I talked to Demitrius @ Jackson Auto Machine the day before yesterday And I have to say,...this guy knew his ****!! I was VERY impressed with how knowledgeable he was and the time he was willing to spend answering my questions. For those reasons alone I have decided to employ their services in rebuilding the powerplant for the Rex.
However, I have to make a couple of decisions prior to sending her out and I would like to do this within the next week or so. Hopefully ya'll can help me with this.

The Problems:
1.they do not do the R&R (removal and re-installation) bummer huh!.
the main issue is what to have done...

I currently do not have the facilities to do the work myself, (unless the sun is shining)
I am very sentimental about this car, its an 84 GSL-SE (see pic below) and I bougt the car NEW! recently the engine went and well,...its killing me to see her just sittin there.
You have heard me mention several times that the car is,..Well,...perfect in every way with the exception of the engine problem.
the car is purely my toy and hasnt been my primary source of transportation for some time. further have thought about joining a lightly competitive rally club. OR... just keep her original and hope that someday she will be only one of two left in the world and worth $10,000,000....um huh,... right
back to reality...... SO do I,........

1. Keep it original? (135hp)

2. Have them tweak it with their stage II and street port?? (200-225hp)

3. go nuts with it and go with their stage III and have them Bridge port??this opens up all possiblities with aspiration (hafta keep the budget in mind)(250+hp)

even if I do rally it (likely) it has to be street legal and it would be nice if it were competitive.
last but not least.... after much deliberation and promised sexual favors to the wife....I have allocated a budget of 5k total for all modifications.

need your feedback

EM

P.S. dont have the pic on this machine Ill post it in a few....(running to Laptop)

 

doesnt really do justice, but here she is

 

2nd try

 

street port stage 2
but you should include what exactly is stage #

 

Stage 1- Is a basic rebuild. Each motor is cleaned and inspected. All engine seals, bearings, gaskets and related springs and rubber orings are replaced with new OEM parts. Rotors and Rotor Housings will only be rused if they meet specifications.

Stage 2 - In addition to stage one you also get new rotor housings, upgraded 2mm apex seals with double springs 2 piece design, competition oil seal springs, new oil pump w/chain, high pressure oil regulator, and competition main bearings.

Stage 3 - In addition to stages 1 and 2 rotors are machined to accept our double spring 3mm apex seals with to improve performance and reliability at high rpm and high boost applications. Rotors are also competition clearanced, and the oil passages are enlarged, and Eccentric Shaft is polished and oil jet modifications are performed.
Street Porting starts at $275

Part # Part Description Price (US$)
JPTM13M1 13b 85 and earlier Stage I $1650.00
JPTM13M2 13b 85 and earlier Stage II $2550.00
JPTM13M3 13b 85 and earlier Stage III $3450.00
JPTM13M4 13b non turbo Stage I $1775.00
JPTM13M5 13b non turbo Stage II $2850.00
JPTM13M5 13b non turbo Stage III $3550.00
JPTM13M6 13b Turbo Stage I $1999.00
JPTM13M7 13b Turbo Stage II $2999.00
JPTM13M8 13b Turbo Stage III $3625.00
JPTM13M9 13b Twin Turbo Stage I $2100.00
JPTM13M10 13b Twin Turbo Stage II $3200.00
JPTM13M11 13b Twin Turbo Stage III $3600.00

 

personally, i'd go with stage 2 and put the leftover into the rest of the car, ie. suspension, exhaust..... make it fun AND able to be a daily driver. then take what's left of that and buy somethin' nice for the missus for putting up with your rotary obsession

 

They can't put 2mm apex seals in a pre-86 engine.

 

really, that changes things a little??

curious as to why they cant??

 

'Cause pre-'86 13B's came from the factory with 3mm seals.. he he

--Danny

 

Don't be too impressed with Jackson: they are selling, after all. I have no knowledge of them one way or the other: I'm just suggesting you might want to talk to others.

Mine would be the other one left in the world. I also bought my -SE in 1984. Personally, having kept it stock and very clean, I would never modify it and race it. I have had it on the track (Mount Tremblant in Quebec and Louden, New Hampshire) but not racing. To my mind, just too much to lose. I prefer to keep it original. If I was to race one, I would buy another, less rare one. To me the sentimental value after all these years is in keeping it original and in one piece, the way I bought it.

So I vote: keep it original !!

-John.

 

Yep'er,,keep that nice car the way it is,,,stage I,,,it,,nail the wife anyway.
with the funds left over,buy another 7,,to beat up,,or just save the bucks. I'd sell the 7,and with the 5K try to buy an FD.nothing less

 

cool, did we ever saw you in the canadian forum?

 

With 5k total, he'd be able to buy an FD body and then he'd have two non-running cars. I've seen a low-ball figure of $8500 for a running '93 that had dents. They don't pop up in the paper often. Forget bridge-port if it's gonna see street duty and get the stage three w/clearanced (does that mean lightening the rotors also?) rotors and the 3mm seals. You can then run a "sneaky Pete" system from NOS for a 125 HP shot when you need it and not worry about the engine. Suspension work is a lot cheaper and can be done gradually. Pulling the engine is involved financially and mentally, and should be kept to a minimum.

 

I too have a RX, though not a SE unfortunately, that I bought new. If I were you, I would do the stage 2 if you can afford it, because of the new rotor housings. They are the high wear item and a bad used one can slip by even a very good rebuilder.
As to the issue of removing the engine, it is a very easy process. If you don't have a hoist you can always rent one. If you catch a nice day, you can get it out easy. I did mine under a carport in Kansas, took my time, and didn't get too ambitious about it. No problem. All you need is a good set of tools, a hoist, and a few other odds and ends.
hanman

 

Mais, Oui ! Je parle pas trop, par example.

I have been around for a while, but don't get to spend too much time on the forum. Do you have an -SE yet?

-John.

 

Granted, it's easier than most engine pulls 'cuz it don't weigh a ton, but it still something you don't want to do even every other month. Once every four years or so for the one car is enough for me. You can change out everything else like suspension a LOT easier, so spend the money on hand NOW on the more difficult task and get it over with. Everything else is easier and can be done in stages and at home as the budget permits....

 

No way will a sneaky pete support 125 hp. And at 125 hp, additional fuel becomes a concern...

 

my right foot likes the sound of the modifications,....

My heart says to keep her original....

maybe I should flip a coin?

I am expecting a detailed itemization of the proposed improvments/mods from Jackson. Ill post them as soon as i get it, and eagerly await your responses..

Yo Mar3, Im originally from Arlington TX!!

 

Well, there you go!
Of course, I've deleted the other options.

-John.

 

Definitely follow your heart. See if they'll do a streetport on the Stage I and you'll have plenty leftover for an emissions legal yet large exhaust system to take advantage of the streetport job. Send the intake side to YawPower and you should still have apprx $2000 for ignition upgrades and a serious SPL stereo install...what enticed you to move?

 

Blue Bum, you got me on the NOS system. I checked my catalog. What would give your typical 3400 lb car an extra 2-4 miles? probably something in the order of 50-70 HP. It looks like you have to fill it after every use! Better save it on a money run with "stock" vehicles and open hoods!