JJJ8

Hey everyone. This is my first post and thread. I've done my research and decieded to go with the RX-8 despite the flooding, oil/fuel consumption. It seemed like too much fun to pass up and I picked up my 04 GT 6MT with 50,000kms yesterday. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me other than the typical maintenance of which I am aware of. I will eventually start modifying the car for a bit more power. I would like to get closer to 300hp at the crank and was hoping a good dyno tune with 5psi of boost would be enough. I'm up in Atlantic Canada so aftermarket stuff is slightly more expensive. I welcome all advice and comments. Once the weather clears up I will be posting pics.

Thanks,
JJJ8

Texas RX8 R3

Congrats on getting into your first 8!

Be careful on modding too much, it can get expensive and stressful. Although it can be fun.

terch1

iTrader: (2)

Congrats. Word to the wise keep researching. I have had my car for almost 3 years now and am still learning.

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

modifying the 8 is costly and if you want reliability, you will be paying top dollar. any pics of the new 8?

JJJ8

I get home from work and the sun is already down. I will post the dealer's pics for now. This weekend I will be getting some more if the weather is good.




I hope this works. This image uploader is a bit unconventional. I will figure it out if the pics don't show. Thanks for the congrats guys. Anyone know a if 17" steel wheels will clear the calipers on an RX8. I'm hardcore and wll be driving mine through an atlantic Canada winter, so I want to pick up some 17" for the snow tires.

Thanks

Hey, Hey, My photo upload worked 1st time

Mazurfer

Even if you think you know.

Please read:

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/congratulations-you-got-8-a-202548/

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...&highlight=FAQ

They are a really good place to start and I still look at them from time to time.

chunbelievable

iTrader: (5)

Congrats! You have an 04 so if you haven't already, check the compression. Definitely read the link Mazurfer provided, there is a wealth of information in there.

Modding our cars is incredible fun but honestly I would make sure everything is dialed in first before you start thinking FI. The links will go over a lot of it but really, check the coils and plugs along with compression.

And start off with simple cheap mods like a short shifter. Can't really screw anything up, takes less than 10 min to install and really changes the car.

Enjoy the new car!

brian1rr

this is not your first car is it?

JJJ8

No brian1rr I've owned 3 cars before this. I'm only 21 but my family is serious into cars. This is the first one in which I have had enough available income to get something truly up to my standards(its a present to myself for graduating and finding a nice job). My 1st car was actually a fiero, a car that I fell in love with and worked on alot (half the time because the car demanded it). I bought a second fiero a year later than traded my ol' man the remaining working fiero(dirt cheap on insurance) for his Monte Carlo SS. He wanted to give the fiero to my little brother. The monte SS was a nice car. surprisingly good on gas and reliable with all the options I care for but it was BORING to drive. By getting an RX-8 I think I'm back to my original desire, only this time its alot better, a true sports car. To all the other guys suggestions, I have a scheduled service at mazda coming up. I will ask them to check everything you mentioned. Especially compression! The rotary engine is obviously the part I'm least familiar with so I have concerns. It runs strong and chirped an accidental downshift pretty good (2nd day driving it, not used to hitting 6th instead of 4th just yet). I know that was a good sign of the engines compression. Apparently the service tech at Atlantic Mazda here in moncton is one of the top rotary guys in Canada, so I hear from a fellow 8 owner at work. Anyways, thanks everyone for the advice I will be stopping by the dealer Saturday morning so keep it coming. (Now I got to create a signature for all my foum posts)

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

very nice looking 8! you don't see many in sunlight silver with black/chaparral interior!

yiksing

Welcome to the club. Your power expectation from turbo'ing is very realistic. Please read the stickies. The car isn't as easy as it was made out to be in terms of flooding if you have a strong ignition. As for the oil consumption it is not bad at all considering some other piston sports cars out there also consumed oil when they aren't supposed to be.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

modifying for power in what way lol... bolt on things don't give much, so FI?

