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Hey guys, figured I'd throw out an introduction and ask some questions and explain my new RX-8 situation!
Just recently bought myself an 04 RX-8 Grand touring at auction. It's pretty rough around the edges, which is perfect because I bought it to go racing with! It has 13x,xxx miles on it and seems like it has pretty much every common RX-8 problem that has ever existed ever. The engine seems to start and run great (after gutting an absolutely messed up cat), it probably needs coils, the "low coolant level" light is on, the stereo amp needs attention, the whole car vibrates at low RPM, and it's got a tiny bit of rust starting... but hey! It's gonna be a race car.. but not all at once. Baby steps.
About me: I've grown up with Mazdas for basically my entire life. My dad and grandfather both had RX-7s, and my dad had his 85 GSL-SE for (i think) 13 years. I got to watch him race that car, work on that car and got to appreciate the 13B in it's first form. For me, my first car was a 93 MX-3 SE and I put a KLZE into it before I even had my license. I had a few other MX-3s as well. My mom had a Mazda5 for a while and now has a CX-5, and while my dad got rid of the RX-7 he now has a 10AE NB Miata which (while slow) is a great car. I love Mazdas. That's the point.
I've also got myself a 98 Impreza RS that I've built from the ground up (shameless plug: https://www.rs25.com/threads/equinox....164980/unread) and have gone racing with for a few years now. Unfortunately the sentimental attachment to the car is getting in the way of me being able to go faster and risking binning the whole thing. That's where the RX-8 comes in! The honerable mention'd car also goes to my "winter beater" 06 JCW Mini Cooper S. I guess I just love small sports cars no matter how you slice it..
Anyways, some questions:
-Is there a forum index where I could make a "build journal"? I like to documents my processes on cars for people to read, and mostly for myself to remember what I did x number of years ago. I did't really find anything while browsing.
-Good spots to find some USED motorsports equipment? I never really bridged the gap between street car and race car in my Impreza and I am really looking to do that with the RX-8. Some of the classifieds here look nice, but I'd really like to get second hand parts if at all possible.. the list and costs of things I did up in a spreadsheet look.. aggressive haha
The goal is to build a Gridlife Series Street/Street Mod Time Attack car. I don't think I'll personally be competitive, but this will be my first step into a dedicated race car, so I think the goals will be to get myself accustomed to such lifestyle and figure the rest out as time goes on.
And I'll upload some pics, because everyone likes pics!
Third: We do have designated build and racing sections on this site, BUT you will need to meet to the newbie site requirements (10 posts and 30 days) before you can make a thread outside of this section.
For the used racing parts check the classifieds here and on facespace social media
The noobie thing makes sense for the forums. Awesome, that's wonderful info.
I've had the new owners forum post up on my computer for a week and some change now. Has helped me out GREATLY in already fixing issues hah. I've had the car for a week now.
I've spammed out my requests for all sorts of RX-8 facespace groups, so I'll have to do some browsing this weekend.
Welcome. I've wanted an RS like yours since I was a teen, but could never find a nice non rusty example in the NE. Looking forward to your build, sounds like your on the right track.
Have you compression tested this engine yet? First thing you should do really.
Grats on the purchase btw. Welcome to the club!
Edit: Andrew, since you are so close to each other you should really help a brother out.
I have not, but it doesn't have any hot start issues. Sputters a bit to life when cold, but purrs great once warmed up.
I could compression test it, but worst case it's no good and I'll keep driving until it's SUPER not good. I don't mind buying new irons or a whole new turnkey engine if need be. I'm actually expecting that to be the case fairly often. An engine per racing season would be a really okay goal. Anything longer than that is extra time!
Originally Posted by Chrishoky
Welcome. I've wanted an RS like yours since I was a teen, but could never find a nice non rusty example in the NE. Looking forward to your build, sounds like your on the right track.
Yep, i had to import this one from California to Michigan in 2011 haha. After college I took it off winter duty to prevent the rusts. Not easy to find... also another reason it needs to stay in the garage in order for me to go faster at the track as a driver.
Originally Posted by mazdaverx7
Welcome!! Always loved that color combo!! When these cars were new that red and black interior was mind blowing!!
Thanks! The red is AMAZING!!! I have no idea what color an older owner tried to paint the front end.. it really sucks. I don't see evidence of the car being hit either, so I have to imagine it was painted just due to oxidation??
Luckily I just picked up some more body panels last night in the proper red, so we are on the way to making it pretty again.
I have not, but it doesn't have any hot start issues. Sputters a bit to life when cold, but purrs great once warmed up.
I could compression test it, but worst case it's no good and I'll keep driving until it's SUPER not good. I don't mind buying new irons or a whole new turnkey engine if need be. I'm actually expecting that to be the case fairly often. An engine per racing season would be a really okay goal. Anything longer than that is extra time!
Well as long as you know what you are in for. Good to test it anyways just to see how much life is left on the engine. Other than that sounds like you got it handled.
Well as long as you know what you are in for. Good to test it anyways just to see how much life is left on the engine. Other than that sounds like you got it handled.
