Rebuilding a Rotary Engine VS Swapping With a Rebuilt One

[@yeahnah6468]

I rebuilt mine for roughly $2500AUD. $500 of that was for a replacement front rotor. The rest was for new bearings, seals, springs, gaskets and o-rings. I took my time and did many weeks worth of research but it was definitely worth it in my opinion. Most people on the forums tell you not to rebuild as a beginner, but it's really not that hard, so long as you put in the time and research. It also doesn't have to be super expensive. Most on the forums say you should replace your housings and irons even if they are within Mazda's specs. It's all bullshit spouted by elitists that are just trying to justify their mistake of wasting a ton of money. Just don't be stupid and take your time and triple check everything, and you'll end up with a nice rebuild.

[@cammiie5198]

Just curious where you picked up all the bits and pieces for the rebuild I'm in aus aswell

[@yeahnah6468]

@@cammiie5198 I got everything except the replacement rotor from Atkins Rotary in the US. The replacement rotor I got from RMS in Brisbane. Avoid Mazfix! Before you order any parts you'll definitely want to disassemble the engine so you know for sure what you'll need. Otherwise you'll order stuff you don't need or not order stuff you do need. Edit: Also, call up your local Mazda dealership and ask for the part department. I was shocked how cheap some of the brand new stuff is direct from them. A brand new rotor was only $800. Mazfix tried to tell me they were $3000 new.

[@MrSucuklupide]

What state are you in??

[@dexdexdex474]

When I see Driven by Madness video, I first like it and then watch it :) Keep up the amazing work my man!!

[@UnitedWeBrap]

Same. He’s too good. Love it.

[@pixelcopter]

Same here

[@billmunny6813]

Dude RX8s are terrible cars. Mines red and I love it.

[@RETMTM]

When I see a comment saying they like first before watching, I hit like before watching and like on the comment 👍

[@cesarg8087]

recently got an 8 with a newly rebuilt engine. Today I followed your video on cleaning the electrical connectors for the steering wheel as it felt hard on and off, specially when cornering, I gotta say I feel pretty lucky that KZbin recommended your videos, I will save a lot of money and trips to the mechanic, thanks for all the hard work!

[@MrsMcLaren]

Here in Cyprus, my mechanic determined that economy-wise, it was better to change the engine with rebuilt one. The damage on my old engine was so big that only the parts would be around 1.700 euro. So we changed the engine with a rebuilt one that had warranty on it, clutch, 2 engine bases (or how they call them) and the total was 2.550 euros. My old engine I get to keep and do what I want. I decided to just keep the two rotors and housings for memory. A friend of mine decided to buy a new engine from Mazda, with 2 years warranty and said it costed him 4.000 euros with shipping and it will cost him around 1.000 euros for installing the engine.

[@RomusCZ]

These prices are very strange to me. Basic rebuild is 2000€ and new engine from Mazda around 5000€. In Czech Republic, so just a few hundred kilometres from Slovenia

[@jacobwaterson3575]

Zdravím so Slovenska

[@Hixzeh]

Here he is!! Great informative video. My 8 is on 70k miles at the moment so inevitably it may be a matter of time for a rebuild (although as of a few redlines today she's still going strong and making me smile, apart from the 9/10MPG on 99 Octane!) Bridgeport vs Streetport would be a good video too mate as a lot of confusion within the community as to the benefits of either!

[@paulvernon4160]

I'm running in my engine, it was rebuilt by one of the oldest rotary rebuild companies (40 years experience commenced with the NSU Ro80) I have had the housings resurfaced and my uprated oil pressure regulator fitted, so it should see 50-60 thousand miles (the last one this company built for me made 43,000 with used housings and still started hot but was tired and leaked oil from the front main seal)

[@Snoopi25]

