Paul, et al,

    I'm shopping and got a quote that said:

    *Used Japanese Import coming to us direct from **Japan** (JDM). The
    average
    mileage, on our Japanese Engines & Transmissions, is 25,000 to 50,000
    miles.
    This engine, although low mileage has compression issues. We are
    selling it
    as is for the price of $785.00, plus shipping*
    **
    Should this preclude me from buying this engine? My thoughts are that
    I'm going to rebuild it anyway and my thinking is that apex seals are
    the culprit. What else could be wrong with this picture.

    Allen
    Houston


    Well it could be a late 3rd gen turbo engine with detonation and
    fractured apex
    seals figure on new rotor housings and maybe one or two new rotors.
    Sounds like
    a core. Perhaps worth as much as $500. $785 sounds high. Maybe if it
    was disassembled
    so all the parts could be inspected.

    Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.


Thanks Paul.  Any thoughts on JDM engines in general?  A lot of
shops/dealers are selling them out there.

Allen
Houston

Usually JDM engines are pretty good if the compression checks out.
If they won't tell you about the compression be wary.
A lot of people here and in Japan have cranked up the 3rd gen boost
detonating the engines, fracturing the 3 pcs apex seals or rolling
them out of the rotor slot. If done properly, with the right mixture and
ignition timing, 400 HP is possible.

All Mazda rotary engines from 1992 to 2004 had 3 pc apex seals.
Mazda went back to a two piece apex seal for all engines starting with the
2004 RX8 as they  had a lot of trouble with the 3 piece. One can now get stock Mazda
2 pcs seals for all engines.

The 2 pcs will tolerate rotor slot wear better than the 3 pcs. See the dwg.

If you buy a 1992 to 2004 3rd gen engine JDM engine or not I would change
out the apex seals for the latest stock Mazda 2 pcs seals no matter how good
the compression.

Don't buy after market seals. They are usually cheaper steel and not
softer cast iron, among several other problems, so they tend to tear up rotor housings
lickity split.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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