Whats better rebuild my motor or get a used JDM?
 

My motor right now has 122,000 miles on it but it starts fine no smoke but I think I got a boost leak. It leaks oil not sure from were exactly but It runs fine unless I step on it. But I know I need to do something because 122,000 miles is to many. Would I be better off geting a used JDM motor with a used trans the ecu, turbos, and the wiring. Or would I be better off rebuilding this motor? what would be the better way to go?

Well, your motor has a lot of miles, but it isn't blown so I wouldn't be too worried about it.

Why would you pay money for a used motor that could blow the day after you put it in when you can spend a little more and rebuild your current motor? (Although at that mileage, you should get new rotor housings, which will add $1000+ to the typical rebuild price.)

You THINK you have a boost leak? Get a boost gauge.

EDIT: At that mileage, your turbos are probably kagunga too, so you'll have to keep that in mind.

+1

If the engine is on it's way out , spring for the rebuild. And Even if your going to keep the car stock get a boost gauge.

rebuild BEFORE it blows. that will save you some money too. at least it eliminates some of the possibilities of the engine actually damaging itself more.

Or not. can't actually speak from experience on this one.

Well, I rebuilt mine before it actually blew, but the compression was below 6 on all faces and I was getting the very first signs of coolant seal failure. If by some miracle his engine still has good compression and isn't burning coolant, I wouldn't be in a hurry. He's going to need new rotor housings and turbos anyway. Of course, it would be nice not to have to get a new rotor or side housing. I could go either way.

Really, you don't save anything by rebuilding a motor before it blows. It's also hard to say if it's the original motor in the car - so many FD's have had the motor replaced at some point in time.

That said, a good, fresh rebuilt motor is usually better than a JDM engine. I bought a clean, nice JDM long block recently for parts, everything looked great on it from a reputable importer, and the rear rotor was dead. Fortunately I was able to get a partial refund and I'm using the good parts of the motor to make a motor.

Anyhow, JDM motors are really crapshoots. Sometimes you get good ones, sometimes you don't. But, they're good from a parts standpoint.

Dale

Ok I have never rebuilt a rotary motor. I would rather learn how than to have it rebuilt. Is that a good idea since I have never rebuilt a rotary motor? I know there are videos on how to rebuild them too.

I say I think I have a boost leak because is at 4 rpm i can not go past 3 lbs of boost it starts hessitating really bad. and if i step on it the car falls on its face at 5 lbs and it falls on its face hard. if i am at 2 1/2 rpms i can go consistant at 5 lbs til about 3 rpm then it starts stuttering then falls on its face. so I called rx7 store.net they said they think it is a boost leak. I do have a boost gage. any ideas on that problem?

check all piping and couplers

When I am checking the piping and couplers what is a sign that its bad? I know its kind of a bad question but 10 psi can put a lot of pressure. or would it be obvious if it was bad?

Take the car to a reputable rotary shop to have the boost leaks fixed and a compression check done on the motor.

:werd: