I am in the middle of rebuilding my 87 T2 motor.
Now that I have it apart I'm serious thinking that I should just get a Mazda reman.
Here's my reasons.
One of my rotor housings is no good and all the side housings and bearings are in poor shape. It's going to cost more to buy the housings, bearings, seals and gaskets than it will to just buy a reman.
I can get a reman for around 1900.
I would get a motor from another rebuilder, but my core is crap and I will get charged extra.
If I buy from Mazda they don't even open the engines before they give you your core money back. This seems like my most cost effective way to have a fresh motor.

What do you guys think about my idea?
Also who has bought a reman and what was your experience?

Thanks, Ed

 

If you just want a fairly stock engine again, then why not pick up a used imported one. Most good importers will do a compression check on the engine, and generally a TII engine sells for about $750-$950 and comes with all accessories on it (cut wiring harness).

 

I think the reman way is probably the least hassle way to do it. You a a decent warranty with it. I have a Mazda reman and with about 12k miles on it I have no problems with it. It's not the cheapest route but you do get what you pay for.

 

Ditto above. No problems at all. '89TII-I've only put @ 2000 miles on thre reman.

 

I have a reman on the way too. You dont need big ports with a rebuilt motor to make power. 350rwhp is totally acheivable with the stock ports.

 

I've heard both good and bad about remans, more bad then good though. I hear they are very good at lasting long enough to make the warranty date. A re-man is just that, your getting used rotors, side housings, rotor housings etc. Everything that meets minimal wear specs gets recycled, so that motor your pulling apart, yes, most likely most of it will be re-used in another re-man engine. On the other hand I know several people who have them and have had no problems with them at all. SO its a coin toss. Personally I'd spend a little now and get it done right then spend a lot later re-doing it all over again cause the motor lasted just long enough for the warranty to expire. I guess it also matters if you want stock power or how long you plan on keeping the car.

~Mike.......

 

Beware of the dealer. When I asked about a Mazda Reman. engine, I was told that they would not give me a warranty unless they or another shop installed it. Could have been a bit of BS to get me to have them do it. Or maybe not, it might depend on the dealer.

I have an 87 non-turbo with a Mazda reman. Previous owner replaced the engine at 67k and I bought it with 81k (odometer). It currently has 96k. No problems. Since I took care of a couple things, it runs smooth as can be.
I have heard the horror stories of rebuilds not lasting very long. I have a suspicion that some original motors failed because of external problems: running lean/rich, bad fuel injectors, metering oil pump is bad or out of adjustment, questionable cooling system, hard driving before the motor is warmed up, poorly set up mods, etc.... And the problem is not corrected when the rebuilt motor goes in. Then that motor goes in 20-30k or less.. Make sure everything is working right. I found my omp was adjusted wrong and was putting out a little over a third of what the factory service manual specifies.

 

you could buy decent used side plates and a rotor housing for not a whole lot. Bearings are $15 a piece. You can still rebuild your engine for less than $1000 with a little research and comparative shopping.

 

First thanks for the replies.

The jspec idea is definately out of the question, they usaully have been sitting for a long time and thats exactly why my motor is no good.

Second I can't rebuild my motor for less than a thousand I already checked prices. Just for the complete seal kit (apex, side, corner, gaskets etc...) is around a thousand plus I need bearings. Then I need to find decent housings. I also need to buy a water pump, themostat etc.. which all comes with the long block reman. So rebuilding myself will be minimally cheaper.

So has anyone had a bad experience personally with a reman?
Do you think rebuilds are better from Mazda or private rebuilders?

Thanks, Ed

 

Ive heard only good things about Atkins rotary.. they offer a warranty as well.

Mazdatrix also builds top quality engines, but they cost a little more. Might be worth the extra cost for peace of mind. Neat the about Mazdatrix is they will build the engine any way you want it...

 

I checked the Mazdatrix prices.

For a basic rebuild with all used parts it's $2000. (not to mention they will probably need my engine as a core to rebuild since they are short and mine is shot).
That's about the same as a Mazda reman and the reman is a long block that includes (water pump thermostat, front cover oil pump etc..)

For a rebuild with new stuff it's around 3500-4000, that is way out of my range.

So do you think for around $2000 it's better to go with the Mazda reman or a private rebuild?

Thanks, Ed

 

I would give rob @ Pineapple Racing a call and buy one of his "lower end" motors, its still better than the used housing crap Atkins sells. (IMHO)

 

thanks for the suggestion.
No one else has had any first hand experience with Mazda Remans?
So far no one that has bought one has anything bad to say.
Why is everyone suggesting that I buy one from another rebuilder?

ed

 

bump

 

Some interesting reading:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=33875

 

You need to do a little more research before skipping the DIY rebuild. Atkins sells a rebuild kit for $440 on ebay. It does not contain the oil rings or side seals but normally those can be reused. As for bearings, I paid $9 each for stationary gear ones and $15 for rotor bearings. Still way, way under $1000!!!!

 

If his engine was anythnig like mine, its not worth it. Just looking in the exhaust ports you could see the rotor housing was fubared, so were both rotors (chunks missing from them) and would require to have 6mm apex grooves machined into them to seat a seal at all. 2 rotors, 2 housing is about 1800$ from mazdatrix. That does not include the side housings or intermediate housing, or anything at all.

 

Geez, you don't have to buy brand new housings and rotors. You think rebuilds sold by atkins and the like for under $1800 have new stuff?

 

I'm running a Mazda reman right now..... picked it up for $1,600 + my old core (which was FUX0RED up).

broke her in properly.... runs great, compressoin is in the 90's still..... i think it was a very good deal/expirience.

 

If they did, atkins wouldnt want a core exchange

 

rxseven, I have done a lot of research as well as opened up my motor already. Thats why I'm thinking of skipping the DIY rebuild.

1st my side seals are not usable, they were carbon locked like crazy and broke when I removed them. Thats why I need the $1000 rebuild kit. I need all new seals and gaskets plus bearings, and housings. My rotor housings and side housings are all scarred up. So now we have far exceeded $1000.

If I get a reman it doesn't matter if my core is jacked. Thats the reason I was thinking of getting a reman.

Basically I'm just trying to find people who have bought remans and get their opinions on their experiences, good or bad.

Why does exeryone assume that a motor from a rebuilder other than Mazda is better?

ed

 

Id take a mazda rebuild over atkins or whatever. There are a few select people, IMO, who take priority over mazda.

 

I vote mazda reman.

I just hope they dont reuse parts of your engine, Edomund

 

Thanks for the replies.
I seriously doubt that they will be using my housings in any rebuilds.
I think I'm going with the Mazda reman

Ed

 

For those of you who have bought a Mazda Reman could you please tell me which parts are included with the motor and which are not.
I took apart my motor thinking I was going to rebuild so now I have to put it back together, but I need to know roughly what to include for the core.

thanks, Ed