Hi guys,

Well, I've been sitting and thinking about this for almost 2 months now, and I still haven't reached a good decision. I really need your input on what I should do.

Back in August, my engine let go (https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/i-think-i-blew-my-engine-tonight-570870/). Compression test showed that 2 of the 3 faces had no compression on the rear rotor, and the rest had all 8.0s+ for the rest. I was really frusturated about prematurely losing such a strong motor, but such is life.

Now I'm faced with a few options, and it's literally tearing me apart. Money is not the single limiting factor in my decision, but it's still a very important factor to me.

My motor was built with low comp. TII rotors (8.5:1) and a -very- large streetport. My low range power was pretty lacking and boost took a while to come online. The motor pulled extremely strong and smooth when the boost did come online, however. I was always thinking about, if I blew my engine, going back to normal FD 9.0:1 rotors and a less aggressive streetport for better low-down power, better gas milage, and better boost response.

So now I'm faced with a few options:

1) Get a full rebuild with Gotham. They would purchase a Mazda Reman engine, tear it apart, spec the parts, port the housings/irons, and reassemble all of it. This would benefit me because:

- Good chance of getting all-new housings and rotors. The rotors would be 9.0:1 and I would return to a smaller port. This would get me better low-down power, better boost response, and better gas milage.
- Other new internal engine parts. Water pump, oil injector nozzles, etc.

I talked with Gotham, and this option would cost $4000 for the engine, $1350 for the R&R, and $500 in new gaskets, hoses and other parts for the R&R. So I'm basically looking at $6,000 right there for a glorified Mazda reman. However, I would get a free tuning session with Steve Kan, so I would be recooping some of the expense whenever I have my car retuned for the new engine setup.

2) Get a partial rebuild with Marvelspeed and pay significantly less. Marvel said it would be about $2,500 for the engine and $1000 for the R&R. However, I think he said that's only if the rotor housings are both reusable, so I'm looking at another $500 for a new rear rotor housing. So I get my car back on the street cheaper, but I'm still using my old 8.5:1 rotors and I keep my big engine port.

Now I have to think about the turbos as well. I've been wanting to upgrade to the A-Spec GT35R kit for quite some time, and now would be the perfect time to get that taken care of. This would be another $3xxx~ out of pocket, but I would get to recoop a large portion of the costs by selling my BNR Stage 3s and all the supporting pieces (polished and modified Garfinkle y-pipe, polished intakes, etc.). It would probably run me about $1,200 extra after recouping my losses.

Right now, I'm leaning towards having Gotham do the full rebuild and slap on the GT35R while the motor is out, but the sticker shock is well.. it's a lot to think about. It'd be nice to return to 9.0:1 rotors and a smaller port, but is it really worth the extra money, even with the free tune from Gotham? I mean after all I'm still just getting a glorified reman, but I know it'd still be pretty damn good.

God, what a dilemma. Someone help me

 

You would not be getting a glorified reman if they are pulling it apart to rebuild it with proper clearances. It's totally up to you to decide whether or not a fresh engine with 13B-REW rotors is worth it or not, I don't know how we can decide that for you.

Also, you will need to verify that the turbos were not damaged when your engine grenaded.

 

go with the gotham racing package. a free tune from steve and the reliability of that engine will create less headaches... you always get what you pay for! this is my personal opinion however.

 

I can't imagine a really large-port motor with low-compression rotors was a good choice for a stock turbo (or stock based) setup. That kind of motor is for a BIG single and BIG boost.

For stock based turbos, and/or a relatively small turbo like the 35R, I'd think a mild port, normal compression, and stock apex seals would be what you'd want. What Gothan would be building you is HARDLY a "glorified reman"... it would be what is appropriate to the rest of your setup and usage.

 

Yeah, I should apologize for that, I didn't mean to detract from the quality of their motors at all. The reason I said is because it would be different than getting a rebuild with purchased brand new parts, versus the grabbag of mixed new/spec'd parts that I've heard about in some of the remans.

I've been trying to get ahold of Steve to ask him about his rebuild process and how he specs out the individual engine parts, but my schedule has been sort of wacky lately. Hopefully I'll get a chance to talk to him today and ask him about specing the reman parts.

 

If price is a concern, what don't you wait to do the project when you have the money. That way you can do it right.

 

Does the Gotham price include them pulling and installing the old/new motor? IIRC they give you a 1 year warrenty on the rebuild but only if they install the thing. Warrenty is good lol.

Kan tuning is $400? $400 isnt that much, you can always get Marvelspeed to build the motor and then go to Kan.

If your thinking about dropping 9k before selling stuff, Id say you have the cash but just dont want to spend it.

I feel your pain, my motor went out in Aug as well.

 

technically speaking, our prices are virtually the same as Marvelspeed for a rebuild. $2199 for the rebuild plus $125/port or $2599 for the stage 1 port (which is probably not possible with your engine (porting 6 ports)). The price could also be lower if you choose aftermarket apex seals such as (atkins, RA etc...) If you choose to get the parts yourself, the labor for rebuilding the engine is $800 plus $150/port so there are many ways to fit your needs. the only difference is that we don't warranty our engines on aftermarket apex seals or if you purchase the parts yourself.