ISpoolOldSchool

What's up everyone? I just picked up an 09 rx8, never thought I'd get into rotarys through one of these cars, but I did and I love it. Such a good platform. It's got about 50k on it, drives great, I believe it's time to replace the coils though. Since I just put the down payment on it, my funds are a little low at the moment and I probably won't be able to replace them for 2 weeks or so. Is there anything I can do to make running the vehicle with a less than optimal ignition system any safer? Fuel additives? Running in a certain rpm range? The last thing I want is a car I bought a day ago (and traded a reliable daily for) to kill over.

To confirm that I have a coil issue, the car always seems to start alright hot or cold. It's never taken more than 2-3 seconds to start. It runs alright but I feel like it idles a little rough (maybe I'm not used to a rotary yet) and midrange power is slightly down compared to my friends 06 (that we just did the plugs and coils on)

Any input? I love the thing to death. It's been strange getting used to since my trade in was a small but torquey fwd. The two cars couldn't be anymore different. I'll post pics soon

Gravey

iTrader: (3)

Welcome! what was your previous vehicle?

ISpoolOldSchool

My previous daily was a 13 chevy sonic rs. It was a good little car for what it was. It had a ton of bottom end but it fell on its face around 5500 rpm, and that was with a ported intake manifold and full bolt ons.

I've got an 01 z28 vert too that's in the process of being build, it's got an lq4 with an s480 about to blow into it

ISpoolOldSchool

Are plug wires the same between s1 and s2? Napa and advance have no listing for them

gwilliams6

If the coils and wires and plugs are original, by all means change them all right away. OEM coils and wires should be changed every 30,000 miles and plugs anywhere from 15,000 miles on, depending on how hard the plugs have been used. Aftermarket BHR coils and wires will last the lifetime of your RX8 and won't need to be changed, but you will still need to change out plugs every 15,000 miles. http://black-halo-racing.myshopify.c...nition-upgrade

There is no shortcut to avoid the poor performance and possible permanent damage you can cause to a rotary engine and even the catalytic converter by continuing to drive with a compromised ignition system. This is not a car for those who can not afford to maintain it properly. You can learn to save some money by learning to do some of the work on maintenance tasks yourself. There are plenty of DIY threads here on this club forum for specific tasks once you have properly diagnosed the problem . Hey did you read the following: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/ Do read this thoroughly !

ISpoolOldSchool

I can afford to maintain the car, I just wasn't sure if I was going to have the funds today to order everything or not, but napa has already delivered everything to my shop. I understand the damage that can occur, which is why I was trying to figure out something helpful in the meantime. My logic was something on the lines of techtron or seafoam could help prevent or reduce carbon build up on the housings, I just didn't want to Put something in it that would tear up the the seals.

I plan on doing everything myself. I won't buy the bhr kit because I can recreate it myself.

Just for giggles, here's about half my shop. It's nothing too fancy but I'm planning on building on soon. The other half isn't very exciting, it's just another open bay and a paint booth.



And I did read the new owner thread. It didn't really answer any of the questions I asked

gwilliams6

Impressive shop, but trust me if this is the first rotary you have owned, then you will benefit from the knowledge of folks here who have owned them, some for decades, and have driven them millions of miles and worked on every part of them. It is a huge learning curve from any piston-engined car you have worked on. So just be wise here and listen to good advice, it just might help your car last longer, and help you enjoy it more.

ISpoolOldSchool

Thanks man, and your right, it's definitely different. I know I have a lot to learn but I'm excited about it.

My wires will be here tomorrow morning, so I'll be fixing up the ignition system In the evening. I'd like to do a compression test too.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

You have the right attitude. Nice looking 8 by the way. Do a little research on the Rotary Specifics of a compression test. Its not the same procedure as a piston engine.

ISpoolOldSchool

Yeah they were fubar. The car runs so much smoother now. Hope there's not too much build up on my housings

ISpoolOldSchool

So I was pretty convinced that my cat was clogged, but I pulled it off and it looks clean inside. Could it be clogged in the second layer and I just can't see it? I really don't want to gut it, I'm gonna buy a midpipe next payday anyway...

I've never saw it get red hot, but I've felt heat from it through the floor and when I shut my car off I can hear it crackle for almost half an hour after it runs

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

Did you just look inside the CAT? You can use a flash light and see if the light passes through from one side to the other in an even way. If part of the light does not get through, then your CAT is clogged somewhere.

CAT temperatures are quite high in this car. Feeling the heat and crackling is normal.

djgiron

If you put on a midpipe you will get a CEL most likely. You may want to invest in the Mazda Edit program to mask it . . . I think there is a link in the groupbuys for a class someone is putting on to teach how to tune the S2 (the ECU has only recently been cracked) if you are inclined. I am not sure if it is Brettus or Kane doing it, but I think they can both help you after you add a midpipe.

ISpoolOldSchool

I pulled the of sensor Out and looked at the second bed with a scope. It was definitely clogged or deformed to the point of clogging. Kinda weird. Busted it out. I'll get a bhr midpipe soon. I was pretty surprised that it didn't get ungodly loud from gutting the cat though. Especially after starting it open manifold. Which was terrible. No CEL so far. If it throws one I'll try the anti fouler trick on it. Worked on my other cars