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I recently found a gem of an RX-8 in my area with only 53k miles and one owner. And considering I painted my Miata in Lightning Yellow when the RX-8 came out because I loved that color, it's just icing on the cake this 8 happens to be.... Lightning Yellow.
Anyway, I've read through the basic maintenance stuff and have already changed the oil over to 10W30 instead of 5W-20. I'll gladly sacrifice a few more MPGs for happy apex seals. And everyone here seems to agree (maybe even 10W-40 for summer?)
So here's what I've already done:
Oil Change: 10W-30 Valvoline Conventional
Trans Fluid: Redline MT-90
Diff Fluid: Redline 75W-90
Plugs and wires changed out also.
Previous owner also installed AEM CAI (not mad about it )
So is there anything else you guys would suggest to keep this bad boy on the road and happy for a long time?
Thanks, and I hope to talk to you guys a lot in the future ,
Welcome! Your off to a great start! The only item I would look into is pre-mixing. You can make your own judgement on whether you think its necessary, but you should at least know about it. I have pre-mixed since the beginning and haven't had any issues!
Welcome! Your off to a great start! The only item I would look into is pre-mixing. You can make your own judgement on whether you think its necessary, but you should at least know about it. I have pre-mixed since the beginning and haven't had any issues!
^^
What he said. It's never too late to start pre-mixing.
RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.
I would add the links in my sig to your reading list, especially for an 04 (like mine).
As for pre-mix. My engine builder said the best way to tell is at teardown. After teardown, he looked at me and said "Pre Mix the new engine". I had the OMP turned up, but it was nowhere near enough.
Thanks for all the advice guys. All I haven't done is the SSV (car is a missile above 6k and no hesitation). Just did the ignition coils the other night and felt a HUGE difference on initial pullaway from a stop (zero judder, just buttery smooth).
And here's a picture of my 1990 Miata that I painted in the RX-8 Lightning Yellow, and the RX-8...in Lightning Yellow.