Hello Forum,

I hope I am in the correct forum, apologies if I am in the wrong place. I am new to posting in forums. I created my account back in 2017 when I had my 92 RX-7, but never used the site which I regret. I am now looking to get an RX-8 and swap the engine with a 13B REW. Can anyone please provide some tips on buying the engine without getting ripped-off? They aren't cheap and I see a lot of these JDM sites, but have heard to be careful when buying engines from them. The engines may not be good.

I am going to try and do most of the work myself. I hope I don't have to rebuild the engine. I would appreciate anyone's advice.

-Eric

 

1. its a used 25 year old engine, with usually no documentation.
2. the REW's are not really known for living long peaceful lives
3. spin it, and make sure it has compression.
4. look it over, is it clean? rusty cooling system?

if you get lucky, the engine is newly rebuilt, and you're cool. if you're not lucky, its a high mileage old engine thats full of seawater

plan B it is a valid move to buy a dead JDM engine for the intake/turbos/etc and then just buy a new short block from Mazda.

 

This should be Plan A

 

I think those guys are saying that most of the used rotary engines from Japan went through that giant tsunami.

 

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for the quick replies. I see that there is another related post below giving some information regarding the same issues. Can anyone please provide a place where you can get a 13B REW either new or refurbished with all of the accessories, like the ECU, and wiring. Some place reliable? I heard of IRP, but they look like they only provide the block from Japan. I will keep looking for more information.

Again thanks for the reply.

-Eric

 

That's where they come from. It's a Japanese car

If you are in Jersey, IRP would be the first place to go. (I'm in VA and I had them rebuild my 13B)

 

TomU,

My plan is to buy a RX-8 and swap the engine with a 13B REW, but I am not sure if all the exterior parts from the RX-8 engine are compatible with 13B REW. If so, then I'll buy the RX-8 and re-purpose the good exterior engine parts. I am looking to keep it stock for a while. Then later down the road I'll mod it. Do you have any advice regarding the swap?

-Eric

 

I personally don't have any experience with a RX8 13BREW conversion. I'm only commenting on the source of your 13BREW. In the long run, you may be better going with a new short block than used

As for the swap, these may help...

https://www.rx7club.com/old-school-o...build-1030146/

https://www.rx7club.com/race-car-tec...-swap-1059952/