Ok.. my motor's toast. It's an N/A. I have a couple different options at this point. One is a rebuild, and the other is a replacement motor. I found a site (ASAP motors) that sells "JDM" motors. They claim to have them from cars that didn't pass the japanese inspections, so they say they have low miles. They have 13B's for $995 with a 90-day warranty. Does anyone know how legit the place is?

 

My personal opinion is that the imported JDM engines are like playing Russian roulette, as is any used engine unless you were able to see the chassis (mileage)it came from. Let's not forget the S4 cars are 16/18 years old and most of the used engines are advertsed as low mileage. Never saw so many used engines advertised with "less than 40,000 miles". If you knew how to do a rebuild yourself, I'd recommend that route, but chances are you would need new housings, so the cost just went up. Same problem if you had your engine done by someone aka Kevin Landers- $1000, but then if housings are needed, add $$$$, shipping add $$$$. Only other alternative is to bite the bullet and spend the money to do a rebuild, or buy a rebuilt engine-Mazda remanufactured @ $2000 plus shipping. Just remember even though a 90day warranty is supplied, you'd be the one doing the work and paying the shipping if the engine proves to be not up to expectations. Better check with them on their views on compression. You may receive an engine, get it up and running fine, but the compression is borderline, passable, but indicates the engine has many miles. No matter what you decide it's a costly venture.

The following is from the ASAP site, indicating that the engine could have many miles, but still be in decent condition:

"ASAP Motors would also like to set the record straight on a "Low Mileage motor," which refers to used JDM engines. Regardless of what you may have heard in the past, there is no set maximum mileage on used JDM engines. Used JDM engines for sale are sent to us from Japan once their owners decide to purchase new vehicles because of the stringent Shaken inspections. The idea that all JDM engines have to be retired after 40,000 miles is only a myth."

 

Just thought I'd ad a new reply which I found in New Mexico:

1988
Engine
Mazda RX7 w/o turbo; (VIN 1 or 3); MT- 90 DAY W.-USED W142F $600.73 Coronado Auto Recyclers, Inc. USA-NM(Albuquerque) Request_Quote 1-800-482-6394

Check out other parts of the country:
http://www.car-part.com/