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Rebuilt vs JDM

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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 10:59 AM
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Rebuilt vs JDM

So I take it I am better off with a rebuilt engine vs getting one of the ones coming from Japan? I am considering a rebuilt from OJ from Texas. He offers a 2400 rebuilt with a bit of a warrenty. Any negatives on his service?
And I did do a search with OJ and one with rebuilt......
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 11:06 AM
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it's been a while since I had my engine replaced but aren't the remans still being built here in the US?
Often times, it's actually more financially feasible to just get a core from a Mazda dealership than a full rebuilt because based on your engine (and why it failed), you might need to replace too many parts to make it worthwhile.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 11:26 AM
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JDM is a cat in a bag, so avoid that unless you're ready to need another engine after that. Based on forum members' experience, same goes for OJ.

But a rebuild from a good rebuilder or Mazda is your best bet.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 11:48 AM
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yup.
based on recent user experiences, I would not send my motor to OJ.
where abouts are you located?
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 01:31 PM
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Do. Not. Buy. A. JDM. Engine.
They don't come with any kind of warranty beyond "it will start" and never have compression test results. You have no idea what you're getting. It might run. It might not. Why risk it?

I had my motor rebuilt by OJ Imports. It sucked.
You can't get a good rebuild for less than $3000. You just can't. There are precious few used rotor housings in good enough shape to make good compression if you reuse them. But the only way to get the rebuild price below $3k is to re-use your old housings. Those suckers are $850 each. Two of those, plus a seal kit ($1500), plus labor, plus bearings, plus lapping the irons...

Save yourself some heart-ache and just get a motor from Mazda. A 2004-2008 6-port motor is <$3000 + freight and it comes with enough new parts (housings, possibly irons, possibly rotors) that it makes the OJ Imports $2400 motor look like highway robbery. Seriously, it's $600 more but it's totally worth it. Recent reports indicate that Mazda motors are all completely new from Japan rather than remanufactured in their facility on the east coast.

Google search for "N3H3-02-200R-V0" (with quotes) or "N3H302200RV0" to see a number of retailers and their prices. Some won't ship but some will. IIRC, ProMazda will ship for something like $150 (at least a year ago they shipping one to my buddy). Also, you'll have to return your old engine to Mazda or pay an extra $1000 core fee. For this reason, I recommend you buy one from somewhere local if you can find one so you can pick up the new engine and drop off your old rather than paying freight.

After my OJ Imports rebuild became unusable, I got a Mazda reman from a dealer 3 hours away. Paid $3200 after tax and they took my old engine core at the same time I picked up my new engine. It's been great. Makes waaaaaaaay more power than OJ's effort.

Last edited by NotAPreppie; Nov 21, 2018 at 01:38 PM.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 02:12 PM
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Not wanting to be a pain, but do you know the part number for the AT engine, the engine code you gave me is for the MT one
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 02:29 PM
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Just go to/call a dealer and ask. Give them the VIN and you will have the right part number.

Unless you have special needs(race engine, turbocharging, etc.), recent Mazda reman is a good choice.

Used engine isn't a good idea, no matter where it's from, and this is not an S2k where the JDM version does make a hair more power(even then, I suspect it's a difference in tune rather than engine hardware); all 4-port makes 192 BHP or so in all markets.

Like NAP said, a lot of resellers will say "No Wankel rotary/diesel warranty" in their fine print. Don't forget to read the fine print. They always get you with the fine print.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 03:05 PM
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someone mentioned a good rebuilder, anyone have the name or phone number of someone who is trustworthy? my local dealer came back with a price of 4800 plus 1000 core for a reman. The risk of going with OJ would be worth it with that kind of difference in price. So If I found a good rebuilder who could do one for somewhere between OJ's price and the mazda price.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 04:06 PM
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This should be the right part number:
N3H2-02-200R-V0
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 08:39 PM
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thanks, I got a quote from two mazda places, my local guy wants 4250, and one in Georgia wants 3500 plus 600 shipping. Problem is If I get the one from Georgia they will not warranty it. if they personally do not install it. From my local dealer it is the same issue, they say they will not warranty the engine if they do not install it, and obviously they charge stealership prices to do the engine swap. Soo, I am at a loss.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 08:58 PM
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Here is a compiled list of rebuilders.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...ilders-265177/

And right, you have the 4-port, which is more expensive than the 6-port. In that case you may have better luck with a good builder and get a warranty through them.
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Old Nov 21, 2018 | 09:14 PM
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thanks for the list , much appreciated
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 08:41 AM
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Dealers won't warranty Mazda engines unless a Mazda dealer installs it because they have no control over the quality of work.

Here: $2839 + $125 shipping
https://www.promazdaparts.com/oem-pa...t-n3h202200rv0

Then you just gotta ship your old motor back to them when you're done swapping (the cost of which depends on where you're located). You'll have to use an LTL freight service.

Last edited by NotAPreppie; Nov 22, 2018 at 08:47 AM.
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 12:12 PM
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Is that a 4 port engine?
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 12:31 PM
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Wow that looks like the right one. I just sent them a message as the phone number they have listed does not work. Fingers crossed
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 02:06 PM
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99% positive that it's the dealer that forum member Mr. Pockets bought his 6-port reman from. He said they were easy enough to work with.
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Old Nov 22, 2018 | 06:40 PM
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I am hoping they will be open tomorrow. the number on the web site is dead but the address links up to a mazda dealer so I will call tomorrow. If that price holds that is definitely how I will go
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Old Nov 23, 2018 | 05:14 PM
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Soo end result, I called the place from promazda parts.com, and they no longer ship stuff, however with the part number I found another place that did have it and shipped to me. So I called and told this to my dealer, they still wanted 4300 plus the 1000 core deposit, and no warranty if I installed it instead of them. So I called the other place back and bought from them, 2849 plus 1000 core and 461 shipping, but no tax and they did offer me the 12 month warranty!!!!
I am Jazzed!!! Thank you all
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Old Nov 23, 2018 | 05:53 PM
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Where did you end up buying from ?
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Old Nov 23, 2018 | 05:53 PM
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Cool beans!

You should share the name with the rest of the community.
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Old Nov 23, 2018 | 08:48 PM
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realmazdaparts.com I think they are out of Indiana. Great to deal with!!!
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