kataphraktdigital

Hey guys. I plan to move to China once corona virus issue settles down and purchase an rx8 once I get my driving license in China.
The problem is, there are no places that does rebuilds for the rx8 just in case the engine blows.
The best idea i can come up with is to import a bone stock engine and request the local mechanics to fit it in?

Any suggestions? If I were to purchase a stock engine, where can I purchase it from? Mazda?

P.S. stock engine only because apparently mods of any sorts are illegal in China.

UnknownJinX

If you can speak and write in Chinese, I know a QQ chat group where you can get some help with that in China. There are people who mod their cars in China and they know resources to get parts.

If it's an S1, importing might be tricky. Emission standards are tough there, and importing the car and being allowed to drive it on the road are different things. I know there are some FD RX-7s that are imported, but not legally allowed on public roads.

Anyway, the general idea I have heard in some QQ car chats is that you import a reman from Japan and that will cost you like 30k~50k RMB which is about 5~8k USD. A lot more expensive than the US for sure. And I am not sure if a Mazda 4S(aka dealer) could help you out there. Maybe you have to know the right people to get it.

As for fitting in the engine, maybe any mechanic can do it for you, maybe not. Again, knowing the right people helps.

Lastly, if you live in a big city, daily driving your RX-8 is pretty tricky. Traffic sucks and you are better off with public transportation if you live in a big city. If you intend to have it as a nighttime toy, know the right people and right places, and go wild.

Shaozhou Zhang

First of all, in order to drive in China you will have to get a drivers license there, if you have a US license, you can just take the knowledge exam (AKA,科目一). Beside that, only 200ish rx8 are sold in China.
Not a whole lot people in China knows rotary well, if you are in city such as Shanghai, I know there's one rotary mechanic, pretty famous, kind of like Racing beat in China.

In Beijing and Tianjin, there are also people working on rotaries. The guy in Tianjin is actually building a rotary engine, NOT assembled.
Few thing sucks, the fuel price and quality sucks, parts are expensive, hardly any quality aftermarket parts unless you want to pay for international shipping.

Also, aftermarket modifications other than wheels and tires are not allowed. However, modifying header, midpipe etc (stuff that will not be seen) will be fine, I am not sure Sohn adapter, but BHR ignition, BHR midpipe, oil pressure regulator, cooling, engine tuning won't get in trouble.

Emission is another thing(it's sniffer and possibly sniffer+OBD in the future) , there are people help you to pass the emission, just give them money, but it's getting more and more rare, however, you may choose to remove the catalytic converter and fit a midpipe once you passed the emission, however, what's sucker than that is any vehicle older than 15 years old (not sure about the number), you have to inspect your vehicle TWICE a year.

Driving in big city sucks, there are countless bikes and pedestrains that DO NOT watch traffic signal, and even if you hit them when it's green, you may also be financially responsible, because the law "cares" about the weak more.

One more thing, for oil, there are fake oils, even at authorized oil dealer.

UnknownJinX

All good points.

I have heard that there are some Japanese rotary builders that go to Beijing now and then.

And yeah, unlike North America, fuel detergent is not a requirement in China so you might want to buy them yourself.

With under-the-hood mods, remember that subtlety is key. If they look stock enough, the inspectors won't bother to find out if it's stock or not. So when you get an aftermarket part, try getting them in more neutral colours, like black.

As for the emission test, I think it has to do with the emission tier you are on. Chinese emission standards are roughly like the European ones, so a Series 2 RX-8 would be a Chinese IV as it's a Euro IV. Not sure about S1, though.

And in China, electric scooters can be your worst nightmare as a driver. They can come out of nowhere so be extra careful when you drive.

Shaozhou Zhang

Beside the scotter, most driver also suck, driving on interstate/highway at 60mph when the speed limit is 80 at left lane.
People there have no idea about right of road, they do not understand going straight has the highest right of road, they do not obey yield and stop. Most of the cars are low on blinker fluid. Taxi drivers that will be considered reckless driving if they were in the US. Being cut off is daily basis. I'd say it's improving over the years, but still, don't expect it will go as smooth as in the US. I never drive when I go back.

Shaozhou Zhang

I'll keep this updated if I come up with something.

The fuel rating is European standard, for RX8, you want to have 95, (95号).
For fueling, you MUST choose to refuel at PetroChina(中国石油） or Sinopec（中国石化）, the rest petrol station, although might be cheaper, the quality, it might contain excessive Silicon，Manganese, MTBE and sulfur that can clogg your cat, fuel injector, leave more deposit and may cause detonation, shatters seal.

Get used to honk, it's common.

kataphraktdigital

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions and tips. Are you able to point me on the business name/contact information for these rotary mechanics? I tried finding on baidu but nothing comes up.
For mods, I was thinking lowered springs, wheels/tyres, sports exhaust (maybe a new improved cat), starter motor, water pump/pipes, sports clutch etc.
If I can have contact for the rotary rebuilder in china, then ill just buy a rebuild kit then get them to fit it in.

Shaozhou Zhang

lower spring may cause you trouble, the exhaust, if it is catback, may also cause you trouble. For clutch , water pump, starter, wheels and tires, you will be fine. For the rotary mechanic, I know his Wechat helijohnny (直升机林老师） he’s in Shanghai

kataphraktdigital

Springs and exhaust modification are basics of basics though. What are the consequences or repercussions for getting 'caught'?
Thank you for the wechat contact!

sinkas

wont it just be a pain in the ***, are they not rare in China
why not just buy something you can get dealt with locally ,easily

CaymanRotary

+1 this recommendation. Wait until you are set up and stable in China and look for an RX8 as a weekend car. This is not a car you want to own as your only means of transportation.

UnknownJinX

I know they can compound your car for sure. Again, subtlety.

And yeah, save it as a toy will do you much better. Getting around in public transport is much cheaper and can save you a ton of frustration unless you live in a rural area.

kataphraktdigital

You guys are right. I mean it is a pain in the butt, but then again, rx8 is still cheaper than any other second hand car that is not a Chinese brand.
I will probably think about a year later, just preparing everything in advance as I had an rx8 before! Pain in the butt but worth it because rotary.

For Shanghai, I will need to scour the area first and experience it first hand to see if it is possible or not

Thank you for all your wonderful suggestions guys.