I understand that those are middle ground prices, but I feel like I need to throw this out there: Expect at least $10k when doing a rebuild at a shop. If it ends up cheaper, great. If it's more expensive, then that sucks. My engine was almost a complete gonner, couldn't reuse almost anything. I had it ported too, plus a couple extra goodies done to it to ensure longevity, and I ended up spending about $13k on that job. Rotor housings are expensive, they come in at about $700 a pop, so if you need 2 of those (which most rotaries need because the chrome layer is usually gone on almost all engines), that's $1400 right there... add a porting job for another ~$1k, then the rebuild labor for another $1.3k, then the labor to take old engine out, new engine in, that's another $1.6k; labor rates are well above $100 here in the USA now; add taxes on parts too, which could get close to $1k in just TAXES... it adds up fast... if you're in need of a rebuild, you're most likely in need of a serious injector cleaning too (my injectors were messed up bad, desperately needed a clean). Who knows what other auxiliary parts need to be replaced (maybe SSV or other valves, etc.). Best bet is to save up for around $10k if you're anticipating a rebuild. If it so happens that it dies on you and you have no option, then yea, I understand. But if you do have the time and ability to save up, do so ahead of time to minimize risk factors. If you end up paying less, then that's just more pocket money for you!

[@cbremer83]

Keep in mind, if you rebuild you can get a port job and some other things done as well while it is apart. In the grand scheme of things, porting is pretty low cost for decent performance gains. Just need to make sure you have it done by people that really know what they are doing.

[@dgmdgm7271]

Yes but as rebuilder say, reability is not the same...

[@That_fella_named_J]

This has always been a great channel to come back to. Have you consider doing any POV drives in a owner’s prescriptive?

[@Drivenbymadness]

Yup, i just bearly have time to drive it, let alone film new episodes 😔

[@chefjamesmacinnis]

so I actually called the dealership 2 weeks ago. They can still get factory rebuilds. $3500-4000 depending on VIN and they quote it out to a 15 hour job

[@thomass8118]

In Europe they are twice that amount (for the same thing). Just FYI .

[@chefjamesmacinnis]

@@thomass8118 and my pricing was in Canadian with dealership installation and we have a 13% sales tax it was just under 7k Canadian.

[@MykolaNechyporuk]

The only cheap option is to rebuild it yourself)) If you can reuse rotors and rotor housing? You will spend around 1200$ on rebuild kit.

[@PartiBuoy]

Yeah my friend's first rx8 he swapped the engine with a new oem. He bought a R3 and a Racecar s2 later on and I bought his R3.

[@jackcameron5239]

Awesome video. Could you do one on the different engines and specifications put in Rx8's over the years?

[@hillbill3502]

To my knowlege only 2 Engines options where offered in europe: 192Hp 4Port and 231Hp 6 Port). An upgraded 6 Port with a bit more power was offered in America and Japan. You will find these upgraded engines in the facelift cars.

[@NikoKyunKyun]

the 4 port sucks, you can't get it up to 9000 rpm. The 6 port didn't come with automatic.

[@lizunya1983]

thanks for the useful info!

[@dannycruz9046]

Thoughts on a remanufactured engine from Mazda?

[@thomass8118]

Was thinking the same thing.

[@DuoScythes]

I ended up paying $8500 for mines from Mazda

[@dgmdgm7271]

Reliability is not always good..See video from Angel Motorsport.

[@TheB0nkers_]

And what about buy a new engine block (engine without external adds) in mazda? I´m from Spain and the costs of one naked engine is around 4000€. This could be a another option, maybe between rebuild or swap¡¡

[@thanosmantafounis4337]

Exactly.. there is no point on rebuilding a rotary engine since you buy a new engine for 4500€.

[@hillbill3502]

@@thanosmantafounis4337 if you are able to do it yourself its cheaper. Also if you are on a budget you can reuse some parts like the bearings in some cases

[@peterga3658]

im going to buy an Rx8 !! thinking about it long time now

[@sandervanderkammen9230]

Really bad idea

[@CraigCail]

Swap for a different car all together

[@J_J0211]

Keep it up please! I always wanted an 8, and then after watching your vids, I actually bought one and am picking it up this week. You will be my inspiration with this

[@steviestevens1786]

How was your rx8 owning experience. I just bought mine for $1000 with a non-running engine and will be rebuilding it soon

[@jerryglennie5375]

Basic rebuild in US provided tools and knowledge to do the work yourself is around $3200

[@billmunny6813]

I would say a little less than that.

[@jerryglennie5375]

That's what it was for me to do it myself around 4 months ago. $1800 for the full rebuild kit, and $1300 for both rotor housings

[@billmunny6813]

@@jerryglennie5375 I would find a couple used ones if I had to and have it machined.

[@jerryglennie5375]

I don't like to risk reusing sleeves without a back up plan. Poor idea from an automotive perspective.

