I got my first RX7 bout three months ago. Have'nt really raged out in the car of things i've heard and scared really to bust the seals. And it started to lose power significantly yesterday and barely made it to the best rotary shop in Charlotte. I've only started hearing about pros n cons on the Rx7 hear on this forum, never knew anybody who had one groing up. I love the car, it's looks and don't want to get rid of it. Is there a more reliable engine that I could do a swap with. A friends got an 1JZ would that even be possible? Or would a rebuild make it more reliable? I just don't have the money to keep rebuilding every year or two.

Any help would greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

a 1JZ swap is hard enough in an actual Supra...

what shop did you take it to?

 

Well you could drop an S5 n/a engine in. You would have a small increase in HP and well maintained the engine will last 200,000 miles (not all will but some members have managed it and still drive them) keep in mind it is a SWAP when you drop an s5 in its not just bolt up and go. You could drop anything you want in but most of us prefer keeping the rotary. Although another S4 n/a could last a long time as well.

 

I droped it off with Zak at Intense Motorsport. I like the idea of the s5 i'll look around. Just need sumtin I not going to worry if I speed up a lil. I only mean 90's on the highway too don't thimk thats much to ask. I never even redlined or got close in mines now.

 

just rebuild yours and it will last for more then 2 years n/a motors last for 300k+ miles . most go becasue they are not taken care of .

and u dont ahve to worry about blowing seals to much its only really on turbo motors when they detonate

 

Well thats good to hear, woke up getin really worried

 

You should see redline once in a while. But yea, na rotaries do pretty well as far as reliability goes... search youtube, see how long it takes a dork to blow one up and they keep it pinned at 8K rpm for like 10 minutes.

If you werent' soo hard and kept up on maintanance it should last 10-20 years of regular driving...

 

maybe a 2.3L ford 4cly would be reliable and cheap could probably get a turbo one cheap too.

 

A rebuild would be the most reliable, and will work just fine for your stated goals.

If your local rotary shop is so incompetent that their rebuilds only last a year or two, then you need to go to a different shop. A stock rebuild should last a minimum of 100,000 miles. If you don't mind taking an 80 mile road trip, Mandeville Auto Tech in Spartanburg, SC, (864) 582-0038, is one of the top rotary shops in the world. This is where I would take my car if I lived in your location.
http://www.rx7hotpage.com/engine_rebuild_story2.htm
http://alex62.typepad.com/imsablog/2...mandevill.html

 

Cool the guy at this shop got sick couple hours before I took it to him, it's at the shop maybe thursday he'll be able to look at it. Everybody rotary said to take to him. Just mentioned bout one two years cause of things peoples mentioned with some of the threads.

Good to hear thats its that reliable. There's a guy on craigslist thats got a S5 b13 w/ trans, should I get that and rebuild or is the S4 ok?

 

By the way it does turn on and idle without a prob. Even runs a lil and I mean a lil.

 

people in the threads that last only 2 years are most likley turbo and are making 450hp plus and then yes they dont last long but then what 450hp motor does other then maybey a v8

 

Not everybody. I said take it to Mandeville.

Be careful!
B13 = Nissan
13B = Mazda

Anyway, no, the S5 conversion is not worth the trouble for your simple goal of 90mph on the freeway. Just get yours rebuilt.

 

Thanks I meant 13b, I would push a lil more but I was worried nut if the rebuild is a good choice i'll prob go with that one. And the car is at the shop already and couldn't possilbly make it to spartnburg. But that is good to know that you have them in such high regards.

 

A 1JZ isn't that bad of a swap, with a little fabrication you can get it in there and running well.

 

And whereiscarmensandiego my bad but didn't understand your post.

 

Swapping in a S5 NA will require rewiring of the dash. The S4 dash wiring harness will not plug into the S5 ECU. If you're not too familiar with the car, I wouldn't suggest this kind of modification. Rewiring is bad enough when you know what you're looking at.

Just get the block rebuilt, and you'll be good to go for a long while. Piston lovers like to spread the rumor that rotaries only last 20k miles, etc...but it's just bs made up by people who have never owned a rotary powered car. A well maintained motor will be pulling strong past 200k.

 

Not to worry its not the engine the cat conv was causing som serious back flow. Ha HA my bad just need to upgrade my exhaust

 

for cheap and fun (but not crazy) i'd say ford 302 (5.0)
you can build one for next to nothing