Landon_Starr

Mostly just since Omicron requested pics from everyone, but a good place to keep everyone posted on my new mods.



1. 20" Lexani Roma Wheels (255 35 R20 RE750 Bridgestone Tires):

Threw these things on cuz I really like shiny things. I was able to integrate the TPMS with minor difficulties, I ended up using a little silicone on the inside of the valve stem. I plan on painting the calipers Red as soon as it starts getting warmer (got the kit already).

Landon_Starr

2. Fender Strakes: Installed these about a week ago. I probably should have looked on here at the DIY, but I jumped in head-first with the provided directions. Sure as the thread in here says, they're wrong. After a few temper tantrums (included throwing myself on the ground while kicking & screaming), I checked on-line & noticed they told me the wrong holes to put the bolt in. Oh well. Worked out wonderfully afterwards.

3. Clear side-markers: One of my first mods, bought them from JTimports. WAY quick shipping, and it was only like $50 shipped. Awesome service, awesome product. I like how they stick out a bit further than stock...kinda cool.

4. Aftermarket Leather: I chose to go aftermarket because the quality seemed better. I'll attach a pic of the interior...Auto Trim Design threw it in for me, got an awesome deal @ $900.

5. Aftermarket Sunroof: Call me stupid, but yeah I cut into the roof of my brand new RX-8 a week after purchasing it. I didn't like the setup the stock roof had, so I threw in one I liked. This one has a "single-push" open, vent, and close operation. I dig it. Plus the buttons light up.

6. Appearance Package: Thought I'd save some money and buy it myself. A definite score. I paid a total of about $800 from Trussville, when I think the option was about 2000. I installed it myself, pain in the ***, but managed to do it all in about 4-5 hours. Quite a bit of drilling. I cringed every time I had to pierce through the metal skin of my baby. I considered just superglueing it all on, but thought that may not be the best way.

Let me know what you all think, give me some opinions on what I should do next, or tell me how stupid something I've done is.

Pics will follow.....

Landon_Starr

Here's the aftermarket leather.

Landon_Starr

sunroof buttons setup.

Omicron

Very, very nice Landon!

I threw that garage pic of your car up on the RMRX8C wbsite, under your profile.

Gyro

First of all........those wheels actually make our brake rotors look small


and....whatcha doin with your stock wheels and tires??

Landon_Starr

I've sold the stock wheels & tires already...In fact, I'm shipping them out today. sorry.

--Landon

Landon_Starr

Installing my GReddy exhaust & KN drop in filter this Friday!! I'll be dynoing before, with filter, then with filter & exhaust(maybe without filter/with exhaust time permitting). I'll post results here.

<getting excited> :D

--Landon

Landon_Starr

I had the GReddy exhaust installed Friday!! It was an excellent success. The rear pipes are HUGE (as many have noted), and the sound is AMAZING. HP gains are indeed real, too.

I have mustang dyno results that I can post later, but just to provide a summary, here's what my modifications resulted in:

Key variables to keep in mind:

Mustang dyno shows consistently less HP than Dynojet.
I'm at 4330 ft. elevation, without any elevation correcting done (to my knowledge).
And, YES, I did take my 20" pieces of steel off to dyno, replaced rear wheels with stock wheels prior to dyno. :D

GREDDY SP2 Cat-back exhaust: On average (about 6 pulls), I was showing a 6 hp peak gain at the wheels, with JUST the exhaust modified. Peak HP gain by pull, was almost 10.

K&N drop in filter replacement: On average (about 6 pulls), I was showing a 2 hp peak gain at the wheels, IN COMPARISON TO DYNOS WITH JUST THE EXHAUST MODIFICATION. Independently without the exhaust results may differ. Peak HP gain by pull, was about 3.5.

I'm thrilled about the sound and HP gains, although these numbers may sound low, keep in mind the variables I provided above.

--Landon

Anubis Rising

Wow Landon, your aftermarket leather looks sweet!! and just
$900.00? I have been debating on your option, since the GT is
a little out of my reach.. how's the leather feel?

JERCS

Landon: if you did it at Modern I believe they said there was elevation correction... not completely sure though. Fairly :D

Landon_Starr

yeah....I know the mustang dyno is CAPABLE, but they were claiming this as a reason for lower numbers. <shrug> Maybe they didn't adjust it for baseline performance comparison reasons. Dunno. Oh well.

--Landon

Landon_Starr

Thanks Anubis. The leather feels VERY nice, thicker, stays cooler(in my opinion, I may be making things up in my own mind, though) and seems much less susceptible to puncturing and wear. Definitely characteristics I needed. $900 was the price I got as dealer cost, I'm not sure what the retail would be. Contact Auto Trim Design if you're interested. They did an excellent job.

--Landon

mdw33333

That leather looks like a Katzkin kit. Landon, do you know for sure who made the kit? I'm just curious.

Landon_Starr

You're correct, MDW. It is Katzkin. ATD installed the kit.

--Landon

Anubis Rising

Thanks Landon! oh, did they install seat warmers as well?
and you got the $900 deal at the dealer?

Rotary Titus

nice! I always hated that plastic feel of those stripped leather
where did you get it done and how much were they? did they take your seats out and actually kept the centre red pieces?

Omicron

Um, I'll bet he had it done on Salt Lake City, Utah. You going to make the drive there from Vancouver? :D

Seriously, do a site search on leather seats, and you'll find at least 1 company that makes complete replacement leather for the RX-8. Here is one such thread. You can buy the set, then have an upholstery shop in your area put them on.

Hope this helps!

mdw33333

Landon's kit is Katzkin, which is the best on the market IMO. They also offer options such as, custom cross stitching and custom embroidered logos (Mazda). They come sewn and ready to slip on, after removing the factory covers. We've sold their kit for years and have yet to find any that are better.

Omicron

Don't they typically run around $1000 for a complete set?

Rotary Titus

ah yes... the SEARCH button :p
thanks! I might do it in a year after I wear them out...
anyone know if those mazdaspeed seats come colour keyed like our stock seats? (I've only seen solid colours) kinda wanna keep the interior colour scheme....

Omicron

Happy to help. Sorry if you're tired of hearing about the SEARCH button, no offense intended.

Far as I know, the MS seat do not come color keyed. Just solid colors.

Landon_Starr

Yes, I did have it installed here in SLC. Also, I have been in contact with an upholstery specialist who can custom embroider leather WHILE it's already installed. They claim they have this "new" machine, I'm sure it's not new practice, but it's cool since he's a good friend. I'm probably going to have "RX-8" embroidered in black lettering on the two front seats and the back seats. Kinda a nice effect.

--Landon

Landon_Starr

Also, the kit came with the door pieces, as well. My 8 is a base model that originally came with cloth, everything red on the interior was included with the KATZKIN kit.

--Landon

Rotary Titus

none taken
dang... yea if only they made those MS seats colour keyed as our interior....

so Landon, you found away around getting no sunroof with leather eh? :D