Now that I have an 8, few questions.

1. Is the base audio system really as bad as it is or do I need to mess with something? My 8 has the base single disc CD player and the Bose audio and it, IMO, blows compared to the base system my low end Chevy cobalt had. There is little to no base even with the base at +6. It sounds flat like listening to my MP3 player with headphones.

2. Is there a way to determine what kind of oil is being used in the car before I got it? I think, by looking at a sticker i found in the glove box, that the previous owner was putting synthetic in but how can I be sure? Do you think calling the place listed on the carfax report and asking will help? will they tell me?

3. Other than pre-mixing? Is it safe to use other engine cleaning products with the rotary?

4. I read the DIY on painting the calipers and this is what I want to do first. Do you need to clean the caliprs with a wire brush or anything before painting? Is it better, safer, and easier to hand paint them or spray? I won't be taking the calipers off to do this, I'll just be covering everything that I don't want painted.

-Has anyone used the caliper paint from Autozone to paint theirs? I have to stop by there today or tomorrow to get that thing that allows you to move the license plate.

I am also undecided on the clear corners.... I'm not sure yet if I like them after seeing all your pictures.

 

1) The audio system doesn't come with a sub. A number of people have had aftermarket subs installed.

2) The only way to know for sure is to have the oil analyzed. The cost probably isn't worth it unless you REALLY want to know.

3) Depends on the cleaning product. A number of folks use Seafoam to clean out carbon build up. I just throw in a bottle of Techron every few months. If you have a specific product you want to know about, use the search function before asking. Odds are someone has inquired about it or tried it.

4) Can't help you on that one. Did searching come up with anything useful?

 

I looked online at other sites about the calipers and other stated to use a wire brush on them first, I was just curious of other did that. I don;t think the DIY thing said anything about doing this.

My old cobalt didn't have any subs (or that I knew of) but it was able to throw out base and not rattle and sound like crap. It was the base audio system they give you in the car.

There shouldn't be any ill effects if I decide to change the oil and end up putting something different in correct?

 

should get a sub.....
Calipers I used the engine paint form autozone/advance and just cleaned them up before doing it
Seafoam is the most popular around her I believe.I just use premix...
As for knowing what the oil is only analyzing it would get it and would b cheaper to just drain it and change it so you know hwat YOU put in

 

1) No idea, I'm not an audiophile and find my base system to be good.
2) Not really any way to determine it. Just change out the oil as 04RX8man said.
3) Seafoam can be a little tricky to use. I doubt your engine would need it unless it's got a ton of miles on it. Please provide us a little more info about your car.
4) https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...nting+calipers

I'd personally go with spray painting. My hand shakes like a **** if I try too hard. Painting it by brush, however, means you don't need to cover everything.

 

I got a sub and an amp and it sounded alot better

 

1) I think my Bose sounds pretty good, but I'm not an audiophile either.
2) Just change it; 5w30 Castrol GTX as a suggestion.
3) I use Lucas and STP fuel system treatments. I also pre-mix Idemitsu, 4 oz. per tank.
4) Get the G2 caliper paintkit. Wire brush if necessary and definitely use the brake cleaner. Hand painting is easy; just finish with a long stroke as with any painting project. Less to mask than spray painting.

 

^hey huey....this is a bit off topic but do you mix your fuel system treatments and your premix or do you not premix when you use the fuel cleaners/treatment....was going to us a fuel injector cleaner but I premix and was noot sure if I should mix them or go without premix for a tank and run cleaner thanks..

PM me if you don't want to clog this thread...

 

I just got an '04 a couple of weeks ago, but:

1. My bass is too strong, and worse the crossover sucks and the bass is really boomy. I turned off the first option in the menu (the one with 3 levels that increases LFE), and reduced bass a tad and increased treble. I don't know which speakers I have, but they have that stupid miniature woofer in the center of the dash like the ones that blow out no the Eclipse.

3. Seafoam is great, but know how to use it or you could screw up your car. Gas is the least worry, and I believe that you need to have no pre-mix when you seafoam. Seafoam in crankcase and you'll need to swap out that oil very shortly after or it could eat your car. For the manifold, you'll need to follow the diy for an RX-8, not just suck into brake booster line. I've been premixing with just 8 oz MMO for now, but I'm ordering Idemitsu and I'll probably do 4 oz. Idemitsu to 2 oz. MMO.

 

I don't pre-mix the tankfull in which I do the fuel system treatment. Probably doesn't matter but I like to think I'm separating the two.

 

^yah that's the way I was thining tooo

thanks

 

I just use LCD's Fuel Power Plus. Easier for me since you just toss it in the tank before filling up.

