Dilemma: Rebuild, LS3 or sell?
 

My previous build thread vanished, like my budget. To keep this one open, I'll try not to mention the sponsors.

My project was on jack stands for over three years waiting for my turbo kit to get rebuilt, but no refund and no turbo kit. So I looked in to Turblown TDX61R. I started selling some parts for the fuel conversion but haven't ordered a new kit. The reason being is I wanted either the Revo or XS intake manifold to cool down the higher temp rear rotor and increase flow as well as only use one rail. I have the blanket for it but not the funds. I also wanted to trade my PFC for the Adaptronic ECU. I've lost my enthusiasm, MazdaComp membership and stopped paying for NASA I don't use. I have a water injection kit with a Summer unit but would need a shop to install it. So i've thought about shipping or towing my car to Turblown but i'm uncertain of the total cost of parts and labor on top of transportation. I have a new in box HKS V-Mount to retain the A/C. I wanted to order the 3.5" exhaust from SMB but that's out of the budget. I do have to thank Howard for helping more than anyone else has and bending a little by using an RX8 E-shaft. Turblown gets some kudos as well.

Choice 1:
Settle for stock manifolds, exchange XS blanket for stock, settle for 3" exhaust, settle for sleeve bearing and 3" DP but still get TDX turbo kit, install HKVS v-mount, re-install A/C, install 19" Nismo wheels which requires wide fender kits, install Hella Zenon fog lights, retain single Mocal oil cooler or install dual R1 kit (sitting in a box). Tuning and water injection would require a shop but I can do most everything else after I finish school next month. $4k for the turbo, $2k for transport and another $2k for labor to finish.

Choice 2:
GM LS3 E-Rod which will not be modified in any way. Tow to Samberg for install or maybe Jordan Innovations. My main concern is making sure the wiring gets done right as it's not plug N play. I figure it's about $18k but I may be able to get $10k in rotary parts sales, so it's a toss up money wise.

Choice 3:
Sell the car as a non running package or roller, engine and parts separately. After 12 years i'd rather put the money towards a sport plane.

I bought the car with high mileage at 80k 12 years ago and I think it's at 86k.

There's no room to work out anymore.
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HKS v-mount and Aquamist with summer unopened.
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Engine bay needs a respray, especially where the the GT500 rubbed. Lots of polished bits though.
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There's lots of other stuff like turbo blanket, heat sheilds, 2 Nardi steering wheels, Diamond Hex speakers, etc. Anyhow, any "helpful" input that would help in the decision would be appreciated.

Nice bike.

You won't get sh*t selling the car.
I always prefer the rotary over the v8. There is a satisfaction you get when ur 1.3L wins races.
If you can't find a good tuner who can guarantee results then the LSv8 is ur only option.

I think I would opt for option 1. Still easier and less expensive to get sorted than a complete engine swap. +1 on the V-mount for sure and you still have plenty of good parts. No need to spend 90% of your $ for exotic parts chasing the last 10% in power. (Swap is good if you want/need tons of tire shredding insta-torque off idle; however, mid and top end will likely be better with a boosted motor, e.g., your turbo.)

so i'm safe in assuming there's no shops you trust locally? That should save you 2k. I remember your build thread years ago and was definitely envious. I understand your frustration as my car has been sitting for years as well. I actually got carried away with my project because of build threads making me want more parts than I could afford and I was always waiting for the next part. Now I decided just to get my car back on the road stock or otherwise just to get that spark of enthusiasm back that it brought me. If I end up selling it because its not as exciting as I remember at least im not selling a roller.

On a side note, im not against anyone going v8, that's their business. I happen to love the LS motors and thought about a swap myself, it just doesn't seem like the time for you to do it.

my .02

Whoa did you really only go 6k miles out of 12 years of ownership? Id say option 1 to finish it and enjoy it, its very easy to lose the enthusiasm for the car if its sitting there for 12 years. After its finished and you actually drive it you will get the best feeling in the world back. Whats your plans for the car? Also arent you in LA? Nelson at RRR is a reputable tuner.

