Here is my delimma. I am ready to pull the motor in my 89 vert. It is stock. I plan to rebuild it back stock. I am toying with the idea of porting it. I may want some more HP. Still trying to decide those two issues WHEN.

I was at a junk yard pulling some plastic pieces off of another Vert when the guy that worked there used to be a Mazda tech. He said he had a '87 or an '88 or '89 (couldn't remember) that was already rebuilt stock. He said he would take $1000 for the motor and swap mine with his for another $300.

This is attractive to me as I am generally lazy. But I want to take on the challange of building one myself. I would like to see how it all works first hand. Both are going to cost around 1200 give or take.

your .02???

 

what are you going to do with the car? What are your HP goals etc. etc.

 

I use it for work almost daily. By the way it is an automatic. B4 you puke. remember I spend hours in traffic here in LA and could not be happier about the auto tranny. I went 12 years with a shifter and my left leg is a little larger for that.

I just would like a little more umph..... something closer to 200-225 bhp.......for Mulholland

 

you wont get those numbers with a stock ported motor... thats around large streetport territory... a small streetported motor is in the dyno section and i think it was around 180 or so

 

Your exhaust looked good on your threed CW. How is Nac and SFA??? I am an alumni from '88. I was wondering who you had around Nac to work on a rotory.

I am just kind of adding numbers for the Bhp. If you add a good exhaust your supposed to get about 20-25 horses....Correct?? If I started at 160. I am now at 180. If you port then you'll add a 20 more. Seems to me that's around 200. Correct me if I am wrong.

Also I really don't want to get into too much modification due to the smog rules here in Cali. I would like to right up to the edge w/out falling over.

 

^^^ You dont get gains like that from an exaust. If gains like that were so cheap and easy people wouldn't be putting thousands into their cars. I think realistically you gain 5 or so from an open exaust and maybe close to 10 with headers, if even that much. As for the topic. I would suggest rebuilding yourself or getting it rebuilt. With motor like ours beign so iffy its not a smart idea to rely blindly on someone elses work. Also if you can save up i highly suggest replacing your rotor housings. When i opened my motor to have it rebuilt it was clear my housings were worn, and any 20 year old car is most likely in the same or similar condition. They are not cheap, about $750 each but youll be happier in the end with a stronger and more reliable motor.

 

if you want 200 hp on an NA you should just get a big *** street port. Send the engine to kevin landers at rotary resurrection and get the rebuid/porting done right. He'll also tell you if you need new housings.

 

Would that kill the emisions?? A large porting job would lead to that much gain?? Should I be backing off such high expectations?? I mean to hear from you guys 200 is not really that doable.

Remember I'm new to rotory......don't know these things.......trying to learn......Hangin' out on the web........pickin up what I can

Serously, Thanks for your help, even if it is not what I want to hear. Just tell it like it is w/o being angry.

 

I would just rebuild your existing motor... You expressed interest in getting to know these cars a little better. Just pull it out and take it apart.. It's really not all too difficult with a source like the forums or an experienced friend. Buy the rebuild video from Atkins and buy your new seals etc.. Don't be too worried about having to spend $750 on each rotor housing. Chances are yours will be reusable. New parts are always better, but it probably won't be necessary. I'd highly suggest doing a streetport on your motor while it's apart. It's not very difficult (I just finished a couple days ago).

Oh, BTW in my personal experience (on my N/A) a free flowing exhaust made a pretty big difference. (probably not ^20hp, but VERY nice nonetheless). Exhaust, intake and streetport will get you around 200 bhp on a s5 N/A. Good luck.

Oh, and if you're interested in porting templates. I could sell you the ones I got from RB to do my porting. They are in perfect condition just waiting to be used.

 

See that is the type of info I am looking for. Somebody that tells it like it was for them. I do have a good source for the tech stuff with the guys over at Fast Freddy's or rotoryracing.com. They'll give tech support for anything that seems difficult for a newby (have to buy parts from them.....seems a far trade/barter).

Erik, how will the porting effect emissions??

 

^

 

thanks man, it is loud as hell though but i sitll love it... and as far as anybody working on my car there is nobody... i do all the work myself mostly cause im a do it yourself guy and i dont trust anybody to work on my car... my car has never seen the inside of a shop, everything was done myself on it

im going to dyno my car soon so you can maybe see what my car dynos at with my mods and have an idea on what a stock ported motor will net in power

oh and nac and sfa is still a bit boring heh but i manage