Hi Everyone!

I have been around the forum for some time now... and well I'll just come right out of the closet now, I spent most of the time going through the RX8 non-rotary swap threads! And, full disclosure, I did end up with an RX8 chassis that had no motor, and later acquired a Honda V6... So that's why name is basically a mash-up of MAZDA and HONDA...

BUT WAIT!! That's not the focus of this thread. Some of you may be satisfied to know that after three years and life bringing me a wife and kids, I just never got around to finishing that project, and I finally got tired of not having a car to enjoy.

So a couple of weeks ago I picked up a base model 2005 manual RX8, titanium grey, and I AM SO GLAD I DID!

The car is amazing! If I'm not driving it then I'm thinking about driving it. I'm seriously considering some track time with the car because there is just no way I'm going to scratch the itch that the RX8 has given me on public roads safely. It's been so long since I've really enjoyed driving like this. This is the first car that I've owned that would be truly considered a sports car though. The most sporty thing I've had before was a 2000 Toyota Celica, not bad for a FWD car but it really doesn't compare to the RX8. So if I say too many good things about the RX8 that might have something to do with it.

But I'm just preaching to the choir here so I'll just give you some history on the car.

The car has 68000 miles on it. The first motor lasted for 52000 miles before it was replaced under warranty by Mazda for low compression. For you cool guys that like to get into this, here is the compiled list of receipts for maintenance done by the previous owner (date, mileage - description):

8/25/05, 4918 - 5w-20 oil and filter change

9/7/05, 5451 - Installed fuel tank insulation per safety recall 0516J and 1017E

9/8/06, 18962 - Reprogrammed PCM per safety recall 4206F

5/9/08, 33106 - Coolant system flush, Brake system flush, 5w-20 oil and filter change

11/29/11, 50909 - Check engine light, code P0302, Four ignition coils replaced

5/9/12, 52404 - Check engine light, no code, hard start when warm, lack of power; New engine, New engine mounts, New belts, New coolant, New spark plugs, New spark plug wires

3/7/16, 59187 - Replaced driver side airbag part per safety recall 7914J, 5w-30 oil and filter change

12/31/16, 61943 - Replaced passenger side airbag part per safety recall 9416E, Brake system flush, Transmission fluid exchange, Differential fluid exchange, Four wheel alignment

8/29/17, 64786 - 5w-20 oil and filter change, Replaced passenger side mirror

9/10/17, 65004 - Fuel tank leak, replaced fuel pump parts per safety recall 1017E

6/25/18, ? - Emissions test: PASS

7/10/19, 68230 - Replaced rear brake pads and turned rotors, 5w-20 oil and filter change

7/19/19, 68259 - Compression Test (compensated to 250rpm) Rotor 1: 709, 712, 735; Rotor 2: 771, 771, 769, Mazda says the test is good


So I'm pretty happy with how well the car was taken care of. All of these items were done at the dealer so I trust that things were done right and done as well as they should be. The car is in great condition. There are some scratches in the paint where the front bumper rubbed on the curb, and some scratches on the back from backing into somethings, but they are small enough for me to look past them.

Now even though everything is great on the car, that hasn't stopped me from going over a bunch of things anyways, and watching for signs of issues like a hawk! I'm a little paranoid TBH. Maybe that's just part of RX8 ownership lol!

I thought the steering is a little heavy at highway speeds but I cleaned all the connectors under the airbox and that didn't seem to change anything... Although I did miss one! So I'll probably dive in and get it next time I'm under the hood... But maybe that's just how the steering is on the RX8, idk.

The oil was over full when I checked it and I did find some oil in the air intake by the MAF sensor. I cleaned that out and the car idles more smoothly now, although maybe not perfectly because there are small fluctuations still, but maybe that's normal. My next idea for improving the idle smoothness is well, maybe the ignition system is underperforming but all that was replaced like 13000 miles ago. So idk.

Other than that I've been spending way too much time looking at upgrades even though I know if I'm going to autocross I should keep it stock for now. So idk, lol.

Alright that's enough for now! Way too much reading for most people, but thanks for having a cool community and I'm glad to be here with a pure RX8!

 

 

I feel like the steering does get stiff at high speeds. I think that's how it's supposed to work though.
Welcome and congrats on the new baby lol

 

You are correct, steering is supposed to get stiffer at higher speeds.

