I see several people (unfortunately none of them local NCR, between Toronto and Trois Riviere) selling engine & transmission from RX-8s. I assume they're swapping in other engines.

I also see the JDM engine importers offering the same thing, I assume same deal JDM engines have been for years. They're a couple bucks more than a few of the locals, but all around 2K.

Anyone have any views on the general JDM quality? I'd prefer to put a compression test on an engine before I agreed to buy it. Can I assume 12V to the starter would give me good compression numbers on an engine on a crate. I'd spray some ATF in the trailing first.

Has anyone attempted to get a first hand look at engines from the importers before handing them cash?

Thanks.

 

A used engine for $2000????

What are you thinking!!??!!

You do realize a Mazda re-man engine is around $2500-2800 with a 1 year warranty.

Anyone selling a used engine with an unknown history for $2k is out to lunch!

 

Agreed that $2k for an unknown history engine is way too high.

Reman price was increased in September (or August?) to $3,3xx list price (USD). Dealers won't sell it for less than that, and probably mark it up a chunk still. Yeah, it's a ~$1,300 price hike (+65%)


I recommend against spraying in ATF before a compression test, it will give falsely high compression numbers.

Yes, applying 12v to the starter will work, assuming the starter is affixed to the engine in such a way as to engage the flywheel. Typically the easiest method is to just bolt it to a transmission bellhousing, and the transmission to the engine, but I could see other methods working too.

 

Thanks for the responses guys.

I think I need to add some details. This isn't a replacement for an existing motor, it's a swap. I'm a first gen RX-7 guy, and I'm used to 12A parts finding, not this new car stuff. There haven't been new rotor housings for 12As in 10 years.

The motors I'm looking at are all full engine/transmission + pulls. While I could do without a transmission, the ones I'm pricing all have one, as well as intake, injectors, coils, alternator most of the JDM ones have oil lines, coolers - I'm using it for a swap, and while I'm thinking about trying something different intake manifold-wise in the future, keeping the stock config at least to the throttle body makes things easy. If someone can point me as to where I can find that, I'm all for it.

If I were to buy an engine from Mazda, then I would need to buy/build/find an intake, exhaust manifold, an alternator, etc.

Last time I looked for an engine at Mazda, they wanted $5500 - might have been the crappy Fredericton dealership markup. They couldn't keep anyone at that dealership for more than a couple months, not even salesmen.

On the compression test, good point on the atf - I was more worried the engine might be completely dry and damage it if it's been sitting. The engines I'd be testing all have transmissions attached (and included for the $1200-2200 prices I've found)

If anyone has a suggestion of where I might be able to get an engine cheaper, I'm all for it. Please share.

Thanks again.