Better to just buy an already built motor?
12-21-09, 03:47 PM
#1
Rotary Freak
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Better to just buy an already built motor?
I am going through a build and the engine I have now, I bought with it already having low compression and knowing I need a rebuild. The previous owner had the motor streetported, rotors milled to fit 3mm seals and used brand new rotor housings and has around 2k on them. My current builder is going through some medical issues and is not able to take on the project anymore so I am a split in the road.
Should I purchase an engine from a reputable builder on the forums (DJSeven, Pineapple, etc etc) and just replace it with the current motor or should I have another builder around here do the rebuild.
I've heard bad and good things about 3mm seals, but it seems that most use really strong 2mm seals and have had no problems. I know since my rotors are already milled to 3mm, I will not be able to go back to 2mm unless I buy new rotors.
Any suggestions?
Should I purchase an engine from a reputable builder on the forums (DJSeven, Pineapple, etc etc) and just replace it with the current motor or should I have another builder around here do the rebuild.
I've heard bad and good things about 3mm seals, but it seems that most use really strong 2mm seals and have had no problems. I know since my rotors are already milled to 3mm, I will not be able to go back to 2mm unless I buy new rotors.
Any suggestions?
12-21-09, 04:15 PM
#4
Original Gangster/Rotary!
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Are there no other local (or semi-local) reputable builders? Ship your shortblock out if need be, no sense in buying another engine. Yours sounds like it should be quality, have it refreshed. the width of your seals is your preference, if you keep the 3mm definitely premix.
I know of a few quality builders out there, but patience if definitely a virtue. Typically the good ones are backed up, not sitting around twiddling their thumbs
I know of a few quality builders out there, but patience if definitely a virtue. Typically the good ones are backed up, not sitting around twiddling their thumbs
12-21-09, 04:41 PM
#6
Are there no other local (or semi-local) reputable builders? Ship your shortblock out if need be, no sense in buying another engine. Yours sounds like it should be quality, have it refreshed. the width of your seals is your preference, if you keep the 3mm definitely premix.
I know of a few quality builders out there, but patience if definitely a virtue. Typically the good ones are backed up, not sitting around twiddling their thumbs
I know of a few quality builders out there, but patience if definitely a virtue. Typically the good ones are backed up, not sitting around twiddling their thumbs
12-21-09, 05:27 PM
#7
Original Gangster/Rotary!
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I have a regular 9 to 5 in Manhattan, and Mr. Ihor/Rotary Experiment Seven holds down the fort at IRP fulltime. I get there as often as I can to help with porting and building.
I figured I'd throw that out there, as I typically have to explain via PMs and AIM, so maybe it'll save me some......wiggling over the keyboard
Last edited by GoodfellaFD3S; 12-21-09 at 06:04 PM.
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12-21-09, 05:59 PM
#8
Ah, this one is witty
I have a regular 9 to 5 in Manhattan, and Mr. Ihor/Rotary Experiment Seven holds down the fort at IRP fulltime. I get there as often as I can to help with porting and building.
I figured I'd throw that out there, as I typically have to explain that via PMs and AIM, so maybe it'll save me some......wiggling over the keyboard
I have a regular 9 to 5 in Manhattan, and Mr. Ihor/Rotary Experiment Seven holds down the fort at IRP fulltime. I get there as often as I can to help with porting and building.
I figured I'd throw that out there, as I typically have to explain that via PMs and AIM, so maybe it'll save me some......wiggling over the keyboard
These guys are building my next one
Local too
12-21-09, 08:05 PM
#10
It's unfortunate for HardHitter and I that you guys are on the east coast. There aren't many options unless we decide to deal with shipping (or paying outrageous labor prices).
Getting an already built engine is probably the best thing to do in your situation.
Getting an already built engine is probably the best thing to do in your situation.
12-21-09, 08:07 PM
#11
Rotary Freak
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First it was going to be Ben aka Karack on the forums here. He told me that I'd have to wait around 2 months before he could get to me. Waited 3-4 months and never heard a word from him whether it be me calling him, leaving a voice mail, leaving him a text, or email or PM. I know he is a good builder and is extremely busy, but if someone is going to do work on my car, I'm going to want to be able to have contact with them.
Then I went to Larson's Rotary and Jeremy was extremely helpful but just called me saying he wouldn't be able to do it because of health reasons right now.
The only other local reputable builders around here are Rick from Rick's Performance (he built the original engine) and Paul from Rotorsport.
Then I went to Larson's Rotary and Jeremy was extremely helpful but just called me saying he wouldn't be able to do it because of health reasons right now.
The only other local reputable builders around here are Rick from Rick's Performance (he built the original engine) and Paul from Rotorsport.
12-21-09, 08:17 PM
#13
Can't live without boost.
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First it was going to be Ben aka Karack on the forums here. He told me that I'd have to wait around 2 months before he could get to me. Waited 3-4 months and never heard a word from him whether it be me calling him, leaving a voice mail, leaving him a text, or email or PM. I know he is a good builder and is extremely busy, but if someone is going to do work on my car, I'm going to want to be able to have contact with them.
Then I went to Larson's Rotary and Jeremy was extremely helpful but just called me saying he wouldn't be able to do it because of health reasons right now.
The only other local reputable builders around here are Rick from Rick's Performance (he built the original engine) and Paul from Rotorsport.
Then I went to Larson's Rotary and Jeremy was extremely helpful but just called me saying he wouldn't be able to do it because of health reasons right now.
The only other local reputable builders around here are Rick from Rick's Performance (he built the original engine) and Paul from Rotorsport.
Make your peace with Paul already and have him work his magic on your motor.
No comment on Jeremy.
