Reno_Dantres

Hello all. Brand new RX8 owner here. I just purchased an '04 with ~85k miles on it. Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous as to whether the engine will blow before or after that 100k mark. But, I'll cross that bridge if and when I get to it.

Anyway, my question is what sort of things should I look to upgrade for an engine build more geared towards a stronger/more dependable engine? I know porting is a step in the wrong direction if you have engine life in mind, and I know I'd have to upgrade Apex seals as a general rule.

I'm really not experienced with rotary engines, and I don't really know what things I'd need to change in order to really build up the strength of the engine. But mainly, I just want it to be built to last a long time, and possibly stand up to FI in the future better than a stock engine would.

One last thing, if anyone knows of any good engine builders I could trust to rebuild the Renesis in or around the state of KY, that would be super helpful also.

inb4 "use search button"

Thanks in advance.

bse50

Blueprinting the engine and using tight clearances generally helps.
Using fresh parts (housings, and sideplates if needed) is another must.
Doing some port work, mainly bevelling the ports might help reducing side seal wear, i have no proof for that though.
7\8Bar oil pressure regulator
Coils and plugs, then plugs every 30.000km or so would be good... more often if you track your car.
Then add a better water pump if you track your car often, clean your MAF and follow the right maintenance practice.

That's pretty much it. Use a good oil that mixes well with fuel and PREMIX.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

bse, I didn't think the side seals swept over the ports? One of the reasons we don't have as much room for additional porting?

Not arguing against mild porting, although I can't argue FOR it either
I agree with everything else though.

And not to get off topic, but OP, find out the original sale date of your car. The warranty lasts for 8 years from that date, and you might hit that limit before the 100,000 miles. It may be this year, since plenty of the 2004s were sold in late 2003. Or it might be quite a bit later. My 2005 wasn't sold until Sept 2006 (though I'm at 83,000, so I'll hit 100k first)

bse50

Some ports look a bit "touched" on older engines. I'm not sure how much bevelling does to help this since you usually rebuild an engine with way tighter clearances than before...
I think that tight clearances play the biggest part in it but i always ask myself... why not? and jump on the dremel

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

where did you get the "its gonna blow at 100K" from ? did your neighbor's friend's uncle's friend's neighbor's dog told you that ?

1.3_LittersOfFurry

iTrader: (4)

I think he means he's nervous if he's going to get a free engine or not.

OP, you could be on your 3rd engine already (engine replacements are not always shown on a carfax report, none of mine were)... contact Mazda of North America (MazdaCustomerAssistance@mazdausa.com) State you just got the car and would like to know the following: Available Recalls, Any warranties left, Service History Report, And most importantly - How many engines were put in and at what mileage. Make SURE to include your car's VIN in the E-mail. They are very easy people to deal with.

If the mileage is high on the current engine you could go to a dealership and ask for a compression test to be done. State you are having hot start issues from time to time. If you fail the compression test, it will be free along with a new motor. If your car passes then you have to pay for the compression test. Call the dealer and ask for a price before you go that way you have the money in case it passes.
This is not "necessary" but will give you the peace of mind about your engines health.

-Shawn

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

You don't have to make up a reason for the compression check, unless the dealership is shady, in which case I wouldn't go to them anyway, since they probably won't help with a new engine.

Just ask for a compression test. If they want to know why, then tell them "because it's a high mileage rotary!" If it fails, you still don't have to pay for it, if it passes, you still do.

You don't want them saying "hot start huh? Lets go see" and looking at you suspiciously. Just starts stuff off wrong. Won't help you, and could hurt you.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

^good advice
prices of compression tests vary from dealer to dealer. Call for the best price, should you pass compression.
And if you haven't done so yet, read this thread

Good luck, and welcome to the addiction

Reno_Dantres

Thanks for all of the speedy and very informative replies all. All of those things sound like good things to do, especially the compression check just to see where I stand thus far. There's actually a Mazda dealership right down the street from the lot I bought the car at, I will certainly be getting in contact with them and asking them the history of the car.

And good point on the warranty issue, I forgot it was also only for 8 years. -_-

Reno_Dantres

Oh, back to the premix suggestion. I've read and read about premix, and it seems like the crowd is divided. So, what are your all's suggestions about the premix? Should I just use a good 2-stroke oil, or should I actually buy a lubricant to mix in? What are your preferred brands of oil/lubricants?

Also, I see no one touched on the shop question. I dunno if that means none of you know of any, or just missed that part. But yeah, good shops to take a rotary to in KY preferred, but I'm not unwilling to travel to parts of Ohio/Indiana/Tennessee if I have to to get quality work done. I'd do the build myself, but like I said, I have little to no experience with rotary engines.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

There arent many rotary rebuilders out there. Though RotaryRessurection is in TN, Mazmart is in Atlanta GA. They are your close public ones. Might be more.

jdenman03

Rotary revival in Franklin Indiana actually rebuilds them for Mazda and service customers too. That's who is cleaning my SSV for me.

bse50

Mazmart rebuilds stuff for mazda too... to some extent

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

premixing is hotly debated, so people don't want to discuss that subject...

However, most people who premix on these boards use Idemitsu 2-stroke oil. Search for that, and you'll have your answers

Reno_Dantres

Did rotary revival's website ever actually work? Cause now it's just one of those generic domains that has a bunch of suggestions on it.