MX-5 NC with RX-8 231 Engine

Paul_13 · August 14, 2024, 09:11:04 AM

A few progress pics.
The amount of sealant used is insane.
Lots of magic sparkles

Paul_13 · August 14, 2024, 09:19:57 AM

Not sure why the pictures posted twice. I can't seem to edit either

Paul_13 · August 14, 2024, 01:39:45 PM

First thing I noticed is that the rear rotor housing outer coolant seal was completely missing...
Not sure if rear iron is salvageable, there are some pronounced ridges where the side seals run

Paul_13 · August 14, 2024, 01:41:56 PM

Broken side seal on rear rotor middle iron side with heavy damage to rotor side. Bearing is completely trashed. E shaft faired pretty well!

Paul_13 · August 14, 2024, 01:49:02 PM

Middle iron heavy damage.
Both housings have chrome peel.

Whole lot is pretty much scrap.

Considering the new engine is making as much compression as this engine did on the failed rotor, I will be buying my old 330i touring back from my mate and breaking the mx5 I think.
Over 5 years, the engine builder has had £5k~ from me and I still do not have a fully working engine.

Doing this engine conversion has been a learning curve and a bit of fun, but finances are tight at the moment with 3 children and I need to cut my losses.

Thanks to every one who has offered me help over the last few years, it has been appreciated.

There will be a load of parts listed for sale in the next month or 2 on here as I've just renewed my membership

clive · August 15, 2024, 08:29:29 PM

Paul. I am absolutely mortified to see this has Happened to you.

Sadly over the years I have seen many walk away from the Rotary scene purely due to multiple Bad Engine builders that have come and gone

It so annoys me as these things happening gives the Rotary a totally uncalled bad reputation.

Paul. "if" you have receipts, I can only advise going to citizen advice first, which is free, then the small claims court which I think costs £250 to try and at least get some money back.

boosted · August 15, 2024, 08:41:55 PM

Hi Paul, dont break it park it up and look for rusty rx8..with good running engine..?
My last engine in westy was from a crash damaged car..it was sweet.
Ive asked Wayne if he knows of any engines..he get em for his race car.

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Paul_13 · August 17, 2024, 02:29:59 PM

Quote from: clive on August 15, 2024, 08:29:29 PMPaul. I am absolutely mortified to see this has Happened to you.

Sadly over the years I have seen many walk away from the Rotary scene purely due to multiple Bad Engine builders that have come and gone

It so annoys me as these things happening gives the Rotary a totally uncalled bad reputation.

Paul. "if" you have receipts, I can only advise going to citizen advice first, which is free, then the small claims court which I think costs £250 to try and at least get some money back.

No receipts unfortunately. Seems to be a recurring theme, other people I have spoken to haven't had receipts either.
The thing that annoys me the most is when the rotor oil seal was repaired (at the cost of £900) around 5k miles before it failed spectacularly. I was told the engine was immaculate condition and if I bought new apex seals it would of been given warranty.
But judging by the state of the engine in the photos, it was not in immaculate condition and I highly doubt if I had of opted for new apex seals they would of been fitted.

Paul_13 · August 17, 2024, 02:31:24 PM

Quote from: boosted on August 15, 2024, 08:41:55 PMHi Paul, dont break it park it up and look for rusty rx8..with good running engine..?
My last engine in westy was from a crash damaged car..it was sweet.
Ive asked Wayne if he knows of any engines..he get em for his race car.

Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk

I haven't got the spare cash unfortunately, need to break/sell mx5 to fund new car

boosted · August 17, 2024, 06:35:17 PM

Sorry to hear mate...
I blew 2 engines in westy...
3rd from crashed 8 was a peach.
Family first

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Casey · August 21, 2024, 12:56:59 PM

I'm so sorry to hear the latest news on this ongoing sad saga, Paul. Such a terrible experience for you to go through, at great expense too

Sad to have to break it, after all the hard work you have put in, but understandable.

Paul_13 · September 12, 2024, 06:15:16 PM

Argh it's not even Friday the 13th yet and I'm having rotten luck. The clocks just ticked over 100k and a coolant hose went bang on the way home, should of stopped sooner than I did but it didn't go into the red on the clocks
It drank 9l of water when refilling.

The engine still starts...

How do these engine fair with this sort of things?

Paul_13 · September 13, 2024, 12:10:23 PM

I've replaced the hose, refilled and bled the coolant and it started OK.
Got it up to temp and there's no obvious bubbles appearing in the coolant tank.

Might of got away with it

clive · September 14, 2024, 09:11:26 AM

If your not seeing bubbles you may well be OK.

Paul, good to see you got an engine back in the car somehow ?.

Paul_13 · September 14, 2024, 01:11:48 PM

Quote from: clive on September 14, 2024, 09:11:26 AMIf your not seeing bubbles you may well be OK.

Paul, good to see you got an engine back in the car somehow ?.

It's the replacement engine that's got low compression. The pictures above are from the first engine which failed