Rotary Specialist in CO? (Yeah, Another Thread)

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White TII
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Rotary Specialist in CO? (Yeah, Another Thread)

Postby White TII » Fri May 02, 2014 9:14

Hey guys, it's been a while. Long-time RX-7 owner, but haven't posted here in a couple years it seems like.

First of all, yes I did search. I've been searching here and on RX7Club and haven't really been able to find any solid, recent recommendations.

Does anyone know of a good shop for aftermarket rotary work anywhere on the front range? I'm in Denver, but I don't mind taking it anywhere from the Springs to Fort Collins. It seems like most (or all) the old specialists have gone out of business, packed up shop, or stopped working on rotaries. E.g. Rotary Specialists, Jim Berg, etc...

Here are a couple places I've found from other threads, but have no reason to trust them:

MoFab
Precision Import Repair
Black Label Performance

Does anyone have a personal recommendation of someone they've actually worked with? Where do you guys take your cars when you're stumped or don't have time to work on them? I'm a paying customer. :)

I have a FC S5 TII heavily modified with AEM (see sig), so they need to be familiar with modified rotaries. It mainly just needs some tuning, but there may possibly be some ignition problems too. I'm just looking for someone who knows what they're doing with rotaries. I used to do all the work on my car myself, but I don't have the time for that anymore for the most part. I really just want to find someone who I can give the car to to fix if I need them to. I appreciate the "I'm willing to help you out" replies, which would be helpful for the short-term, but I am mainly looking for a long-term place I can depend on in a pinch that I can trust.

It's pretty disheartening that the rotary community and support (appears to have) shrunk so much here in the last 5 or 10 years, I remember when there were rotaries and meets everywhere! But maybe I'm just under a rock? (I hope so). Sad thing is, if I can't find anyone in the state who can get it done quickly/painlessly, I might have to sell it (which I really don't want to do). :( Once my car is working again, I'd love to start going to meets again...

Thanks everyone!
SOLD: '90 Mazda RX-7 S5 FC Turbo II - Heavily Modified: V-Mount, Big Turbo, AEM Standalone, etc - Mods
Daily Driver: 2000 GC6 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Sedan. Stock, Blue Ridge Pearl.

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Dwduc
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Postby Dwduc » Sat May 03, 2014 9:14

Welcome back. I recommend you get in touch with Don Walker (DWalker on this site) he is a rotary specialist and an AEM guru. He should definitely be able to help you out. His shop is near E 73rd and Washington and is on here frequently when not at events. http://www.coloradomazdaclub.com/forums/member.php?u=1704

White TII wrote:First of all, yes I did search.

No need for this. this isn't RX7club. No flame here.

Good luck and see ya around.

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Postby vierte » Sat May 03, 2014 9:14

Dwduc wrote: No need for this. this isn't RX7club. No flame here.



lol.. and that's why I don't post on the Rx7club.. that and for being banned many times for calling out admins who were being overly cocky while spreading wrong information.
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Postby White TII » Sat May 03, 2014 9:14

Dwduc wrote:Welcome back. I recommend you get in touch with Don Walker (DWalker on this site) he is a rotary specialist and an AEM guru. He should definitely be able to help you out. His shop is near E 73rd and Washington and is on here frequently when not at events. http://www.coloradomazdaclub.com/forums/member.php?u=1704
Hey, thanks for the recommendation. I actually normally work with Don, he installed the AEM, but he's really busy during race season and I'm looking for an alternate person I can take it to. Know of anyone else?


No need for this. this isn't RX7club. No flame here.
Ha, thanks. Yeah, I love 7Club, but I tread lightly when creating new threads over there. :)
SOLD: '90 Mazda RX-7 S5 FC Turbo II - Heavily Modified: V-Mount, Big Turbo, AEM Standalone, etc - Mods
Daily Driver: 2000 GC6 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Sedan. Stock, Blue Ridge Pearl.

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Postby boosted12a » Sat May 03, 2014 9:14

Check your inbox PM u
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] GTU Turbo II

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Postby speedjunkie » Sat May 03, 2014 9:14

SEARCH NOOB!

lol jk

On a serious note though, I could swear there was a thread looking for this exact info within the last couple months lol. Maybe it got deleted.

There aren't many shops around that I trust with my car so I usually just work on it myself. However, that being said, I don't live up in your area so I don't have the options you might have.

vierte wrote:lol.. and that's why I don't post on the Rx7club.. that and for being banned many times for calling out admins who were being overly cocky while spreading wrong information.