JJJ8

For the time being I think I'm going to hold off on modifying the car. I want to pay off at least half of the loan first. Should take me 8-12 months to fully pay off the car. When I start modding I will start small. I live where there are no emissions standards but a CAT is required to pass a yearly inspection. Was told by a few people that jamming a pipe through the CAT is a good way to deal with the inspections and virtually eliminate the CAT's restriction. Is this advisable or would hollowing out the CAT create problems?

Dirt_Nasty

iTrader: (2)

Yeah don't do that, just get a high-flow cat, or get a mid-pipe, keep the cat and just swap the, out once a year.

chunbelievable

iTrader: (5)

Crazy simple to swap the mid pipe, just do that for inspection. Without a cat you will pop and spit fire however. Not terribly but noticeable at night. But if you're sure that doesn't cause legal issues then just run a aftermarket mid pipe. Catless mid pipes can cause a CEL so research how you want to go.

JJJ8

I'm a little concerned about roadside inspections. If cops are suspicious about a vehicles exhaust they will not hesitate to check to make sure its in-tact (they usually target civics. lol) so I want to keep a CAT on it. I was thinking of tearing up the OEM CAT and welding the shell over an aftermarket midpipe as an alterntive. I woudn't mind going with a performance cat too. I'm going to check youtube to compare exhaust notes and see which one I prefer.

Thanks,
JJJ8

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

why not just go with racing beat's REV8 exhaust system? its a cat back and will allow you to leave the original converter in place. the original unit is very good and replacing it won't yeild much in the way of power. this way you'll have a tiny power increase without having to worry about the inspections. replacing the converter can also lead to a check engine light and that might fail you at an inspection..

adamwzl

iTrader: (3)

jjjb congrats on the car it looks nice.


You have a lot to learn about the 8 when getting into modding. So take your time and choose wisely. Do not rush into things it creates problems. Paying off the car is the smart thing to do. I for one would 100% completely pay off the car before doing any type of FI.

Normally if your lucky you can get 20-30k out of your renny when FI then you will need a rebuild. Its just how weak the seals and housing are within the stock renesis. But worry about that at a later point. And do your homework on it. Its not a walk in the park.


Youtube hardly does justice on any sound clips. It may get you the base sound but really its misses a hell of a lot. Just a FYI

JJJ8

If your suggesting FI would allow me to get 20,000miles(30,000kms) I'm afraid to go for it. I will check with the service tech when I stop by this weekend to see what rebuilds cost here in New Brunswick. Mechaics rates are slightly cheaper than where I used to live in Southern Ontario, but everything is more expensive in Canada

adamwzl

iTrader: (3)

I would get a rebuild from mazmart or BHR. I prefer BHR honestly. But your mileage may vary. Some people have 40k+ on stock renny w/ FI, some only got 4k max once FI. It all depends.

Going FI on the renesis is a very touchy subject, you need to do a lot of research. Before doing it make sure you know about it and have the money on the side to replace the engine or anything else that might go wrong.

Razz1

Do a tune on any used car you buy. PERIOD

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

fwiw, 20K mile engine failure is rare in any case. my 05 has 37K and its never hinted at the sign of a problem. if you are in doubt, before you buy the car, have the dealer run a compression check for you. this of course does not indicate any possible rotor bearing wear but should help none the less.

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

dont forget to save every receipt from every purchase and veh maint you do. I mean every little thing from light bulbs to oil, to oil filters. tire changes all of it. That way when you need a new engine there is more than they can actually go through.

MTspeeds1

im going to post just because I want to have these links, this way i can always go back.





Congrats on your 1st 8 by the way

Mazurfer

Just cut and paste the links into an E-mail, and send to yourself.........or do what I did...............I cut and pasted them into a word document titled "New People Threads" and everytime I wanna put it in a Newb post, I just cut and paste it back in.
You could just cut and paste them right back into your browser!

You don't think I go find them or type all that crap everytime do you?