GrippyBoi

Hi all, making my first post here despite lurking for quite a while.

Before I get into the post allow me to preface it by saying that I am only asking to ensure I'm getting good prices. If the answer to the question is "Yes that's as good as it gets" then that is A-OK with me. I want the job done right the first time even if it means spending a bit of money.

Now to the actual post.

There's a chance I'm looking at a rebuild in the future. I picked up a "new to me" 06 RX-8 a couple of weeks ago that has developed some stalling/higher than normal for rx-8 fuel consumption(12mpg highway at times), and now extremely difficult start-ups when hot. The engine is Original with 121,000 miles on it, and I knew it was likely going to need a rebuild, which I used to talk the price down. I am aware that there are other things to do BEFORE a rebuild, I am not tearing the engine out tomorrow, only doing preliminary research to ensure that I am prepared should the need arise. I am having a compression test done at Mazda this week to get solid numbers to work with and get an idea of my standing. But let's face it, at 121k the engine is at best going to be getting borderline results, my money is on 80psi at best (Hoping I'm wrong.)

Again, this is all mostly "Just in case" not "I'm tearing apart my engine right now."

New housings for the engine are running between 750$ - 850$ (For both). Is this pretty reasonable? I know that BHR offered some "Slightly used for one race season" Housings for 400$ each, but they are both out of stock and honestly feels rather sketchy to me, though id like to trust BHR. I dont feel like being that guy that starts a "new rebuild, no compression" thread in a month, so I'm opting for brand new.

Thanks for any replies, and if this is not a good place to post feel free to tell me so.

In the meantime, BHR coil upgrades and new plugs/wires are in order along with a fuel pressure test.

MincVinyl

Generally pricing is going to be more of an issue with shipping/time/hassle. You have to compare various mazda sites and rotary shop prices.

At 120kmiles and idle issues you are probably in the 60-70psi range. Not gonna lie, but I personally don't trust any compression numbers that mazda gives. Seen enough people claim mazda told them their 80kmile engine has 130-140psi.

For that mileage just know you are going to most likely need
apex seals~~ 330$ + shipping
Housings~~ 1500$ + shipping
Rotors~~ 1500$ + shipping
Side Seals~~ 300$ + shipping
Rotory compression tester~~ 320$ for when something goes wrong and there is no compression.
+any other components/ sealing kits

or

Mazda reman~~ 4200$ + shipping + core + shipping

GrippyBoi

Oh yeah, it's gonna be a fun adventure. I mainly just posted because housings were the only item I couldn't really get a set price on per se. Different vendors were a bit over the place between 1200 and 700, so Ijust wanted to make sure I wasn't overspending on that part in particular. Seals and rebuild kits all seemed to have fairly normal pricing across vendors. I wish there was easier access to quality parts that didn't cost an arm and a leg, but hey, that's the nature of the beast.

CaymanRotary

You can also find fully built engines by experienced rebuilders for $4000 and under. Then it’s just a matter of an engine swap.

GrippyBoi

Yeah, I'm aware. I bought the RX-8 Specifically because I wanted to learn how to work on rotary engines and become good at it. I fully expect my first rebuild to have some issues, and that's ok with me. Working on cars is my hobby and what brings me joy so this is just another step in that direction. The way I see it, engine swapping is fun when you only care about driving the car, but for me 50% of the fun is breaking and fixing them. It's a rather pricey hobby, but it has served me well over the years.

CaymanRotary

Well then, carry on.

GrippyBoi

I do appreciate the reply though, thank you!

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

you might consider letting some of that green coloring subside first before rushing in, grasshopper

.

GrippyBoi

I will fully admit, i was hoping to get at least a year out of it before digging into engine work, but it is what it is. I knew what i was signing up for. The last three years have been spent pouring over rotary rebuild info. Do i think im a professional? Absolutely not and i wont pretend that i am, but i also only got into cars by taking on projects and rebuilds.

The way i see it, the only way im gonna learn is by taking that leap. Am i gonna screw up? Probably. But thats the only way to learn. Other wise ill be waiting another 60k miles till i have engine trouble and ill be in the same boat im in now.

I dont expect to have a track ready engine pushing 130psi the first go round, but what ever mistakes i make will be learned from and applied to my next rebuild

Joeyjoiner

New housing prices here in Australia were $1875 (US$)!!!!! for a pair. And that was a year ago!

GrippyBoi

Good lord. I am so sorry for you guys

GrippyBoi

So the results are in for the compression test. I went ahead and bought my own compression tester because mazda was trying to charge 200$ for a comp test. I was better off just buying my own cause im gonna need it.

Front rotor: 51,52,51
back rotor: 67,61,60

So yeah, desperate need of a rebuild.

Im kind of irked that the previous owner outright lied about just how bad compression was. I knew it was close to rebuild numbers, but this is way below that.

Thats how to cookie crumbles i guess.

At least i get the opportunity to work on it, thats always a positive.

MincVinyl

Well either that owner straight up lied, or he actually did take it to mazda and like I said just because it is mazda doesn't mean they are going to know how to properly follow the procedure to do the compression test. It would be interesting if you did get the test from mazda to see what their test says, but the 200$ is better off spent towards a reman engine.