Hi all, im new to the forum. Let me start by saying im a certified mechanic, but i have never worked on a rotory engine. I got a great price on a '04 rx8 a/t, it just showed up today. I got it on ebay listed as "needs engine". It was a repo service selling the car so i have no history of work done. The engine is missing parts, the engine is stripped of the intake manifold and up, fortunately they are all in the trunk.

I dont know where i should start at this point. The engine might still be a running engine but just needs to be re-assembled??? the car came with 1 key and it is not a chipped key, i dont know if the previous owner maybe couldn't get the car to start so he dug into the engine, then car got repoed. does this car require a chipped key?

Or the other route would be purchase a long block for $2g and swap the engine since the existing has 112k miles on it anyway, but i would still need the key fob.

Sorry my info is so limmited, if you guys could advise which route i should take i would appreciate that.

thanks, kevin

 

not likely that someone was having a key issue and just decided to strip down the block. 04's had the highest rate of engine failures with AT's leadng the group.

I wouldnt spend the time putting parts back onto an engine that might be toast. You could tear it down and rebuild it yourself. Lots of guides and videos out there about how to do it. Atkins sells complete kits to assist you.

What type of key does it have, pic?

 

this is what im looking at[IMG]file:///F:/DCIM/Camera/2011-04-21%2010.25.02.jpg[/IMG]

 

so upper intake manifold, throttle body, intake and battery and alternator are missing. Wouldnt take a whole lot to plug all that back in.
Looks pretty gnarly in that engine bay.. was it a salvage?

 

Yes, the car does have a chipped key.

 

There are cars that are being parted out all the time. Check our classified section to find out what is available presently. The other source for used parts is Mazmart.

 

sounds like most of the "missing" parts are in his trunk

 

left key - '01 Mustang GT

middle- '03 Lancer EVO

right key- '04 RX8

just seems like mazda would have a chipped key

 

they do, that's the valet key

 

yeah, it seems that all the parts are in the trunk for a complete engine. I don't have the bolts though. I found 2 rx8s at local boneyards but they said not to bother comming out because they are picked over. the car has a clean title but it looks like it hasn't been driven for quit some time so yeah its dusty n dingy.

since the car requires a chipped key, can the dealership look up my vin or something to mail me one or do they need to reproggram the ecu? also the papers from a sale reciept in '07 is checked that there were 2 keyless entry remotes, does anyone have a good idea how to get a new remote for mazda, or should i go generic brand.

thanks for all the replys guys, much appreciated

 

My valet key has a gray plastic cover over it. That one either has the plastic broken off or it is a key cut by a locksmith.

 

That all should be available from the dealer. The remotes may need to be programmed by the dealer. Usually if you have one, there is a procedure for programming the second one.

 

would you suggest getting a longblock and what mile range? " i hate rating engine life by miles" or would you rebuild this engine? the car will be for sale btw after it is road worthy. I would never keep an a/t for my personal sports car. I have to say though that this car is pretty cool, its got the nav, htd seats, dvd player, 2 tone leather, classy guages and compartments. If i still like the car after the engine swap, i might look into another with a m/t.

 

i talked with the mazda dealership. They said the car needs to be operational to get a new key made and programmed to my car. The problem is i cant get the car operational wiothout the key.

Thoughts?

 

feel free to IM me on how to bypass the immobilizer since were on a public forum