This needs to happen more often. 7club has gone way down hill over the past several years.
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Postby White TII » Sat May 03, 2014 9:14

speedjunkie wrote:SEARCH NOOB!

lol jk

On a serious note though, I could swear there was a thread looking for this exact info within the last couple months lol. Maybe it got deleted.
Yea, there was, but no one really gave any personal recommendations. It was like "I heard this guy was good" or "my friend took his non-rotary car there and they did a good job" etc. Unless they say on their website "RX-7" or "rotary" I'm immediately hesitant, because I've had bad experiences with mechanics who think they know their way around rotaries but really do more damage than good.

There aren't many shops around that I trust with my car so I usually just work on it myself.
I feel the same way, I'm very protective, and I usually do the work myself. But as it stands at the moment, I either don't have the time or the interest in fixing whatever is wrong with it. That's the down-side of having such a complexly and heavily modified car, the problems sometimes become more complex to fix.

However, that being said, I don't live up in your area so I don't have the options you might have.

It doesn't seem like there are really any more options up in Denver than there are down there in the Springs. Like I said, I don't really mind taking it down south or up north if there's someone capable. I like that our cars are unique, but on the other hand, it sucks there are so few people around who are qualified to work on them these days, and that support seems to be continuously diminishing. I hope Mazda keeps the rotary alive with a new model...

This needs to happen more often. 7club has gone way down hill over the past several years.
I've gotten that sense as I've been poking around. I used to be really active on there (~800 posts), but I've been out of the game for like 6 years now, and only recently have had the time/money to get my 7 up and running again.

Thanks for the help so far guys.
SOLD: '90 Mazda RX-7 S5 FC Turbo II - Heavily Modified: V-Mount, Big Turbo, AEM Standalone, etc - Mods
Daily Driver: 2000 GC6 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Sedan. Stock, Blue Ridge Pearl.

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Postby millertime » Mon May 05, 2014 9:14

7club is a joke anymore. Get in touch with Don (D Walker), he's got my FD right now. Here's his website:
http://www.grid1motorsport.com/

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Postby speedjunkie » Mon May 05, 2014 9:14

White TII wrote:Yea, there was, but no one really gave any personal recommendations. It was like "I heard this guy was good" or "my friend took his non-rotary car there and they did a good job" etc. Unless they say on their website "RX-7" or "rotary" I'm immediately hesitant, because I've had bad experiences with mechanics who think they know their way around rotaries but really do more damage than good.


Oh OK, I thought I saw a thread on this forum but I thought maybe I was confused with another forum or something. I hear ya. And sometimes even if they have rotary in the name, they can't be trusted. But Don is the only guy I know of for sure in Denver that does primarily rotaries, and that's because I was in his shop and saw mostly rotaries in there lol. Either way, there is no way I'll take my car to someone that doesn't do rotaries at all.

White TII wrote:I feel the same way, I'm very protective, and I usually do the work myself. But as it stands at the moment, I either don't have the time or the interest in fixing whatever is wrong with it. That's the down-side of having such a complexly and heavily modified car, the problems sometimes become more complex to fix.


Yeah I understand. I've gotten to the point myself that I'm kinda tired of working on it. And no time OR money doesn't help either lol.

White TII wrote:It doesn't seem like there are really any more options up in Denver than there are down there in the Springs. Like I said, I don't really mind taking it down south or up north if there's someone capable. I like that our cars are unique, but on the other hand, it sucks there are so few people around who are qualified to work on them these days, and that support seems to be continuously diminishing. I hope Mazda keeps the rotary alive with a new model...


Actually I'm not sure we have a single shop down here that works on rotaries. A few buddies and I have talked about opening a shop together, but if we only work on rotaries I think we'll be shooting ourselves in the foot by narrowing our customer base so much. Plus, I don't want to make my hobby into my job, then it ceases to be a hobby. It would be cool to have all the tools and lifts though. I'm also hopeful that Mazda brings out another rotary, but I'm not holding my breath that it'll be a 7 lol. I'm also not holding my breath that anyone at a Mazda stealership will know how to work on them either lol.
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Postby White TII » Tue May 06, 2014 9:14

speedjunkie wrote:7club is a joke anymore. Get in touch with Don (D Walker), he's got my FD right now. Here's his website:
http://www.grid1motorsport.com/
Thanks, though I already mentioned earlier that I know Don very well (probably better than most people on this forum). I've been working with him for years, but I'm looking for an alternate option for at least during the race season while he's busy. Plus, I think it's good to have a backup plan anyway; a few years back I got really dependent on another mechanic, and when he moved away I was lost for a couple years, lol. Also, I think it's good to get all the options out there for reference for other people in the future.

speedjunkie wrote:Oh OK, I thought I saw a thread on this forum but I thought maybe I was confused with another forum or something. I hear ya. And sometimes even if they have rotary in the name, they can't be trusted. But Don is the only guy I know of for sure in Denver that does primarily rotaries, and that's because I was in his shop and saw mostly rotaries in there lol. Either way, there is no way I'll take my car to someone that doesn't do rotaries at all.
Yep, totally agree. Looks like Don's got the market cornered. ;)

Yeah I understand. I've gotten to the point myself that I'm kinda tired of working on it. And no time OR money doesn't help either lol.
Yeah, it's a bit the same story for me, though fortunately money is less of an issue these days than it used to be.