That is completely a true statement, it's the best high in the world.

And again, nice bike. I may pick up a CBR1000RR Repsol this spring as well.

sell bike and buy 20b..?

Option 1, I wouldn't be able to stand not driving my car for that long. I say get it running and enjoy it. You could go LS3, but that's more waiting, just enjoy what you have, and sometimes settling for lesser things than you want can at least put a smile on your face faster then waiting on more and more awesome parts to arrive.

Damn ... I remember pulling the first motor out of that car with you ... At least I think it was the first.

I don't believe that I'm saying this but go ls3. I would never do it to my own car but you need something with gobs of power and that's bulletproof ... something that will stay running for you with minimal attention.

Tldr; Keep the rotary if you like wrenching yourself or if you live near a reliable shop, otherwise ls swap if you have the money.

I think because this a rotary forum the majority is going to tell you option #1, to keep the rotary. Unfortunately as time moves on, ls swap is probably the best option.

I feel currently the rotary is a double edge sword. The rotary is an amazing motor, the problem is parts and support is slowly fading away.

If you love working on cars and doing your own work, keep the rotary, but these motors needs constant attention. Even if you keep up on scheduled maintenance these motors have constant problems(heat makes all the wiring crispy/brittle, vacuum issues/solenoid problems with twins, less so with single, reliable tuner for that single?, oil leaks from turbos/oil pan, transmissions like to grind eventually, chances are you'll get half the life out of a rotary than a piston.) On top of all of this, the rotary isn't getting any younger while the ls is found on pretty much any corner of the world in one form or another with TONS of support/shops.

I feel like a lot of this doesn't matter too much if you have a reliable rotary shop near you(I wish I did) and you don't mind spending the money.

As time goes on a ls swap only makes more and more sense. Guaranteed in the future if Mazda stops supporting/making rotaries there with be more swapped Rx7s than rotaries rolling around, it'll take time, but it'll happen.

Lots of videos. You tube tuned by Nelson.

HI Rob,

your dilemma is unfortunately not that unique. you raise two questions here.

one is, "What do i really WANT?"

the other is nuts and bolts.

question one is pretty much yours to answer.

question two can generate lots of posts.

as to the nuts and bolts my first thought is whatever you do it will cost you more than you initially figure.

there is a "however"...

if you simplify your plans a bit, often it is possible to get almost everything you want at better pricing by not pursuing the "latest and greatest."

FD aftermarket systems (ECUs, turbos, fueling) are going thru major changes currently which provide opportunity for those wanting 95% of the performance for 50% of the cost.

for instance the Power FC is being sold by many as they upgrade in the ECU area. the Power FC when combined w a Datalogit works very very well. do the newer ECUs deliver more? sure, but the Power FC can deliver 500 hp properly tuned without breaking a sweat.

a journal bearing turbo? nothing wrong w that and the Turblown turbo option is excellent and cost efficient. a 3 inch downpipe? nothing wrong w that. bigger down-pipe, more noise. more chats w the Law. i run a 3 inch exhaust and it was happy at 575 hp and 8900 rpm.

stock LIM? works fine. you could jigger w the lag setting in the rear injector if you want to even things a bit.

the main item as to achieving a happy ending w the rotary is having someone who knows what he is doing and cares enough to do a proper job do the finish and tune. if you do not have such a person perhaps that should be the controlling factor.

good luck,

howard

If you want to just easily make power and drive the car around without worrying too much just go ahead and do the LS swap. I may get tons of gruff from the Rotorites in my area for my V8, but I can turn the key and go for a drive without checking, monitoring, or worrying about anything.

Sometimes when you fight with a gf too long there is irreparable damage done to the relationship. To me it sounds like that's where you are. My first thought would be sell it and part out. You'll lose a lot of money this way, but you may be doing a bunch of work to it only to find out that you still hate it for the past after you get it running too.