Congrats Op glad you are happy with your rx8

 

Ah that does make some sense. The RX8 was always said to have great steering feedback. I guess the easiest way to accomplish that would be to just not have any steering assistance at higher speeds where it isn't as needed anyways. Not what I'm used to but it's something I can get used to!

Thanks guys! I'm going to go work on putting in the Sohn adapter now. Hopefully it won't take all night!

 

5W-20 is really lightweight oil for this car. You should switch to a 10W-40 oil as it provides much better lubrication for this engine. Other than that, all looks really good for this car. Compression numbers are spot on.

 

Ya I just installed the Sohn adapter so I can run 2 cycle oil for the oil injectors, so I'll feel better about running heavier weight, synthetic oil in the engine. I had seen some recommendations on 5w-30 and 10w-30...

https://rotaryperformance.com/blogs/...ur-rx-8-engine

I live in Washington state. Pretty mild weather and the hottest it gets is in the 90s. Do you think 10w-40 is still right for this climate?

 

If you run a Sohn Adapter, you can definitely run synthetic oil. It's better for the bearings and you can have longer oil change intervals. Still premix as well though, just in case. You should be fine with a 5W-30 synthetic oil.

 

Finally got some pics!

 

Nice! I like titanium grey. Mines silver but I got the rims in that color.

 

Congrats. If your gonna premix you might as well go catless. 2 stroke oil is not good for cat. Besides your rotary will be happier. Happy rotary happy life.

 

Nice! I didn't even know the wheels came in a titanium grey. I just figured they all were the standard silver. I will probably end up going black. Whether that means some new RPF1s or black plastidip with some curb rash repair on the current wheels, I haven't worked that out yet...

I need some dark tint on the windows too.



Ya I am slightly worried about this. I went with amsoil saber pro for the 2 stroke in the Sohn, and I also threw in a 1oz to 1gal ratio of premix to maintain lubrication while some of the air bubbles work there way through the OMP lines...

So she is running a little oil rich on this tank of gas. I don't have to do emissions luckily enough but I'm not sure about going catless because I don't want to see a CEL. If I do I will go with the BHR midpipe due to the unanimous praise it gets around here. It's a little rough though. I'd love to pay $250 for one. $500+ is a bit much when I'm thinking of so many other mods too!

Tint, wheels and tires (currently only have winter tires ), AF shifter, lightweight battery, BHR midpipe, RB catback exhaust...

I haven't confirmed but I have a slight suspicion that the OMP isn't working. I just put tape on the 2 stroke Sohn tank to mark and monitor whether the oil is being used or not. We'll see, but that may be another expense.

I also get a small amount of occasional hesitation on acceleration (just enough to interrupt the feel of constant torque) but it hasn't developed a pattern that I can identify (seemed to be around 6K RPM the last time), so it's not reproduceable, but I'm thinking a BHR ignition kit may be in my near future.

Feel free to help me prioritize! Lol.

 

So I got the black RPF1s 17x8 with 245/45R17 Continental Extreme Contact Sport tires. They aren't flashy but functional. Dropped 7 pounds from each corner.

I haven't driven in enough scenarios nor am I really qualified to give a meaningful review of them... But I like them and they are definitely better than the winter tires that came in the car!

I did however, drive long enough to have the TPMS light come on. I made the amateur mistake of not having any sensors put in! So I'm taking her back in tomorrow to get that done.

Other than that I've noticed the oil level dropping on the Sohn adapter tank which brings me some relief, and I got myself an HEI tester plug to see how strong the ignition system really is.

 

You made a good decision. 17" are good because you can go through tires and not break the bank. Also, I think the car looks perfect on 17" rims.

 

I've been using the Continental Extreme Contact tires too, though mine have been the all-seasons. I think I'll try the sports next year, though I really don't have any complaints about the performance of the all-seasons.

 

It looks a bit "balloony" with those tires. Sidewall looks soft too. I rather keep stock 225/45/18 set-up.
Not my cup of tea. But YMMV.

 

They are a bit ballooney lol. Next time I might drop to 235. I do like the tire sticking out past the rim though, just because I can never seem to keep off the curb! I even rubbed the curb today. Just skuffed the tire though.

I need to play with tire pressure to see what feels best. I'm at 30psi all around now. I'm sure different tires are better at different psi but I'm curious what the average RX8 owner runs their tires at.

 

I'm on the stock 18" and I always run 32 PSI. Buy a pressure gauge theres some really nice ones for under $20.