I want to start this thread because I think there might be more out there like me with this decision to make.

First off, let me say, that I love the threads posted by you guys documenting your engine whoas and the eventual removal of your engines and all that that entails. It's great to read about all of the different upgrades that each has chosen during the healing process and be a witness as those boxes of new electronic and ceramic coated parts arrive whose unveiling is documented with pictures posted here. It's a real learning experence for those of us who read about it from afar. This website is a real asset in the fact that it encompasses the knowledge of those that have 20,00 posts to those, like me, who barely have over a hundred.

I have recently joined the ranks as an engine puller of the FD and have reached the crossroads where a decision has to be made as to which re-builder to use. I have been contacted by the big dogs and the underdogs of engine builders and want to know who you guys have chosen. I have looked at those who offer great warranties and those that offer the best price. Those of us in this position would agree with Howard Coleman that data collection is everything, weather it be in engine tuning or buying that next upgrade.

 

Keep in mind that those "warranties" are for rebuild mistakes/errors. If you slap a PFC on there and blow the engine while tuning, no engine rebuilder is going to warranty that.

 

Mahjik,
You and I both know that no way should a builder be expected to warrant against failed auxillary parts or single turbos cranked up to a million PSI that cause catastrophies. What a builders warranty does tell me is that they have gone through the engine thoroughly and replaced things like housings with new units and not used ones, and that all parts are measured to be within tolerance and if not, they are replaced. I will certainly be willing to pay if my core has such deficiencies and major parts have to be replaced.

 

if i had to choose a shop, i would probably want to get it built locally so i could get to know the people and see their work up close, and make it much easier to resolve problems. but there also seem to be a lot of knowledgeable builders/shops on this board. theres a lot of feedback on work quality if u browse the feedback forum, if u choose to ship your engine out for work.

remans seem like a good route if there was any kind of detonation, since your housings have a good chance of being scrap metal otherwise.

 

If you have the ability and the room to remove the motor from you car, you are most likely capable of rebuilding a rotary. This is another option. There are a great deal of "how-to" DVDs which document, step-by-step, on how to disassemble, inspect, and rebuild a rotary. These are generally pretty through.

Also, the tools necessary to rebuild a motor do not supersede the amount of tools you already needed to pull the motor. This allows you to have your own level of quality control, as the most critical component part of rebuilding the motor is really in the inspection process of what can be salvaged.

Anyways, that's another option if you have the means to do so. I've been pretty frustrated by various engine builders and what they overlook, the amount they charge, and the final product. Not only will you save a good deal of money, but you will also have a final product that you can be satisfied and proud of.

Best of luck to you, sir.

 

I know that you really want to believe this, and in some cases it may be true. However, you can assemble an engine made entirely of marginal parts and expect it to last a year. Anyone can warranty an engine like this and if it fails, replace it with another and still break even. Ultimately, if you're going to trade your hard earned money for engine service you're going to want a builder whom:
- you can trust
- is easy to communicate with, will listen to your expectations and then talk you down to reality.
- is capable and professional
- you can trust

More often than not you can find a builder like this within a reasonable driving distance so it's probably just worth asking, "Who are the decent builders close to Tallahassee?" Depending on your skill level, I would be inclined to agree with WaLieN and say that if you pulled it, you're probably capable of rebuilding a basic engine. Do some research, buy a few tools and give it a whack.

..for what it's worth. I gotta leave for work.

 

The issue comes in when trying to "prove" that it was a rebuild error verses some external cause. IMO, the warranties are just a gimmick to get people into the door. I would not base my engine builder selection based off a warranty.

The reason I say this is that an old friend of mine went through this. He saw the warranty which Pineapple offered, and thought they would be a good choice for his purpose. He talked with Rob at Pineapple about what he wanted to do with his car. (older) BNR twins, full fuel system, boost at 17 PSI, etc.. Rob said he would build him a motor which would take it no problems. He got the motor, got a Steve Kan tune, and shortly later the motor blew. He called Pineapple and Rob said he never told him the motor would be able to support that. So, that was about $5000 down the drain.

I would recommend doing as you are doing now. Gather some information about what other people have run into with various builders. Then see what their application was for their car (i.e. street driving, drag racing, road racing). In my short time in this scene, there are a few places I would never touch. However, I would have no problems recommending (alphabetical order):

Gotham Racing
Pettit Racing
Rotary Performance (RX7.com)
Rotary Resurrection

I would throw Mazdatrix in there, but they are darn expensive.