If you don't sell it, I think you have to decide what you want the car for. The 13b will always be tempremental. It's the nature of the beast. If you want the engine dead reliable a stock ls3 erod crate motor sounds like a great way to get that. Be warned the car isn't the same afterwards. It handles very similar but the instant torque and sound change the feelings. So, do you want a fast car that handles great, or are you stuck on the sound, uniqueness, and high revs of the rotary? (Which would also handle great and be fast....but probably have issues occassionally)

I've been ls swapped for 9yrs now and have had zero engine issues during that time. There are many stints where the only reason the hood comes up is to do an oil change. However it sounds nothing like an rx7. I'm totally ok with that, but would you be? Will you still have the passion for the car? Do you even still have it today? Only you can answer that

Part it out n get out... Sounds like u want a plane

If I was you... Sell everything you don't need for your build. Aka 1 of the nardi wheels, oem turbos, etc... Get as much money as you can get then get a reliable rotary shop to hook it all up for u

For God's sake, simplify. "Settle" for a fucking 3" exhaust and standard manifold, fuck water injection, put the car back together and drive it, and quite trying to go "ultimate" with every little detail.

You don't need all that to enjoy the car.

Stock is better than nothing.

i've been on this forum for a long time, and there have been so many people over the years who have had unrealistic goals, super complicated setups, etc. and make posts (like yours) asking what to do. if you're asking for help/advice, you need to either A. substantially simplify your goal with the car, or B. part it out and do something different.

people think these FDs can do it all, and they really can't, unless maybe you spend lots of money and lots of time. it took me a long time to realize this. just pick something you want to do with the car and do it. otherwise, get out and get an airplane or whatever (like that hobby is any better) :)

good luck.

Exactly! If you'll forgive me for saying so. If you've only driven this car 6k miles in the past 12 years you're doing something wrong here. If you want to be like JimLab then keep on the path your on now. You'll have a half built super car that will never get done. Otherwise my advice would be to identify what the least amount of work you need to do to have this car back on the road by spring. Then light a fire under your ass to get started on that list. If that's not an option then your just dreaming and might as well sell the car. You should have just done one mod at a time instead of trying to build the car all at once. Honestly all you probably needed was a few bolt ons for twins and you'd have been happy with the car. It sounds to me you're biting off more than you can chew. That is not meant to be a knock on you either. The reality is you obviously haven't been able to accomplish your original plan. I'd say that it's time to re-evaluate your goals with this car and get on with it or move on to something else.

I have a single turbo rotary and a v8 car right now. I enjoy them both but I've discovered something about the v8 car. When I take my rotary out, I feel like I'm driving the fastest thing on 4 wheels. It just seems so different than any other car and it makes it more of an occasion. When I take my v8 out, it just feels like I'm driving a really fast car and that's it. I could turn my v8 car into a 600hp monster and I'd probably find the rotary more exciting. I do like how easy the v8 is though. Not being concerned about warming up and premix is pretty nice.

I would finish the rotary. Get it on the road and improve it later. As a resposible adult, I'd tell you to go v8 and don't look back.

What are people's thoughts on motec ECU with pro-jay intake? You do want to compete with V8s?

Sorry to hear about the problems. We are currently booked through spring time, and we are considering not taking any new builds for a year( we are starting two enormous undertakings that quite honestly are once in a life-time opportunities that we want to concentrate on).

I know someone in your area who is a real pro, knows the Adaptronic well, and has 20+ years of almost unbelievable rotary experience...

So it looks like you need a single turbo kit, fuel system, and the labor to put the car back together. First off, what are your power goals and how are you planning to use the car? Do you have an ignition system? What is the deal with the motor?

my friend posted this on facebook last night, My 900+ HP Toyota Supra TURBO - YouTube

i think you skipped the part where the car is fun to drive and went for the ???? part where its always in the shop

not that there is anything wrong with that, its perfectly fine to have something in the garage that you go play with and just happens to be car shaped. however if you want a CAR that you can DRIVE this means the project looks different.