Hello y'all! I'm JeVarX-7. Not a new member but can't log into my old account. I'm here because of my recent(year and a half) 88 TII purchase. I've owned 3 NA 7s and now a TII being rebuilt at end of month.
So, whats your experience with these 2 shops and these 2 shops ALONE? I've chosen to get my rebuild from one of them. Lucky 7 racing and Angel Motorsports LA? I've been following both for a few years and now I'm actually going to whichever I choose. I have 3 weeks to choose. What's your input? How was your experience at either one or both if you've been to both. Thanks for the help guys and gals!

 

Take a look at TURBODAVE and elSerenoRotary.

 

I had a rather poor experience with L7. I have heard great things about Angel, I actually might go to them when I start my single turbo conversion.

 

Do you live in Oregon?? Or are you located in So Cal?? There plenty of other rotary engine builders.

 

The RX7 is in So Cal. I'm now in Oregon. Those 2 shops are an hr and a half away from where the RX7 is.

 

There are plenty of other builders. I was asking about these 2 in particular for a reason my friend. Do you have experience with them?

 

lucky 7

 

My experience is only with Lucky 7. They've built/rebuilt a street port 13B 6-port engine for my race-only car three times now. I shopped around two of the three times, and for the money, I got a lot of work done in comparison to going somewhere like Mazdatrix or other "premium" shops. The work Lucky 7 does is good (as far as I can tell), and -- importantly -- the folks there are honest. They've also always come through for me within the deadline I've given them, and kept to my budget.

 

Respect that you've narrowed down to these two providers. But, if I may, your particular reason is?

Also, isn't Angel Motorsports on the east coast?

 

Angel has a Virginia shop and his brother has an LA shop. I live in Oregon and left my car in the LA so cal area. more cost effective to use an LA shop. Been narrowing down for months. If I had an unlimited supply of money then I would go many other locations. Do you have any experience with either?

 

It might help to list your goals, how involved you want to be, budget, mods, etc.

 

Louie from L7 left and started DNA Garage down in Santa Ana. It's run out of the same building as RRR. Not sure if you'd consider going further down south.

I followed Louie from L7 to DNA. I brought my FC in for some service/diagnostics and Louie was super helpful and informative. Once I found out he split off and started his own shop, I started bringing my car there.

 

Why? I just want to know personal experience of the shop whether it was to have some brakes changed or a ecu put in, or even a stop in to check it out. I didn't ask for rebuild advice or what I need to do. Just what YOUR experience was.

 

Oh cool. I'll have to check out DNA if he was a L7 builder for a bit. Thanks for the on topic information. I appreciate it!

 

Hey, you're the one asking for help.

My experience is that both of the shops take ***** that stink.

 

RRR has a solid engine rebuilding reputation deeper than pretty much any other shop in SO Cal. My personal experience with them has been beyond excellent.

 

TurboDave in El Sereno hands down. Dude has been building motors for a really long time! He knows what he is doing.

 

Louie used to work at RRR. I took my car there for a rebuild many years ago, because Nick was a solid engine builder, and had a great reputation.

I expect that Nick built my engine, and the engine itself is solid, and is still running well. The problem was with Louie's work on everything around the engine. My brand new engine leaked oil like a sieve from the oil pan. I took it back twice to get it sealed properly, but it still leaked. It even leaked after he put on a brand new oil pan. I eventually gave up on them and took it elsewhere to seal the pan.

They were to tune the car after break in. When I got it back, Nelson's tune ran like ****. Had to take it back, and it still wasnt right. Almost lost the engine due to detonation.

The first time I got my car back, it had a door ding in it. They just parked it in the lot, where anyone could ding it. It also had an interior panel in the drivers footwell missing. Someone stole it.

Every time I had to take it back, it was a 245 mile trip (one way).

For years, I was constantly finding little things that were loose, or connected wrong. I found extra bolts lying in crevices. I found bolts were missing where they should have been.

Long story short, dont take your car to a shop where Louie works.

 

That is some good insight.

I just had some transmission and oil pan work done by Louie over the weekend, and did notice some noise still that I already informed him about. Guess I'll take a look under the car tonight to see how the oil pan is.

 

Adam_C you were right.

I ended up finding some extra bolts in my center console, and found a broken wire for my reverse light switch. I had an oil pan baffle installed as well, but I didn't see any leaks just yet. I already contacted Louie, so I guess we'll see how things go.

 

hey adam do you recommend any shop personally ? i like the honesty of your reviews
and my FDs previous owner got his engine built at RRR in 07
the motor work like you said is pretty good ( 30k miles and still ticking with good compression ) but everything around it seems like a hack job.
2 solenoids for turbo control was cross plugged causing secondary boost issue
turbo heat shield all missing ! ( brand new 99 spec ) oil filler neck leaking oil
1 screw stuck inside new OEM radiator (i found it when i swapped out for a aftermarket one) etc etc theres more but you get the point..

 

I live in San Luis Obispo. There is no rotary shop here. I have been going to the guys at Mariah Mororsports in Santa Barbara. They are not cheap, but they do good work. However, they are really into racing, and their racing comes first.

 

I've personally dealt with all of the rotary shops in the LA area, they are all great people actually. I don't know any of them to be shady or shiesty, although with business comes the tales(which we all understand by now) Lucky 7 are great people, with a very professional shop and long history with RX7s and Road Coarse racing.

I will always recommend Angel Motorsports. John from Angel Motorsports LA will just about help you 24 hrs a day.

 

I've dealt with both. Both good people actually. They have resources, the space and tools necessary to get the job done. Fris at L7 was kind enough to deal with my financial woes and pay him off overtime for a complete rebuild to my 13B-T motor. The engine is still running well.

John at Angel has done a lot of hands on work for me and came through when I most needed it.

You're honestly good either way.

 

Which did you go with?

I just booked my FC in with Lucky 7 they came well recommended, I'll update once I get it back!