Hi guys,

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 ,

Zac

 

Welcome to the club zac! Post some pics of those bad boys!

When changing plugs and wires, it's recommended to to coils at the same time, being that they're a wear and tear item.

Read through the new and potential owners sticky and the congratulations you got an 8. Those will set you on the right path

 

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.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/


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.

 

Welcome,


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.


I now premix.

 

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.