Actually I'm not sure we have a single shop down here that works on rotaries. A few buddies and I have talked about opening a shop together, but if we only work on rotaries I think we'll be shooting ourselves in the foot by narrowing our customer base so much. Plus, I don't want to make my hobby into my job, then it ceases to be a hobby. It would be cool to have all the tools and lifts though. I'm also hopeful that Mazda brings out another rotary, but I'm not holding my breath that it'll be a 7 lol. I'm also not holding my breath that anyone at a Mazda stealership will know how to work on them either lol.
Yeah I'm with you, starting a shop sounds cool, but it could ruin the hobby. I thought about it myself for about 5 seconds, haha. But if you did start one, definitely agree you'd have to branch out beyond just rotary.

Has anyone heard of Black Label Performance down in the Springs? "ZackTheKack" over on 7Club is highly recommending them to me, though he doesn't have much personal experience with them working on heavily modded rotaries as far as I can tell. Was curious if anyone on here had any experience with them.
SOLD: '90 Mazda RX-7 S5 FC Turbo II - Heavily Modified: V-Mount, Big Turbo, AEM Standalone, etc - Mods
Daily Driver: 2000 GC6 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Sedan. Stock, Blue Ridge Pearl.

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Postby millertime » Tue May 06, 2014 9:14

If BLP is who I think they are they did this crazy build on a Supra a few years back that was really impressive. I would go talk to them in person before deciding on using them but if it's who I think it is I would be ok using them for some things. Dunno how they are with rotaries though.

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Postby speedjunkie » Tue May 06, 2014 9:14

White TII wrote:Yeah I'm with you, starting a shop sounds cool, but it could ruin the hobby. I thought about it myself for about 5 seconds, haha. But if you did start one, definitely agree you'd have to branch out beyond just rotary.


Well I'm still kinda thinking about it. Another bad thing is we have a few people wanting to work in this shop and/or run it, and I don't think we'd have enough business to pay everyone lol. Maybe we can figure out some new sort of business where we only get to work on rotaries and make lots of money...and fart pixie dust lol.

White TII wrote:Has anyone heard of Black Label Performance down in the Springs? "ZackTheKack" over on 7Club is highly recommending them to me, though he doesn't have much personal experience with them working on heavily modded rotaries as far as I can tell. Was curious if anyone on here had any experience with them.


I've heard of Black Label Performance. Yeah Zach likes BLP. They are working on his brother's Supra. But another kid here in town took his FD over there and it sat there and not much was done with it, and what was done was crappy work, according to Jesse (15U on here). Maybe they're only good with Supras.
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Postby White TII » Tue May 06, 2014 9:14

millertime wrote:If BLP is who I think they are they did this crazy build on a Supra a few years back that was really impressive. I would go talk to them in person before deciding on using them but if it's who I think it is I would be ok using them for some things. Dunno how they are with rotaries though.
Pretty much my thoughts exactly.

speedjunkie wrote:Well I'm still kinda thinking about it. Another bad thing is we have a few people wanting to work in this shop and/or run it, and I don't think we'd have enough business to pay everyone lol. Maybe we can figure out some new sort of business where we only get to work on rotaries and make lots of money...and fart pixie dust lol.
Yeah, starting a business is tricky (I work at 2 start-ups right now). Any idea how many rotary owners there are on the front range? I severely doubt enough to supply a rotary-only shop (like you said, you'd need some pixie dust). ;) But Don is the only one I'm finding right now that actually publicly says they work on rotaries at all, which is a huge change from the atmosphere 10 years ago. I remember having at least 4-5 solid options back then, though I still relied primarily on Jim Berg at the Mazda/Honda shop (if anyone knows/remembers him).

I've heard of Black Label Performance. Yeah Zach likes BLP. They are working on his brother's Supra. But another kid here in town took his FD over there and it sat there and not much was done with it, and what was done was crappy work, according to Jesse (15U on here). Maybe they're only good with Supras.
Yeah, that's what's tricky about it. Someone can be amazing at pistons and terrible at rotaries, and I really can't afford to have someone using my car as a guinea pig to learn. I still may check them out though; test the waters.

