Notices
New Member Forum A place for new members to get their feet wet

Remanufactured engine or rebuilt kit?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 12-24-2020, 10:45 AM
  #1  
New Member
Thread Starter
 
Phatty3dgar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Remanufactured engine or rebuilt kit?

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.

Old 12-24-2020, 03:55 PM
  #2  
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
 
BigCajun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kansas City, Mo.
Posts: 6,027
Received 2,619 Likes on 2,132 Posts
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!

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...ilders-265177/

Old 12-24-2020, 09:53 PM
  #3  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Loki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montreal
Posts: 7,730
Received 957 Likes on 835 Posts
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.
Old 12-25-2020, 06:32 AM
  #4  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,730
Received 2,015 Likes on 1,642 Posts
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.

.

The following users liked this post:
Phatty3dgar (12-25-2020)
Old 12-25-2020, 08:20 AM
  #5  
Registered
 
CaymanRotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 1,912
Received 286 Likes on 261 Posts
Originally Posted by Phatty3dgar
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; 12-25-2020 at 08:24 AM.
Old 12-25-2020, 08:41 AM
  #6  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,730
Received 2,015 Likes on 1,642 Posts
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 ...
.
Old 12-25-2020, 09:05 AM
  #7  
New Member
Thread Starter
 
Phatty3dgar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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😎
Old 12-25-2020, 09:44 AM
  #8  
Registered
 
CaymanRotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 1,912
Received 286 Likes on 261 Posts
Originally Posted by Phatty3dgar
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.
Old 12-26-2020, 04:07 PM
  #9  
RX-7 Guru
 
dcfc3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 347
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
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.

Dale
Old 12-26-2020, 09:36 PM
  #10  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,730
Received 2,015 Likes on 1,642 Posts
it might help to provide some general indication on where you’re located

nice looking car btw, seems to have been cared for
Old 12-27-2020, 04:28 PM
  #11  
New Member
Thread Starter
 
Phatty3dgar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I’m located near Austin, texas and I was looking at a shop up in Dallas called rotary performance that does nothing but rotary work
Old 12-27-2020, 05:33 PM
  #12  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,730
Received 2,015 Likes on 1,642 Posts
I thought so based on the landscape

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.
.
The following users liked this post:
Phatty3dgar (12-28-2020)
Old 12-28-2020, 07:15 AM
  #13  
New Member
Thread Starter
 
Phatty3dgar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
Old 12-28-2020, 11:18 AM
  #14  
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
 
BigCajun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kansas City, Mo.
Posts: 6,027
Received 2,619 Likes on 2,132 Posts
Originally Posted by Phatty3dgar
I’m located near Austin, texas and I was looking at a shop up in Dallas called rotary performance that does nothing but rotary work
I assume it's this Rotary Performance in Garland?

https://rotaryperformance.com/

Please keep us posted.



Old 12-28-2020, 03:26 PM
  #15  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,730
Received 2,015 Likes on 1,642 Posts
yes, it’s a Dallas suburb
Old 12-28-2020, 05:56 PM
  #16  
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
 
TeamRX8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 26,730
Received 2,015 Likes on 1,642 Posts
Originally Posted by TeamRX8
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.

.
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

https://pettitracing.com/pages/pettit-built-engines

not cheap at $6100, but it’s mostly an all new engine; new rotor housings, new rotors with RX7 apex seals, new e-shaft, etc.

they’ll also go through the UIM for an additional fee to make sure all the intake valves and such are fully functional when you get it back
The following users liked this post:
Phatty3dgar (12-29-2020)
Old 12-29-2020, 10:59 AM
  #17  
New Member
Thread Starter
 
Phatty3dgar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I’ll keep y’all posted and when I decide to install a new engine it’ll definitely be from petit racing.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Tony112302
RX-8 Discussion
30
07-15-2012 03:37 PM
MariesRX8
Series I Tech Garage
9
06-26-2012 11:24 PM
JeRKy 8 Owner
Series I Tech Garage
6
11-03-2010 10:51 AM
Sushi
RX-8 Discussion
10
09-15-2008 11:48 AM
w0rm
Series I Major Horsepower Upgrades
2
04-24-2008 06:20 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Remanufactured engine or rebuilt kit?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:04 AM.