AIUI, the mazda rotary engines are pretty easy to rebuild. I'd guess easier than an engine swap?
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New project arrives this morning
- Thread starter johnymd
- Start date
But even a good one is a liability. They don't start and use lots of fuel!
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
They're amazing engines, a rebuild from a garage is only circa £1k.
Lots of none truths spoken about them, from people who've no direct experience. Loved my rx7.
Lots of none truths spoken about them, from people who've no direct experience. Loved my rx7.
I'm speaking from personal experience! Just look at them in classifieds - cheap. My lad Lee was very keen, looked at 2 in garages and test drives. One wouldn't start from cold (so no test drive), we test drove one (me in the back) and it was great. We pulled up outside the dealer (Evans Halshaw) and discussed a deal - before it was finalised Lee said just let's see if it starts when hot - NO, they got mechanics out but no joy! No deal.
Another guy two doors away had a recent one (good version) and I heard him churning away one night - it tried to fire but wouldn't start. He was a car enthusiast (raced a kart) . Anyway 2 days later it went away on the back of a truck never to return!
Don't tell me they are fine and when running they do low 20s mpg. But the body design and interior space is good, they need a conventional Mazda engine in them.
My 370 was 100% for the 80k miles I did in it - no contest.
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
Sorry Rob - I meant owed one. its a 240bhp engine thats turbine smooth, weighs nothing, revs well, tiny so it allows great packaging. Granted its more specialist.
johnymd
Club Member
The RX8 engines do appear to be a liability. The son of Ian in the workshop next to me has been turning around quite a few of them. He buys the non runners then gets the engines rebuild and sells the cars on. A few of the rebuilt engines have come back with starting issues plus they stop for no apparent reason when hot. They seam a little too temperamental for me. I do like the cars though and had thought about good engines to go in them. 1JZ would be my obvious choice or maybe a v8. Cant be drawn into another project though.
Would you own one? I can remember the RX3 and I have seen and heard the Group C Le Mans car at Spa.
My point was that John may be able to replace rotary engines with conventional engines as a commercial proposition.
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
Do we care about RX-8s when they provide a potentil gearbox supply for us....no news on that front tho.
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
The SEMA car somehow reminds me of the Ferris Bueller Ferarri California and I'd prefer it to the Italien - one of the few tasteful looks without using bumpers.
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
The 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' film cars were not-very-accurate American-built 'replicas' of a Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. Didn't look quite right.
Turn & Burn
Club Member
This will be a really cool project, the SEMA build will provide fantastic inspiration. Good time of year to be picking up a convertible project, keep u busy until the sun shines again (alongside all the others).
Turn & Burn
Club Member
Doh! Don’t ruin it for me now! I couldn’t believe it when they trashed a Ferrari
. Still love the film though.
johnymd
Club Member
A bit more progress over the weekend.
Finished assembling the fuel system and test fitted it in the boot.
Fitted the Suzuki swift alternator which is a perfect fit with no mods. I did have to cut down the adjust bracket though. You can see just how small it is compared to the mx5 one.
Cut and re-welded the engine mounts to lower the engine about 10mm and adjust the angle slightly.
Test fitted the new exhaust and it fits way better than the factory one. It now only just touches the steering and this can easily be clearanced.
Replaced the timing belt and water pump while access is easy. Although I broke 2 bolts which took a good hour to fix.
Started the brake and clutch lines which now just needs a little bit of finishing. Also stripped the front brakes down to verify it’s all junk. Ordered some Volvo callipers and just need to find some similar disks I can make fit. Also ordered new wheel bearing for the front. At least they are common cheap bearings.
Finished assembling the fuel system and test fitted it in the boot.
Fitted the Suzuki swift alternator which is a perfect fit with no mods. I did have to cut down the adjust bracket though. You can see just how small it is compared to the mx5 one.
Cut and re-welded the engine mounts to lower the engine about 10mm and adjust the angle slightly.
Test fitted the new exhaust and it fits way better than the factory one. It now only just touches the steering and this can easily be clearanced.
Replaced the timing belt and water pump while access is easy. Although I broke 2 bolts which took a good hour to fix.
Started the brake and clutch lines which now just needs a little bit of finishing. Also stripped the front brakes down to verify it’s all junk. Ordered some Volvo callipers and just need to find some similar disks I can make fit. Also ordered new wheel bearing for the front. At least they are common cheap bearings.
Attachments
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
Neither on the SEMA roadster does the wooden wheel and tacky 'Nismo' horn push off ebay...and I don't like the metal shift but getting VERY picky now - when might we see an 'MZR' restorer bringing life back to the hundreds which languish ?