12-21-09, 08:20 PM
#14
Rick = rape of the wallet. I've gotten a few things done with him, high quality stuff, its just ridiculous b/c he goes by the clock. $115/hour if he hasn't raised it.
I don't have any experience with Rotorsport, but they are really close to you so that's something to consider.
if you are willing to pay an extra $150-$200 for an engine to be freighted to you, go w/ one of the builders on the east that everyone refers to. They are here on the forum and are willing to help with any problems you have along the way.
I don't have any experience with Rotorsport, but they are really close to you so that's something to consider.
if you are willing to pay an extra $150-$200 for an engine to be freighted to you, go w/ one of the builders on the east that everyone refers to. They are here on the forum and are willing to help with any problems you have along the way.
12-21-09, 08:40 PM
#15
Original Gangster/Rotary!
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If you decide to go out of state, we use Ray at Malloy for shipping so the rates are pretty reasonable.
There are many other good options as well--- Chris & Ari at RP, Glen at AZRR, Chris Rogers down in VA, Banzai, as soon as you decide to ship your options really open up
There are many other good options as well--- Chris & Ari at RP, Glen at AZRR, Chris Rogers down in VA, Banzai, as soon as you decide to ship your options really open up
12-21-09, 08:50 PM
#16
Canadiana... Eh?
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for the price you can't bead DJSeven's prebuilt blocks. they include shipping. you can also send him your block and he will rebuild it...
I just sent my cheque to him today for the remainder on my engine. And I'm in Canada... so can't get much worse for shipping than me...
I just sent my cheque to him today for the remainder on my engine. And I'm in Canada... so can't get much worse for shipping than me
...
12-21-09, 09:04 PM
#17
Turd Ferguson
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Lucky7Racing in Duarte (outside Los Angeles) are great. Tony is the man and prices are VERY reasonable. Lots of us LA folk use them. http://lucky7racing.net/
MazdaTrix out of Long Beach can also help out (but it'll be more $$).
As stated above Rick is too expensive in my book.
MazdaTrix out of Long Beach can also help out (but it'll be more $$).
As stated above Rick is too expensive in my book.
12-21-09, 09:54 PM
#18
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I have no problems with Paul and Rotorsport. He worked on my old FD and I have no complains about his service. I brought the car to him to do my compression check on the current engine. I'm going to call him tomorrow and see what his schedule looks like and estimating costs, but when I finished my compression check and I asked him, he said off the top of his head it'd be around $4000 and then if the rotors or housings are damaged and we need new ones, that's an extra $500-$700 per rotor or housing.
12-22-09, 01:09 AM
#19
Stay tuned...
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for the price you can't bead DJSeven's prebuilt blocks. they include shipping. you can also send him your block and he will rebuild it...
I just sent my cheque to him today for the remainder on my engine. And I'm in Canada... so can't get much worse for shipping than me...
I just sent my cheque to him today for the remainder on my engine. And I'm in Canada... so can't get much worse for shipping than me
...
12-22-09, 08:10 AM
#21
Mazdatrix in SoCal (Signal Hill) has been around for a very long time, I've been to their shop and bought a lot of parts from them. www.mazdatrix.com has pricing
12-22-09, 08:14 AM
#22
Original Gangster/Rotary!
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The removal of the OMP itself is another debate, I prefer to keep them.
12-22-09, 09:55 AM
#24
I hate to say it guys and I appreciate all the kind words, but I am really cutting back. I am no longer doing the building full time and have a full time day job that requires a lot of travel, I mean a whole lot of travel so I will be scaling down on my builds. I will try to build and engine ever 1 to 2 months in 2010 and take on a couple pulls/installs but not push near as hard as I have in the past. Prices of parts keep going up, value of fds keeps coming down. Few people are willing to spend the money to do things correctly. I will still be around heavily, and hopefully actually get to enjoy my fd more. Dont get confused, I am not shutting down, just scaling back and will still warranty every engine out there still under warranty.
Now, after that rambling, my honest opinion. Have a good builder build you an engine with ALS 2mm 2piece seals. It is hard for me to believe people are still running other seals, not saying they arent capable its just these are proven at this point. The Aviation unbreakables arent bad either. The stock mazda 2mm seals arent bad either on stock cars, actually probably the best. If people wouldnt blow $800-1000.00 for bridge/half bridge porting and spend that money on a water/meth kit and a quality tune I think they would be better off.
At the end of the day, you have to be realistic with this engine, you want 400rwhp, expect engine longevity to suffer, also take into consideration how much you drive the car. For most people they drive it 5-6k a year or less, a rebuild every 4-5 years isnt that big of a deal when you compare the cost of these cars to other options out there if you want the same performance.
Now, after that rambling, my honest opinion. Have a good builder build you an engine with ALS 2mm 2piece seals. It is hard for me to believe people are still running other seals, not saying they arent capable its just these are proven at this point. The Aviation unbreakables arent bad either. The stock mazda 2mm seals arent bad either on stock cars, actually probably the best. If people wouldnt blow $800-1000.00 for bridge/half bridge porting and spend that money on a water/meth kit and a quality tune I think they would be better off.
At the end of the day, you have to be realistic with this engine, you want 400rwhp, expect engine longevity to suffer, also take into consideration how much you drive the car. For most people they drive it 5-6k a year or less, a rebuild every 4-5 years isnt that big of a deal when you compare the cost of these cars to other options out there if you want the same performance.
12-22-09, 12:14 PM
#25
Rotary Freak
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If I were to just pickup a built rotary engine, how much do you guys think my engine would sell for? Although it has low compression, the rotors are milled for 3mm, basically brand new rotor housings, streetported and the whole engine only has 2K on it and I have all receipts of the build from the previous owner. I'm trying to figure how much I'd save of just swapping motors out and selling my current one.