12A rebuild cost?
 

Okay, so I'm progressing on my 85 GS 12A for Pro 7 racing in the northwest, gathering parts. But, as I want this car to last for a while, I'm thinking of having the 12A rebuilt, updating a few things within the rules, but mostly stock.

My question, what should a rebuild with installation cost? $1500? $2500? There seems to be some good running 1st gens for this amount of money, so I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off just buying a car that runs better. As it stands, my current car smokes on start up until it's warm and shows low oil pressure at idle (I am hopeful it's only the sending unit). I'm afraid that this motor may need a rebuild before being track ready. If that is the case, I could easily find a better running car for that kind of coin, don't you think?

What would you do? I have only $500 into this RX7 now, I haven't put my roll cage or racing seat in yet, but they're here and waiting for the car, either this one or another.

Please feel free to opine...

Phil
69 AMX
85 GS

Starting with a "known" fresh engine is always a good idea. If you simply buy another car with a "better" engine, you still have an unknown. Not familiar with the "pro" rules per sey. Also, someone else going to do the install?? Just a "driver" and not a mechanic? IMO, the engine is a good place to spend money for reliability.

Oh, I can work on an engine, but this is my first rotary, the only motors I have rebuilt are piston motors, so yes, I wouldn't mind jobbing this one out for the sake of having it done right. PRO7 is pretty much stock motor, no mods for increased power, but for reliability. Most of the goodies are spent are in suspension tweaking, but even that has limits. It's restricted to 1st gen RX-7s with the 12A, almost a spec class. I could *probably* do the removal and install myself (love all those wires). So, what would a rebuilt motor with exchange run?

I may be wrong but Pineapple racing in Portland will do a rebuild stock 12a for around $1500. and this motor for normal street use comes with a 3yr/36000 mile warrenty.
Rob builds alot of the Spec and Pro 7 guys motors around here. PIneapple racing comes with a very high recomendation from me and alot of other guys around this area.

it depends....

if you need new housings its gonna cost you a lot more. if you dont need housings, then youll still need the basic rebuild kit which usually includes:

6 apex seals
6 apex seal springs
12 side seal springs
12 corner seal springs
12 corner seal plugs
1 engine rebuild gasket set
1 front seal
1 rear seal
4 inner oil seal o-rings
4 outter oil seal o-rings

im not exactly sure what that would cost tho.

--eric

The only problem with Pineapple racing for me is distance...they're an 8 hour drive from where I'm at (the dark, far reaches of Idaho). The nearest civilizaion is Spokane WA, but so far, I don't see anyone that specializes in rotary work up there. $1500 doesn't seem to bad. That would probably get t his car through a few seasons of fun. I'll check their website out, hmm...could be the deal I'm looking for. Thanks

www.pineappleracing.com
Give Rob a call (probobly after x-mas) he is usually more than willing to chat and give any info you might want. he might be able to work out a deal on shipping.

If you really want to get into raceing just the experiance you will gain building your 1st motor will be priceless... Your prolly looking at what $200 a pop for the houseings $250 for apex seals $90 for a gasket set sounds like you need some oil rings prolly get those for $15 a piece you will need front and rear main seals $12? a pop haveing the engine balanced $150.... doing it your self... your looking at $2200? prolly more just for the motor... then you got your install... to do anything in the world of racing you have to be a good driver... and a even better mechanic ;)

i couldn't agree with this any more! putting the engine together is not too hard, but if you're more comfortable hiring someone to build it, then that's exactly what you should do.

it's hard to put a price tag on it for you because it's all going to come down to which parts of the motor will need to be replaced in addition to the parts that MUST be replaced for any rebuild (i.e,: the seals, gaskets, springs and such ...) go to www.mazdatrix.com and check out the prices for the internal parts just to get a rough estimate.

in my opinion, and that's all this is ... you'll probably get it done and installed for about 2 grand, especially since there is no porting to be done (if i understand your racing class rules correctly).

anyway ... as for the buildup itself, start HERE, this is one of my favorite threads to refer people to for buildup info ... it may not be the MOST complete thread, but i think it's a GREAT start.

keep sounding your questions off throughout your buildup, and i'm sure you'll get it all together in no time at all. :)

1

Hmmm, since I have the factory service manual, maybe I'll go to the boneyard and see what kind of damage I can do to a dead 12A first. If it goes well, then I could probably try a swap. BUT I have checked, rebuilds are running $1900-$2000 with a $250 core deposit. And many of them offer free shipping. Sure, I can turn my own wrench, and I have rebuilt 2 other motors (a VW flat four and an AMC 360). These were bonedead simple. I think the part that worries me about the rotary is all those little wires and vacuum lines! I know, be sure to mark everything so I know where it goes. Just fear of the unknown I suppose. Still, it seems that if it costs me $2000 to rebuild my own, or $2000 to have one professionaly done (Pineapple for example), I'd be better off going with someone who knows what they're doing. I would hate to spend $2K on my own rebuild only to find I forgot something very simple and cost me another $2K to fix my mistake!!

well ... if it's any consolation, the wires and vacuum lines have nothing to do with the rebuild itself. as longs you know where all the seals and springs go, and you build really SLOWLY, you should be able to get through it. i've never built an air cooled engine ... so you've got that one on me. however, what you said makes sense, if you're not comfortable, then have someone else do it. it makes no sense having to do it twice for a small mistake (although it would probably mean that you'd never make it again - hehehe)

since you're going to the junkyard, why don't you have that one build while you drive your car, then use yours as a learning tool after the swap? just an idea ...

I know what you mean with all that emissons crap on the stock 12a motors... I am not shure how much of that stuff you could do away with with the stock carb setup... but it might be worth a shot to look into it if you want to attempt to do the rebuild your self...