i have an 85 that i purchased not long ago. it is starting to feel like its yellow colour should have given me a "lemon" warning

i now have an internal coolant leak and it has been suggested that this means either an engine rebuild or finding a rebilt engine. in canadian dollars, any ideas as to what this could cost? i am not equipped to do any of the work myself ... wondering if i should be looking for another rx!

 

IMHO, If you do rebuild it, might as well port it while it is out. rebuilds run from 1ooo to around 3ooo, depending on usable parts.

 

If it has usable internal parts (i.e. not much chrome flaking on the housing +within spec, good rotating assembly and such), figuring a rebuild kit minus apex seals is around $800-1200US depending on performance options, a STOCK refurbish can run from $1800 on up. Apex seals are $200+ a set. Might as well do a flywheel resurface, clutch...

If you can get a hookup/find a new friend, labor costs will be reduced. Especially pulling the motor...that you can usually do yourself...that is a big labor killer. To port a motor, figure around $400+, resurfacing side plates depends on where and who you go to...at least $200, new oil pump if necessary...

If its a 12A, and emissions aren't a factor, upgrade to the 13B...buy as used JDM 13B Cosmo or FD block ($1200 - 2500US), carb the sucker, and hope it will last a few years before it needs a rebuild....save a little at a time while you're waiting.

 

How many miles are on the motor? If it's still low mileage, and you don't intend to race it or anything, you might be able to get away with just a "soft seal" kit for a few hundred bucks?

 

Thats what I recommend also. Dump the 12a and go for an s4 or s5 13b. In the long run the parts are much easier to find and carbed is as much fun, if not more fun than a 12a.

 

bump to get even mor egood replies

 

i did a quiky on my 12a and just bought a master gasket and seal set from autozone used the stock apex and rotors and so forth gasket set only cost a little over a hundred but i need intake mani mine broke it in the proccess

 

Everything is based on your financial status. Or how much you are willing to spend on your car.

If the budget is small. I would recommend either finding a used engine from someone you trust. Then put it in yourself.

Or you could find another donor car with a good engine. Maybe one that is wrecked or so rotted away that you could get it resonably.

If you are able to afford to have someone build one for you. Then you need to determine how much you could afford. Meaning a stock rebuild, an upgrade to a ported engine or even an TII. Or a S4/S5 N/A with stock FI for now. If you decide and can go with one of the build routes, Make sure that you get the engine from a reputable shop.