Mazda reman engine vs. rebuilt?
 

Hi everybody. I'm possibly looking to buy a specific FD & the owner thought the engine was rebuilt 12k ago, while the previous owner had it. Upon looking at the receipt, he found it actually had a Mazda remanufactured unit installed, (along with the little external stuff). FWIW, parts/labor were $6k. Also, Tri-Point of CA gave the engine an excellent bill of health. (after replacing fuel/vacuum lines, plugs etc) I'm unaware if Mazda's reman's are smiled or looked down upon, when compared to a stock rebuild by a reputable specialist - does anybody have any input on this? Thanks in advance!

If the reman has some miles and has a clean bill of health, I look at that as a positive.

Reman quality can vary a bit - some engines have mostly new parts and are quite the bargain. However some remans get torn down to be reworked and there are cases where the reman had some parts that were definitely not "like new". I think those cases work themselves out within a few k.

David

if it made it 12k its probably fine.

Don't worry about the engine if there is nothing wrong with it. Worry about the external stuff that maintains the engine healthy.

thewird

Remanufactored vs. rebuilt
 

So long as you get a Mazda certified remanufactured engine from a reputable outlet like Ray Malloy as I did, you should not be too worried about it failing verses someone who claims to "rebuild it".

I worked on several FD's that needed engine replacements including mine and a buddy. We both ordered a remanufactured engine from Ray and installed it. My engine failed after 500 miles during break in because the technician did not properly install the front main bearing. Because it had a warranty, I got a replacement for free.

Both FD's are still running strong after 3 years, 15,000 miles, my compression for both rotors are 110-112 psi.

My other "friend" got a so called "rebuilt" engine, which I helped install two years ago. His compression measured initially was 100 psi for both rotors, last year it's now 95 for the front and 87 for the back and burning engine oil. There is no warranty so he's stuck with what he got. He's not a friend anymore because that asshole didn't pay me as promised after the install...so in a way Good for him!

But, you have to consider the options and benefits of remanufactured verses a rebuilt. I think a rebuilt requires all gaskets, seals to be replaced with new OEM parts and within specific Mazda tolerances. Rebuilds are subjective to how competent the technician is, unless he's your friend. Just my opinion for what it’s worth.

how did the reman engine from mazda have a faulty bearing install from your mechanic? but yes, mazda remans have issues too, with rebuilders you have to do your homework a little more because there is more variation in quality of reuseable parts from a mazda reman than induvidual rebuilders due to cost of parts replacements. mazda remanufacturers can toss in a rotor without a second thought, rebuilders have to figure out if it is worth finding a replacement or selling you a brand new $700 rotor or if the maximum tolerance is worthy of attempting to work with.

ideally i don't think there is a rebuilder on the planet who wouldn't prefer to build an engine with all new parts, but it actually falls mainly on the customers as to the end cost of a rebuild determines the quality of the build in most cases, but not all. some of us put in the extra effort to keep prices affordable.

A big thanks for the input guys. I've since found what appears to be a much cleaner FD, with a rebuild & some nice work done by rx7.com/am pretty sure I will be purchasing it instead, or at least putting a deposit down & hoping everything goes as planned! As a rotar-n00b I really do appreciate the info though! :):icon_tup:

You actually can't even get a reman anymore. Ray @ Malloy Mazda told me all he sells are brand new short blocks for just under $4k.

Good to know. (tho FWIW, I just noticed the original car in question had the reman installed in '05) Now I need to find a good way to let this guy down/that I'm not buying his FD, after playing a zillion & one questions/pictures. If we lived closer I'd buy him a case of beer or something for putting up with me. :p:

I say rebuild from a reputable builder...

One of the best builder I know but no one heard of him..

Call Luis @ (256) 458-8900

He has a lapper, can balance rotating assemblies, and every engine he builds gets cranked on a stand and heat cycled. Super smart and old school builder (building rotary engines for 25+ years).