True, I am dropping my 8 off at JPR Imports Monday to do the exchange. But I should get an asterik next to my engine situation. My 8 still runs fine on the street, but not so well on the track. If I didn't track my 8 I wouldn't do this. My situation should also be of help to others as Paul from Mazmart said he would post photos when they tear down my block. Interesting to see what 111,000 miles, Pre-mix & Royal Purple looks like on the inside.

 

expo: still a hell of a job making it this far without any issues. I'm sure your engine could have run much longer under normal driving conditions and you'd proably never have second guessed it's condition.

Can't wait to see the pics from Paul. You having anything fun done to it while it's being rebuilt? (porting? different seals?)

 

What Paul finds from your engine will be incredibly informative for all RX8 owners. I can't wait to hear the results.

BTW expo, are you exchanging your engine for another one that they have remanufactured? Or is Mazmart going to refurbish your existing engine for you?

 

A few weeks ago Paul made a post that he had a few rebuilts around for a good price. It just so happened to be around bonus time so I bought one and he shipped it to a JPR last week. It is basic Rick Engman reman with the mazmart waterpump. After they get my core back it will be re-built for someone else. In case you didn’t read it in other posts I have a high RPM main seal oil leak issue when doing track weekends.

For example a Watkins Glen trip can be about 8 x 20 minute runs on a long track at 7,000 + RPM’s. I guess I am asking too much of an 111,000 mile motor to do 8 runs on a big rack. I think I have about 20-24 hours of total track time on my 8. I was thinking about just using the 8 as my daily driver and getting a FC for the track but that would be different and end up costing more. The dealership wanted $2,500 just to take the engine out and change the seals. So that would have left me with an 111,000 mile motor with new seals. So for $1,500 more I am getting a Rick Engman reman and fully expect to get another 100,000 miles out of that.

 

Wow congrats, it hard for me to believe you. (though i do)
The reason is that my 8 is sitting at the dealership getting a new engine at this moment, it only has 32k and it failed compression. I don't blame myself because I only had it for 3k, I'm guessing previous owner didn't care much about the car... Thank god the 100,000 mile warranty haha.

 

Hi Expo!,
If you just had a rear main oil seal leak, why didn't the dealer just quote to replace it.
From my experience with rotaries, to replace a rear main (eccentric shaft seal) it does not require the engine out, rather just removing the transmission and fly wheel.
The rear main seal hub is bolted onto the rear cast rotor housing with about 5 short bolts for memory. The rear main seal is renewed and fly wheel, clutch and tranny put back. Leak fixed.

Or are you talking of internal rotor oil seals?, that does require a rebuild.
Ash

 

It was a front seal leak. It was covered in the Mazmart Thread. He thought the seals were not that bad for 110,000 miles an the MOP might have been the real issue. But there was wear on some parts and with me tracking the car getting the reman was not a totally bad idea.

 

How are you getting 21mpg? I have to baby my car just to get 11mpg, if not I get around 9mpg.

 

Depends on how you drive. More time in 6th gear = better MPG

 

Sounds like a damn good price.

 

2004 @ 138,252 Miles and still going.

Living through a hell of a lot of CE Lights- 3rd set tires, Oil (too much to count), and still on original clutch!

 

Congrats! We need more people to reach the 100k switch. Makes us look better :3

 

Out of curiosity, do you downshift at stops/red lights, slow traffic?

I put the trans in neutral and coast as much as possible.

 

im at 96,700. almost there lol

 

Thought the same thing mate.

I don't neutral coast but coast to slow down and use the "BRAKES"..

Lots of "young" drivers like to downshift all the time and "engine brake", really bad for your economy with extra and unnecessary load on your drive train.

Which is cheaper to replace, brake pads, or gearbox?..

I know I will get flamed here, YES I know Racing drivers down shift, ETC, ETC.
But they are racing, care little about the economy , nor the longevity of Any components.

 

Coming from someone who wants an RX8, please tell me this is either a joke or not typical. I mean, the car is rated at 17-24, right?

 

Congrats!

 

Start a thread in discussion talking about what you did to keep the car healthy

BTW-you are double what I have (70K lol)

 

rated for 16/22. Its very typical but depends on driving habits. I drive like a bat outta hell everywhere with a mix of city/highway and I average 16-18mpg.

Sacraficing my enjoyment of the car and risk of dying from carbon lock isnt worth the extra 1-2 mpg

 

This actually isn't so, when you engine brake you do not use any fuel.

 

only if you dont rev match

 

What if you brake in neutral, which some people do who think engine braking is bad? I read the engine uses a surprising amount of fuel in neutral, especially at idle. Is that true?

 

I seriously doubt that. I mean, an idling car can use what, a gallon of gas an hour, maybe? Definitely less than driving/having the engine under load.

 

^um our carscould use multiple gallons at idle....it's better for fuel mileage to engine brake than throw it in neutral and brake....when u engine brake it cuts the fuel from ur injectors and none is being taken in....also saves on brake pads and rotors...

 

I'm glad that makes sense to you. Pads and rotors have no function other than to slow the car down and be replaced once they degrade. Engine braking to save fuel is a questionable practice at best.