@BeachCat, I had a similar problem. I purchased a 93 back in 2008 and from the very start had issues with the engine. It started with leaking oil pan, which was fixed by @RotaryDynamics (Jim), then it was various other problems, blown rad, etc (again, fixed by Jim).

Then after about 2 years (less than 10,000KM) the engine was burning rad fluid.. I was left with the choice of what to do....

If you talk to people on here, I am in Toronto, so I had the usual people (who are helpful), and even had someone quote me on it (he is known around here, but do your own research)..

You are looking at good money if you rebuild.. If you cut corners, get ready for another disaster.. I remember when I was considering it, it was at least 5K.

The problem that concerned me was, reputable people, who know what they are doing. Find someone who is reputable.. I ultimately went a different route, I still have my RX7 though, would never sell it.

real1st

 

While I do not entirely disagree with you, this forum is not welcome of opinions that deviate from Rotary engines.. Just a head's up.

Personally, I grew tired of the rotary non-sense, and wanted to enjoy my car. I did the swap years ago.

But.. That's a decision everyone makes for themselves.. You will get harassed for suggesting it.

As I already noticed, the "and that's a feature?" comment below.

Perhaps you should rephrase it.. You should say, if you go V8, you lack some of the issues you will face with rotary engines.. The V8 is a solid engine.. Powerful, lacks the constant maintenance that you find with rotaries..

The need to rebuild on V8s is only after many many many miles/km.. Every rx7 owner I know personally, do rebuilds on their rotaries within 50,000KM.. Spending 3-5K every 50k is not cost effective..

 

Rebuilds that fail within 50k are because of a substandard build or clueless modding... Recently picked up some parts from someone parting their car out to go V8. They were on their 3rd engine, apparently running 22psi on straight pump gas is OK because Subaru's do it and that somehow applies to our cars. Coolant seals also go because nobody changes their damn coolant.

With countless choice of unbreakable seals we have now, a rebuild every 50k nowadays is laughable and any rotary shop that says that is normal shouldn't be in business.

thewird

 

@Beach, Thewird is a great resource for information and if you need work done, last I checked he has been known to do work as well.

He was the person who checked out my engine when the seals were gone..

 

Your statement that a person who does a V8 swap does not 'love their car enough' is ridiculous. Your suggestion that problems will always be minor is also questionable. Just because you have experienced minor problems, does not mean others have had the same luxury. This forum is full of people who had more than MINOR problems.

If a person wants a V8, that is their business. Using your logic, it could be argued that any person who modifies their rotary in anyway, care little about it. All of you 'GOING SINGLE' people, and other modifications that have been done are PERSONAL choice, and may have nothing to do with problems at all, they just wanted something different.

@Beach, do whatever you want. Go rotary, stock or otherwise, get thewired to hook you up, as most of us know he can. His builds are great.

Whatever you do, don't let so-called purists sway you with illogical arguments that are based on ignorance or agendas. I have had both, I enjoyed both.

 

He actually said they are rebuilding every 50,000km...so about 30k miles....lol assuming that's a street driven car, some one is doing something VERY wrong.

 

Since the focus of the 'swap' debate is the engine, and focus of Gordon's reasoning was the engine, I read this as "doesn't love their rotary enough. In that understanding it isn't ridiculous at all.
Still, IMO the OP should probably just sell the car. His experience is the result of a series of bad decisions, the very existence of this thread suggests his commitment is low, and his funds are limited.

 

The nannying in this thread takes out all the fun out of reading the ensuing drama lol...

thewird

 

I love how everyone is just assuming things now, and how this went from a "rebuild or sell" thread to another v8 vs rotary debate lmao

 

I do concur, and I was talking to thewird over the phone about my rebuild/build and Im probably gunna bring it to him to get all the work done, because I really dont have the time, space or resources that he does to complete it all. So all in all Ive decided to go with the rebuild option and not cheap out anymore cause Ive learned the hard way I guess, and I love the car way too much sell it hahaha