[@federicoaleksejrocco2061]

Actually in many cases rebuild isn't the best option: I simply buy a brand new motor from mazda and changed It. Results? A car likes new with 2 years guarantee for almost 1k euros more than a rebuild

[@SoraXiEiRiO]

same, bought a 8 with a blown motor back in like '16, (for like 800 USDish) saved for a brand new motor and started fixing little things and some not so little things the previous owners left behind; now that it has an engine and it's call cleaned up - I could not imagine owning another car (I don't drive much tho, so she will last)

[@sandervanderkammen9230]

Mazda no longer sells new engines June 22nd is the 9 year anniversary of the final end of Wankel engine production. At 4:30pm Tokyo time on June 22, 2012 Mazda produced its very last Wankel engine. The Wankel engine assembly plant at Mazda's Ujina #2 plant shut down and was later demolished to make way for a new Skyactiv G engine factory.

[@SoraXiEiRiO]

@@sandervanderkammen9230 not sure that's true, I bought a new block in 2020

[@sandervanderkammen9230]

@@SoraXiEiRiO Not made in a Mazda factory...

[@federicoaleksejrocco2061]

@@SoraXiEiRiO me too, official mazda with mazda' s guarantee..

[@tombaker8481]

I sent my 2005 RX8 to have a remanufactured engine installed...it's going to be about $6000 after installation. A rebuild would have cost about $5k...might as well get as close to a new engine as possible.

[@Flyingdutchy33]

Did you consider swapping it for a 13b?

[@sandervanderkammen9230]

Wow! Thats more than the car is worth, wouldn't the smart thing to do is buy a more reliable car???

[@Flyingdutchy33]

@@sandervanderkammen9230 In your case, definitly. This car is not for everyone. But to people who are aware where the dipstick is, this car might even be more reliable than that beemer you're currently driving, drbimmer

[@sandervanderkammen9230]

@@Flyingdutchy33 Most people are smarter... I'm sincerely sorry you foolishly wasted so much money on a worthless old pile of junk....

[@Flyingdutchy33]

@@sandervanderkammen9230 Are you one of those people who is too smart to find the dip stick?

[@hop3lss]

you know how we’re suppose to rev up to high rpms to keep the carbon away? what if you end up getting an automatic, you won’t be able to rev as high as the manual transmission.. so would getting an automatic not be okay?

[@TacticalApu]

Put it in neutral to rev it

[@psychicer5022]

I got quoted $7.5k for new reman, labor in california. Engines go for about 4500 without core, at least from what I looked at. So i went with a used engine+trans, for 3grand with cold compression numbers in the 10's(average is 8.3 hot) and I've almost got 3000 miles on it. I did get lucky I'd say. my guess is the car that the engine came out of got wrecked not long after getting a new engine put in

[@ruediboy9423]

What about REW?

[@PCMaharaj]

Go with the 1jz or 2 jz.

[@PaknabChannel]

Hello sir, in my country rx8 the original 6 port manual one price is growing up by time. The automatic one is cheaper. Just want to ask would be a full swapping drive train, engine and harness from manual to auto be better than buying a manual one. Since the car is old and mostly we can espect it to be rebuild or swapping engine. Thanks

[@Drivenbymadness]

Hi, if possible i would suggest the manual, even if it's a bit more expensive. The demand formanual is way higher than automatic, and if one day you'll want to sell it, you will sell it faster than an automatic. Also maintenance is much easier on manual.

[@PaknabChannel]

@@Drivenbymadness nice one bro. Looking foward for manual one if gets good deals because nowadays the price already going up since in my country start to get limited also for jdm cars

[@josemoreira6500]

Thats completly wrong man, a rebuild engine in europe it's around 2000€ with street port and 6port plates

[@benstevenz]

It all depends

[@dgmdgm7271]

José you mean time cost for rebuild? Or what else?

[@josemoreira6500]

@@dgmdgm7271 no, a complete rebuild engine with shipping and you dont need to send your engine but if you do send it they give you 200€

[@josemoreira6500]

@@dgmdgm7271 go check the website ROTORSHOPEU

[@GeldMachenJung_]

It Highly depends on on the country... In germany u get nothing for 2k

[@awakengangster]

How much averagely costed a RX8 in the US that’s at good driving condition and under 100km

[@bokev29]

So i have a question, are there any shops that sell/do street porting on renesis engines in Europe?

