so I have had some troubles in the past with my RX-8. some fans have burned out. Now replaced. I invested in an Ultragauge because of the dummy temp gauge stock in it. Took her out today and I am pretty comfortable with the readings but just want some advice maybe...? I have the mishimoto racing fan shroud, radiator, and low temp thermostat. I had about a ten minute drive across town and it got up to 183 degrees (f). I stopped the car for about 45 minutes. had about another fifteen minute drive, but I just missed a light and had to sit at one for a while. the car got up to about 210.then it dipped down to about 207 while still waiting for that same light. I got stuck in pretty decent traffic, hitting one light after another and it spiked out to 116. got on some clear roads and it stayed back down about 210.but I'm pretty concerned that it got up to that temp even though I was sitting still. I live in Florida.at some points the gauge was telling me my air intake temp was 125 while stopped.
So my question is Mishimoto make a fan controller that you can set the temperature you want the fan/fans to kick on at. I can connect it to only one or both of the fans. If I connect it to both neither one will come on until it hits the designated temp. Even the one tied in with the AC. But I can connect to only one as well. Is this needed or is at least a good thing to put on anyway? its not that expensive and I could get it today.
If there is something better id be willing to hear that too.
Also just for knowledge, I really wanted to get my cooling system beefed up due to the natural heat from our engines and the problem I had with my stock fans and some over heating problems I had at one point(why I bought the Ultragauge). I explained what I have already done to her but my next steps in the next couple weeks will be to buy a 20 piece Silicone hose set from T-rexperts and the AEM intake. there is also a coolant reservoir expansion tank. Is that worth getting?
I have looked through some threads and did a bit of homework. I have seen mentions of foaming around the radiator. or something to that extent. I'll look for a thread as soon as I ost this, but if someone could steer me in that direction too, because maybe I don't find the right thread.
Thnk you so much for all the help given

 

I would avoid the AEM intake, the stock intake is better. Also, in Florida you'll have to worry about puddles with the AEM intake because it sits so low in the car. The radiator fans can be switched on sooner with this mod:

https://www.rx8performance.com/produ...an-control-kit

I live in the Caribbean and regularly see my temps at 206-210 F. I am not really concerned by it as the engine has never given me problems. I also Believe running a higher viscosity oil helps as well with excessive heat. Currently running 10W40 conventional in all RX8s and have no issues.

 

Thanks man. I have done some research and did some hunting around the website and found a great DIY for the flex-a-lite 31165 here:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...roller-123326/
I really like that this one has the ability to be turned on and off manually. but I want to get what is best for the car. the one you showed me says its a real simple install but it really doesn't explain how it bypasses the factory setting. and every single other fan controller I looked at says to bypass that system because even if you hook it up to the system, the system will only let that controller come on at the temp the system says. so I would love to understand more about it because I am ready to buy one.
Thanks for all the advice

 

Having it do it automatically is far better because then you never have to think about it. I have never installed one of these but it doesnt look too complicated. It just has a coolant temperature sensor you splice in that turns the fans on when the coolant reaches 170-180.

It may help the engine last longer as lower temperatures are always good. Give it a shot, wont hurt anything unless its improperly installed.

 

thanks again. I went a head and bought the controller you recommended I went and did more research and found that a builder I follow recommends the one you did. so I got it.
im doing whatever I can to beef up the cooling system. however I think a rebuild is gonna be inevitable in the next year or so. I got a CEL code that's not great. its not causing me an issue now and I will be taking preventative measures to keep it from getting worse but I think it will be time here soon. I really love my car. and I don't think I would ever want anything else.

 

If I were to do this mod that is the one I would get for sure. Good choice. What engine code is it throwing? A CEL is pretty normal on this car, you should buy a bluetooth OBD2 scanner if you haven't already. They are $20 and well worth it. Have you done a compression test? This determines whether you need a rebuild soon or not.

 

p2070!!!!!!!! :I not good I know. im gonna run some seafoam through. maybe even put an oz or two in the fuel.I really think my engine is ok but to fix this is a major situation and as long as I have the engine out might as well rebuild it.

so when I first start up and my ultragauge connect if I rev my engine a bit it sounds funny afterr let off. but once its running and heated up this stops. for the first few accelerations I will get an alarm from my ultragauge. It might do it once, it might do it twice. but it has never done it three times.

im pretty sure a rebuild or replacement is in my future but I would be willing to listen to anything you have to tell me. im pretty well versed but im still hungry to learn more. like I said I love this car.

 

I actually just found a video of how to take out the SSV without removing the engine. so maybe this is something I can fix myself. Its all the same steps as putting in my new thermostat except I also have to remove the thermostat housing and I should be able to access the SSV with out removing the engine. I seen somewhere on these forums that this isn't possible. I seen the piece he pulled out and googled "rx-8 SSV" and it was exactly what he pulled out. hopefully this will work.
I just wanna say thank you again for all your help BTW..youre a very kind person.

 

The APV is the difficult one to replace without removing the engine. SSV is simple bolt stuff on to remove

 

this kit has ISO 4 pin micro relays.....but has a to ground bypass wire for an external trigger
anyone know a source for just the relays?

 

Stock

 

i agree stock is usually best considering the R&D budget they have ......except when emission standards interfere with whats best for the engine

 

LOL... it's a stock relay

 

?
stock doesn't have a wire hanging out of it....

 

The wire is added with the kit...

If you look at the price of new relays, and the temp sensor and the other hardware.... It's hardly worth trying to duplicate this kit