DIY: Tire Valve Cap Replacement
#51
Do What!
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Originally posted by SMigneco
Of course, if you have the M flash then this is a non-issue.
Of course, if you have the M flash then this is a non-issue.
[RX-8 Newbie owner] I need to get the "M" flash thingy.
[Service writer] What is the problem that you are experiencing?
[RX-8 Newbie] No problem, I just want to installl StreetPipes on my wheels.
[Service writer] Street pipes on your wheels, why would you, no how do you.. on your wheels?!
[Newbie] Yes, they screw on right over the input valve on the pressure sensors.
[Service writer] Now I see, but what does that have to do with the "M" flash?
[Newbie] Well it's a really long story to explain it, but I don't want to kill any small animals I might drive by.
[Service writer] Do what?! Well ok, just let me fill this out. I had to have a reason to do the flash upgrade for Mazda to cover it under warranty.
[Service ticket problem description] Update PCM to "M" level to correct loose nut behind wheel.
#53
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You guys should never attempt this mod without first chocking your wheels front and back and setting the emergency brake. Never know when that twisting force on the valve stems is going to send your car plummeting down the driveway!
#58
#59
RedZoomZoom
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I can personally attest to the improvements as a result of installing the chromed rotary-shaped valve caps from rotary13b1.com. I think my gas mileage improved by a little over 0.00732 mpg after the install, averaged over two tanksfull. Once the engine computer adjusted to the change in setup, my "seat of the pants" dyno registered greater than 0.001 improvement in both horsepower and torque in first gear. I have not had my dyno calibrated in other gears so I will not quote actual figures, but the improvement is at least as impressive in all gears (except reverse). For some strange reason, I can detect no change at all in reverse.
I strongly recommend this performance modification to all RX-8 owners. It is inexpensive (less than the Mazda accessory caps) and with the DIY procedure above, even a novice can be confident of completing the swap, avoiding shop labor fees.
I strongly recommend this performance modification to all RX-8 owners. It is inexpensive (less than the Mazda accessory caps) and with the DIY procedure above, even a novice can be confident of completing the swap, avoiding shop labor fees.
#62
You want legal?
Or do you want real bolt/spin on performance?
You gotta make up your mind.
Kinda like that Harley/Dinette set commercial
Or do you want real bolt/spin on performance?
You gotta make up your mind.
Kinda like that Harley/Dinette set commercial
Last edited by snap-on; 12-06-2004 at 07:53 PM.
#63
I'm a newcomer, so I'm learning alot from these posts. I'm picking up my new 8 in 3 wks. From what I've been reading, an application of Zaino would make these valves work even better!
#64
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Due to lack of funds I'm thinking of modding just the left rear passenger side valve cap for now. Will that affect the 25-25-25-25 weight distribution significantly? I'm wary about driving on wet roads.
#67
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Originally Posted by zoom44
i tried this last night for about 2 hours before i gave up in utter frustration! anyone in the portland oregon area already done this that can give me a hand?
#69
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I am going to have to wait on this one. My dealer put on these special caps that show green when you have enough air in the tire. I took them off and put normal caps on because I took them off once and I can't get them back on because as soon as I took them off they showed red. I put more air in the tires, but they still showed red so I used an old tire guage with normal caps.
Fer thos wunderin, I watch'd the cap carfulley as I was puttion air in da tire and it stayd red da hol time.
I dun't want ta mess with the Rotery style caps til I get this perfectd.
I dun't ned help. I are a do it myselfer, ya know. I juz ned ta praktiss.
BTW, they actually charge $9 a piece for those valve caps that show green. Now why they put them on a car that has built in sensors inside the tires, beats me. Anyone want them? Mak ya a deel, dun't cha kno.
Fer thos wunderin, I watch'd the cap carfulley as I was puttion air in da tire and it stayd red da hol time.
I dun't want ta mess with the Rotery style caps til I get this perfectd.
I dun't ned help. I are a do it myselfer, ya know. I juz ned ta praktiss.
BTW, they actually charge $9 a piece for those valve caps that show green. Now why they put them on a car that has built in sensors inside the tires, beats me. Anyone want them? Mak ya a deel, dun't cha kno.
Last edited by RX4+30Years=RX8; 01-10-2005 at 01:59 PM.
#71
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One thing that almost no one took into consideration... what about the balance of the wheel/tire? I mean, ya know, couldn't this mod throw the whole stability of the car completely out of whack, thereby voiding the warranty?
#72
thats right...the KING!
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ijust busted out laughing at work. thanks guys, my boss looked at me like i was an exploded possum.
hey by the way my name is Mr. Valve & Capish and I have been working on my own caps that install the same but make 327.76whp! However I am saving all data and photos until the Warren Commision comes out so that govornment secrets are not given to the general public.
hey by the way my name is Mr. Valve & Capish and I have been working on my own caps that install the same but make 327.76whp! However I am saving all data and photos until the Warren Commision comes out so that govornment secrets are not given to the general public.
#73
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Just a note of caution on how dangerous it can be if you don't tighten them in the proper order. It should be front left, then back right, then back left, then front right. This distributes the pressure evenly so your wheels won't fall off.
#74
ROFL - that's a good one.
#75
Lubricious
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Well, here's a little DIY info on the tire caps that people might not actually be aware of....
Believe it or not, aftermarket caps with brass threads can seize to the stem, making it difficult or even impossible to get air into the tires.
The RX-8 valve stems are solid metal and the threads are some type of aluminum alloy; not the usual brass. This causes a galvanic reaction between the dissimilar metals.
The solution is to not use caps with brass threads. Or, make sure to use anti-seize compound. I've got some locking caps (yes there are such things), with brass threads that have done fine with anti-seize. But I did have an earlier set of caps nearly freeze solid after only a few weeks!
I'd swear I saw a Mazda bulletin about this somewhere, but can't find it right now...
Believe it or not, aftermarket caps with brass threads can seize to the stem, making it difficult or even impossible to get air into the tires.
The RX-8 valve stems are solid metal and the threads are some type of aluminum alloy; not the usual brass. This causes a galvanic reaction between the dissimilar metals.
The solution is to not use caps with brass threads. Or, make sure to use anti-seize compound. I've got some locking caps (yes there are such things), with brass threads that have done fine with anti-seize. But I did have an earlier set of caps nearly freeze solid after only a few weeks!
I'd swear I saw a Mazda bulletin about this somewhere, but can't find it right now...