Hello everyone,

New owner here. Just bought a used 2004 RX8 GT package, I couldn't help myself when I found one with only 65K miles on it with a small price tag.

I was snooping around the engine today, first time owning a sports car, not to mention a rotary... One thing that struck me was the tube that goes to the air filter is cut. Looks as if it was sawed right through. Now, I don't know alot about cars, I do some of my own repairs and mods on my motorcycle, but is this bad?

IF so, how bad? should I stop driving the car until I get it replaced?

Why would someone cut apart their air filter?

I was looking to get an intake anyways, but I wasn't prepared to do it so early.

Also, the 8's idle is a bit rough. The RPM would go up and down, at times it feels as if the car was going to die, but doesn't, it shakes pretty hard too. Is there sometime I should check or replace? I read the sticky thread and thought about doing the coil replacement, plugs, plug wires, and also an oil change (thinking of going with a heavier oil since Florida can get pretty hot). Not sure about Syn yet... I think I will stay safe with what the manu recommends... anyways, is there anything else I should check for this problem?

Well, any comments or suggestions would help. Really don't want the wife to be right about the car... want this baby to as smooth as a 2004 can be.. LOL

Thanks!

Chanse

 

A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

To get more horsepower...

 

Id say first and foremost fix the intake. Then go through the car with all the regular maintenance.

 

Where do you live.
The RX8 peeps are generally very helpful in local club settings.

You should see if you can find someone to have a look at it for you in the Regional forum section

 

Didn't really fix the instake, instead I just stop driving the car over the weekend.. took my motorcycle to work, I didn't want to do any damage to the car, better safe than sorry. Thanks for the replies.

Chanse

 

most race cars run open air intake (no filter) because they can rebuild the engine, but on the street you dont want any dirt or dust gets sucked into the engine.
I think the previous owner probably cut the air box off to install an aftermarket air intake.
you need to replace the whole piece