OzzieRizz

Hey guys,

I'm in a dillema of whether to get a 3rd gen RX7 or an RX8. So I was wondering roughly how much it would cost to get the engine rebuild on the RX7 (including installation), because if it costs too much for me to rebuild the RX7 engine, I might aswel just go for the RX8. And yes, I have searched and found this long *** thread about some dude rebuilding his engine, but he was doing it himself.. and it was 17 pages long.

Oh and if I was to rebuild it myself, how different is it from rebuilding a piston engine? and is there any how to's on rebuilding rotaries?

Thanks for your help.

OzzieRizz

okay sorry.. after a closer look I found a thread..

I Need Rebuild

So I take it its around 5-10k with installation.

Now just the other part to my question:
how much different is it from rebuilding a piston engine or is it totally different? and is there any how to's on rebuilding rotaries?

Thanks for your help and sorry

car hugger

iTrader: (1)

It's different simply because of the construction of the engine and base cost of getting seals and gaskets, (anywhere in the 1500-1800 range)

There are DIY videos available. I just can't find the link.

These are not cheap cars to fix, they can not be abused or modded and ingnored with out proper tuning, failing to tune them correctly is what makes them go boom.

Good luck with the searching.

OzzieRizz

oh really, there are actually DIY videos of this? sweet!! Ill try and look it up on google.

Ahahah yeh, I think if I really do end up DIY on the rebuild, I'm definately going to leave the tuning to the proffesionals.

I just need to know though, a month would be more than enough to finish the rebuild correctly if all goes to plan right?

scotty305

iTrader: (2)

Search for "rotary rebuild video" on google, and you'll find what you're looking for.

A successful rebuild, like any other major project, will require knowledge, planning, and the proper tools and parts. Without any of these, you might not finish at all. You'll need a set of digital calipers and/or a micrometer to determine if parts are within factory tolerances, and I've heard that it's difficult to remove the flywheel bolt(s) also.


Personally, I think it's one of those "if you have to ask..." type of things. If you don't already know that you're able to perform a rebuild, you're probably not going to do it right the first time. Have you removed & reinstalled an engine? How many piston engines have you rebuilt?


There is a guy on these forums who rebuilds rotary engines and has a great reputation: http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/


Good luck,
-s-

OzzieRizz

Hm.. yeh I think I'll end up just getting those guys to rebuild the engine. (thnx for the link btw)

I've personally never rebuilt an engine (but I've been reading about it so much I basically know most of it and I've only done an engine swap on a Civic), and I want to learn how to do it so I thought I might use this opportunity to try it out.

I think I'll just buy the video, watch it and see whether I'm confident enough to do it or not, and just make my decision then.

Thanks for all your help guys!

OzzieRizz

Wait I just realised aren't those guys at http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/ only doing 2nd gen (86-91) RX7 engines? or am I missing something

yuichiror

iTrader: (1)

Wow, Kevin redid his site? Looks awesome! Not sure why he didn't list FD engine pricing but as far as I know he does 3rd gens too, he owns one. Send him an email.

SayNoToPistons

^ he sold his silver FD. and i think he sold his auto VR fd too. no rotaries any more.

OzzieRizz

...... huh?!?

SayNoToPistons

im talking about rotary ressurection... kevin landers... i dont think he does 13bre/w anymore. but ask him to make sure.

OzzieRizz

oh damn! but I'll send him an email and ask him to make sure.

Anyways, if he doesn't do them anymore, is there anybody else you guys can suggest with a good reputation for the rebuild? I've found sites on google that does the rebuild, but I'm not sure about their reputations.

Thanks

DMRH

The FD hit your streets in early 92 meaning they are now mostly 14+ years old
The FE hit your streets in early 03 meaning they are now mostly 03+ years old

The FD is a fantastic sports car but lacks practicality
The FE is a fantastic practical car but lacks sports car appeal

Two different types of cars with a common type of engine

REgards

Buzzardsluck

I disagree that the 8 lacks sports car appeal. Only when measured against a "pure" sports car(FD, vette, etc.) does it come up short. Keep in mind it wasn't made to with that thought in mind.

I also disagree that the 8 is fantastic practial car. It can't hold large items like a common 4 door sedan(if the back seats were flat it could). The trunk opening is narrow but the trunk is goodsized(w/o the spare tire).

It does fit 4 people just fine. It is a great DD that can rip corners apart with the best of them and has plenty of power when in the correct gear.

The only thing common with the engines is they are both rotaries, the similiarity ends there IMO.


The 8 is easy to drive hard and you will feel in total control(it also has a AWESOME traction control and DSC system to save you if you mess up but don't rely on it of course).

As has been said many times, the FD is best as a second car.

If your looking for power don't buy an 8, you will be disappointed. If you want total package, the 8 is perfect IMO.

OzzieRizz

Why is that? They break down that often? or are they just not practical (bad gas mileage and etc.)?

Would this mean that the FE is more realiable than the FD?

scotty305

iTrader: (2)

Why is that? They break down that often? or are they just not practical (bad gas mileage and etc.)?

Would this mean that the FE is more realiable than the FD


Yes and yes. Do some searching in the 3rd Gen section, for instance "broken" or "coolant seals" or "blew my motor" , and read some people's stories. Then do a similar search on RX8club.com, and decide for yourself.

The RX-8 has a LOT more cargo space than the RX-7. Think of the RX-7 like a fast Miata in terms of cargo space.

-s-

OzzieRizz

Holy ****! Why the hell do they blow so easily? I've been reading for quite sometimes now at rx8club (because until like two days ago, I didn't even think about the rx7) and haven't read any thread about a single blown motor. Is there any sure way to minimize this risk of blowing the motor?

Well basically what I'm considering is how much I can get the FD for(with engine rebuild in mind) and whether it will cost me less than the RX8 or not, since if it does cost me less to get an FD + rebuilt engine, I will have some money to play with (plus it comes with extra power stock). But it seems to me that in the long run, the FD isn't such a good choice.....

InvisibleMonkey

but the RX-8 has been out for how long? you're obviously going to have more problems with a car that is at least 11 years old compared to a car that is only 3 years old

SayNoToPistons

....wow.... . OzzieRizz... i think youre best off with a RX8. why? because its more reliable, less to mess with, daily driveable, a tiny tiny bit better gas mileage, and new performance mods are starting toc oem out for it. its like what youre looking for in a FD but with 4 doors, 4 seats, and newer style... not the same of course but i think its best for you.

seanbrowning

What SNTP said. Theres nothing WRONG with the 13brew. It is a fantastic motor, and 3 years after the RX7 came out you didn't have people blowing their motors, so don't expect to see that with the RX8. The reason you see so many now is that the cars are 13 years old. Of course ***** gonna break. But when you fix it and fix it right, it will last you a decent amount of time.

OzzieRizz

ahahha okay, I think I've been missing the point that the car IS 13 yrs old. When I read some of the blown engines thread, I over reacted because I kept reading that the mileage on the blown engines were under 100k and forgot the important fact that the whole car is in fact 13 yrs old.

So yeh.. I think I might just end up taking your advice SNTP. Thanks a lot guys!