Does anyone on this board have any experience with AEM? Or are most of you guys just using PFC for your FD's? Anyone know if Mike B. is still around with his insane FD? I bet he knows people.
SOLD: '90 Mazda RX-7 S5 FC Turbo II - Heavily Modified: V-Mount, Big Turbo, AEM Standalone, etc - Mods
Daily Driver: 2000 GC6 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Sedan. Stock, Blue Ridge Pearl.

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Postby speedjunkie » Wed May 07, 2014 9:14

White TII wrote:Yeah, starting a business is tricky (I work at 2 start-ups right now). Any idea how many rotary owners there are on the front range? I severely doubt enough to supply a rotary-only shop (like you said, you'd need some pixie dust). ;) But Don is the only one I'm finding right now that actually publicly says they work on rotaries at all, which is a huge change from the atmosphere 10 years ago. I remember having at least 4-5 solid options back then, though I still relied primarily on Jim Berg at the Mazda/Honda shop (if anyone knows/remembers him).


There are actually a ton of rotary owners just here in C Springs, and probably even more in Denver...however, take away the RX-8 owners that don't know what they have (or that it's even a rotary), take away the people that work on their own cars (which is pretty much everyone else lol), and that doesn't leave you with a whole lot. Although, if we have rotary specific tools that the regular owner doesn't have, that might help too. I was also thinking about possibly having a dyno/tuner, maybe slang some parts for Harry, and Dave (chickenwafer) and I were talking a couple years ago about starting a business with a CNC machine, so maybe have that too. All of this would take one nasty business loan though.

I've never heard of Jim Berg. But I've only been here since 2008.

White TII wrote:Yeah, that's what's tricky about it. Someone can be amazing at pistons and terrible at rotaries, and I really can't afford to have someone using my car as a guinea pig to learn. I still may check them out though; test the waters.

Does anyone on this board have any experience with AEM? Or are most of you guys just using PFC for your FD's? Anyone know if Mike B. is still around with his insane FD? I bet he knows people.


Yeah I don't want people using my car as a guinea pig either, makes my skin crawl just thinking about it lol.

I don't have any experience with AEM. I've had a PFC in the car since 2008 but I'm switching to Adaptronic right now. Mike B is still around, but he put his FD from a few years ago into a wall while circle drag racing. But I think he's still swapping everything over into a new FD.
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Postby White TII » Wed May 07, 2014 9:14

speedjunkie wrote:There are actually a ton of rotary owners just here in C Springs, and probably even more in Denver...however, take away the RX-8 owners that don't know what they have (or that it's even a rotary), take away the people that work on their own cars (which is pretty much everyone else lol), and that doesn't leave you with a whole lot. Although, if we have rotary specific tools that the regular owner doesn't have, that might help too. I was also thinking about possibly having a dyno/tuner, maybe slang some parts for Harry, and Dave (chickenwafer) and I were talking a couple years ago about starting a business with a CNC machine, so maybe have that too. All of this would take one nasty business loan though.
Yep, that's true. Until recently, like I said, I did practically everything to my car. I think once it's running normally I'd be more open to doing maintenance and stuff, I just hate troubleshooting gremlins and electronic issues.

I've never heard of Jim Berg. But I've only been here since 2008.
You missed out; great guy, all around. He was the head mechanic at a little import shop here. Loads of integrity. Encyclopedia of rotary knowledge, and a hell of a driver too. He was the kind of guy that would invite you over to his house on the weekend and help you build your motor for a 6 pack. I miss him, he moved to Texas somewhere back around '06. He kinda took me under his wing, and I learned most of what I know from him. I'm not gonna lie, I've once or twice thought about shipping it to him down in Texas to get it sorted out. :)

I don't have any experience with AEM. I've had a PFC in the car since 2008 but I'm switching to Adaptronic right now.
From what I understand, PFC seems to be the way to go with most FD's. I like full standalone, but definitely a lot of plusses and minuses. It was really the best option I had to manage all my mods, but if I could go simpler, I would.

Mike B is still around, but he put his FD from a few years ago into a wall while circle drag racing. But I think he's still swapping everything over into a new FD.
Dang! Crazy, I forgot he did that. His car was nuts, I'm glad he's resurrecting it.
SOLD: '90 Mazda RX-7 S5 FC Turbo II - Heavily Modified: V-Mount, Big Turbo, AEM Standalone, etc - Mods
Daily Driver: 2000 GC6 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS Sedan. Stock, Blue Ridge Pearl.


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