Not with passing compression scores. I think it's remotely possible (though improbable) that it will still start hot, idle hot and run normally but won't make anywhere near the same power as an engine with passing compression scores.

^ This. I have seen an engine with a broken apex start and run with an S2 starter. Sure 200k has been done (once that I know of that was proven on an original engine) but as NotAPreppie pointed out it would be way down on power and one or two cars making it to 200k on the original engine is just a fluke, nothing more.

Facts are that Mazda has replaced thousands of engines in a car that was sold in very few numbers and the reason for that is because it just isn't a great engine. The sooner people realize that and the fact that the RX-8 has little in common with older RX-7's, the better off they will be.

I also think that every RX-8 owner should go to an RX-8 dyno day so they can get a reality check.

A Honda will get you 200k easy.

Yeah my daughters 95 Accord had 230k when the cluster was replaced, we are guessing it has about 280k on it based on the previous owners records and it just floated a valve. I have had three Odyssey's for work and two were at over 250k when sold and lived hard lives but were well maintained so I am sure they are still kicking around. I also had a Sienna that was traded in at 333k or so with no issues to speak of other than the shifter was replaced. I just sold my 98' Integra GSR and it was right at 200k.

Sure it is. Just like 1,000,000 miles on an old Volvo, or winning the lottery.

The measure of an engine isn't what's possible. It's what's likely. 200k on a Renesis isn't likely. Not remotely.

The S2 should have better odds of running longer between rebuilds, but it's far from bulletproof, so the only way to tell would be with big aggregate data sets (i.e. looking at ALL S1s and ALL S2s and comparing failure rates). No one has that kind of data -- other than maybe Mazda, who obviously would never tell and likely couldn't be trusted even if they did.

Does that mean the S2 improvements were meaningless for reliability? Of course not. This may be where I part company with some in this thread (besides the unproductive name-calling and condescension). "We don't know" means "we don't know."

But either way, we're still stuck with the fact that there's no reason to expect modding an S1 engine to mimic an S2 will improve longevity. We don't even know if the S2 changes worked from the factory, let alone if one or two of them would work as hack jobs. Gotta figure, if it were that easy, why has Mazda had so much trouble in the first place?

From what I have read around here, it's unlikely to get to 200k without a rebuild, and even if you do, it's on borrowed time.

There is even a thread where an S2 owner shared his compression decline over time.

Considered S2k, but the no-practicality part really turned me off. Same as Miata.

I originally wanted to replace my Accord Coupe V6 5AT with a 6-speed version, but they are very hard to find.

If you are a MT guy, most of the newer MT Hondas aren't even worth driving without a tune just to get rid of the rev hang, and trust me, you will want to rip your hair out with that rev hang.

My s1 lasted over 10 years and almost 100k.

Got a reman. If it lasts that long again I'm fine with it I guess. Cheaper than buying a Miata or something similar.

So what is the solution in terms of keeping it reliable? build a NA RX-7 13B to make 235hp? is that worth it? Or just skip it and run a NA 3 Rotor very conservatively? or Just keep tossing in Renesis remans/rebuilding yours and hope for the best?

It will never be as reliable as a Honda. These cars are toys. Fast, sexy, awesome toys. You can get it relatively reliable, but that's a far cry from the 200k the OP is talking about. I have a panty-dropping 85 chevrolet sprint as the reliable one. (Hey, 50 mpg is some serious stuff). If you don't enjoy wrenching, don't buy this car.

And OP, the reason people are getting impatient with you, is because there is collectively decades worth of rotary experience on this forum. They've forgotten more about the rotary than you and I will likely ever know.

Then you come in here and act like you've come up with some grand solution, do you not think that if it were that simple the guys that have been doing this for so long would have thought of it by now? Not to say coming up with your own independent thought is wrong, but when they say it's a bad idea, it's probably a bad idea.

The 05 I bought has 100k and some change on the clock, original motor. When I saw that my exact thoughts were: "God DAMN, this thing was a fucking trooper to have lasted that long." Twice that, as previously mentioned, just isn't realistic. Hell, 200k is an achievement even with modern reciprocating engines.

Best thing to do is to setup your budget to spend $4k every 4 years for a quality rebuild/reman. <$100/month is still cheaper than a car payment.