Is it worth buying an FD with a blown motor?
 

Hi again guys,

I've seen a JDM FD Type-R for sale with a blown motor, the price is pretty good (£4k less than a working one) I think I can probably source a restored FD engine for £2kish? or maybe even learn to do the work myself - can't think of anything more intereting to be honest :)

Have any of you guys done this? Its a 95 and done 60,000 miles.

Thanks

Dave

How is it blown? If the rest of the car is in truly good shape, then it may be a fine idea. There are videos and the FSM to show you how to rebuild it - it's not rocket science, but it's tedious and there is no room for mistakes.

Now if the turbos are also shot, you could be in for a more expensive surprise.

Dave

I've been told its the rotor tips, so a pretty common fault.

I agree the Turbos are the worry, that said I do know two people selling the standard turbos (due to upgrading) for $170.

I've seen the links to the rotary vision videos, I can imagine its ok to do, just ruddy scary and a pain!

If you want it to last, I would recommend letting someone else build it.. someone with experience and good record..

Otherwise, you could do it, but as I recently found out, its very important to spec the engine and lap the housings.. I initially thought about building it.. than realize its not just putting parts together.. you need to spec all the parts and make sure all is in spec.. that will make difference of your engine lasting 5k or 80k..

It will be around 2-3 for a nice ported rebuilt.

DS2000,

Engine rebuild kits are usually around $1200 USD. After that, you'll want to use all new fuel lines, coolant lines, have the injectors cleaned and flow balanced, new clutch if its worn, new flywheel or your current one resurfaced, etc (not including the work to get it all done)... It becomes real pricey VERY quickly to have it done right.

If you have the money and the time, getting a blown FD can be good. However, if you are just wanting to get the car and drive (without the extra costs), do yourself a favor and find one that is already running. You might spend more up front, but it might save you more in the end.

Dave,
It sounds like a good deal if the rest of the car is well taken care of. After a rebiuld, you should get an easy 50K miles out of the motor if you keep it stock. Buy a car with a running motor, it could take a dump on the way home.
I lived in the UK for a year and while I was there a guy named Pip (really) up near Liverpool gave my FD a tune up. I would say he is probably one of the best rotary mechanics in the UK. He quoted me around 1500 Pounds for a rebuild and a mild street port. I was not paying VAT, so look for around 2K pounds or more.
At the time, there were maybe 500 FDs in the country and he had 7, including mine, at the shop. He also had his 3 rotor FC race car. The work was done quickly, and the price was very fair.
I can probably dig up more info on the shop if you need it.
Dan

Thanks guys,

I'll have a good look over it tomorrow and make a decision, at the minute I've got a completely sorted Prelude so I'm not going to jump in with both feet :)

For me to consider the rebuild the car will have to be absolutely mint!

plan to be working on it for at least 6 months... finding parts here is hard enough, im sure in wales it might be more difficult.

This is what scares me, I have been offered a rebuilt engine with 2 year warrenty for £2000 which would takr this FD upto £5500 - which is still good.

I'll make a decision after I've seen the car I think :)

Like I said above, it's not just about "dropping in a new engine". If you don't fix what caused the last engine to fail, you'll just kill the new one. When putting in a new engine, or rebuilding one, you don't want to be using old hoses and other old components that could just fail again. All those little things add up once you start replacing them.

DS2000

I think it would depend on how clean the car is what it has as extra on it i.e. Is the car modified at all?

You can get the engine rebuilt for the UK any where from £900 - £2500 depending on what has been damaged and needs to be replaced.

Will you be coming to JAE this weekend there will be a mazdarotaryclub stand their where you can ask plenty of questions.

let me know how the viewing of the car went.

shaQ

Thanks Mahjik and Shaq, I can definately see what you are both saying :)

Sadly I can't make Jae, got a footy game on Sunday and looking at 3 FDs tomorrow so pretty booked up really :)

wait, so how much is the entire car now? you mentioned £5500 which is how much US? im assuming it is about ~10k-11k US which is not that bad of a deal for a Type-R 95 with a rebuild/new engine. Id say if you can afford it and you keep your prelude as a beater, you should go for it. I highly suggest to you to think about buying the rotaryaviation videos though. For 70-100 dollars, you will find out everything you ever wanted about a FD or FC and it will show you exactly what your getting yourself in to. if nothing else, its a nice video (very educational and some how, more satisfying then porno :))

I'm planning on going the same route(buying FD with blown engine) this winter, so if anyone out there has any leads....shoot me a PM.....I would probably be willing to trade the TII for the right deal(94-95 FD's). Thanks

Hey, if you love the FDs, but dont have your heart set on a rotary, consider a V-8 swap.

www.hinsonsupercars.com

I will have a 350+hp Aluminum v8 that will run for 100k no problems.

PM me if you have any more questions, but I bought a blown FD for $5k US and should have it running with the v8 for around 14k.

how much of a pain is it to put a v8 on an fd :?

Thanks, the car at the minute is £3500 which is roughly $5000 US and it looks to be in good condition.

payne - it has to be a rotary :)

We have a separate forum for engine conversions:

https://www.rx7club.com/other-engine-conversions-non-v-8-118/

Ask in there.

Even though the exchange rate makes the total price around in $11K, but it is not really a way to compare prices. 1 Pound in Great Britain buys you about what 1 Dollar does in America. So he is basically buying the car with a rebuilt engine for what we would think as $5500. It is a pretty sweet deal.

But they do pay around 4 Pounds for a gallon of gas which isn't so sweet.

Dan

Yeah fuel is a real bummer :( 85p / litre :(

Well I'll be leaving in an hour or two to look at her, I'll post my thoughts when I get back!

Dave