My Mazda reman was installed last summer 2016. It seems stronger than the original engine when I bought the car new in 2008. No numbers to be specific, but been driving rotaries a long time and it is definitely stronger. Probably got one of the better built remans. I have had the same two mechanics exclusively that have worked on my 2008 RX8 since new, and they concur that this reman engine feels stronger.

Thanks Paul for your posts !

No pitting to be found. Maybe dust or reflection?

Paul.

The Center Flat Housing is a major integral part of the 'block'. The center flat housing divides one rotor housing from another and provides a surface for the moving rotor to ride along with it's oil, corner and side seals separating functions. It contains cooling passages that meet other cooling passages in mating components (Rotor housings). Dowels pass through it creating strength and rigidity against twisting and Siamese exhaust ports are located in the center flat housing.

The flat housing we found in this engine was near enough to new, not showing much discernible wear. When you have enough wear, the oil, corner and side seals cannot do their job properly and it is a source of compression loss as well as blow by.

Paul.

Thanks for the response, now I understand.:)

This is what they were referring to on the outer iron sealing surface between the secondary port and e-shaft passage hole



https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...9348dd42c2.jpg

Good to know. Thanks to both Paul and gwilliams6. It's posts like these that'll help keep 8's running smooth and strong.

Synopsis
 

So, the verdict on this one:

With a Mazda reman you get practically a BRAND NEW ENGINE: New rotor housings, new rotors, new eccentric shaft, new main bearings, new counter weights, all new seals, new tension bolts, new water pump, new oil pan and often all new side housings. Front cover is usually used.

My criticism: They start these engines with water in them and do not drain the water properly. This results in a fair amount of rust in coolant passages and water pump,
I've encountered about 2 or 3 errors out of several dozen engines that I will not detail today.

We use them for installs at our shop and will also go through them for clients with the right budget, perhaps wanting some upgrades. They offer BY FAR the best bang for the buck, as Mazda seems to be subsidizing.

Paul.

I wonder if somebody at Mazda felt bad about how completely they screwed the pooch on the Renesis (and doubled-down with the first generation of rebuilds). Maybe this is their unspoken way of trying to make it up to us.

Thanks for this thread, it was very informative.

About the rust, if one of us should buy one of these, are there precautionary steps we could take to minimize it?

Not really, supposedly they dyno each engine, and that would explain them having coolant in them.

Well I guess I know what to do when this engine finally blows.

Well I would hardly call this conclusive, people have still gotten remans in the last couple of years that didn't last long. But if your plan is to buy one and then have it rebuilt, then that might be smart if they are all getting the new parts.

I understand what you're saying, 9k, but I think if I had the choice of spending $3k on a reman v.s. a $3k rebuild, I don't think it's unreasonable to go with the reman.

No, not if you are looking at a $3,000.00 rebuild. I'm just saying that new parts are great, but if the rebuild process is done half assed it won't matter much.

Well that explains the nastiness that came out of my cooling system when I did the first coolant flush on my re-man. Have you noticed any "excessive sealant on the water seals" issues that people have previously talked about?

As long as you're doing the installation yourself, or having a reputable shop do it, then the re-man does sound good on paper. Still wouldn't trust a dealer with the installation though.

I'm just spitballing here, but that got me thinking.
Maybe they're thinking about negating the potential impact of a future class action lawsuit?
Showing a good faith effort to try and remedy a serious issue?

You know lawyers.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...d75316df80.jpg

Paul, thanks for all the info, very helpful IMO.

Again thanks Paul. Now I have a good idea why this reman runs so strong.

I did a coolant flush on my Mazda reman when I upgraded and replaced my cooling system after about 4k miles on the reman, so that evidently was a good thing.

You're talking to a guy with a half-assed rebuild from a "reputable" rebuilder. I'd gladly go back in time 18 months and pay $3k for a reman instead.

Word. I'm coming up on a little over 40k on my Pineapple build, it was money well spent I'd say considering it's all boosted mileage.

You can't be that naive. They're doing this for now because it makes the most business sense. I love Mazda, but they're a company. They do things out of pragmatism, not obligation.

We're rotary owners. We're all pretty naive.

I was when I bought mine, and ignorant, I thought it was just a restyled RX7.
When I started researching it I had second thoughts, but 5 years and 50k miles later, even with a failing engine, I love it still.

team many members here have claimed that title over the years, just look at some swap threads. or ya can just look at 99% of posts by newbz. $2500 car nowadays doesnt attract smart adults

See my signature? I already have that record. Come on, get with the program.