbing and cleaning ssv the car is starting better and idling much better. Still having hot start issues so I figure it does have low compression issues. My question is, Where have you guys had best results as far when replacing engine. I see a lot talk about rebuilt kits and also about that there are no “new” crate engines, just remanufactured.any help as to what websites I should look into.
In your case, if you have the budget, a remanufactured engine will be the best choice. As TeamRX8 explained, a rebuild on a damaged engine can be very expensive and time consuming. With a remanufactured engine, all it is is a simple engine swap. The other option if you don't have a good budget is a known good 2nd hand engine. These are difficult to source, and a bit risky. But at less than half the cost its worth the gamble. Some also come with 6 month warranties.
Last edited by CaymanRotary; Dec 25, 2020 at 08:24 AM.
well if you review the good/bad guy forum in the classified area you’ll see that warranties usually don’t end well.
the engine still has to pulled and replaced with the time and cost factor that has to be eaten again along with a boat load of excuses of why it won’t be a warranty failure
better to choose wisely and pray for a good result ...
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Thank y’all for the help. I’ll look at the links provided and hopefully be able to find the best solution. Definitely will go “new” engine for this ocasional daily driver. As of now, the wifey is saying yes to me keeping the car😎
Thank y’all for the help. I’ll look at the links provided and hopefully be able to find the best solution. Definitely will go “new” engine for this ocasional daily driver. As of now, the wifey is saying yes to me keeping the car😎
Thats a bonus then! Good luck, let us know how it goes.
Before you go too far, get a proper rotary compression test done on the engine. No sense replacing the engine if it's good and you don't know for sure without a proper compression test.
If you can't find someone nearby with a tester, you can buy one, they have been on sale lately.
I’m up here, but while they might offer to rebuild one for you, the one thing you need to understand that the Renesis is different than the previous 13B engine. There are a number of details that vary and are pretty particular about how well it will perform and for how long. If you intend to buy a crate/reman engine and just have them do the work, should be fine. I’m not sure you need a rotary specific shop for that, but it wouldn’t hurt either. They have a good reputation overall.
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Appreciate it TeamRX8. I have Scheduled to do a Takata airbag recall replacement of my passenger airbag next week at a Mazda dealership. Hopefully I can get in there to do a compression test
most rebuilders are going to reuse parts because frankly, this is not an easy engine to rebuild effectively on a budget. A proper rebuild to achieve an optimum engine is new rotor housings and rotors with the iron plates resurfaced, plus the usual seals, bearings, etc.. If the engine has high miles then it’s wise to replace the center iron as well because the divider plate in the center siamese exhaust port is prone to failure. Those parts alone are about what the avg half-done rebuild will cost.
If you’re in it for the long haul though, having the rotors and corner seals modified and fitted with Iannetti ceramic apex seals in the deeper RX7 seal depth configuration will allow you to reuse the rotors, housings, and apex seals for at least several more rebuilds or more. That assumes you rebuilt the engine when necessary rather than running it into ground like most people do and fon’t suffer a catastrophic internal failure (quite rare in NA configuration if assembled, operated, & maintained properly). You’re probably looking at $7000-$8000 or higher at that point for the first build, then the subsequent rebuilds will be quite a bit less.
not really what the average street car owner wants to hear, but that’s the basic truth of it to have an engine that will perform as intended. If you just want it to run and get you from A to B, then a lower cost rebuild will likely fit your need.
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so yeah, just for anyone else, the Pettit OTS Stage ll is pretty much what I stated above except it doesn’t have the much higher cost ceramic apex seals
