I'm getting a 1989 RX7 SE for $500, and the engine is shot. I'm not looking to pour money into the car I'm just looking to make it run like it did back in 89. I know basically nothing about rotory engines and I want to do the rebuild myself as a Senior project... So my question is. Are there any good rebuild kits that anyone knows about? Also, Is this even a good idea to be trying myself or will I for sure screw this up? Thanks in advance for any imput.

 

Atkins Rotary sells a rebuild kit, and an instructional video on how to rebuild your rotary.

 

talk him down some. the dead engine could require sourcing other parts like rotor housings, endplates,rotors. which can get expensive. other than that.. do it. there is no better way to learn!

 

Thanks very much for the info. This may sound like I'm a cheapo, but are there any cheaper engine rebuilds? The atkins rebuild is $900... I was reading what the rebuild contains. It is basically a bunch of gaskets. Is that really all I need to get this engine running tip top again?
Also, I was reading a Thread about an injector that injects engine oil into the engine for lubrication. If during my rebuild I remove this and just do 2 cycle engine oil to the fuel would any performance be gained or is it just a waste of time?
Sorry I have many questions. Porting... How? How much? and is it worth it in the long run? Thank you and sorry about all the questions.

 

900 includes apex seals if my memory is correct. Those are expensive. If the apex are good then a soft seals kit from mazda should run you about 250$.

Premixing is common. Try a search.

You can buy a porting template and do your porting yourself but you may end up reducing performance if you don't know what you are doing. Templates do help a lot though.

 

do alot of research. porting is worth it but cannot be summed up into one post. there are many things to consider when porting a rotary. first do alot of research on the engines as these are fundementaly different than piston motors. there is plenty of information on this forum about all of the things you are asking and the best thing to do is to read as much of it as possible.

 

jesus already trying to reuse nearly 20yr old internal sealing components thats a bright idea. The atkins kit is cheep and I would not suggest it. Use OEM. Why does everyone seem to think a motor can be rebuilt for 400$. Pistons on my dirt bike are 250$ I mean cmon it cost a few grand thats just how it is.

 

Whoa, no reason to get your panties in a bundle haha. I was just making sure I wasn't getting ripped off and I've never rebuit an engine so I had no clue what was involvded parts wise.
Anyways thank you all for the info. Are there any other things I should modify or do to the engine while it's apart?

 

New housings, preferable grind the irons and thurly inspect them, all new seals including cariges use OEM seals. I like but hard to dificult to fit are the RA water seals there more prone to reuseability if you **** up, thermal pelet, new barings. And belive it or not I am finding that most of the rotors that come out of the motors are not is as good of condition as I would like and for 500$ I would just get new ones there not that expensive. New oil pump run turbo pump, new water pump and new oil chain. I would also replace all crimp gaskets like on the oil pump and sealing washers like on the oil pan and front essentric bolt.

Then research on the archives the search function and get the RA or DIY vid.

 

OEM Mazda rebuild kit FTW.

 

Rebuilding can get pretty complicated. If there are busted apex seals they could have gouged the rotors and housing, along with a lot of other problems. If it overheated and then blew there's a whole slew of other thing like coolant seals, clogged passages, etc...