zXShadow

Hello fellow rotary brethren! I just picked up my rx8 at the beginning of this month, and i've jumped head first into the build. So far I can EASILY say this is the best driving and most fun car i've owned. I've had 10 vehicles in my life, including a turbo miata, focus st, and a 2016 mustang gt, and this car trumps all of them by a long shot. The engine is so crazy smooth, heel-toeing is almost second nature with the pedal spacing and ease of revs. I just filled it for the 4th time this month, because I rev it out everywhere I go. I have no tickets on my record but my god this car just might change that. Im always looking down and noticing im FLYING because i'm just having too much fun. I don't care about any of the issues people tend to speak about with these, sure I've gotta care for it in a special way, but it isn't exactly hard to check my oil everytime I fill it, premix, and rev it out. After finally owning one, I believe all the people complaining have yet to even drive one.

Anyways, on to the build update. I got Motegi Mr151 CR5's to replace the stock wheels. No fitment yet, I'm currently working on adjusting the coilovers to have it sit flush or close to flush. Rims are 18 x 8.5 +45, wrapped in Falken Azenis RT660s. A bit sketchy in the rain, but being able to take an on-ramp at 55 mph and 9k rpm without ANY hesitation in the rear end makes it entirely worth it. Probably also gonna grab some spacers as much as I don't want too, to help fill the wells. Probably should've got +25s or 35s instead, but I'm gonna make it work.

I also went and did the BHR ignition coil upgrade and holy crap did that make a difference. I guess I needed coils, because the whole car runs better and revs better now. I had an issue starting off in first because it would try and stall if I didn't give a good amount of gas, after I did the coils that issue is null-void, and the throttle response is instant. More power, instant starts, smoother idle, literally everything is improved. Anyone on the fence with the BHR coils, just do it. Worth every penny.
I've got a billet coolant reservoir on the way, and a new neutral switch. I'm having the front and rear bumpers resprayed, and every ding and dent popped out. Next up on the list is exhaust, headlight brows, and a wing on the back (dont roast me, a gt wing rx8 was my dream as a kid!!!) plus ill have fender flares to back it up eventually. I do have a few codes im trying to figure out, both evap leaks one small one and one very small one. P0442 and P0452, but I have a feeling its just because I fill my car while its running like a crazy person. Don't like to shutoff the 8 unless I absolutely have too. No reason, just weirdly afraid of flooding even though it's never even flooded one time.

Anyways, thats the update! More pics and mods to come. I do have some questions, could anyone link me to a good gauge pod kit for the interior that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Never installed aftermarket gauges before and I've been searching through the forums but I have yet to see a super good write-up on it. I get the general idea of how to do it, it doesn't exactly look too difficult.

Also, I will be making a full build thread once I can get out of this new member lock. I'm most definitely not a new member, but I just don't post a bunch.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

You can shut the car off the fuel it, it won't flood if it has been running for more than a minute and is otherwise healthy. You've done the right thing by upgrading the ignition. Clear the codes and see if they come back.

zXShadow

I'm amazed by how big of a difference those coils made.... truly night and day. It revs a lot quicker now, blips are super easy where they weren't before. I'm debating between exhaust or tune for my next mod. Although I might go ahead and do those external gauges, because not having a 100% accurate temp gauge scares the hell out of me! On the bright side I figured out its got a megan racing radiator upgrade that I didn't even notice until yesterday. Thanks for the help Loki!

Meat Head

https://gaugepods.com/products/rx8-3...44775914471733

Take a look at this pod from Lotek. I ordered one before my brain fully engaged. Fits 2004 to 2008 and doesn’t fit 2009 and later. I had to sell mine locally but, it looked decent enough to use if my dashboard was suitable. I’ve got water and oil temperature along with oil pressure gauges. Stock water temperature is a “oh no it’s all over!” gauge and only moves when temperatures are getting too high. Hope the link works - I’ve been told I suck at attaching links.