how can i tell where my engine came from?

Scott Skene · 03-30-2013, 07:38 AM

Hello all,
I'm new here and kind of new to RX7s all together. So any help on my new found obsession would be greatly appreciated. I just picked up a beautiful 88 convertible project that has a seized motor. So instead of rebuilding my motor I just went out and bought a used turbo motor. The guy I got if from said it came from Japan... but I have my doubts. I'm thinking it’s a hurricane Katrina motor, hope not though. That being said I would like to know if it is at all possible to identify the motor's origin. I found the number off of the front iron (f063658), under the alternator. I cannot find any way to decode this number, even called my local dealer with no luck. So if there are any rotary guru's out there that hold this knowledge, please help. Not just for me, but everyone else who also have wondered their engine's origin. Thanks in advanced!

WankelsRevenge · 03-30-2013, 08:50 AM

The eaisies way would be to look for the emissions equipment, the Japanese motors didn't come loaded down with them like the US spec ones, and its usually pretty easy to tell if they've just been removed and blocked off. Also the intercoolers are different, one says like "rotary turbo" and the other says "turbo rotary" or some similar small change. Now that being said none of this means it wasn't a Japanese motor, that had something wrong with it. Your best bet is to go through a reputable dealer, might spend more money, but sometimes its worth it.

RETed · 03-30-2013, 12:05 PM

Only Mazda corporate has all the VIN versus engine ID #'s database matching list.
Unless you're law enforcement, they will not give you such information.

Also, there is no "decode" in the engine ID #'s that I know of...

-Ted

vrracing · 03-30-2013, 12:55 PM

Regardless of where it came from, buying an engine (rotary or piston) without testing it is as risky as bungie jumping without a bungie. More so with a rotary because most people have no idea how to test them or what to look for.

There are no inherent advantages or disadvantages to USDM vs JDM. It appears you know nothing about the history of the Tii engine you bought and frankly in all likelihood it is blown or rusted inside and will require a full rebuild or it may just be scrap. You should prepare yourself for that. If your engine has a warranty, it is probably very short and requires you to install the engine and then prove it is bad and that you did the swap perfectly.

The NA to Tii swap isnt as simple as pulling one and sticking in the other. Especially if your engine is a S5 (89-91). You'll find a lot of useful information on the swaps and their various permutations at Rotary Resurrection.

Aaron Cake has a set of articles you might find enlightening. His article "Is My Engine Blown?" in particular will be useful. While most of it assumes the engine is in the car, the last part gives tips for testing an engine out of the car. You might also read his article "Removing An RX-7 From Storage, Dealing With Improper Storage" and skip down to the section on dealing with a car that has been improperly stored as the Tii you bought almost surely has been improperly stored.

Good luck. Don't panic and remember that money solves all problems!

Rotary Evolution · 03-30-2013, 07:17 PM

mazda did not build the engines without a stamp, most manufacturers stamp the engine to match the vehicle it is going into. rotary engines have always had a serial number stamped on them with no home, so to speak. once an engine is installed into the car it is recorded and only mazda corporate can verify the vehicle it went into.

there are little differences in engine configurations to tell where the engine usually went to, like say europe, japan or the americas.

03-30-2013, 07:38 AM	#1
Scott Skene The Newbie Join Date: Mar 2013 iTrader: (0) Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	how can i tell where my engine came from? Hello all, I'm new here and kind of new to RX7s all together. So any help on my new found obsession would be greatly appreciated. I just picked up a beautiful 88 convertible project that has a seized motor. So instead of rebuilding my motor I just went out and bought a used turbo motor. The guy I got if from said it came from Japan... but I have my doubts. I'm thinking it’s a hurricane Katrina motor, hope not though. That being said I would like to know if it is at all possible to identify the motor's origin. I found the number off of the front iron (f063658), under the alternator. I cannot find any way to decode this number, even called my local dealer with no luck. So if there are any rotary guru's out there that hold this knowledge, please help. Not just for me, but everyone else who also have wondered their engine's origin. Thanks in advanced!

03-30-2013, 12:55 PM	#4
vrracing Rotating Assembly Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: TX iTrader: (0) Posts: 102 Rep Power: 17	Regardless of where it came from, buying an engine (rotary or piston) without testing it is as risky as bungie jumping without a bungie. More so with a rotary because most people have no idea how to test them or what to look for. There are no inherent advantages or disadvantages to USDM vs JDM. It appears you know nothing about the history of the Tii engine you bought and frankly in all likelihood it is blown or rusted inside and will require a full rebuild or it may just be scrap. You should prepare yourself for that. If your engine has a warranty, it is probably very short and requires you to install the engine and then prove it is bad and that you did the swap perfectly. The NA to Tii swap isnt as simple as pulling one and sticking in the other. Especially if your engine is a S5 (89-91). You'll find a lot of useful information on the swaps and their various permutations at Rotary Resurrection. Aaron Cake has a set of articles you might find enlightening. His article "Is My Engine Blown?" in particular will be useful. While most of it assumes the engine is in the car, the last part gives tips for testing an engine out of the car. You might also read his article "Removing An RX-7 From Storage, Dealing With Improper Storage" and skip down to the section on dealing with a car that has been improperly stored as the Tii you bought almost surely has been improperly stored. Good luck. Don't panic and remember that money solves all problems! __________________ 90 S5 Vert. JDM Tii with BNR Stage1 turbo. Pineapple Racing street port. Bonez cat-forward. Corksport cat-back with Vibrant UltraQuiet resonator. RTek 2 wZeitronix w/b. HKS EBC. Vis CF Tii hood. 3000GT wing. Ground Control coilover kit with KYB AGX shocks. Red and Black leather RX8 seats. Corksport Odura lip & bumper caps, OEM Tii skirts Last edited by vrracing; 03-30-2013 at 12:59 PM..

03-30-2013, 07:17 PM	#5
Rotary Evolution rotaryevolution.net Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (0) Posts: 248 Rep Power: 14	mazda did not build the engines without a stamp, most manufacturers stamp the engine to match the vehicle it is going into. rotary engines have always had a serial number stamped on them with no home, so to speak. once an engine is installed into the car it is recorded and only mazda corporate can verify the vehicle it went into. there are little differences in engine configurations to tell where the engine usually went to, like say europe, japan or the americas. Last edited by Rotary Evolution; 03-30-2013 at 07:21 PM..