IamRobbyah

Hey guys. Well, after slaving away all summer, and spending a butt-load, Ive finally managed to turn my garage into a designated work space to start tearing down the fd. I blew the motor back in May and I've been going crazy just seeing the car just sit there.

Anyways, I've now come to the point of weighing my options of which route to take. (Here comes a redundant question, brace yourself) I'm looking for some feedback on whether to choose a mazda reman locally, or to have Pineapple build me a motor.

There are, of course pros and cons to either route:

Mazda reman:
Pros:
- Cheaper (my uncle owns a shop, can get wholesale)
- Local
Cons:
- Stock

Pineapple:
Pros:
- Can have it "built" to how I want it
Cons:
- Not local; will need to pay shipping or pick it up myself
- Turn-around time (bad???)

I have chosen Pineapple, simply because of the competitive price and from the positive feedback that I've read (for the most part). Plus, I frequent the area (Portland), so if need be, I could pick up there. I haven't yet contacted Pineapple. I wanted to get a little feedback first.

Any input would be a great help. I would like to get this project started as soon as possible. As far as what I would like done to the motor: mild street port, "reliability/cooling mods," and possibly upgraded apex seals (yes, no??). Any alternative thoughts are also welcome.

Thanks,

Robbyah

IamRobbyah

bump??

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I personally wouldn't get a Pineapple rebuild, but that's just me. A buddy of mine had one. When the engine blew, some of the internals used were questionable.

Why don't you talk to Kevin at Rotary Resurrection?

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/

Super77

Robby,

Bottom line up front: The first question you have to answer is "what do I want??"

The options you listed are pretty much 180 degrees from each other.

If you answer stock, go see your uncle.

If you really, really want a street port badly enough start checking out the shops. You have all ready been in contact with Pineapple, but go and check the others out.

Ask for a list of customers that you can speak with who have had their FDs street ported. If the shop won't or can't give you a list, walk away fast!!

Consider what you will do with the car. I bring it up because you didn't mention it in your thread. Will it be a daily driver, street racer, track racer, or street/strip machine?

Is there going to be a problem with emissions if you get a street port? My impression is that California can be pretty harsh when it comes to emissions.

I have never met Majik or traded e-mails with him but from what I've read he is probably one of the most knowledgable guys on this site. He has all ready provided good input. Seek out some of the other guys on this site who have street ported motors and ask them for input.

Last word: You have all ready put alot of blood sweat and tears into making your garage a good place to work on your baby. Spend a little more time doing the research and gathering information. In the end you won't be disappointed.

Best of luck to you on this project....can't wait to see how it turns out - make sure you post plenty of pics when it is all done!!

Steve

Super77

Robby,

I just reread you thread and I stand corrected. You do know what you want!! Ignore the first part of my thread and start at the part where I talk about Majik!!

Steve

jpandes

I bought a reman and had it shipped to pineapple for porting and some other upgrades(oil mods and coolant seals). I then had the motor R&R work done by a local shop C2 Automotive in Oakland.

If I had to do all over again, I would just have ONE, reputable, LOCAL shop do ALL the work. I would also make sure that they offer some sort of warranty. Have one shop pull my motor and, port it and rebuild it and tune it. That way when you get your car back it should be all dialed in. That way if something goes wrong you have ONE guy to hold responsible. I didn't have any issues with Pineapple or C2. Pineapple did say that when they opened up my reman motor, they found some bad internal components that they had to replace. I also had to tune my motor myself. When I got it back, it was running so rich that it was barely driveble.

There are a couple very good shops here in the bay area for you to call. I don't have the numbers handy.

Rick's Rotary
Pleasanton

Ivan
South bay

Alos keep in mind that if your go with a street port, you will have to spend more $ on supporting mods to run a ported motor. A stock ECU is not ideal or capable to run a ported motor(fuel maps & timing need to be adjusted)

PFC $900
1300cc Injectors $350
Fuel Pump $200

IamRobbyah

Thanks guys for all of the input.

jpandes: Thanks for the local direction. It seems as though no one knows of any reputable shops here in the Bay. In terms of the listed supporting mods, those three were the first on my list. I know that there is more to deal with, when it comes to building this up correctly, but I have to start somewhere: a new motor.

edit: jpandes: my buddy saw you run at Infineon (to us: Sears Point), and he said your car is a monster. Keep up the good work.

I have also inquired in some other builders out there, just trying to find the most well rounded person to do it (i.e. price, credibility).

Again, thanks for the help, and I will keep an update on the forum. Until then, wish me the best of luck.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

IMHO the upgraded apex seals aren't a very useful upgrade if you've been working hard for the money. Ditto with the fancy coatings and stuff. Spend it on better internals (like buying new housings if yours are marginal for re-use). I see 3mm seals as a thing for when you're pulling out all the stops and everything else has been done already.

Dave