 

I would add a subwoofer and an amp to power it. Doing this takes the strain off of the smaller speakers, leaving the sub bass (100hz and below) to the sub.

Someone did an analysis of the stock radio and found that the bass EQ setting changes the area around 120hz, which is the mid-bass, not the sub bass.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/speaker-sizes-harnesses-kits-etc-audio-install-reference-74664/

I got an Infinity Basslink and I find it fills in the stock system very nicely.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-OZA34oC...-Basslink.html

Now I usually leave the radio EQ set at:
Bass = 0 to +1
Treble = +2

I use the wired remote for the Basslink to control the level of the sub-bass.

 

I don't want subs unless I change out other speakers with them. I will under no circumstances make my car a boom box, I just want some bass...

Minus all the fancy stuff like seafoam or premixing, using just the regular in store cleaners will work though correct? I don't like hearing things like "eat your car" type of things.

Guess i'll try to change my oil in a week or so. My friend can help me change it myself which will be a first for me...

I will hopefully get the car back tonite with a new front bumper and I'll get some better pictures of the car. If you missed my other thread I picked up an 06 winning blue with 19xxx miles, last thursday. The front bumper was cracked and they were waiting on a replacement but at least I got to use the car while waiting.

I finally realized yesterday that getting clear corners meant that you replace the entire light not just the cover... I was expecting to pay like 10 dollars but... they will have to wait.

 

Correct. All brands, types (synthetic, dino, fake synthetic, etc) and weights are compatible with each other, as long as they satisfy the API and ILSAC specs. Browse the oil threads for advice on just what to use.

Ken

 

Yep, typical in-store fuel system treaments are fine. Since the vehicle is designed to burn oil (after it lubricates the rotor apex seals) the fuel injectors tend to need a bit more maintenance than piston. Again, Lucas, STP, Gumout, Prestone, Seafoam, etc. in-tank solutions are fine.

Clear corners are of course a very subjective eye of the beholder item, but most of us prefer them over the stock amber lenses. If you go clears be sure to also get the "stealth" (chrome) bulbs so as to preclude the "egg yolk" look when non-illuminated. The stealth bulbs illuminate amber, so street legal most everywhere in the US.

Check out the oil change DIY thread since it's your first time. It's not difficult, but everything seems imposing the first time.

 

PIAA makes them. You can find them online and on eBay. Search under PIAA mirror.

I left amber bulbs underneath. I don't think they really look as bad as "egg yolk." I wanted to have them sorta look as legal as possible with some amber showing underneath.

But I think in the end, I'd probably get pulled over first for the no front plate over mirror side bulbs.

 

looks like I'm a bit late to the party...

1. are you sure you have the BOSE? If so, it has the 'subs' in the doors. at +6 it should be half decent. I am a bit of an audio nut so I yanked out the bose but I found it adequate in it's stock form.

2. Just switch to whatever you want to use. (5w-20 is too thin)

3. Yes, most other fuel system treatments are fine for our cars. BG-44 is pretty good stuff as well as Lucas products. (I've used both)

4. Go to your local autoparts store and most have a Caliper painting Kit. It should have high temp paint, some brake cleaner and sometimes even a little sand paper. You can wire brush or use sand paper by hand. I would recommend going to home depot and getting better paint brushes though, the ones in those kits are terrible. (I prefer brush to spray painting)
I went to Kragen for my paint but it should be the same at autozone. I believe its Duplicolor (sp?)


As for Clear Corners, that really is personal taste. what color is your car?

 

Depends on where you live. I checked the NY automobile code, and they state as long as all other lights are white or yellow, it's fine. I literally printed out that section and keep it in my car.

(other lights excludes headlamp, turn signals, and stop signals, I believe)

 

My car says BOSE al over it so I suspect it is. Maybe I just need to play aorund with it some more but it needs more oomph.

Next week I plan to do an oil change and start on the calipers.

 

more oomph you say?
Here's how I solved that little dilemma... https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/jedis-bose-stereo-upgrade-103771/

 

this is exactly what i dont want to do. certainly don't want to rip the car apart to do anything.

 

^don't really need to rip apart just meneuver some things....i install my amp sub and only had to take the plastic door sill rail thing off to be able to run the wires back to the trunk

 

Try using treble +2 bass +4 and fade it to the rear 2 or 3. The 6x9s in the back are going to produce the most bass so it sounds better to fade it to the back.

 

I think there is a thread in the audio/interior section where people put their settings for the stereo system. I boosted the treble and bass a bit and left fade/balance centered. I turned off the auto DSP program. I found it degraded clarity when doing on/off tests.