SP Engineering

 

if you can't contribute anything positive about the thread re frame your comments to yourself. Your comments show the level maturity and intelligence. seems clear now why you have to work 24/7. good luck

 

Lucky 7 does not currently have a dedicated tuner in-house. However, they are more than willing to provide their dyno to whoever needs to tune.

 

Thank you that's great info. I was thinking I can wrap everything at one shop but I guess not.

 

You still can. Lucky 7 can rebuild and then Daniel comes and tunes it.

Also, the infamous Nelson travels from TX to tune from time to time. You can schedule your work with Lucky 7 around the time Nelson is in town and you have a one stop shop.

 

Yea i scheduled my car to be there to install an ecu a week before nelson came and then he tuned it. So lucky 7 is a one stop shop.

 

Doesn't Nelson also tune at RRR when he's in town?

 

I'm not sure if he does anymore.

 

lmao, nah. I run parts for Harry @TheRacersEdge.

 

^

 

Have nothing but good things to say about lucky7. Nelson on the other hand...

 

I make the drive from south Orange County to see Dan at Garage Life. Dan treats my RX7 like it's his own and does great work. Dan gives great advice and delivers excellent results.

 

Wow. That's driving past a couple other really good shops to get there. Nice statement.

 

This is an interesting thread as I'm also debating on spending money on a rebuild or selling the car. Although I'd love to hear details about the individuals who have gotten their engines built at either Lucky 7 racing or Garage life. How does it compare to Pettit racing and their 30 plus years of racing experience? Or Pineapple racing who has a 5 yr/50k warranty on their engines also with 20 plus years racing. I've been searching but the information always seems vague at best.

Who's running these motors? (Lucky 7 or Garage life?)
How long have you been running it? (years/miles)
How do you run it? (drive like a senior citizen or speed demon, tire melting maniac?)
How heavily modified is you motor? (stock twins/ecu or Everything under the sun?)

These are all important in my view in assessing a builder. I'm aware that these engines have their limit as well. So am I off base in asking what are these guys doing with the rotary motor that other engine builders are not? Just looking for answers that I've had trouble finding as well. As I'm sure you can all tell it's been pretty heavy on my mind.

 

great questions. Both pineapple and pettit have great reputations but I don't think it's necessary to ship the motor/car so far. The point of this thread was to find a great local engine builder based on personal experience and not opinion or rumor.

just for reference my car has 70k with full built system under the sun. looks like the original owner built the car with no expenses spared. everything is greedy, hks, and apex.

 

Excellent observations. Mazdatrix had a great reputation for engine rebuilds. Where did there main builder, John, move on to?

Wait, I know the answer to that question.

 

Its not what we are doing different, its what we are doing right. You either know how to build a motor, or you dont. There really is no in between. The tune is the most crucial part for the longevity of the motor. That and maintenance of course. All of the mentioned shops know how to build a motor correctly. Garage life and lucky 7 are at the track every redline time attack event and we beat the **** out of our cars and have no issues.

 

I've had lucky 7 do a rebuild and single turbo install...nothing but the best of work from that crew. they're awesome...i drive from san diego for them...and had to do it a couple times and was actually happy about it b/c they're so awesome. i've heard good things about daniel as well, but i had everything setup from lucky 7 for nelson to do the tune after my rebuild so i went with him. however, it sounds like DK is the man as far as tuners 'round these parts nowadays and i've heard all good stuff...

 

subiedrake: Thank you for your response I really appreciate it. Anyone else running Lucky 7 or Garage Life motors? I've checked the interwebs but no prices on rebuilds or any other info, hopefully some satisfied customers will read this and chime in with details if the can. I'm sure I'm not the only 7 owner in a position of spending their entire savings on bringing their 7 back to life. Just trying to make the most informed decision that I can to get the most out of my time and money. We all work hard, we all love our 7's and we all just want that amazing feeling we get when we drive them...and keep them driving. I guess that's why I've held onto mine for so many years even after repeated arguments with everyone telling me to sell that P.O.S...yet I refuse...I can see something they can't, I know something they don't, I have felt something they will never feel....it almost feels like religion.

~Liquid

 

Integral: Thank you for taking the time to add your input of your experience. Making a drive a couple of times is not to be taken lightly, there is no doubt in my mind that you must be happy with their work as well as how they treat you. Thank you again.

~Liquid

 

Liquid, I just installed a motor that Lucky 7 has rebuilt for me. I went on the "extreme" side and had a lot of extra work done for my build, but it runs like a top and is almost ready for a tune.

They stand by their work and follow all the common practices of rotary maintenance. No "new" ways of doing things or cutting corners.

In regards to prices, are you wanting the full package? Like engine removal, teardown, rebuild, and reinstall? Or are you planning on just bringing in the short block.

There are also options in regards to what parts you want to use for rebuilds as well. You can go all OEM, or upgrade to better seals, porting, engine balancing, lapping, resurfacing, etc.

Your best bet would be to call all the shops mentioned and compare prices.

 

Im running a lucky7 built motor. Have been for over 2 years now I think with many many track days. Running very good.

 

JBF: Thanks for chiming in, all of you guys have been great today with all the detailed information. It really helps. JBF, the current motor that needs rebuilding was street ported with 3mm apex seals and I was running the Efini / 99 spec twins. 550cc primaries, 1300 cc secondaries and Walbro 255 fuel pump on the Power FC. down pipe, high flow cat and Apexi GT exhaust, stock intercooler (have a Greddy M-spec FMIC never put it in) and fluidyne radiator. I'd like to build it as best as possible. If I do this, it will be the 3rd motor so it's a tough decision for me to make. I took your advise JBF and sent them an email with my current set up and what they would recommend for a rebuild. I also let them know that it was all of the members great feed back here at the forum that led me to them so thanks again to everyone here on the forum. Please continue to post if you have experience as it only confirms for those of us hanging in the wings only reading but rarely posting. (it also makes me feel better reading all the good reviews) I feel good companies should be spoken about. So a BIG Thanks to the OP as well for starting this thread, you may have just helped bring back another 7 from the dead...time will tell.

 

ArmenMAxx: That sounds awesome! Do you daily drive also in addition to your track days? What's your current set up if you don't mind me asking? Are you still running stock psi? Another poster stated it has a lot to do with the type of tune as well. Did Lucky 7 do the tuning or Daniel from Garage Life? Or another tuner?

~Liquid

 

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