So as most of you probably know there's a slew of tutorials on push button starts, but all of them (that don't cost over $400) require the key to be in the ignition turned to the "on" position.

BEFORE ANY MODS CLOSE THIS THREAD HERE ME OUT..

This will not grant the ability to start someone else's 8 because every rfid in every key is programmed for a specific rx8. now on to my theory/idea/question....

The immobilizer is basically a RFID chip in the key grip and a RFID reader in the ignition. I believe the RFID chip in the key is LF 125khz. I tried starting my car with my key and no RFID chip ( I have the split key were you can take out the chip) and as most of you probably know you get the blinking indicator of the key in the car and the car wont start.

well my idea is that if you can extend the range of the RFID chip or program a stronger one as if it was a new key (using the 3x key on / 3x door open program method.... don't know if that would work). Then you could use a simple start button (click once for ACC again for IGN ON and then with clutch in, hold button for car to start) and the car would only turn on if the key was within range (which is currently only about 5 cm or so), if it wasn't in range the immobilizer would prevent the car from starting so it keeps it at least partially secure from theft.

I know that RFIDs can have ranges up to 300ft so thats not the problem, the problem is can I somehow extend the range of this RFID chip or will the immobilizer be able to program any RFID chip to work with the car (so I can get one with greater range) or would I have to mod the immobilizer itself to get range on that end. Any ideas would be helpful.

 

I don't have any specs and fairly limited knowledge, but here it goes.

If you have a combo LF/HF reader in your ignition and a LF tag
You'll need a HF tag...

If you have a LF reader in your ignition and a LF tag
You'll need a HF tag and reader. I'm not sure if an LF reader will read HF tags (doubt it) but if they do, you could get away with just putting in some arbitrary HF RFID reader (with new tag, of course). The RFID in your key is passive, meaning it needs to be powered from the reader. HF powers over something like 5 feet, so if your reader in the ignition can read HF, you just need your HF tag to be powered - enter 2nd reader. If the reader in the ignition can't read HF, then you'll need to replace it.

The other scenarios aren't likely. I'm guessing you'll need to replace the reader in the ignition and the tag in the key (or whatever you plan on using, like a custom fob). Let me know what you figure out. I've been considering doing this, too...

Information is not guaranteed to be accurate :D

 

So after back tracking quite a bit, I found an image of the key ignition unit on ebay (go figure) and then off the numbers on the label in the picture I eventually found the specs of the RFID reader here. now according to this the range is 3m which is PLENTY for this application, so assuming this is correct all that would need to be done is to change the rfid chip (the passive one in the key) with one with a greater range. now how that would work/how i would program the right response is now the question. would i be able to read the info off the current rfid chip using any rfid reader? (im honestly gonna try an app on my NFC phone to see what happens, fingures are crossed my key still works after lol).

 

Looks promising. I'm subscribing for future reference. Hopefully you can get this going, as I will be interested in this mod, if its professional, and keeps the current key ignition working as a backup.