ManGaZeRo

iTrader: (1)

I have a 91 t2 fc and it's about getting to the 80,000 mark. I know the 100,000 is like the breaking point of all rotary even with good tuning skills. So I am wondering if i should just rebuild the engine now or just let it die on it's own than rebuild.

BDoty311

Then you were misinformed. Rotaries often last alot longer than that with proper care. But yes its better and cheaper to do it before it blows. If you blow an apex seal it will likely tear **** up in your motor, which is more expensive. Plus it will save you the towing fee.

Dan H

Do a compression check first. As long as it gets good readings and you've been doing routine maintenance, it should last significantly longer.

ManGaZeRo

iTrader: (1)

hmm.. thxs for the info BDoty311
if they breaking point isn't at 100,000 when should i really be worrying about it then.

BDoty311

Not sure about turbo rotaries, but whenever your car starts giving you signals, you should start worrying.

Ive heard of a few n/a rotaries lasting around 200,000 miles strong.

ponykiller

It completely depends on the care it has had. I have seen TIIs lasting 60K miles, and I have seen them last 170K miles. As long as oil is still being injected properly, and the injectors still flow freely, there should not be a problem. Assuming you have been doing your oil and coolant changes along with sparkplugs as intended.

Rex4Life

It's a gamble, you decide and take the risk. A rebuild before an apex seal goes is significantly cheaper than after. The apex seal eats up the housing, rotor and possibly the side plates--this ain't good.

The other guys advice sounds good, monitor the compression and any other signs that could be an indication of a seal getting ready to blow.

All of these statements were gathered from posts on this forum, as I have no direct experience in the matter--just relaying what I have seen from many others.

PvillKnight7

iTrader: (16)

I hit 160k yesterday. Its still running strong and I redline it at least once a day...

ManGaZeRo

iTrader: (1)

thxs everyone for the info. Sorry for this noobie question but how do or get a compression test and what compression should it be at?

rotary>piston

i've got 150k

rx7will

iTrader: (6)

I just bought a 86 gxt and its got 180k on and and it runs good and super clean, last year i bought a tII with 140k on it, it needed a motor, and there was a guy selling a clean white 87 TII and it had 170k on the original motor. I all depends on how the engine was treated and cared for.

ponykiller

On an N/A. You cannot compare engine longevity between N/As and TIIs.

1987RX7guy

iTrader: (3)

yup my car hit 152k about a day ago. still feels strong and I am bout to do my next oil change after about 2500 miles after the last one. taking a little bit of extra care for the engine pays off in the end.

QUAID

Dudes, turbos get a bad rep. If you watch your oil level and don't drag race everyday your **** will last. A chick owned my car before. I shudder to think how long she went between oil changes. Also I'll bet when she parked she never let the engine run awhile to cool the turbo.

ManGaZeRo

iTrader: (1)

Lets say an Rx-7 TII was driven granny style and was given the occasional fixs up how long will it last?

hypntyz7

I recently worked on an 88 10ae with 192k on the ORIGINAL engine. It was apparently a one owner until the last couple of years when it was allowed to sit. I assume most of those are road miles. Every hose on that car was so brittle theyd break by looking at them wrong. The hose AT the boost sensor (the furthest vacuum hose from the engine) broke when I touched it. Still it ran, but had weak compression, 80 and 70. Far as i know it still runs, just doesnt boost well or idle below about 1300.

On average 120k is lifetime of a turbo engine, though I have seen them die with half those miles. Same applies to an NA, though it isnt as uncommon to find one above 150k on the original engine.

What a lot of you guys dont realize is that the engine in your car has already been replaced at least once. It takes a trained eye to spot the signs of engine replacement. These cars, at best, are 13 years old now, so what the odometer says doesnt mean jack to whats under the hood in many cases. Probably 75% of the cars i work on/part out are NOT on their original engine. Many are on their 3rd+.

ManGaZeRo

iTrader: (1)

Does it really matter if it is the orginal engine or rebuild. If the rebuild of the engine has enough quailty doesn't it make it as good as the orginal engine and maybe better?

hypntyz7

OF course a rebuilt engine stands a better chance of running better and lasting longer than the original would (if it were still present and running). What I was commenting about was all these people saying "my 87 NA has 295000 miles on it" when they dont realize that their 87 NA is probably on its 3rd engine by now.

vicious525E

133K on my baby before she died

silverrotor

iTrader: (1)

ManGaZeRo, do you have Indications of a failed or on It's way out Motor? Or are you being precautionary?

What I'd do Is have a Compression Test performed correctly. If It does In fact show a low compression (below 90psi) on both Rotors, I would prepare myself to have a rebuild done. Doing It sooner, as opposed to waiting for your seals to give out, would save quite abit of money and headaches.