Want to buy an 8 that has issue
 

So for the longest time I wanted an 8 but was weary of their motor problems. Long time ago my friend finance an 8 and bought all the Mazdaspeed part's for it then one day it was running rough. My friend brought it to Mazda dealership to get it repair. So it took Mazda awhile to fix it. When he got it back after a week later it was having problem's and there was oil coming out from the intake. I like the way it look sorta like a brand new car. If fix up tastefully then it'll look like a budget supercar. Anyways, I saw in the classified that there is an 8 that has problem staying on. Should I go for it and tinker around with it? Or do I just swap out for a different engine? What engine can be swap in beside a rebuilt 8 engine?

factory reman is cheapest, theres a lot of builders that can do a rebuild too. get a rotary specific compression test FIRST. if its cheap enough and they are legit mazdaspeed parts (read as body parts) a cheap 8 would be worth it

Problems staying on is a good sign the engine is done. You could get lucky and its something else, but I woulnt betbon that But, picking up a good condition car with a dead or dying engine for cheap and swapping in a fresh engine is a great to get many miles of smiles. You just need to budget about 5k for the engine + install if you're not doing it all yourself.

The next best swap is a 13bREW (twin turbo RX7 engine). Budget 10k+ for that. Around the same price you can look at V8 swaps that are well explored.

Beyond that you're in mostly uncharted waters. People have done other swaps but there isn't a consistent track record.

Actually, I think it's a bit closer to $15k for a proper REW swap. Obviously, there is a small, small bit of wiggle room on what intercooler, turbo, etc. you use, but I think $10k is a bit low. I could be wrong, though.

Also, even most FD folks are switching to single twin-scroll turbos nowadays. The sequential turbo setup is outdated by today's standards and is very complicated.

An RX-8 shell/roller is about $1k, so if you have $7~8k, then go with the roller+reman route.

Wow.. interesting... Long time ago I use to work for a motorsport place that sell engine swap. I remembered my former employer said a 20B would cost $5k. I still get discount from there probably ask him how much is a RX7 13B cost.

If you are going for a 20B and want to get it to work, I hope you have a deep pocket. A very, very deep one. If you can't afford something capable of the same amount of power a 20B-REW can make, like a C7 Corvette, forget about it.

You are insanely stupid if you are selling a 20B-REW for only $5k, especially a Series II 20B-REW. Those things are rarer than unicorns.

Your not a very nice person. I look up in my area and there shop selling 13B Renesis engine for $1400 but since I'm having a bad apple I probably just pass on getting an 8 and just go for a 300ZX instead.

Me not being a nice person would actually be encouraging your to take a 20B-REW swap on and leaving you broke with an undriveable car that sells for peanuts. Truth hurts.

Pick whatever car makes you happy and fits your needs. If a 300ZX works better for you, then so it is.

In what condition? It's a good idea to assume most used rotaries need a rebuild, including 20Bs. So $5k might make sense, if it needs another few thousand of work to make it useful.
And after you paid for the engine you need to mount it, arrange the electronics to work, figure out if you enjoy power steering, a/c or a working dashboard, etc. Most of the cost of a swap is not the engine itself.

Well I really wanted an 8 and that sourpuss ruin it for me. But when you answer makes me smile. If I buy a easy drop like a used motor from japan the 13B Renesis then I'll be saving. But if I was to drop in a RX7 13B twin turbo or the 20B then I have to work it. Long time ago I use to run a good business for the Honda community but their anal about thing's and I end the business. Use to make body kit's for the Acura community till I run into problem with people saying they wanted it in carbon fiber but my fiberglass part's when install fits like a glove. I want to bring to the table is my creation for the 8.

Let me clear this up: when I said "you are stupid if you are selling a 20B for $5k," I am not specifically saying you are stupid. I am just saying the person selling it probably doesn't know they have. Someone selling an old rare painting thinking it's just useless. You get the idea.

(Seems like sometimes people misinterpret what I say and think I am pointing fingers.)

Don't buy a used Renesis. JDM version isn't different AFAIK(all RX-8s were made in Japan anyway), and most importer will have the fine print say that they don't warrant it. Getting a reman installed is the best value.

As mentioned, a shell + a reman installed should be $7~8k-ish. Hopefully that gives you an idea.

i agree that a proper 13b-rew swap will be closer to 15k. at least double that figure for 20b if not more. plus theres a few different versions of a 20b.

as i asked earlier, what mazdaspeed parts? if its body parts that are legit it may be worth it depending on price

Well that motorsport place that I use to work at. I was a Sales Representative that sold countless of motor swap for them. So the owner give me 65% discount rate. I would buy a lot from them but I don't have a storefront to store all of those part's.

what are you talking about? why not give some actual info on the car you are talking about? pics, listing, etc? maybe answer some questions?

Okay well it's a 2004 Mazda RX-8 6-speed manual has about 69K miles. My real mom works for the NSA. You want to say "hi" to them?

get compression checked, check if legit ms parts (which you still havent listed what parts) and thanks but ill tell her tomorrow night

Uhhhhh... I'm not buying the 8 from my friend who use to have the Mazdaspeed part's on his car. He took all the part's off and let the repo man came to take the car. He wasn't making the payments for his finance 8.

Just to show you guy's what amazing thing's I can do with a car. I hired a guy to help my full time mechanic. I believe his name was John and he is a member on this forums message board. I forgot what was his username on here I think something related to Sushi.