[@hillbill3502]

Pretty shure Wankemotor Guru in germany will do it.

[@hillbill3502]

rotaryrevs in the UK will also do it

[@moneysb2649]

Do you think a rx8 is a good first car?

[@jacobwaterson3575]

Nope dude

[@SamsungS-or1qf]

The choice is obvious, pop in a 13BT, properly tuned it will do 6.16 on 1/4 mile.

[@mazdamedia5995]

Rebuild every time

[@mrawesomelemons]

In the process of rebuilding my engine. Getting parts in Europe is a nightmare though.

[@dgmdgm7271]

Try on Greece.

[@mrawesomelemons]

@@dgmdgm7271 I am gonna try and fix it.

[@mrawesomelemons]

@@dgmdgm7271 I am gonna try and fix that.

[@Xehanortlw]

Payed my mechanic 4600 for a rebuild and a new shell

[@pyroteameurope1590]

would anyone be interested in buying a black with red interior for their rx8, it has 2 front chairs, the back seats and all the door panels

[@Flyingdutchy33]

Nice vid. But the question that _should_ be on everybodys mind is: How much to swap it for a 13b?

[@Drivenbymadness]

This video is about that :) Rebuilding a 13b or buying an already rebuilt 13b and just swapping the engines.

[@hillbill3502]

If we are talking rx7 13b its gonna be a whole different story... much more tricky

[@JRz3znik]

You can also buy fabric new engine 😅 6500$ I paid for new engine. In my country Professional workshop put it into a car by 1200$ ;)

[@sneedlewoods829]

Where did you buy it?

[@JRz3znik]

@@sneedlewoods829 Kojot Garage Rotary Engine Cars ;)

[@sneedlewoods829]

@@JRz3znik thanks :)

[@hillbill3502]

Yes prices only differ a little. Thats why rebuilding makes much more sense if you also go for upgrades (e.G. better apex seals, porting, lightening/balancing)

[@dexdexdex474]

@@JRz3znik How about the Rev Service Gronek? Which one does the job cheaper?

[@mrdiez8496]

Swap!!!

[@garagegeek7917]

Rebuild with turbo upgrade.

[@Flyingdutchy33]

Might as well get the 13b then

[@garagegeek7917]

@@Flyingdutchy33 nah keep it original. Rew swaps are for fun to the extreme. I would just slap a turbo on a renesis to bump to 300whp. I also live in cali so I wouldn't be able to swap it at all and keep it as a street car.

[@Flyingdutchy33]

@@garagegeek7917 As an rx8 owner, i strenously disagree. Even the "high power" engine makes about 80 hp too little. Turbo's on rx8's are a known mistake, so if you wana grab that power, get a 13b with some very minor driveability mods and you'd have an infinitely better engine for the same or less money

[@garagegeek7917]

@@Flyingdutchy33 I am also a 8 owner and I can understand your point but that is not a option if I wish to keep it streetable

[@Flyingdutchy33]

@@garagegeek7917 Its not even near not streetable imo. It can easily have 350 and be absolutely driveable. In fact, I bet you it will be more streetable than a Renesis engine could ever be. I'd let my girlfriend drive it.

[@VeryButtery]

I had to pay around $117/hour for labor 🥲

[@ThatOne5]

Wow in Japan they rip you off!!!! They charge you around 10.000US$

[@hillbill3502]

jesus

[@driftinvideo7347]

How did I missed this? :O

[@sashapaliska]

Izola!!! Ribari!

[@dr_tal]

Aren't you basically comparing the same thing? A rebuilt engine it just the same as an engine that your rebuilding. Just less steps. Should have done a comparison for reman vs rebuild

[@sandervanderkammen9230]

Today June 22nd is the 9 year anniversary of the final end of Wankel engine production. At 4:30pm Tokyo time on June 22, 2012 Mazda produced its very last Wankel engine. The Wankel engine assembly plant at Mazda's Ujina #2 plant shut down and was later demolished to make way for a new Skyactiv G engine factory.

[@josemoreira6500]

REAL INFO OF EUROPE PRICES IN ROTORSHOPEU

[@josemoreira6500]

BETTER INFO FOR US IN ANGEL MOTORSPORTS KZbin CHANEL

[@johngomez8265]

What's your email address? Need an rx8 expert