Yep I know what I am getting myself into. I'll likely do it once it's not so cold here (high of 28 *F today with a foot of snow on the ground) and I can get the car back in the garage.
I did pick up a VERY large amount of power from getting this gutted though..
Stock cat.. exactly how it was inside the mid pipe upon removal.. never stamped a cat out so fast in my life.
And just because I have to assume everyone loves this just as much as I do.. car came with an Agency Power catback, which I really do enjoy the sound of.
Sounds super nice and healthy! Definitely a nicer car than mine haha
Good ignition system is everything. My compression numbers aren't very healthy but the car still runs good. Your car might be putting out better numbers than mine. Another reason why it's so important to compression test.
Good ignition system is everything. My compression numbers aren't very healthy but the car still runs good. Your car might be putting out better numbers than mine. Another reason why it's so important to compression test.
Yep new type C coil are on their way as well as plugs/wires. IF the previous owner maintained the car, it wouldn't have been with good components anyway.
Originally Posted by racer-tom
I look forward to following your build thread as start my own.
Awesome, looks like you're going a bit more all in than I am for starters. Also a cleaner chassis. Definitely jealous of the lack of rust in California
Since it looks like I can't post elsewhere until my account is through the newbie process I guess I'll post here so it makes it easy to port over later
Got some goodies in!
Couldn't help myself on a deal I found on a color matched (albeit oxidied clear coat) genuine Mazdaspeed spoiler. I love it, it's street class legal, and it probably provides as much downforce as getting the LARGE fry instead of the medium, but it at least looks kind of cool.
On to more important matters:
Brand new OEM type C coils, and NGK wires. Spark plugs are on their way still.. but I had some time off work and wanted to dig in. Car seems to be happier during cold starts and idle! Also the rustiness of this POS is showing, breaking about 1/3 bolts I've tried to take off so far -_-
Couldn't tell ya if it has more power, haven't driven it since it's all kind of couped up in the garage now.
Also managed to find a driver's side door that was color matched as well as a non-mangled fuel cap locally.. not the biggest of deals, but for $60... I'll take it. Plus spares are nice for those sorts of things.
(pics are before car was moved into garage)
Did a onceover on the car as well once I get it in the garage. What I found:
-Missing/broken front endlinks, explains the initial lack of steering feel most likely
-Blown rear struts, i assumed this was the case
-Bent rear wheel, no biggie
-Radiator leaking in two spots (at least), Koyo on the way as we speak
-Bose amplifier doesn't seem to work, door amps check out.. not a huge deal but would like the radio until i progress further in this process
-Battery is SUUUPER weak, have had to jump it 3 times to start the car now, no worries needed to replace it with an AGM one anyway
All of this stuff isn't a big deal, and was likely going to get swapped out anyways with aftermarket stuff.
Stuff I am planning to do:
-Ohlins DFV coilovers, springs rates TBD
-Enkei RPF-1 17x9 + 30 (or whatever that offset around there is), gonna be in GOLD... gotta keep the Subaru spirit alive here
-255/40/17 RE71rs, prolly wait until spring
-Versatuner stuff. Downloaded their free logger and also threw on my CAN logging tools... found lots of extended PIDs i want to extract and use externally. Nothing wrong with Versatuner.. just like my logging equipment Linux based and handheld, which sounds exactly like what Cobb offers.. because it is.. but that's not what I mean
-Autpower harnessbar, not ready to do a full cage and it seems like a safe/good enough compromise
-Racing seat or seats... undecided as to which to get since I am a very small man. Looking at Sparco Corsa and some Recaro models
-Aftermarket steering wheel, again unsure exactly what I want yet. Likely some sort of Momo, or the generic OMP gotos
-Stock intake is going on, wouldn't mind a Racing beat one.. but don't want to spend the money on a new one
-Header, would like one... need to do more research. Don't like the fact that most aftermarket stuff is just thin stainless. Sounds prime for cracking without much benefit to be gained
I think that's it for now... will post more when I get the Koyo installed.. may be stuck waiting on finding some replacement foam...
Last edited by equinox92; 11-26-2019 at 08:46 AM.
Reason: more content!
Those coils actually don't look too bad and appear to be genuine Mazda coil packs. Probably still a good idea to change them out but you may as well run a Seafoam treatment through the engine so long as the old spark plugs are in. Willing to bet it needs it. Good progress so far, I love that wing and keep in mind its worth big money so if you paid less than $500 for it you got it for a steal.
Those coils actually don't look too bad and appear to be genuine Mazda coil packs. Probably still a good idea to change them out but you may as well run a Seafoam treatment through the engine so long as the old spark plugs are in. Willing to bet it needs it. Good progress so far, I love that wing and keep in mind its worth big money so if you paid less than $500 for it you got it for a steal.
Once I have the plugs out I'll do some inspection and see what needs to be done. The old coils were the type B variants, so at least it seems like they were "upgraded" from that.
11-15-2019, 02:40 PM
