Ha! Yes I know that Ivan. He was on the short list of 'go-to' rotary guys around here for a long time. Haven't seen him in years though. We used to FD caravan on hwy 35 back in the day. Good memories

 

I went to a few of those 35 drives. went to a lot of the street races too. Remember Batman?

 

Ivan put an S4 engine in my '91 when I asked him for a rebuild. Kept my S5 engine. I was kind of new to rotarys at the time and didn't realize what he did until later.


EDIT: Anyone remember Ben? Rotary Resurrection? That guy treated me right. The engine he built for me was better than the one I paid over $10k to Addicted for.

 

Wow that's crazy. Huge bummer to hear about switching kegs on you way back then. I hate to say that's it's always been hard to find / hire trustworthy technicians imo

Can't say I'm familiar with Ben, it has been a very long time. Maybe I'd recognize the face.

 

Hi All,
Just back from PPI (much-due Post Purchase Inspection) and compression test from The Shop in SSF/San Bruno. I live in South San Francisco, so I really wanted to find a home I can bring the '95 FD with convenience. Sad to report, I didn't get the warm and fuzzy feeling.

1. Not sure what the standard for PPI is, but mine was a few points over the phone. When I got there to ask priority/severity of the issues, nothing much - just watch. I take there were no urgent issues but wanted to have a conversation and not a point-to-point words. I was hoping I can get a paper report (at least a memo) but I had to ask at the counter what exactly, and what type of work etc was needed and take notes to one or two words responses. Not cold in the dark but a little more would have been nice since I paid for their time...
2. I'm a customer and not a friend to BS, I get it. But as a paid customer, I asked what I should 'observe' or ideas to get the FD in a better shape but again the only response I got was 'the usual RX7 stuff". This great forum gives so much ideas but I wanted to find out my particular FD's needs but again very much fell short.

Maybe it was a bad day or something, but I just got the feeling

SB Garage is apparently closed and have been replaced by Werkshop. I called them and was told that they don't work on "that old cars". I got similar lines in two other shops I called so just moved on.

Sake Bomb Garage sounds awesome, but just a bit far... If I can bundle up issues and have them work on FD, may work but not exactly that near (think around 30-40 miles with potentially heavy traffic)... I do wish there were something...

p.s. my FD is completely bone stock with a little less than 50k miles. Compression were both 90psi so looks like ok for a while

Rick

 

Hey Rick!

Congrats on picking up your '95. Everything basic maintenance will be first in order, then upgrading your cooling capacities should be next.

I'd only use 'The Shop' for oil changes and even then you'll probably end up with oil on your seats afterwards. I personally wouldn't choose them to be your home shop, regardless if they still have shop FD.

SB / Werkshop is primarily a Miata / suspension specialty shop. I had them replace all my suspension bushings plus custom alignment, etc. They work on most manufacturers but can be case by case depending on the job(s).

Sake is advertised as Rotary / Mazda specialists although I'm unfamiliar with who their rotary tech's are but I've heard they consistently do good work and never had any reason to be skeptical. They're probably your best bet imo for one stop full service shop.

GL

 

Just wanted to let folks know. I switched the San Leandro Mazda. In San Leandro,CA it's just off Marina Blvd.
it's address is

San Leandro Mazda
680 Marina Blvd
San Leandro, CA 94577

Alvin and I should be able to take care of rotary powered vehicles in the rotary community.
I have experience in RX7s and RX8s and Alvin has experience in RX8s. We both are Mazda certified technicians and gear heads.

 

Or you can contact Mike the owner of Mr Mazda in Campbell. Master Mazda technician through and through and has been operating his independent shop for at least 20 years. I'm sure he even still has a graveyard of Rx7 parts as well. He's an excellence local resource.

 

I have a good friend in there too , who knows and lived thru many fc rx7s and fbs.

 

I’ve owned my FD car for over 20 years and have taken it exclusively to Ivan since the beginning. He built and ported my motor, installed my single turbo kit, and performed countless other maintenance services. I would not have been able to keep my car on the road or kept it as long as I have if it wasn’t for him.

Here’s a picture of my car at his place.

 

 

You don't happen to be the guy who lived on/off West Santa Inez are you? I remember there was a white '94 that his parents bought for him.

 

Hello everyone, Just to let you know,
I left San Leandro Mazda and I am started my own thing working with a small shop in Oakland, CA.
Feel free to PM me IF you need your RX7 or RX8 serviced.
The shop is located at 3420 35th Ave, Oakland, CA 94619.
Its connected to a Chevron gas station next to 580 Freeway.

 

Congratulations!! Wishing you the best. You're a major contributor to this community. I'll be showing my support.

 

thank you!

 

Appreciate this thread! 🙏 But it's a bit outdated so...

What's the latest thinking on rotary mechanics in the bay?

I live pretty close to @rotary#10's shop in Oakland and dropped by around 2p today (a Friday) to see if I could schedule a pre-purchase inspection for an RX-8 I'm thinking of buying. The shop was closed but I saw an FD and an RX-8 in the lot so I figure there's still rotary expertise there.

Rick's in Pleasanton is now Autotron and has a picture of an RX-8 on their website logo so maybe they're still in the rotary game too but the rename makes me wonder.

Thanks in advance!

 

We're here when you need us. FD Specialists, Ohlins Engineering Partner and valving / service lab on site, in house dyno tuning, full builds to maintenance, and we manufacture parts for FD, RX8, S2000, NSX, Miatas, and Corvettes full service shop here in Fremont, CA.
shoot us an email: info@sakebombgarage.com
Shop phone: 510-356-3556 call/text






www.SakeBombGarage.com

 

I live in Fremont and have been to sakebomb to ask a few questions. I was told flatout that they do not like to work on FCs. I found that laughable. All credibility was lost from there. I for one have seen @rotary#10 help fellow rotary enthusiasts in parking lots just because he's that kind of a guy. His knowledge is immeasurable no matter the chassis.

 

Anyone got any recommendations near Santa Rosa or Sacramento? I remember a show in Sacramento and had a huge caravan go up there for the meet but forgot their name and if they are still around or not. Let me know!

 

I have updated my shop contact info.
You can make an appointment or inquiry on Instagram at revmotorspirits by dm.
Or at revmotorspirits@gmail.com
thank you

 

I visited The Shop in San Bruno. I went there not to have my RX7 worked on, but because they have an alignment machine setup that works well for lowered cars. Turns out the owner is a current FD owner and has owned several over the years. While his current is LS1 converted, he's OK to work on Rotaries. https://www.theshopsanbruno.com/