Hi fellow North West owners,

My car has finally succumbed to the bad rotor or apex seal problem experienced by many other 2004 owners. Just shy of 10 years of driving and 72K miles.
Dealers in the area are all around the $5,500.00 amount to replace the motor. I don't have that kind of available scratch to hand over. I thought about trying to tear it down myself but realize that I don't have all the tools or time required and it would ultimately become more of a mess. . .

So, is there anyone who knows of a shop or individual(s) who would either pay for the vehicle as it is, or would be willing to tear into it and get it running again in no real hurry but far less than the dealerships cost?

Bottom line is I love the car and would keep it forever. But right now it's taking up space in the garage, I can't fix it myself, but am not willing to hand it over to the junk yard.

Thoughts or ideas would be appreciated,
Dave in Silverdale, WA

 

Sorry to hear about this Are you sure that it's the "blown engine" and not just another issue with similar symptoms?

If you have the patience and ability to wait a while, you could save up some cash and send your engine and/or car to one of the many RENESIS engine builders in the US (Pineapple Racing, Black Halo Racing, Mazmart, etc; or members: Rotary Resurrection, Karack I believe does this?, etc).

Otherwise, I'm sure you could sell it for a decent price. I've seen blown engine 8's sell for the $2.5-5000 mark...

 

Hey bro' thanks for the suggestions. I questioned the dealership in town when they said it was blown. They read codes and "could just tell by the sound" that a rotor was dead when I rolled into the bay under limp mode last month. I thought it was coils as the car acted the same way when my OEM coils crapped out. I had been running the BHR system for the last 40K miles.
So, yeah, I had it towed home that same day after the dealer said 6K for a new motor. I threw coils, plugs, and wires at it last week hoping I was right. Sadly, it started, reved, sputtered, clunked, and quit, leaving a large puddle of oil and coolant underneath. If I had the money it would take to send the motor to a shop I'd do it. Probably just try to sell it as is.

 

5k for a blown engine rx8? Did it have a brand new turbo kit too?

 

I agree 5k would be nominal if the motor ran fine. But I was thinking 2k if I parted it out.

 

$5k if the body is in great shape, with good modifications.

You sound like a person who took care of their 8 (since new!), so I gave you the benefit of the doubt

 

Yeah I did which makes it all the more painful.

 

Pick up a junkyard motor and swap it in. If the FD wasnt in the garage I would offer my help. Could finish it in a weekend no problem. Dont give up yet.

 

RR is probably your best budget rebuild. 3K should have you up and running again.

 

RR? Sorry no idea what the abbreviation means...

 

RotaryResurrection

 

Sorry just used to the abbreviation

 

Oh, them. In Tennessee. .. I'm in WA. He's not accepting new motor rebuilds anyway, too busy.
Thanks though.

 

You can find a low miled motor from a wrecking yard much cheaper. I found my last engine with 20k for under a grand.

 

Or buy a Mazda reman for $2K and swap that in.

I think Easy is in WA now..and would likely be able to swap it in for you...maybe try and PM him and see what he says

 

Think his issue is he doesnt have the tools or place to do it.

 

I think he may have options .. doesn't hurt to ask

 

Im willing to help out if its at a ""certain option""...

 

Lol.....

 

So what's the word galleychief?

If you would like some help, pm me. Facilities are available.