Aside from the ap and ignition. +1 on gauges and clutch pedal.

Gauges because it's good to know how your car is currently running and clutch pedal because the last thing you want is that thing snapping while driving.

 

Thanks oldragger and Atilla, how hard are those gauges to hook up to the lines? I'll try looking for a DIY.




ALSO


On top of the mods, I'd like to perform my 60k mile maintenance, it has been asked many times if it is worth bringing the 8 to Mazda and paying $800 for them to do it all. I'd like to try doing it myself and need to know what to expect/what I need to buy. Tried searching around but didn't find much. I do not have my manual on me and need to know the specific dates/miles posted in our manual for that 60k scheduled maintenance. I am in Afghanistan right now with my car a looong ways away so have no access to it. Reason I need to know now is so I can order it and all this can be ready to go the day I get back because I will be driving the car the same day 700 miles (11.5 hrs). I need to make sure everything is up to date before going that far. Plus I'm sure I'll drive spirited for a little ways. I tried looking for the manual online and found a few shop manuals but estimated download time through my slow *** internet here is around 5hrs 23mins... I simply do not have time for that in a war zone.

So if anybody could please help me with what I need to do, it will be greatly appreciated. I'd like to do it myself because I'm sure it'll be quicker than Mazda can do it and a hell of a lot cheaper than $800... as I said.

I have an '06 with around 55k miles on it. I bring it to Mazda for regularly scheduled maintenance (basic fluids) but have never changed plugs or anything past what they do normally.

Thanks!
Ryan

 

When do you get home?

I am in VA, and have a bud or two down there... I'd be willing to drive and help a fellow soldier out. I get back from the sandbox in Winter 2011

 

I should be back in the states in exactly a month I definitely appreciate the offer but that'd be quite the drive and not even worth it for you. I have a couple buddies that have a garage at their house that are willing to help.



Could anyone maybe scan their manual with the maintenance schedule and post it up here?




Thanks again Kane, good lookin out.
Ryan

 

I have it.... when you get back LMK and I can email it to you - it's a pretty huge file.

 

I beg to differ! There are three flashes:

1 - for street and track
2 - mostly for track
3 - racing

I have the #1 flash and it does make a difference. I can show you a video of me passing other RX-8's on the back straight of road atlanta from turn 7 to turn 9. The exception was an 09 model that held it's own. If you want proof, I have it. Ask olddragger, he was there, which is probably why he suggested it.

 

Awesome, my email is lebel.ryan@gmail.com . The only problem is I kind of need the list of what to buy now so it'll be there when I get back.

Interesting, how much did you pay and how long did it take?






Ryan

 

$295. Mine was done while at Mazcare and getting other work done. Take yours out, over night it to Racing Beat, they flash and overnight it back to you. Can be done in as little as 3 days from what I understand.

Link: http://racingbeat.com/resultset.asp?partnumber=11307

Instructions: http://www.racingbeat.com/PDF/PCM%20Ordering.pdf

 

Sorry, I just caught this message.

Ryan, understand that a properly configured coil-over setup is much more than simply "going bigger or going home" with your setup.

Coilover suspension is not always great for what it does but what it allows you, the driver, to do. Coilovers are special because they give you an extended range of adjustment that you don't get with normal suspension systems.

You're able to adjust ride height, valve dampening (sometimes independent depending on the kit), as well as spring tension (sometimes called preload).

The problem is, the majority of coilover buyers have no idea how any of these adjustments fit into the handling of their vehicle. Many of them buy coilovers because they cannot get the drop they need with normal strut and spring combination kits and they don't want to be ghetto and cut their springs.

To be able to adjust coilover suspension in a manner which will benefit your handling you will need to do the following:

1. Install your kit

This one is pretty self explanatory.

2. Find your desired ride height. This really is more of a compromise on a street car. Going too low will actually make your handling worse by totally messing up the suspension geometry. You'll want a ride height that meets your goals but allows you to drive normally without the risk of scraping on everything.

3. Get corner balanced

Having coilover suspension it totally worthless without corner balancing. For this, you'll need a set of scales and about 2 or 3 hours depending on how much time you want to spend at it. This way you get the proper weight distribution WITH you in the car.

4. Get an alignment

This, again, is done with you in the car.

It is quite an undertaking and unless you spend the time to dial in the system you are just wasting money. The true test would be doing a test-n-tune at the track but if that isn't something you plan on doing then obviously it would be overkill.


I honestly don't understand why people still carry the torch for this product anymore.

"Making a difference" over the stock tune isn't that hard. The stock RX8 tune runs very rich so simply adding a point of AFR will bring about better response and more power. However, the devil is in the details. I've been up and down comparing the differences between the service that RacingBeat provides with their tunes compared to what the RX8 accessPORT can do. Considering the price drop it's even more of a no-brainer.

 

What's install mean? haha

Ok.

I have access to a set of scales as my buddy races a stock car and we corner balance it all the time. What can be changed on the coilover to reflect this though? The dampening? All we do with the race car is change the springs or add lead weights to certain parts underneath to get what we want.

Will a shop let me just sit in the car while getting an alignment?

I understand this now but I already bought them so it is too late to change my mind. I do not feel like trying to resell them and I got the Stance's for a steal. Unfortunately I thought it was a little easier to do. However, if it's time that it takes to get this right, then I am not worried too much. I don't mind taking time to make sure I get it perfect as to not screw up the awesome handling of this amazing car. I appreciate all the help in the steps I need to take to make this happen right.

Are those steps in order? Get an alignment after corner balancing?

Thanks again Flashwing, BIG help!

Ryan

 

Flashwing, constructively speaking.... some people like a simple install and not have to tinker or be dependent on someone else. I personally do not have time to work with, program or figure the best tuning for my car. I guess you might say I just want to install and move on. I'm not criticizing the alternatives. It's just that it's simple and it does work as an alternative. This is good for some of us, still. So, maybe if that is understood then picking the right product for the individual is appropriate. If someone is hard core then I agree with you.

 

Bump, finally back in the States!

Flashwing, do you have any answers to the questions I asked above?