I work at a Ford/Mazda body shop and do all the work on the Mazda cars that come in. Today I got our first smashed RX-8 in to work on. It ran into a tree and the front of the car is really messed up. Not that it would matter to most of you because you'll never be working on your car like this, but I found the car to be very well designed. It's much easier to work on than the last RX-7. I loved that car on a personal level but hated working on them professionally. For the most part the car isn't complicated at all. Getting to the radiator takes an act of Congress but that's not a surprise. I crawled under the car to take a look at the underside. I was surprised to see that the PPF wasn't made out of aluminum like the RX-7 and Miata. I would think that it would save a good deal of weight that way. All and all an awesome car.

 

CelticFan:

I hope you mean the Boston Celtics Anyways, you stated the PPF is not made of aluminum like on my 99 Miata. If not aluminum, do you know what it's made out of. Just curious...

 

I for one find this topic fascinating. I will be interested to hear any further observations you have as you fix the car. Thanks.

 

I don't know for sure it's not. All of the suspension parts are obviously aluminum but the PPF is black. I'll take a magnet to it tomorrow and find out once and for all if it's aluminum or not. Painting it black if it is would be a first for them.

 

Please do continue to keep us informed and, if it's not too much trouble, some pictures would be fascinating.

 

Amen. But to protect your job and your customer's privacy, try to keep things as non-specific as possible. Hate to see you get in trouble over something like this.

 

So how well did it protect the drivers compartment? I recall that picture (posted here a while ago) that showed the RX-8 that flew (and killed someone). Looked like the drivers compartment held together well. I'm interested to see how the RX-8 does on the Insurance Institute crash test.

 

It wasn't hit that hard. As of now I haven't seen one that's been killed that bad. When I do I'll let you guys know. Hopefully I'll have a digital camera sometime soon so I can take pictures of it. I'm wondering what it will be like working on one after it's been hit in the side.

 

This sounds fascinating. Will tune in for updates...

 

thats good news
for us atleast

 

The PPF isn't aluminum. I put a magnet to it today and it stuck.

 

This is good stuff. The car's construction has a lot to do with my wanting one in the first place. Check out ...
http://media.mazda.ch/dossiers/RX-8/Photo-RX8-D.htm
Some good pix of the car's guts in there...

Yeah, keep posting!

 

My RX8 was wrecked 9-30-03 (see thread "my nose is broke" in this discussion section); and the repair place stated they were amazed at the way the car is made. They stated they were very impressed.

 

What is a PPF?

 

Power Plant Frame.
Mazda put a ladder frame in the Miata and RX-7 (and now the RX-8) that attaches the rear differential to the tranny/engine.
This keeps all of those wonderful torquey bits lined up when you hit the gas.
Most RWD vehicles depend on the frame of the car to provide this service which allows for considerable twist.
You can look at a pic of how it works:
PPF

 

that PPF thing is very interesting.......

 

The PPF is stamped steel - same deal on the 3rd gen RX-7. Aluminum probably would be a poor choice in the application.

It is actually relatively lightweight, however.

Dale